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Dry January

Posted , 9 users are following.

kathryn43
kathryn43

hi Paul, selinco has been very successful for me. From drinking most nights 1 - 1 1/2 bottles of wine to two nights drinking 1 1/2 - 2 glasses. It took a while to get to this stage, I strarted at Easter and it was a gradual reduction. The real turning point was around October. Over Xmas I did drink on a few more nights but didn't drink more than 2 glasses at the most. I have actually lost the desire! So, I am doing a dry January and wondering if this is ok when doing the Sinclair method or do you need to keep up the routine of taking selincro and drinking? For example, will I go through the side effects again when I next take selincro? Also, I'm worried that I might revert back and feel the desire again? Hope this makes sense? I don't want to ruin the progress! Kind regards K 

2 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • PaulJTurner1964
    PaulJTurner1964 kathryn43

    Posted

    It is possible you may suffer the same side effects initially when you do take a pill again. As long as you are protected by a pill every time you drink, you won't get out of control again. It is not a problem to have a drinking break because your receptors will stay 'non--demanding' as long as you don't drink without the protection of a pill.

    Some people find that Naltrexone is better for side effects but you need to be aware that, if you do transfer to that, you will need to get a Liver Function Test done every so often as it can have more of an effect on your liver than Nalmefene. However, neither drug has as much of an effect as excessive drinking. Also, if you end up drinking only occasionally (as many people find they do), the need for Liver tests will be less frequent.

    Was it your GP that prescribed it for you? As it is working, whoever did may be willing to move you onto Naltrexone but I would try a Nalmefene pill first and deal with that if it is an issue.

    So glad you have had positive results. I am always very happy to hear these success stories smile

    • kathryn43
      kathryn43 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. It is very reassuring to know that I won't be back to square 1! The side effects were not too bad for me. I felt a bit 'strange' and had sleep disturbance but coped so hopefully it won't be too much of an issue. 

      I must admit that that I didn't go through my GP (too ashamed). Instead I bought privately from pharmacy 2 U. I feel it has been worth the cost and especially now that I only take two per week. Having said that, I am hoping that the cost of the pill will reduce in time as I may not always be able to afford this.

      Although, I haven't shared what I am doing with anyone, the good news is that my husband has also gradually reduced his drinking along with me and it isn't the big thing in our life any more. 

      I would just just like to add how helpful and supportive I have found this forum. There are some wonderful people out there and your advice, Paul I value greatly 😃

    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd kathryn43

      Posted

      Hi Kathryn, very well done to you indeed.  Excellent news. biggrin

      Just wanted to give you a quick 'heads-up' about your assessment and prescription at P2U.

      Like normal NHS doctors, they are governed by the criteria for issuing a prescription for nalmefene, as per the NICE guidelines.  If you are not sure what they are, then google NICE guidelines nalmefene TA325 and it will be the first entry on google.

      What this means is that eventually your drinking will reduce so much that you fall out of the guidelines for a prescription, especially with regard to how much you are drinking every week.  This MAY mean that you get refused for a new prescription at the next time you are due to be assessed by them.  If I remember I think each assessment/approval and prescription lasts for 6 months.

      When you think you are coming to the end of your consultation period with them, don't leave it too late to complete a new assessment as you don't want to risk being in a position of running out of tablets and scrambling to find other doctors, especially now you are doing so very well.

      So, don't worry about it for now - it's just a possibility that is all.

      I just wanted you to be aware nearer to the time so that if this happens, Paul (or I) may be able to help you with information about who can prescribe naltrexone, if required.  Pharmacy2U do not provide doctors consultations for naltrexone, and Rayboy250 is correct in that it is usually the specialists so we might need to do a little research for you to get you the information you will need.

       

    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 kathryn43

      Posted

      That's great, that it has had a positive impact on your life Kathryn smile

      Thanks for the nice comment smile

    • kathryn43
      kathryn43 Joanna-SMUKLtd

      Posted

      Thanks so much for letting me know this. I had no idea that I could possibly fall out of the guidelines for a prescription! I think I had better get on with it as it is some time since I last ordered a repeat. It does seem odd that this could happen if you are supposed to always take a tablet when having a drink? It could potentially mean that people go back to drinking heavily!

      ​Thanks again for your kind words of encouragement and advice. Much apprecaited K. biggrin

  • rayboy250
    rayboy250 kathryn43

    Posted

    Really well done Kathryn.You are fortunate that you continue to be okay on Nalmefene with few side effects as you have deceased your drinking. I also was successful in getting to where you are now , however, I could not continue on the drug. The less I took the tablets ( i.e. once or twice a week) the worse the side effects got for me. However, after three weeks I am still doing okay and as I speak I am drinking an orange juice while my wife enjoys a wine. 

    With regard to the cost of buying private you could consider going over to Naltrexone. It is much cheaper. Paul will tell you that the drug works in the same way but you would require Liver function Tests on a regular basis. Maybe that would put you off that idea if you don't want your Doctor to know. This was something I wanted to try but my GP put me at risk by asking me to abstain for a month before he would prescribe it, then realised he could not prescribe initially. It had to come from a specialist in the first instance.  I will be monitoring my own progress now and have an appointment with my GP this week. It maybe I seek still to be prescribed the Naltrexone to stay safe. 

    • kathryn43
      kathryn43 rayboy250

      Posted

      Thank you Rayboy for your words of encouragement. Yes,  the liver function test does put me off somewhat. I'll see how I get on after my dry January! 

      Its great that you are doing well. Keep it up you will be happier and healthier for it. Remember you are not on your own, we are all in it together. Take care K 😄

    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 kathryn43

      Posted

      Private liver fuction tests can be sorted online for £2. They send you a kit out and you prick your finger and squeeze a sample into a container which you return and they test it for you.
    • kathryn43
      kathryn43 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      Thanks for this information Paul. I didn't know that! Wow what you can do online these days. K.
    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 kathryn43

      Posted

      Sorry Kathryn. I noticed, after looking at what you were referring to, that I made a typo. A Liver Function test will cost £20, not £2, unfortunately.
    • kathryn43
      kathryn43 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      No problem. Didn't think much about it but of course £20 is more realistic ! 😀
    • Robin2015
      Robin2015 kathryn43

      Posted

      HI Kathryn, You can afford £20 with all the money you are saving by not drinking. Joking apart: we support and salute you in 2016 and this could be your year!! We will not mis judge you as you have already noticed. Let us know how everyting is working out please. All the best to to you from Robin
  • nicole36330
    nicole36330 kathryn43

    Posted

    Re liver function.

    I had a test in late September and my results were very good,no sign of anything untoward but I was already seeing signs of yellowness in my eyes and skin,doctor says there's nothing wrong

    • vickylou
      vickylou nicole36330

      Posted

      Just interested to know what was the cause of the yellowing in your eyes? Glad all was well though
    • nicole36330
      nicole36330 vickylou

      Posted

      I still feel they are a bit yellow but dr says nothing is wrong with my liver and I think he thinks I'm imagining it
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