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I WILL get Naltrexone

Posted , 5 users are following.

rainbow2014
rainbow2014

Just an update on changing from Nalmefene to Naltrexone . After suffering bad side effects , still going on !  , I am on a mission to get Naltrexone . I handed in my notes informing my Doctor about Naltrexone . She phoned me today saying she had prescribed it before but things had changed and she needed a specialist to do it . She didn't know where to go although she said she could phone my key worker ! , but maybe I could ?? She's a very nice doctor , although I've never met her !! All of our consultations have been on the phone . I'm not one to be negative or moan normally but ..... Surely , if this were another condition , the Doctor would refer a patient and find out the information for them ?? 

?I must say, this entire helping myself give up drinking thing has turned into a lot more . 

?I'm going to walk into that centre on Tues armed with a file of information to build up awareness . They just have no clue . I can't fault them in showing care and empathy with people walking through the door , but I really feel that their approach is very dated and their information on new ideas is limited .....

?I can only say  that I'm a little annoyed at this time , but this will give me the drive to try and  build a stronger awareness around new concepts surrounding alcohol addiction .

?There is such a gap , an area missing  ! for people to explore helping themselves . 

?Helping myself has proven so difficult sadly 

The story carries on .......

?

 

2 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • alex01280
    alex01280 rainbow2014

    Posted

    I went to my doctor on Dec 27th last year and it took me a month to get the tablets because there were a few hoops I had to jump through. Basically;

    ?doctor---wellness hub (though it said 'recovery centre' on the official paperwork)----wellness hub again----doctor at the wellness hub----tablets.

    ?And it seems like I'm one of the lucky ones. It's amazing that we are the cutting edge of medicine that was invented in 1965. 

    But we'll get there!

     

  • Joanna-SMUKLtd
    Joanna-SMUKLtd rainbow2014

    Posted

    Rest assured, you know what you are doing! biggrin

    Naltrexone is shared care in your area, Rainbow.  This means that the local health authority prefer a specialist doctor to assess to see if naltrexone is suitable and, if it is, they will advise your GP and then the GP can prescribe.  So the end result is that your GP prescribes and continues to prescribe whilst the patient maintains attendance at appointments at the specialist services to monitor progress.  The only difference is that to prescribe naltexone whilst you are still drinking is an 'off-license' way to prescribe it because in your area, here is what it says: 'Naltrexone is used as part of a comprehensive programme of treatment against alcoholism to reduce the risk of relapse, as support treatment in abstinence and to reduce the craving for alcohol.'

    The shared care procedure is the same procedure as you went through to get nalmefene, so as long as your keyworker checks with the doctor at the centre and he/she says it is okay, your GP can definitely switch you to naltrexone under the exact same regime as you already have running.  There should be no need for any upheaval or starting off from scratch in terms of your arrangements with your keyworker.

    They are both non-addictive opioid-antagonist medications of the same 'family' and I am sure the doctor will know that.  Cost-wise (since this may also help the decision) the nalmefene that you are on costs the NHS £84 for 28 tablets.  The cost of 28 naltrexone tablets is £22.

    Keep going just a little bit longer.... I feel sure you will get this.

    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd

      Posted

      Forgot to say, will email you across the official shared care guidance for your area in a minute. x
    • ADEfree
      ADEfree rainbow2014

      Posted

      Best luck, Rainbow! I hope you breeze through it all. 
  • Robin2015
    Robin2015 rainbow2014

    Posted

    Best of luck Rainbow and keep trying. You are getting great advice from Joanne C3Foundatio as usual. Robin
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