Naltrexone and Bupropion ??

I think I misread!  Oh, I hope I did!  I think I was reading about Contrave that contains naltrexone and bupropion.  I feel like such an idiot because I messaged Clauia too.  

The bottle says it contains 50mg of naltrexone hydrochoride USP.

I just kept seeing all this stuff popping up and didn't realize contrave was in parentheses. 

I'm so sorry!!!  But, I'm glad I can continue taking these.  I opened a beer at 3:20 and I finished it at 4:20.  Unbelievable because the first always slides down fast.

But, yes, hoping the faitgue doesn't last long.

Thank you so much for putting up with me, lol.  

I believe when I read one silly thing then I typed in "taking naltrexone and bupropion together" and didn't realize there was actually a med out there with both combined together. So sorry!

No worries, better to be safe than sorry

Glad things have started off so well for you.  All you need to do now is remain compliant, remain mindful and the rest will happen with time.

And because you have noticed such a difference already, then it means that this method will work for you as long as you keep doing the above until you reach the point where you are completely indifferent towards alcohol, and really can take it or leave it.  No one can say how long it will take (I was 8 months, some take less time, some take longer) but from about the 4 month mark I was having plenty of days, stretching to week at a time when I was alcohol free.

So, one question that will make sense this time, lol.  After you get to that point that you feel you do not want to drink and become abstinent - does one have to continue the naltrexone or not?

P.S.  My husband is shock.  When we go out to eat he's so embarassed because I drink my beer immediately and looking for the watiress to get me another drink and his is still full.  He just can't believe It's been about 2 hours since I started drinking and beer #2 is basically full yet.  I'm so happy tonight and praying this continues.  God Bless you all who this has worked for.  Even if it doesn't work for me I know there's hope for many in this tiny pill.  AMEN!

At that point, you would just carry on you a spare tablet or two as 'insurance' - just in case you find yourself in a position when you want to drink.

An example I use is pretty horrible but lets say you are out and you hear of the sudden death of a family member, or friend.  Now that type of event is almost impossible to prepare for obviously, and so many people feel the immediate need for a drink, maybe to deal with the shock.

If you didn't have a tablet on your keyfob in one of those little pill holders, and really felt the need for a drink, then you would be drinking unprotected and that means all the great big endorphin rush that causes the switch to switch back on to the 'more, more, more' situation, is up and running again.

I've known people lose control once they drink unprotected quite quickly, and to me, it's just not worth the risk.  Carry a spare tablet or two around 'just in case'.

It's like a guy carrying a condom around 'just in case' isn't it?  Lol.  If he doesn't have one in his wallet, he is taking a big risk.

(sorry for the not very nice example, but it is very powerful because most people understand that truly horrible feeling when you hear someone you love has passed).

Totally understand and the example was great, lol!

Right now, I keep a pill in my purse, in a pill holder on my key chain, in my work bag and in the vehicle.  I am pretty well prepared.  

That summed it up for me as for where I am right now with Naltrexone.  I am prepared for this journey as baclofen and cold turkey did not work for me.  

I might have tried the Campral but my doctor was out of town.  I already had the Naltrexone and resorted to that.  So, this is where I am and I'm doing O.K.  

Thank you for your help!  I feel much more at ease now.  

It's different when you know you're going to win, yes?

Ade I'm on day 3. It took me 4 hours to drink 3 cans of beer. I'm now drinking iced tea. I'm not drunk. I sorta feel hmmm....normal? I'm so glad I had no bad side effects. The most I felt since upping the dose is being tired but I feel a little better now. I shared a video on my Facebook page urging my alcoholic friends to just watch the video and be open minded. I know I have a long way to go but for the first time in a year I feel HOPE. Thank you for being my supporter these past few days.

You're welcome, for sure! I'm so glad this is working out to be a good fit for you, that is just so awesome. How may would you ususally go through in a night?

Did you already hear about the Honeymoon effect?

I could usually drink 8 cans of beer within 3 hours. But always at least 6 a night. Right now I m feeling a bit "off"..... and anxiety like jittery. Hoping this passes also. And I never heard of the honeymoon effect.

Yeah, I was pretty good at knocking back 6 pint cans in about 4 hours, then off to the store for another six pack.

The Honeymoon effect seems to happen for most people. There's an initial drop when you start TSM, then your drinking goes back up, then gradually rolls off. It's your brain reaching out for it's old buddy, trying to find that endorphin hit that it's grown so used to.  

If you drank quite a bit the first night before TSM, maybe you're adjusting to that?

Well what started out as a night of hope turned into a night of h*ll. I have been fighting anxiety, jittery, nausea, stomach pains and a headache all night. And when I do fall asleep for a few minutes I jump from what seems to be a nightmare. Like crawling out of my skin and sweating. This was night 2 of 25 mg. I see how this pill works as a blessing for some but I never wanna feel this way again. So glad I knew to start low due to my sensitivity to mess. I'm so upset that I just want to cry. Thank you and everyone else for your help.

Sorry you're having such a bad reaction! This would be one to run past the doctor, Kelly. You're also withdrawing from Baclofen, so that could complicate things, but which is which, that's beyond me. 

I haven't taken baclofen for almost two weeks. I only took it May 19-24. Then I was cold turkey for a week. Drank one night and started the Naltexone. I SO wanted this to work. I would still promote this 100%!!!! Where now? Idk.

This is disappointing

You know your body best, but I just wanted to check if you ate first (about 30-60 minutes before the tablet)?  This can really help keep any side effects to any minimum as you are adusting.

Or, any over the counter preparation that your pharmacist might suggest?

If you are absolutely sure that you won't adjust then there isn't much you can do, and at least you tried it, but if you think there might be something else you can do then try that first.  Even if it means taking an OTC and starting on 12.5mg of naltrexone.  Any short term issues are usually short term, and far outweight the overall gain.

Such a shame because this held great promise for you.  I am sad for you.

This might mean a case of waiting to see the doc and seeing about Campral?

Oh, and two last little things to check....

1.  Are you lactose intollerant?

2.  In the last 7-10 days have you taken any seemingly innocent medications?  Anything at all, including cough mixture, diarreah tablets?

One last, last thing to check on.... (honestly, this time)....

Do you think there would be any value in asking your doctor if he could arrange for a compound pharmacy to make you up a sub-lingual version of naltrexone?

As I am thinking you might already be aware, this is just a couple of drops under the tongue and so it bypasses the first metabolism in the stomach.  Wonder if that might help you adjust to it, too.

Hi Joanna. I always ear before the pill. Yesterday I had a granola bar, a pack of crackers, cheese and a banana. Took the pill an hour later and drank one hour later. I felt wonderful for 5 hours last night. Hope. Then I got this anxious feeling all over, headache, nausea, etc.... the worst were the dreams and feeling comotosed. I was yelling for help in my sleep and wondering why my husband wouldn't wake me up. But, yes, I did everything the correct way. I've seen so many good reviews. I could deal with some side effects but the jittery feeling and overly vivid dreams were awful. I still think this is a wonderful pill. I suppose I'm just too sensitive. I'm not giving up. I went from sad to mad because I was excited for this.

I am not lactose intolerant. I have read not to take anti diarrhea meds and haven't had a need to. Claritin over the counter last week for 3 days is the only thing that comes to mind. Then my daily herbs and vitamins.

Oh and my normal wellbutrin and clonazapam.

I never heard of a sub lingual version. I can tell you I deal with a small pharmacy as I live in the country. I'm surprised they carry naltrexone lol.

I wonder if your anxiety about the knowledge you have of a possible interaction with the medication is causing you these symptoms.

I DO understand however, why you would be afraid to continue with it.

Are you willing to talk to the pharmacist...and give it another try?

A sub lingual version has to be specially made in the US, I believe.

It seems that you have discounted all the possibilities and I have never heard of people being ok for a good few hours, and then struggling wwith side effects, so it could just be that unfortunately you can't tolerate naltrexone.

Other than cut it right down to 12.5mgs and see if you can gradually build a tolerance up that way, I think a discussion with your doctor is about the only thing to do

No, I had that all squared away and felt relief after talking to Joanna and Claudi (who deals with TSM) & looking at the bottle for the ingredients.  I was definitely at peace and feeling very hopeful at that point.  I was looking at the wrong med online.  

I am that one small percentage that cannot take this pill.  I will not be taking it tonight.  Today I'm gonig to feel like I have the worst hangover ever and try to remain confident in myself.  Tomorrow I'm calling my doctor and asking her to call the Campral into the pharmacy.  I will go cold turkey for about 5 days and start the pill.  Does that sound about right?  If I should have side effects to that then I'm a lost cause and will fall down in the cracks.  

Just kidding!  I'm not giving up!  God gave me hope for a reason yesterday and I have to trust that He has good plans for me.  

Love this forum!  Still will encourage anyone to try Naltrexone. Yesterday my step daughter was to arrive and she isn't coming until today.  There was a reason for that too.  So, I'm going to trust that I'll do this in the near future!  I'm a fighter.  If I could fight for 11 years or even lately fight for 2 week intervals then I can do this.  Keepiing outpatient counseling and group therapy and behaving unlike you in therapy, hahaha!    

Love your sense of humor!  Please stay sober  

Thank you for your help.  So you don't think any vitamins or herbs interacted with the Naltrexone?  I really did take it the proper way.  Except the first night I did take 12.5 mg and then the next two days 25 mg.  I ate something solid like Claudia suggested and waited an hour and took the pill.  Then I counted down to the very minute and opened a drink.  

Should the Campral not help me I'd be willing to try 12.5 mgs and build up.  My doctor said that was OK from the beginning but I did opt to up to 25 mg the second and third day.  

I'm not giving up.  Like I said to Missy.  I had HOPE yesterday for a reason and I know God has good things waiting for me as long as I keep fighting.

Thank you for all your help.  I said it once and will say it again that I will promote Naltrexone to anyone who might need it.  I believe it really helps people

I've never known of anyone having issues with vitamins and naltrexone, but that doesn't mean to say that you won't since you are sensitive to medications anyway.

If there are any interactions, then I would think it would be more likely to be with the herbs so the only way to know for sure would be to cut the herbs out for a few days and then try take the naltrexone again (not sure if the herbs stay in the body for a while?). 

I am so pleased that, if nothing else, this gives you some hope.  No particular type of treatment will suit everyone, that much is sure, but if the naltrexone lifted you enough to realise that something WILL work, then it is just a case of keeping going until you find it.

And I feel sure that you will find it!

I take Benfotiamine (B1), Melatonin, Vitamin D3, and Tumeric.  If any of those would react to the Naltrexone I would think the Tumeric.  

I'll just try the Campral and if that doesn't work I'll cut out the Tumeric and go back on a low dose of 12.5 for longer than one day but I'll be sure to talk to you first before I would.

Thanks!

Agreed on the most obvious potential there being the Tumeric, if any of them.  Does Tumerica cause the heat in spicy food?  If so, that may have some connection as spicy food releases endorphins in the same way alcohol does so the naltrexone would block that endorphin release as well as the alcohol.

Though the combination of the Melatonin and the naltrexone could have exaggerated your tiredness, since naltrexone can make people tired anyway.

Oh, I could deal with being tired.  That was the least of my worries.

Tumeric is an herb and yes, it is a hot spice that you put in foods also.

I take it for my IBS and joint pain and it's been a great help. Hmmm.......makes me think.   How would I know for certain?  

Unless the pharmacist or doctor could say one way or another, then the only way would be to drop it out and see what happens when you take naltrexone again.  By any chance, did you take it sometime AFTER the naltrexone?  I only ask this because it's quite rare for someone to feel okay on naltrexone for a few hours and then start suffering some hours afterwards.  Usually, any side effects come on quite quickly after the naltrexone has been absorbed.

Tell you one thing, you are covering everything here so at least if you don't settle you know that you have tried for best....

I only took my two night time meds.  The clonazapam and melatonin.  I ate a good meal.  We had pork ribs, baked potatoes and corn while I was on my 3rd and last drink.