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Naltrexone and Campral

Posted , 11 users are following.

Paper_fairy
Paper_fairy

Hi all! What a beautiful day, the sun is shining and "the normals"(not us) are enjoying being outside..bbqs, drinking outside pubs, etc.just enjoying a few glasses of wine, beer or whatever, and it's so annoying. Well that has been me for 4 years, hating the fact that I couldn't do that anymore..

Good news I think I can now due to naltrexone. I just can't believe how amazing this drug is. The last few days I've been on the drink with naltrexone taken correctly and I can honestly say that I haven't been able to drink more than 3/4 bottle of white wine. Today I took tablet at 1.00, it's now 5.45 and I've only had half bottle..I am so glad I found this forum as I'm beginning to think I might be able to go out socialising and holidays, which I haven't been able to do for years..2 be cont...

2 likes, 44 replies

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  • Joanna-SMUKLtd
    Joanna-SMUKLtd Paper_fairy

    Posted

    Firstly, well done!  I am very pleased that things are under control.  I can tell you that from now things will only continue to get better.

    For those finding this for the first time, I just want to highlight the one sentence in your post that means so much, as an advocate of naltrexone taken as per The Sinclair Method, because it is so VERY, very important.

    ''with naltrexone taken correctly....''

    There have been studies done about the two combined, and one done in 2004 concluded that ''The combination of acamprosate with naltrexone in a clinical sample seems to be efficacious and safe. Numerous alcohol dependent patients could benefit, particularly those that responded insufficiently on monotherapeutic treatment with either acamprosate or naltrexone.''

    I think the key thing here is that it seems to suggest this is a good thing for those who do not respond to one or the other.

    However, what happens with The Sinclair Method is that the longer you are taking it, then the less and less alcohol will become important to you.  Over the coming weeks if you remain compliant and take a few steps to trying to go alcohol free one day (when you are ready, without forcing it) then you will find that once one day is done, it isn't long before more follow.

    On the first day you get to be alcohol free, make a change and do something that releases endorphins.  Spicy meal, exercise, sex etc.  That way, without any medication in you, you will get such a good endorphin rush from those activities that they help spur on the next one and the next one.  The pendulum in your brain will simply start to swing more away from drinking to days that IS giving it a good endorphin reward.

    Remember when you were not compliant, I mentioned to you that it was so important to remain complaint because otherwise your brain will keep wanting to drink in the glimmer of hope that 'next time' it will get the rush.  That is probably what is happening now.

    I would suggest that you keep with naltrexone via TSM for a little while longer yet.  You really haven't been on the medication for long enough (compliantly) for it to really start kicking in on the long term benefits.  Not only that, but at least if you give it a little longer, then you take less naltrexone and have less medications in your system.

    A great example is Alonangel.  She has reached the point where she just doesn't feel like drinking and is now, I think, 5 or 6 days free of alcohol and nalmefene, in her case.  It just takes some more patience :-)  Trust in yourself and the naltrexone, remain compliant, and see how things go in the next few weeks.

     

  • Kelly2727
    Kelly2727 Paper_fairy

    Posted

    Please tell me how you take it. When you eat, etc....I'm starting the naltrexone tomorrow. I still have half of the book to read so any advice would be great. Good for you!!! Love hearing people happy!
    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd Kelly2727

      Posted

      Kelly, look back on your posts from yesterday.  I replied to you already advising about exactly how to begin, when to eat etc.  And you replied back to me about it too.

      I am glad you have not started today as it worries me that you are about to start on something that you have not yet fully understood how to start or what to do.

      All the way through the book, almost from the beginning to the end it repeatedly mentioned the golden rule of one naltrexone tablet, one hour prior to drinking (for those taking nalmefene, it is one nalmefene tablet TWO hours prior to drinking).

      The mindful drinking aspect is something that we have found effective since the book was first published in 2008.  Dr Eskapa is due to start work on a follow up book which will include all the practical things that we have learned from experience during the last 8 years.

      Please re-read the hints and tips posting here, which also mentions about when to eat and some guidance on how to get the best out of the medication.

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/naltrexone-nalmefene-selincro-the-sinclair-method-hints-and-tips-505275

      Please do not begin until you have fully understood how to begin, otherwise with you being quite sensitive to medication, you will probably not have a comfortable first few tablets.

    • Kelly2727
      Kelly2727 Joanna-SMUKLtd

      Posted

      Oh I'm taking your advice 100% Joanna. And yes, I've decided to finish the book. I did not realize paper was new to this. Just curious as to how different people react to it. But, I'm almost finished the book. I know to eat one hour before the pill and wait an hour to drink. One question. If I drink without the pill today can I start tomorrow. I read somewhere about a 3 day dry period. Not in the book lol.
    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd Kelly2727

      Posted

      There is no dry period needed, no.

      But (as long as you eat first) if you are going to have a drink today, then you may as well start with half a tablet and get it over with.  There is a couple of days adjustment so since you are not at work tomorrow, it probably would be a good idea.

      You can finish the book over the next few days, no problem.

      But as long as you have read, and understood, that summary in the hints and tips link, you will be okay to start because following that is all you need to do for now - especially the eating first, drinking water and aiming to drink slowly and mindfully.

    • Kelly2727
      Kelly2727 Joanna-SMUKLtd

      Posted

      I got no sleep last night. Drinking caused insomnia. I'm nervous about taking the pill today because I feel out of sorts. Plus, I think with the little energy I have that I'd like to go eat for mothers day. Since its not wise to go out right away due to possible side effects I'm waiting to take it. Are the effects bad that I can't take it a day before I work??? I could take 1/2 tomorrow and the following day don't work til 3 in the afternoon. Thanks again. You're awesome! So glad I found this site.
    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd Kelly2727

      Posted

      The effects CAN be, particularly if you are sensitive to medication.  But at least following the suggestions will make any effects the least possible for you. 

      Everyone is individual and there is no way to say who will get minor side effects or who will sail through with no side effects at all.  That is why it is best to be prepared for the worst and then pleasantly surprised if you are okay.

      Some people get sleep disturbance as a side effect.  You may have sleeplessness or sleepyness.  You may also feel disorientated why we suggest that it is best to have the next day free 'just in case' and not to drive or anything if you do suffer some discomfort.

    • nicole36330
      nicole36330 Kelly2727

      Posted

      I can only speak for myself and I had no side effects at all but I know some people find it intolerable the first few days
    • Kelly2727
      Kelly2727 Joanna-SMUKLtd

      Posted

      I have either work or appointments all week. But I'll figure out how to have at least one day free. Also, am I to take this around the same time every day? I work split shifts. There are days I work 7-3 and drink after. There are nights I work 3-11 and also drink when I get home. Sorry for being such a pain.
    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd Kelly2727

      Posted

      Just one hour before you drink, whenever you drink.

      This process will be working to extinguish your triggers and cravings, so to do that you need to allow yourself to be as close to your normal drinking behaviours as possible.  These triggers and cravings are something your brain has learned over time.  For example, if you crave a drink after work, then that is because you have done it for so long that your brain recognises the end of the working shift as a trigger and so craves alcohol in response to that trigger.

    • Kelly2727
      Kelly2727 Joanna-SMUKLtd

      Posted

      Thank you! 

      My only problem is my work schedule.  May is just a mess.  So, there's not a time I have two days off in a row to try this.  So, bumping from 25 to 50 is going to be difficult if I have any side effects.  

      That was issue #1

      #2 is eating an hour before the pill and then waiting an hour.  I eat lunch at work at 12:30.  I get home at 3:30. 

    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd Kelly2727

      Posted

      Hopefully a few times on half pill and you will be fine so moving to the full tablet is unlikely to affect you, at least barley anyway.

      The eating first is just a temporary thing until you have adjusted to the tablet.  It needs to be done because it really helps with the potential for any nausea, so you will have to figure out how you can do that.

      Believe me, it's worth it and I really don't want to be on here after you took the tablet without eating and wound up feeling horribly ill, saying 'I told you so!' biggrin  For those who say it wasn't as bad as they thought it would be, it's because they prepared properly and followed the suggestions of others who have been there, and done it, and got the t-shirt.

    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd

      Posted

      Ha ha, I wrote barley.....  Of course I meant barely!
  • Paper_fairy
    Paper_fairy

    Posted

    Thanks for everyone's replies this evening. Especially Joanna. Will keep you posted how I get on next week. Going to try and go to the gym each evening to have a few alcohol free days. Gratitude xx
    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd Paper_fairy

      Posted

      You are very welcome.  I really like the support that we all give each other on here.  It's comforting.

      And if you do one alcohol free day, don't push it too far.  Just enjoy it.  If you try to struggle and try for too many at once, you might well end up craving so badly that you are unable to manage to drink mindfully next time you do drink.

    • vickylou
      vickylou Paper_fairy

      Posted

      hi paper

      glad to see you're doing well.

      as you know, I took campral too. It was excellent and did stop cravings. I've still got some, along with naltrexone which I've not tried.

      unlike RHGB I did drink occasionally with campral, even though you're not supposed to.

      to my way of thinking, taking both campral and naltrexone together is complicated and a bit Condradictionery if you know what I mean. I understand where you're coming from and at first I thought great.

      campral does stop cravings, so you wouldn't need naltrexone as you wouldn't crave to have one. I used to stop campral three days before holidays, birthdays or anything special where I knew drink would be involved and then restart three days later.

      good luck with whichever or both you decide on xx

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