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Naltrexone/Nalmefene (Selincro)/The Sinclair Method Hints and Tips

Posted , 64 users are following.

Joanna-SMUKLtd
Joanna-SMUKLtd

Since many of you are now either using, or considering using, naltrexone or nalmefene (Selincro) as per The Sinclair Method, I recently wrote the following short 'hints and tips' article that provide a guide to working with the medication, therefore helping to ensure the method is as smooth as possible for you.

http://www.sinclairmethoduk.com/getting-started-with-the-sinclair-method/

A second link is also included at the end of the article, specifically for those in the UK.  Hopefully, this will help you navigate requesting a consultation and assessment from the NHS, to see if this medication might be suitable for you.

Many thanks, as always, to Paul Turner for fact-checking this article with me, and also to our moderator for pre-approving the link!

Joanna

Sinclair Method UK

20 likes, 140 replies

140 Replies

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  • dawnybb
    dawnybb Joanna-SMUKLtd

    Posted

    Hi Joanna,

    I posted this on another thread before seeing this thread, so you will see it elsewhere. Sorry smile

    I just started taking 25 mg of Naltrexone and I think I am having an allergic reaction. My lips and front upper gum area are numb and tingly, major thirst, itchy tingly skin, excess urination (not dark) and itchy eyes. I feel sick. It has worked, however, as I have not wanted to drink at all. The thought of it makes me sick, actually. I am worried I may hurt myself due to withdrawal because I do not want to drink and I was drinking heavily, like 2-6 glasses of wine per night, depending on night, with occasional no alcohol per night. Should I lower the dose so I can taper and not feel ill from withdrawal? I don't want to hurt myself. Thanks

    • ADEfree
      ADEfree dawnybb

      Posted

      Dawn, if you think you're having an allergic reaction to the Naltrexone, you should let your doctor know asap. Your doc may want you to discontinue the medication or give you a steroid to use temporarily, reduce the dosage, etc, etc. 

      Glad to hear it decreased your desire to drink though! Hopefully your doc will find some way to get you past this rough spot. 

  • kelvyn93988
    kelvyn93988 Joanna-SMUKLtd

    Posted

    Hi All

    Thanks Joanna, This is brilliant as today I taken my first half a tablet and throw up after an hour , I will make sure that I eat something first as per the hints and tips

  • lindsey47331
    lindsey47331 Joanna-SMUKLtd

    Posted

    Hi 

    I have read and understood the article. 

    I started 2 days ago, the first day I had 2 glasses (Cava) I usually drink more than one often 2bottles. I didn’t expect the spaced out feeling and felt a little sick, similar to starting strong pain killers. The second night I took another and didn’t have a drink at all but I felt so I’ll during the night feeling sick with headache and stomachache similar to withdrawals, which I’ve experienced coming of prescription painkillers, but it only lasted around 4 hours so can’t have been alcohol withdrawal as when I drive I do without alcohol on those days and don’t get withdrawals. 

    I think it was the side effect of the tablets as described in the information but I’m worried about taking another this evening as I can’t go through that every night, hence I can not continue with my normal drinking pattern with these tablets as per the article and don’t really know what to do tonight other than have a drink ?

     

  • Chesca27
    Chesca27 Joanna-SMUKLtd

    Posted

    Hi everyone, 

    I do not drink every day, I can go weeks without drinking but when I do have one or two drinks I go on a huge binge that can last for days, as I get horrible withdrawal symptoms. I took selincro once with no alcohol just to see what it felt like and I felt like a zombie. I could hardly talk and felt edgy and weird. I need to socialize in my work events and talk to clients, and I'm afraid if I take Selincro for work, it will space me out completely when I have a drink, Can someone please advise what its like to take Selincro with a glass or two of wine? I'm scared I won't be able to function and get my words and thoughts across. Hence why I have not taken it ever with alcohol because I am afraid and therefore I have had many relapses. Please help!!! 

    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd Chesca27

      Posted

      This is normal for almost everyone beginning on Selincro.  It does get easier and easier each time.

      Did you follow the hints and tips of eating a good meal first, and drinking plenty of water?

      Since writing the above hints and tips article, we have spoken to a number of doctors who have prescribed Selincro many times in Finland and they do generally instruct their patients to begin on HALF a tablet the first couple of times to allow the body to get used to it a little slower.  If you chose to try this, please do so carefully, as Selincro may cause skin irritation if it gets on the skin.

      This short term discomfort is well worth the long term gains from this treatment, so hang on in there.

  • JayneLee
    JayneLee Joanna-SMUKLtd

    Posted

    Hello Joanna,

    Firstly, may I take this opportunity to thank you for this forum. It really is very much appreciated and is helping me at the moment by reading all of the opinions raised.

    To give you a bit of back ground: I am a mum with 3 beautiful children and live in the UK. I have a wonderful life and am extremely grateful for that. Over the years I've enjoyed a few glasses of wine with family and friends and now it's time for a change. I believe I have developed a drink problem over the last 10 years as I usually drink at least bottle of red wine each evening, plus maybe a G&T or two! I have the odd week off and feel amazing!!! At parties, I am ashamed to say I walk home and usually cannot walk in a straight line )-: My children are noticing and I feel incredibly embarrassed and guilty that they have to witness that. I really want to be the role model that I set out to be.

    I honestly feel like this method could work for me and I am extremely hopeful?!? I could not possibly go to my GP as it would cast a cloud over my family and I cannot be a part of that. 

    As a result, I have ordered some Naltrexone (NALTIMA) from River Pharmacy in Canada. They have now arrived and are from Mumbai, India. I'm a little concerned about this? I feel sort of confident as your website advocates River Pharmacy?

    Anyhow, I plan to go ahead and get started on them , sooner the better hey! Perhaps 1/2 a tablet for 1st 2 days with plenty of food and water in advance then proceed as planned.

    I've read The Sinclair Method book, Fingers crossed!

    Any advice you could provide would be great fully appreciated.

    Thank You XX

     

    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd JayneLee

      Posted

      Hello JayneLee,

      Thank you for the kind words.  I am so pleased that you are finding all the information about this treatment very useful.

      If you have now read the hints and tips article (if not, google C3 Foundation Europe Hints and Tips) then that is basically how to begin and how to continue onwards.  It's important to remember that your results will be based on science, not on belief or faith.  If you are a responder to The Sinclair Method, then it will work for you.

      However, that is not to say that you can't make the process smoother and help yourself along by working WITH the tablet.  This means to be aware of your drinking, and try to interrupt the process as soon as your brain gives you the signal that you've had enough - do you really need the next drink, or is it habit?

      If you need any one-to-one help, then feel free to contact me and I can provide that.

      Otherwise, good luck, remain compliant, remain mindful when you drink and you will be well on your way to extinguishing your troublesome thoughts and actions around alcohol.

      Joanna.

      (PS I just need to point out for the record that the information you found on River Pharmacy came from the American C3 Foundation website.  Although we have the same goals to raise awarenss and help those interested in the treatment, we are two separate legal entities on two separate continents.  C3 Foundation Europe is UK-based and we are not permitted to provide information on obtaining prescription-only medications from online pharmacies abroad.)

  • JayneLee
    JayneLee Joanna-SMUKLtd

    Posted

    Thank you Joanna, I will follow the plan with the hints and tips and am hopeful that it will work for me. I will let you know how I get on in due course!
  • jane92323
    jane92323 Joanna-SMUKLtd

    Posted

    Hi Joanna.

    Im from NZ and have been using TSM for four months. Initially I had a great response but recently I seem to just keep drinking through the Naltrexone.

    After stumbling across a thread you were involved in Ive realised that I have not been drinking mindfully, that I have let the habit overtake again rather than focusing on whether I can resist the craving, and I have been taking a pill everyday and viewing it as giving me licence to drink.

    I am getting Naltrexone from a counsellor at our public health addictions facility although she does not know I am using it with TSM as they completely disregard its merits.

    i saw that someone asked if you would be their counsellor in their journey with TSM and am wondering if you would take me on? I am aware that you are based in the UK and I am happy to be available at times that suit you. I just feel I need someone I can speak with about my journey using this method as I have no one here who is willing to even consider that it could work for me (my family are vehemently opposed to me drinking at all so I am doing this without their knowledge).

    Thanks and regards

    Jane.

    • Robin2015
      Robin2015 jane92323

      Posted

      Welcome Jane. Always good to see new faces. Joanne would be a great help to you and please check out her website The C3 Foundation😁

    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd jane92323

      Posted

      Hi Jane,

      Yes that shouldn't be a problem - please will you either send me a PM with your email address or google C3 Foundation Europe and contact me via the contact page on the main menu.

      We can then sort something out.

      Thanks

      Joanna

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