Nowhere to turn to.. safe to do this alone??
Posted , 15 users are following.
I've been needing to reduce my alcohol consumption for years but it's now critical I take action. I know I'm drinking myself into an early grave and I can't bear the thought of leaving my kids young without a Mum.
I'm 53 and have consumed alcohol EVERY evening for about 8yrs, a bottle of white wine sometimes nearer two, there is never a night off. I know I am self precribing to blank out unhappiness/ depression/ stress. I have suffered multiple extreme grief and loss and am stuck in an unsupportive & often hostile relationship.
I persuaded myself to consult a GP but then got cold feet as I didn't want the world to know my business and i didnt want 'alcoholic' on my medical record in case it was looked at for job reasons.
So I purchased Selinco Nalmafene online and decided to give it a go. But then I panicked. What if I got ill taking it at home on my own, nobody would help me. I had a severe reaction to Dicflenic when in hospital after an Op. Extreme dizziness, confusion etc - what if I reacted badly to Nalmafene?
And what if I was highly dependant was it safe to cut down drastically? I'm less fearful on this scoring 13 on the high dependency self - check questionnaire. I never drink in the mornings and rarely at lunchtime. I have no shaking hands.
Going round in circles. I did nothing! The tablets have sat in the cupboard for more than 6 months.
Today, I decided to explore the GP route being safest but to my dismay I found the NICE recommendations for my region via Google They categoricaly say that Nalmafene must not be prescribed by Primary Care. I would need to be referred to the nearest alcohol /drug unit !
I wil not go there. I know where it is and what people go there. Call it snobby, or cowardly, I know it's both. I can't go there. I don't want group support, I dont want to be alongside hard drug users and I dont want to lose the last ounce of dignity I have left.
I am scared of the side effects of Nalmafene and want to try Naltrexone. But scared to try either without a liver check and proper medical support.
I'm scared to do this alone.
I am desperate for 1:1 support and a way of using medicine to help me rid myself of this curse.
Can anyone suggest how I can achieve this support maybe privately / on-line without having to be residential away from home without it costing a fortune ?
I know I'm asking for an impossible magic wand 
Thank you so much for listening,
With love, Kentish Lady x
0 likes, 179 replies
Kentish
Posted
Thank you for the overpouring of support and practical advice so far ...
Deeply appreciative...
My hope is that Dr Sinclair was right about this. I'm praying that he is as I need some courage to start, as whilst like probably everyone one here, I do actually lead a normal very busy life running my own business and a family home, but I know I'm running on less cylinders than I should. I know, and;
I hate that feeling when I wake up in the morning when it takes a few minutes to remember what I did last thing before I went to bed.
I hate the thought that my kids see that I'm under the influence when I think they don't.
I hate feeling c*** until almost lunch-time.
I hate how my skin looks grey and lifeless and wrinkles are taking hold too fast.
I hate the dark shadows under my eyes due to the toxins and waking up at 3am & 5am when my blood sugar drops
I hate the condescending attitude of my other half who frankly drinks only slightly less than me.
I hate School Mum's lunches were everyone bar me drinks tonic water & look condascending when I get into my car ( I never drink o/t btw) but still they glare.
gwen45436 Kentish
Posted
Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto and I could go on. Horrible these issues. The only one I don't do is driving with any alcohol - I lunch with my mates and they drink white wine and I drink tonic. I just don't ever drink at all when driving. So they must think I am a really good girl!!!!!!! Little do they know I wait until 6pm ish and go for it.
Well I am sticking to my diddy bottle for as long as I can - already I can feel the clarity returning and that awful gut wrenching feeling you get when you wake in the night and know you have, yet again, ruined everything.
Take heart - it can be done - get the first step on the ladder and you will feel empowered to go one step further.
Promise.
Kentish gwen45436
Posted
Robin2015 Kentish
Posted
Kentish
Posted
So tomorrow.. thanks to Joanna's info that my NHS have Naltrexone on Green for GPs in my area!! I'm going to call my surgery and get an appointment! Watch this space!!
Most of the GPS there are real traditionalists I really don't think they'll welcome my wanting to take control of my own healing approach!..
There is though one lady GP that used to come in just once a week. She was quite different, very warm and supportive. I'm hoping I can see her.
I'll keep you posted guys!
x
JulieAnne101 Kentish
Posted
Joanna-SMUKLtd Kentish
Posted
Before you go for your appointment, I would suggest that you also glance through the NHS Constitution, which you can find by googling it.
It lays out what the NHS pledges for you (to be seen by someone suitably qualified etc), your responsility to them (don't abuse the staff etc) and also the most important bit as far as you are concerned which says:
''You have the right to drugs and treatments that have been recommended by NICE for use in the NHS, if your doctor says they are clinically appropriate for you.''
This is important for you because it means that you are infront of the right person according to the your local NHS guidelines, and therefore have a right for that trained professional to assess you for the medication. It also is important because it means that you must be told a clincal (medical) reason why it can't be prescribed to you after the assessment. Your doctor cannot just say 'I dont believe in it' or 'AA would be better' etc etc. He/she cannot not prescribe based on their own moral beliefs.
JulieAnne101 Joanna-SMUKLtd
Posted
Hi Joanna just a quick point. I did ask detox nurse at the hospital about Naltrexone and she flatly said it doesn't work. I didn't challenge her as I was fed up with so called professional advice by this time and I didn't want her to try and dissuade us from starting the TSM in the future
Kind Regards
Joanna-SMUKLtd JulieAnne101
Posted
Put simply, it is not her job to determine what medications work or not.
That is the job of NICE. They reviewed all the evidence, they came to a conclusion based on evidence, cost etc etc.
And they determined that it does work, otherwise they would never have approved it!
It has a good success rate in those that took it whilst remaining abstinent (that is how NICE approved it) but it has an even better success rate when used as per TSM.
That is exactly what I meant when i mentioned that there has to be a medical reason it can't be prescribed for you, not someone's belief.
JulieAnne101 Joanna-SMUKLtd
Posted
Thanks again
Kentish Joanna-SMUKLtd
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Kentish
Posted
I know this one is heavy on the liver Joanna, so I will ask GP for a test if she'll grant me one. Not overly wrorried as my intake is not off the scale but I think sensible nevertheless. I did do a urine home test and Biluribin was high..
TheToad Kentish
Posted
I'll probably get some put down posts, but it may just be my ignorance. Why all the talk about medication etc etc, when I found just stopping was ok? I've written a few times that it will be 10 years next month with no lapses. Yes, the temptation is still there, especially as that anniversary nears plus the festive season and Summer holidays down under. There may be medical and/or emotional reasons why some people don't just stop. Is it risky to do this and if so, why it is risky. Could someone please educate me if you have the time? (Nicely.)
RHGB TheToad
Posted
In a nutshell, the people who use medication have a far, far higher percentage of successfully staying off alcohol or only using it moderately.
The failure rate for willpower alone in someone that has become alcohol dependent (two or three pints a night does not count) is something like 90%. Also alcohol effects people in different ways, some people are quite immune to it.
You asked for a nice reply and that is what you have got. If you come back with something like, well I did it, why can't everyone else, then be prepared for some rather sharper answers from people.
TheToad RHGB
Posted
Thanks RHGB for your prompt reply. I'll do some Googling as to how these various medications work. I realise now that will power simply won't work for most people and would never have the attitude you mentioned towards others! This is a great forum and people have encouraged me when I was recently tempted to have 'just one social drink.' Thanks again and best wishes to all.
Kentish TheToad
Posted
Hi John, I appreciate your honesty and very much appreciate the challenge /questions to my forum post.
It's no discussion if everyone is suggesting the same approach to dealing with this.
I confided today in my best friend that I am considering the medication route. She came round rather promptly and like you have suggested she told me I was stronger than I belived I was, and that I could just cut down or give up, whatever I wanted to do.
Yes I'm a very strong person (most of the time).
The personal grief / losses and adversities I've faced and despite that the huge success I've made of my life, my business and raised a beautiful family .. I know I am strong... but....
Alcohol has been my comfort blanket, my crutch.
To lose it is like losing all over again.
So I can't just chose to walk away from it.
I need someone or something else to take it away!
To take that responsibilty for removing it.
If the meds can do that then yipee as it'll probably save my life.
I want to walk again. Unsupported by the crutch. But I'm scared to but I'm confident enough from what I've read that there is hope..through meds.
I do believe in Dr Sinclair's theory John that for some ( I believe I am in this category, you are clealy not, as you've cracked this through willpower) their brain has been so programmed towards alcohol that the traditional methods of a cure 'AAA' / willpower etc just wont work. Please can you watch the short documentary 'one little pill' and tell me what you think. I'll send you a link.
K x
TheToad Kentish
Posted
Thanks, I'll look forward to watching it. I might have given the impression that it was easy, just to stop. I did try other times, including going 100 days in a year without. But as you might guess, those days were spent largely looking forward to the next drinking day, when I was able to top up again, to put it mildly. I blame the drinking for my marriage break up, financial difficulties, health issues and loss of many friends because I said and did things which I regretted later.
On the positive side, I'm now back with my wife (another Kentish girl) and life is much more pleasant.
Thanks for your post. Everyone on this site has my support. J. 🙂
TheToad Kentish
Posted
Hi Kentish. So pleased to read that you're on your way now. I can't see a link to 'one little pill.' I might find it by Googling. Be strong, you can do this! X
TheToad
Posted
Kentish. I found the documentary. No need for the link. Thanks.