selincro/nalmefene and alcohol

However, you mention 1%. I just googled nalmefene diarrhoea (English spelling, not American ) and the top result links to a page which says 'Percentage of NALMEFENE HYDROCHLORIDE patients where DIARRHOEA is a reported side effect: 14.2857%.'

So 14.2857 % have the same side effect??

I think the reason for the reluctance to use Nalmefene, at the moment, is that alcohol services in the NHS are very under-resourced and limited in what they can offer. Imagine a GP reading that he/she needs to ensure that any patient they prescribe it for must have psycho-social support and knows that there is likely to be a 6 week wait before any referral to the local alcohol service will be dealt with. It goes against the way that most people with drink problems want to be helped. They ask for help now, they need it now.

Have you seen the the new movie documentary One Little Pill (Claudia Christian) Paul?

Yes  the NICE psycho support requirement is disappointing. I would reccomend approaching ones doctor with a 2 week drinking diary - show you are serious and say that you are on this (and other forums) where there is plenty of support.

 Private UK online doctors  pharmacies, such as pharmacy2u, are issuing and filling prescriptions! Strange how the profit motive can find a way :-)

I think that the limited amount of alcohol treatment resources offered by the NHS is disappointing considering the long term costs of alcohol problems. Yet again, short-sightedness.

Post got deleted - ridiculous as it was within guidelines. One more deletion and I am outa here.  I will attempt to rephrase:

A well known online pharmacy seems to get round the 'ongoing support' requirement by referring customers to the nalmafene manufacturer's website where one is supposed to complete a number of modules. I was trying to make the point that it would be simple to have the same / similar option for NHS doctors and prescriptions

When may wife and I were running a local town forum, I found it a thankless task as you get serious hassle from members for trying to avoid legal action being taken against you (AND them!) In the end, with people refusing to understand our difficult position and, my wife in tears, due to the attacks on us for trying to protect ourselves and everybody else, I simply closed down a popular forum one day because I was bo longer prepared to take abuse and have explain repeatedly to people why I had to remove their posts. It was using up hours of our time, some days.

I can therefore see why patient.info don't attempt to get too involved in long explanations as to why they delete posts. I was in the unfortunate position of bumping into these people in the local supermarket and getting harrassed for trying to do things the right way.

It may be good if at least one person close to you knows, but you reserve the right to tell nobody at all if that is what you prefer.

Good luck with it!!

Give that gift to UR family......you will be glad u did!

if wishes and buts were candy and nuts then Christmas would be scrumptious!

Bear in mind that it can be about a week before those initial side effects subside. Having said that, if you are more worried about drinking to excess, you should consider that too. You are far less likely to on Nalmefene.

dont get too hung up on potential side effects. For most the effects are minimal, usually a little nausea which passes. Let us know how you get on and have a great Xmas 

It is nonetheless annoying to have a post deleted without explanation when the website mentioned is that of the manufacturer of the drug (nalmefene) for which the forum thread is about! 

Have a great xmas 

Hope you have a good Christmas too

Merry Christmas 

The post was deleted not for mentioning the manufacturer (Lundbeck) but the website you quoted to register with doesn't exist as far as I can see and it did sound like obtaining meds online which we do not allow.

Paul explained the whole forum thing well so I won't repeat everything except to say if you do have any issues or questions then send me a Private Message. 

Regards,

Alan

PS Paul - I will be chasing the edit facility up in the New Year as a priority.

Merry Christmas 

I mayhave mis quoted the site in the deleted post. It is certainly an existing Lundbeck site -  reduceyourdrinking.com

Happy Xmas one and all 

I am not certain that is what you meant, though If you mean how long before drinking you should take a tablet, it is recommended that you take one at least an hour before, but I have heard people say that two hours before drinking is better.

On a personal note - I woke up this morning - new years day - without a hangover. Probably the first in 10 years - :-)

 I have just requested that my doc gives me a 6 month course - on the basis that I can do a little "stockpiling" on alcohol free days. My plan is to get to a stage where I can just have a beer or two or some wine at the weekends - if I chose.   I will let you know if he plays ball.

Keep going and good luck!!

Paul will know far more than me .Apparantly you take the tablets before you know you are going to drink.This supposidly reduces the amount you want to drink .If you have gone dry for three days without meds,the tablets seem ideal,you are getting to a good place

If you can go for three days dry ,that is very good ,I cant .If then you want a drink take the tablets and then you are likely to only have one or two glasses by all accounts.You are ideally set.Good luck later and I wait eagerly to hear how you get on.

Good luck ,Im rooting for you !

I still get some insomnia, plus the conscious of heatbeat feeling,  but it's so preferable to the hangovers. Doc has given me a repeat for 6 months although I am only drinking a couple of  beers on 3 or 4 nights a week. For me it's quite important to take the tab a good couple of hours before starting to drink. The 'not interested' feeling is reduced if I take the tablet 30 - 60 mins before. 

Take care 

It sounds like the Nalmefene is doing what it should.

I started mid December and he gave me an initial 28 tabs and has just given me a repeat for 6 months.   I take one just on drinking days but carry one with me at all times in one of those little keyring secret containers.