Brittany, I am so glad that you are better I have been worried about you. Just reading this now and I am feeling very happy and relieved.

Thank you too for posting about the dose. A couple of weeks ago I was low on nal and for three or four days I cut back to 25 mg to save it too. It was subtle, but I could tell that there was a difference and my drinking spiked up. Important to know. IF we are ever able to cut down it will be in the future when we are more stable, but if we never can, that's ok too. As someone (I think badger) pointed out to me when I was whining about the cost of nal, it more than pays for itself with my reduced AL consumption.

Really glad you are back on track and I hope feeling much better. Nal on! xoxo Newlife

Glad to have you back up on that horse and doing well! And I am really happy for you about you getting your sleep! And finally I do not miss that detox crap at ALL! Thank you NAL! And thank you Brittany for making sure we all know the dangers of messing with dose

Still doing good. Today is the 15th day since I went back on the pill. I have had four alcohol free days during that time and have only been really drunk once. I have been sleeping better every night. However, I'm starting to notice the depression and malaise coming back. I'm normally a very active and positive person, but I think being on the pill hard on me. I find myself being irritable, argumentative, lazy, and antisocial.

Does anybody have any tips for keeping my mood in a good place? Are there supplements I can take, or any way to hack my brain to make it feel happier?

Brittany - I take Rhodiola - it really helps me with mood - you need to start with it a few times a day - 2 tabs then each day you can go down a bit - I know that someone else here said that it is for something else - but it really helps me. It is very subtle but it definitely takes the edge off ....

Hugs, Maggie x

Brittany,

There are a couple of things you can take for mood, but you need to be careful that it doesn't conflict with other medicine you might be on.

Sam-e and St. John's Wort-helps with mood disorder (and I believe Sam-e is a natural prozac) Sam-e should be taken with b vitamins and folate for folate is often low among people with depression


Passionflower- will help with reducing insomnia, anxiety (I have this in with a blend of herbs I take at bedtime and it may make you tired)

Ginseng-is a stimulation herb known to increase energy; it can also increase focus and improve your emotional state

Rhodiola Rosea- is a powerful adaptogen (that means it help normalize body functions including the brain and stress levels) it may help to decrease stress, improve appetite, and decrease irritability

The smell of lavender, rose, and/or Ylang-Ylang is to help lift up your mood (each one separately, or a blend)

Milk thistle can help cleanse your liver and help depression

Green tea, black tea, milk, sunflower, pumpkin, all boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels

Chocolate bean contain PEA and acts as an antidepressant (mix cacao power and coconut oil with a sweetener for a snack)

Ashwagandha is used to relieve anxiety and depression

Saffron can lighten moods

Basil helps relieving stress, headache, improves concentration, and lifting the mood

Omega-3 fatty acid (EPA, DHA, and ALA) there have been studies on fish oil supplements and are crucial for proper regulation of brain functions and mood

I have used CLA (Conjugated Linoleic acid) for fat loss and notice that it also helped with my mood

There are a few here, and I think the fastest working ones would be the Chocolate bean, Omega 3, CLA, Saffron, and folate with b vitamins, the rest will take a couple of months for you to really "feel" the difference and it will be gradual and subtle. I think aroma therapy will also be helpful and easy to do. I think using music to help lighten your mood is helpful, and if it is something that makes you feel happy or brings back good memories. If you do not have enough sunshine vitamin d is another that could make you feel down if you are deficient.

I will be honest that I think I would be struggling on nal. if I wasn't on Wellbutrin; however, being on an antidepressant is not for everyone.

I will do more research to let you know if there are any others that maybe helpful.

I do wish you luck, and let us know how you are doing

Jaba

Yours is a story I could have written myself, and you tell it well.

Your story is also endearing because of your reinforcement of the message to always take the pill. For life. It can never be said too much or too often. As a bonus, you have said it admirably. We all benefit.

I too became irritable and depressed while on the pill. It wasn't my line ( I forget whose) but I've appropriated it because it is so dead on:

Alcohol is your lover, and you are saying good bye because he is leaving you. It's a very depressing business.The pill is not the cause. Your entire life is built around alcohol (as was mine). You can't take away the alcohol and expect everything else to continue on as though he's still there. Sure, he still comes around occasionally. But he doesn't love you any more.

Truth be told: You'll not find happiness until you can learn to live happily without him.

That's hardest for introverts like us. My solution was to finally give up and except myself for what I am: an introvert. But I didn't come to that realization in my early 30's. Your road is a bit more difficult. I didn't have to give up a whole social life, but I did need to create a whole new life filled with activities and pursuits that were fun and rewarding without alcohol. All the things I loved most in life I now pass by with indifference. It bemuses me, and I still suffer a feeling of loss at times. But it is fleeting.

The challenge is latent: When we start Nal we cannot even begin to picture a world without alcohol and/or all the activities we engage in that support our alcohol consumption. If we try to picture, -we see only loneliness, deprivation, -unhappiness. So we close our eyes and take the pill.

Eventually we get to the point where we can see with open eyes that that guy we loved so desperately isn't all he's cracked up to be. But now what?

An introvert by nature, I am not sure your future happiness lies in continuing to maintain all the social activities and friendships that you have for all these years. It seems you only did that because of alcohol. Alcohol allowed you to be someone you're not, -someone you wanted to be.

And here you are. Young, your life in front of you.

What now for Brittany?

Clarion,

That was a pretty deep message, and here I thought you were all fluff ...Reminds me of Poe.

Brittany,

I think it is normal to feel like this in the beginning, whether it is the loss of a love "alcohol" or the side effects of nal. It will take time to get use to both. Try to keep busy, and try a couple of the supplements I listed above. This too shall pass, but it does take time. I did read in the side effect of wed md and it could be the nal. causing this (which side effect usually dissipate with time), but the side effects beat drinking ourselves to death...at least that is what I keep telling myself.

I do hope you spirit lifts soon,

Jaba

Brittany, I think supplements that others have mentioned can help. But just cutting way back on the AL and giving your body time to heal, getting a lot of sleep, taking care of yourself will help your mood too.

Please keep up the good work and keep posting. xoxo Newlife

Brittany, I am glad you posted and are doing well. I have suffered from being nal flat and several weeks ago went through a depression and a crying jag. I started watching my diet more closely (no sugar). My chiropractor/kinesioligist recommended a good multi-vitamin mineral combo, and extra B's. That seems to be helping. I also ordered Rhodiola but have not taken it faithfully yet. My mood has lifted. Good luck. Let us know what works for you.

Brittany,

I was just checking in to see if things have changed for you. I do hope your spirits are better.

Post when you can,

Jaba