Dear Dr Eskapa, I started Nal last week and after my second dose of 25mg I felt like I had been poisoned to the extent I had to go to the local hospital. To some extent it felt like I was on LCD - I was fearful, anxious and like I was in someone elses body. I cut the dose down to 12.5mg as I am desperate for this stuff to work. However I continued to feel anxious and on day 4 I had a big panic attack and an ambulance was called.

I did not take Nal last night but as you can see I am desperate for this to work. I know everyone keeps saying that I will tolerate it eventually but i would like to know if there is an alternative medication to Naltrexone?

Many Thanks!

Can you try titrating up even slower? What have you got to lose? Side effects usually abate after a week or two max. Maybe try with 5 mg, and add 5 mg every other day or something (these are just made up suggestions maybe ask your doctor). As many of us know that are alcoholic, panic attacks are part of the territory. Could that be part of it? Lack of alcohol?

I know that when I was drinking heavily, I would be afraid to go over bridges for fear of driving off the bridge and NOT because I was drunk.....

SO try that,...just add a little bit at a time...can't hurt right? Would hate to see you calling ambulances all the time...that would stink....BEst, Jim

Jim - thank you! I thought I was losing my mind. But I can't drive over bridges either and it's not a feeling I can really describe. I'm totally sober but I don't trust myself not to do something impulsive. I can't be in control. I can't walk on escalators, or be up high or go through tunnels or get on public transport - urgh!! I had a feeling it was related to alcohol but my psychologist (who i'm seeing for alcohol treatment) says it is anxiety disorder and needs to be treated separately. Only been on sinclair a month but feeling positive and also scared that if it doesn't work I've got this thing forever. Frankly, it's a bit depressing seeing so many people on the site still here a year or more after starting.

F**k that Mickey....its booze. I was sober 4.5 years....didn't have problems. relapsed,...bridges, Hgh Rise Apts, mountain tops, ....I went up the empire state building on a visit, the lookout on the top....I was a mess,....high rise apartment I played a gig,...beautiful spot,...balcony overlooking Boston Common,...Grand Piano,...I WAS FREAKING OUT....thank God I had about 6 drinks.....

Its the booze my friend....I could be wrong,...and again it went away when got sober,...I'm looking forward to that freedom once Sinclair cures me which I'm told might be very soon........

My Best, jim

and one other thing,...two weeks ago I played a gig in Sarasota, Fla, there's a bridge outside Tampa Bay, I was driving the car (with band members), and the only reason I didn't totally lose it was because I rationalized that I had 3 other lives in the car....take a look at that bridge its famous and FREAKIN SCARY>>>> BOB 3D Whats the name of the bridge?

On the way home after the gig I got drunk so I was ok....sheesh,,,jim

That's gotta by the Sunshine Skyway:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Skyway_Bridge

Stay strong, Jim.

Oh man - that freaks me out just looking at it. You one brave man

thanks Jim. The problem is that i stopped taking it 4 days ago and still feel spaced out and like I have got brain damage. I never had panic attacks before taking Nal. As you can imagine I am now really worried. I emailed a physician and he advised me that I should not have bought Nal online as most of it is fake. I plan to see him next week to discuss Baclofen and perhaps Nal as I could then order it from a local pharmacy.

That was it Tito....and I didn't even know it was coming up....

BUt I made it....

IN regards to Galoot,...yeah but aT SOME point in my drinking I started having them. Not before,...

You may be right,..I'm just sharing my experience...I think booze really messes you up and the brain starts to misfire etc,..hence causing the panic....

Hang tight,...stay close to your friends here,...my Best, Jim

I have now been on UK manufactured Nal for 10 days and the side effects are not as bad although some days I still feel like I am on another planet. Looks like I am one of the unlucky ones but I will persevere for now.