I know my "nerves" at this point are just psych. I have not said anything to my husband so I feel a bit underground, but that's another subject. I am hoping no real side effects ?

A few questions:

1) I take Effexor 75mg...will this affect anything?
2)Should I take Melatonin at bedtime in case of insomnia?
3)I am afraid of some disasterous side effect, but then I tell myself Sinclair would not advise doing this w/o Dr's. approval unless it was reasonably safe right? Just say "right". LOL
4) Can I still take Xanax for anxiety if it comes?
5) What about tomorrow...will it take away fun from anything non AL related...how does that work? I want to start "liking" to work out. I really don't have to worry about not having fun too much as I don't have too much fun right now....just my personality type and childhood....tend to be a worrier but getting better

Thanks so much for being there and holding my hand!!! I will try a drink after 5:30pm when it's been an hour. I usually only drink wine. I will just try to keep my mind of things in the meantime.

I will check back later...thanks and sorry for the ramble!
Colery

Hi and welcome! Most of your questions are best addressed to the md who prescribes the Effexor. We can't give medical advice, although if you use the "search" function, you'll find many members here recount experiences that may help you make some decisions. Are you getting your naltrexone by prescription or online? Many of us, sadly, know what it's like to be hiding this treatment from our family. There's a topic in General Discussion called the Benzo Bunch that will tell you how many of us feel about benzodiazepines, of which Xanax is one. Personally, I swear by melatonin as a sleep aid, but I don't know about interaction with Effexor. Again, I hope you have an md who will be willing to sort through many of these issues.

Best wishes for success. Let us know how you're doing.

I was scared too when I took my first dose.

Its as they say in the book, like learning how to use your parachute. After you get over the side effects which are often mild, you'll be on the plan and hopefully on the road to the cure. I am far from it, but I've been a heavy drinker well over 20+ years. They say it will take longer for me. I'm almost a pint in over 3-4 hours and feel very clear headed and think this may be a rap for the day (the pint that is). So I thank Sinclair for giving me the opportunity to get a level head and hopefully regain some of the control I seem to have lost over the past 3 years of my relapse (5 years sober).

Come here and post often we need you, BEst, Jim Clark (I will post my last pseudonym name since the other Jim seems to be posting as well,)

PS there are a lot of answers in FAQ area and just around the board in regards to those anxious early days. But know this, don't worry, Nal has affected nobody for the most part in a bad way

Well it started off well...first night a little anxiety and alot of insomnia BUT I only had 2.5 glasses of wine which is HUGE for me. I was so excited!!

Then day two....a full bottle and half. I am so bummed today and wonder if this is going to work!! I plan to get my nails done tonight so I won't drink (distraction at dinner time helps me alot) and try again tomorrow. God how I want this to work and I was hoping for more of a "honeymoon" period to give me hope and also to lessen the amount of alcohol. AF days are tough for me and I often in the past had to resort to antabuse for the psychological benefit of knowning I "cannot" drink. Otherwise around 5pm I start to weaken even with the best morning resolve. If I get past the 5-7pm hump I am usually good.

Cannot think of any difference between day one and two other than day was red wine and day two is white which is my norm. Maybe switching to red wine would help?

Anyone else successful with this and did not have instant honeymoon? I wonder if day one was simply pure mental since I was anticipating "feeling" something. Ugh.

Thanks again,
colery

Don't drive yourself crazy analyzing every day in terms of your long-term goal. TSM is a process of accumulating multiple, if not hundreds, of Nal+drinking iterations. Any single instance means nothing, and especially not early in the process. Expect to go backwards sometimes, even.

colery remember no two people are alike, just go with the flow of Nal and drinking and you'll come to your freedom.


good luck
corkit

Okay, keeping positive, thanks.

Few questions:

1) Do most people who see an initial sharp decline or "honeymoon" see it on day one or after a week or so on Nal?
2) Is there any harm in waiting a week or more before upping to 50mg?
3) The only thing I notice on Nal is anxiety and frankly maybe tied to "wondering what the effects of this pill will be", etc. Can I take Xanax and will it work okay?
4) On days I am "trying not to drink" just to give my body a break and do not take the Nal, what if I give-in and find myself really wanting an "unplanned" drink. Can I take it with my first drink or do I still have to wait?
5) I read in another post to take it 1 hour to 30 minutes prior to a drink can I still just wait 30 minutes or do I need the full hour?
6) Say tonight I am AF and no Nal. Tomorrow I take Nal at 5pm and drink.....because of the No Nal day in between have I increased my liking of any activity prior to tomorrow at 5pm.....such as exercise, etc? A bit confused on that.


Thanks so much!
Colery

colery just make sure you take your Nal one hour before drinking it's the best way to be sure it's in your system. My life is hectic and unpredictable and I've managed to handle most of the time with the one hour before drinking and a few 30 minutes before. The timing is important with the med. I would say if you're not having any side effects of the Nal start taking the 50mg. Everything else will fall into place, so just keep living!

corkit