The situation with the NHS is really different from what we're used to. I started commenting over on Patient.info with my usual zeal and Joanna had to pull me aside and clue me in. Not only do they have a bunch of dinosaurs over there, but sometimes the GP can't prescribe and has to send the patient to a specialist. A lot of these "specialists" seem to be trapped in the AA/abstinence mindset and don't know about drugs like Naltrexone and Selincro. Even if they do know, then you have to have a drinks diary for a couple of weeks and if your drinking doesn't fall within prescribing guidelines for that drug, they won't prescribe it. If they're not familiar with it, they may not prescribe it even if your drinking does fall within guidelines. It's really complicated and seems to be the outcome of "austerity" and the push to privatize the NHS. Now add to this that if you jump through all the other hoops, they often won't prescribe unless you have counseling in place, something that they may or may not have funds to help you with. That's why C3 Europe volunteered to provide formal counseling for TSM'ers in the UK, so these people could get their scripts. And yes, sometimes the patient has to lie to fit within prescribing guidelines as well. It's quite the mess, really, but it's getting better from what I understand.

Welcome back Boo and I am glad you are still sticking it out!

I agree with The Optimist, but I know that the UK health system is different from here in the US or Canada for that matter.

I think JoAnna complained aches and pains at night. Even with the naltrexone I feel achy after taking it, but I am in my 50s and I have osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. I think the nal. may cause a flair up which is odd, for they use low dose naltrexone for fibromyalgia, so it may just be a side effect.

My heart goes out to you for dealing with cancer, but if it isn't too personal, what type of cancer did you have? Is it possible to speak to your cancer doctor to get reassurance that your cancer isn't coming back? Maybe your cancer doctor could prescribe you the naltrexone (again I do not know how UK health system works) so you do not have to worry about that. What an awful worry to have, for life is hard enough and add an addiction to the mix along with the worry of cancer, you would think it should be about quality of life! How could you have quality of life with the aches and pains you are experiencing and the worry that it brings? Is is possible to find a different doctor? I just wished doctors had a clue and things were easier for you.

Is it possible for you to order naltrexone on line? I know it is more expensive that why, but at least you could give it a try to see if it is better for you.

Keep in touch,

Jaba

Thank you Jaba! Why didn't I think of going back to my Oncologist! They left the door open to me and said come back anytime, but I had breast cancer in 2010, mastectomy , lymph node surgery, chemo and then something administered by drip for several months at home, that was in 2010 and I recovered well, I'm actually quite stoic about the whole thing, I always believed I'd recover! And didn't suffer from depression or anything like that, but it is a bit of a worry now and when I get home from my holiday I'll get in touch with the cancer team and see if they'll give me a check up. Thanks! I was just going to go to my GP, funny how you can forget things, so thank you so much for suggesting that. My A&D Doc is actually pretty good and agreed to have a chat with Jo from C3 (who is my Counsellor)., but I haven't spoken to her for a few weeks, so don't know if that happened.
Anyway, end of the day I'd rather have aches & pains than alcohol addiction, and I feel it's going really well, no obsessing, really starting to dislike the taste, just need to get over the habit and that desire for a rush......
Will keep posting, thanks to everyone!

Boo,

I am glad I was able to help.

I am happy that you are a surviver!

It sounds like you are beating this alcohol to the curb as well, and before long you will have 2 anniversaries to celebrate!

As I get older, those aches and pains are more ofter, but if it was the aches and pain or the alcohol, I will take the aches and pains any day.

Keep us posted,

Jaba