Hi Everyone!

I've been lurking and reading posts and gaining lots of helpful info from this friendly forum. I love the support you provide and the gentleness in which it's given and offered.

I'm about to start taking Nal ("it's in the mail"), and I'd like to know if it's absolutely critical for me to get blood tests for liver function? I can't really afford tests right now, and I have no insurance.

My GP refused to prescribe Nal for me, because he prefers homeopathy. (He's great in that regard, he's just against most Western meds, even though he's a licensed MD.) So I ordered Nal online.

The last time the Doc did blood work on me was about a decade ago, and there were no issues that I recall, aside from I think slightly high cholesterol. He did a physical on me about a year ago, and everything seemed fine, aside from why I was there (Lyme - which is now cured).

I've been a daily drinker for all of my adult life (I'm 50). I've never been a binger, never blacked out, and never drank during the day. I used to drink 6-7 drinks every night, and that lasted many years. Over the past year or two, I now drink about 4-5 drinks per night, always white wine or rum mixed with water. My body simply can't handle any more than that anymore, nor do I have any desire to consume more. (Menopause, maybe?!)

I had a week AF about a year ago, after suffering some scary WD symptoms one day. Occasionally, I'd go AF for a day or so, maybe a couple of times a year. Otherwise, the only time I can remember not drinking was six weeks back in the mid-1990's. (That went well....NOT!!)

I recently tried Baclofen, but I couldn't tolerate the side effects, even at 15-20mg/day.

So, do you think it's absolutely critical that I get blood tests before starting the NAL? Could taking it kill me or my liver?

Or should I just start with a small amount, i.e., 12.5mg at first, and see if I notice any symptoms of liver problems? Starting small is already in my plan, just to see how I react to the meds. I think one poster said their eyes started turning yellow on Nal, so they knew it was impacting them right away.

That all being said, I am extremely excited and optimistic about TSM - this is the most hope I've had in a very long time!!

Thanks in advance,

Mer

No, I'd say it's not "absolutely critical." You would have to take six pills a day to even get to the point that studies have shown a "rare" liver toxicity. Your gender, intake, and consistency put you at high risk for alcohol related ailments, among them liver disease (you likely already have a "fatty" liver) and pancreatitis. Stopping or dramatically reducing your drinking is what's most important, because in my opinion you're at the "ticking time bomb" point (granted, some women can drink even more than you and have no adverse effects, but I've seen many that drink less and end up in a bad health mess). Naltrexone has dramatically improved my liver's health, as my intake has dropped about 95% in the past 8 months due to TSM!! If it works for you (and, hopefully, works quickly), your liver will thank you and will begin its amazing rejuvenation that it's so famous for. Surely, though, it's not that hard to get liver enzymes tested (maybe even a for-cash clinic could do it, as it's quite simple). DISCLAIMER: I'm not a doctor, this is just my opinion.

BarryB,

Thanks so much for your thoughts - and much congratulations on your success! Your other posts that I've read over recent weeks have been huge encouragement for me.

I realize that Nal/TSM doesn't work for everyone. But I gather it's more likely to work if there is alcoholism in the gene pool, and I definitely have that. Grandpappy was a lush, and while on vacation from his NJ State Trooper job, he would run rum during prohibition. He even got into a shootout on a Jersey Shore beach one night with his own captain! (After the bullets finally stopped flying, the captain said, "Tell ya what we're gonna do, Willy... we're gonna take 10-15 minutes to reload our weapons... you do whatever you need to do.")

Grandpappy drank like a fish until he died at 89 years old. Others in my family have also dealt with alcohol and drug abuse. So at least I have that going for me... as bittersweet good news, I suppose, to increase my chances of success.

I've also purposely read only the success stories on this forum, at least while I'm starting out. This way I'm set up for a positive expectation...as I believe a positive mindset is a powerful aid in healing. If I run into problems, I'll definitely search for encouragement and posts about others' challenges with Nal. But for now, I'm all in for expecting a great outcome.

I expect to be able to afford ongoing health monitoring in the very near future - so I'll be sure to keep an eye on that liver.

Cheers,
Mer

Hmm, difficult one because so many say if you are at risk then Nal could push you into liver issues. I'd say however that any reduction in drinking is going to outweigh the risk, so try 50mg but go no higher and really try not to drink longer than 4 hours (which would require a recommended 2nd dose). When you can afford the tests get them done.

In the meantime I truly hope you are a fast responder, but do be aware you may have to endure spikes on the way to cure point.

Thanks for weighing in, UKBlonde!

I really don't have any intention of taking more than 50mg per day, unless it's way down the line and I have plenty of experience and reason to do so.

I wasn't aware that more than four hours requires a second dose - I suppose it would be helpful if I read Dr. Eskapa's book, eh?

When you say "spikes", do you mean spikes in alcohol consumption?

I've been blessed with a very strong constitution. It's also a curse, because it means my body has been able to tolerate more abuse than others can. But I know that the chickens will come home to roost if I don't do something to change this behavior - this year that feeling was stronger than it's ever been before.

I'm also curious about why these big alarm bells are going off about my health in this thread, when from what I've read on this forum and others, a lot of people apparently drink a LOT more than I do on a daily basis? Is the concern because I've been drinking for so long? Or is it because I specifically asked about my liver? (I don't have any symptoms of liver disease, but know it can sneak up on you.)

I am so happy to read all your posts about your journey, and your success!! Way to go!!

Hi Mer,

Although he did ask if I've ever had a liver panel done (no), my Dr. prescribed Nal without testing, and he knows how heavy my consumption has been off and on these past 8+ years. Between 2-3 bottles of wine a day for about a month before I started Nal. Now "down" to 5-9 units a day, (closer to 9 most days but slowly edging down.)

So I agree with others, the benefits of taking Nal outweight the liver damage risks, which surely will worsen if our high levels of drinking continue.

I'm in my 4th week of Nal, have taken 50mg every day except the first couple at 25mg. Have no symptoms that I can tell that my liver is being affected by the Nal.

Hi Writeratlarge,

How fortunate of you to have a doctor willing to prescribe Nal for you. And I'm so glad it seems to be working for you!

I'm on an average of about a bottle of wine a day (1/2 of those big bottles), or I have 4-5 rums instead. Never both on the same night. My system can't tolerate any more than that. Guess I'm lucky that way.

The Nal should be here within a week, and I can't wait to get started. I guess I'm more worried about the potential side effects of the Nal than anything else, considering my experience with Baclofen. But from what I've read, if I start slow (even 12.5mg first day or two), and titrate up slowly, I suspect that any side effects will be minimal and will pass.

I just want a solution that WORKS!

Thanks so much for sharing,
Mer

Yep I called mine spikes, where I had nights when I drank more than was useful, almost up to pre-nal/TSM levels although I never have reached the old levels. They were isolated incidents, and still not the same number of units so didn't/couldn't call them return to old drinking.

Thanks, good to know!

Just wanted to say hi and congratulations on finding this method.

We seem to have a similar starting point, alcohol wise. I'm a daily wine drinker and was averaging a bottle a day before I started taking Nal. I live in the UK so that would be a 750ml bottle. I'd have a glass at lunchtime and then finish off the bottle in the evening. I rarely binged and never blacked out. At times like holidays or social functions I would drink a lot more, but it was the constant daily drinking which worried me the most.

I'm on my 5th week and have seen some very positive changes and my drinking is decreasing. I'm losing the craving and am finding it easier to stop after just 1 or 2 drinks.

I didn't have a liver test before starting as I'm doing this without medical supervision. I did get a strong sickness/nauseous reaction at first so i dropped to 12.5, took with an anti sickness tab and built up slowly.

I hope your Nal arrives soon, so that you can get going. It really does make a big difference for a lot of people.

Good luck,

Ruth.