Hi Guys

Great to see this forum; thank you!

Mid-forties guy here, history of heavy social evening drinking back to university days. Have got 15 year history of drinking after work to 'calm down' which has become an ingrained pattern.

Currently drinking nearly two bottles of wine per night. Feeling so very down about it, it's obviously unhealthy and wrong; so stuck. Aaaaah!!! A functional alcoholic.

Recently tried nalmefene twice. Side effects first time were severe: spaced-out, empty, robot-like, didn't sleep for 20 hours. Second time felt better, but sleep disturbance is a serious issue. Strange drifting through vivid tortured, exhausting nightmares whilst aware of being half-awake. It's taken me 10 days to get back to a normal sleep pattern, though still have terrible, detailed 'missions' of dreams. It's like a cross between severe jet-lag, flu and what I imagine an LSD 'bad trip' would be. It's not withdrawal phenomena - I don't really get that, or if I do, I'm aware of what it's like.

Anyone know whether naltrexone is better for the sleep disturbance?

hi ted,

welcome to the forum & TSM

sorry to hear you've been suffering SE's. I'm not sure whether Nalmefene is worse than Naltrexone for sleep disturbance, but I've heard a few people have experienced this. it might be worth giving Naltrexone a go instead - you can start with 1/4 (12.5mg) or 1/2 (25mg) a tablet, which you can't with Nalmefene. this gives your body a better chance of getting used to the pill with fewer SE's as you can ramp the dose up over a few days

best of luck!

-badger

Hey - thanks Badger.

That sounds a good idea, I hadn't thought of that. Will get a prescription organised over the next week...

I've had a shock with the nalmefene 'bad trip'. It feels like a set-back, so must work hard, dig deep, force myself, to have another go (with low-dose naltrexone next).

Hope the alcoholic in me doesn't find excuses to continue chasing the highs of a booze hit.

Hi Ted - sorry about the awful SE's for you. I take Naltrexone and did have nausea initially but as long as I make sure I have food in my tummy I am fine with it - I also started at half tabs and then gradually got to a whole one. Good Luck!!

hugs, Maggie x

Hi Ted.

Whilst in Scotland last summer, I obtained some Nalmefene. Same horrific side effects of unsettling dreams and not sleeping.

With naltrexone, before and after that, no problems at all.

Maybe the side effects go away over time, but I for one won't be taking it again.

Hi Ted - I am new here and am taking naltrexone with no problems so far - but its only been 3 days - i am tracking my progess in the weely progress thread - i have had a mild headache and a little restless sleep in the middle of the night - but that could be from anything, not necessarily the NAL - hope you can get switched over - Good luck and keep posting - ready

Maggie - that's such a warm post, thank you for the encouragement!

Hey Gaupo - sounds a better experience with naltrexone than nalmefene. Trying naltrexone is now my aim - I'm going to follow Badger's wise advice and cut the tablet up to start with. I'm just back from the chemist having left them with a script to collect tomorrow. I also think that the shorter half-life (including active metabolite) of naltrexone might be better in my case, as my boozing is very much an evening pattern and I enjoy running in the daytime. I don't want to lose the hit of a run and become a slouch.

Readynow - congrats on starting the journey, I'm with you and wishing you the best. It's good that you're not facing bad side effects. I wonder if you started on the full 50mg?

Ted that is great that you managed to get the Nal with no problem! I started with half doses just for a couple of days and then took the full 50 - I think as you reacted so badly to the other one you might want to go to 1/4 for four days - then half for a couple of days ... good luck - keep us informed !

I assume that your GP is with you on this ? Are you in UK - calling it the chemist, I am thinking you are .....

hugs, Maggie x

Welcome troubledted, I wrote this for newbies so this may help you. I also felt like I was on LSD so I can relate to the se's in the beginning. viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3930

Hi Ted - In answer to your question - I started on 1/2 and then 3/4 and the the full pill - I have had a headache and some sleep disturbance - but not sure if that is from NAL - it could be from anything - I am on day 6 today and consumption is down and the week has been better - but still had a bad night Wednesday - I know this takes time - I am very hopeful and grateful for this forum - keep posting and have a great weekend! Hope you get your new meds soon - Let us know - Ready