Hi all!
I have been drinking regularly, almost every night, for the last 25 years. I drink only at night and have about 4-8 beers. The last seven years or so, I had to do this every night, but was able to control it to 4 when necessary, so I was in control somewhat. And during the day, though I might have been a bit hungover if I pushed the usual number up to 9 or 10, I still woke up and functioned fine, and never felt cravings during the day.
That all changed a few weeks ago. For a two week period, I upped the amount to 10 beers. That period ended when I woke up, not to a hangover, but to strange, new feelings: pressures on the head; feelings that I might fall down; anxiety attacks; some shaking. I looked on line, and read that this happens to people who have been drinking as long as I have. On the AA/abstinence boards, they talk about this a lot, and make it seem this is a new reality that I can't make go away. The nurse at ER and an addiction therapist both told me my vital signs are fine, and that my symptoms are very mild. The therapist even told me he doubts that I actually had withdrawals. So I am confused.
I started TSM on Thursday. Took 25mg two nights, and and tonight is my second night at 50mg. No side effects, except for a bit of spaciness when I drink. And during the day, I felt very good, but it still wasn't like before.
The nal works very, very well for me. My goal for now is 7 beers. Saturday night, I only had 6. And last night, only 5. But today in the afternoon, I again started to feel some of the same symptoms I described above. Very mild compared to other horrors I've read online, but, still, it was affecting my day in a bad way.
For some reason, I see very little talk about such withdrawal symptoms here, not sure why. There is only one poster I recall who I've seen talking about such things. Or maybe I am misinterpreting when people talk about "hangovers?" I wish I still had those old fashioned hangovers! The therapist who told me he didn't think I had withdrawal--he thought it was just anxiety--said that they should go away when I taper off. I hope so! But it didn't happen when I reduced to 5 last night. Has anyone else had experiences with this and how they were able to deal with them using nal?
Thanks!
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