I've just done a search and it seems that I am not the only one who could not tolerate 50mg of Naltrexone. search.php?keywords=dosage&terms=all&author=&sc=1&sf=titleonly&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search

The side effects just wouldn't go away for me, I used to feel totally spaced out, apathetic, nauseous and had a feeling of pressure in my ears which affected my perception of sound, and always had terrible hangovers. As soon as I dropped to 25mg I felt much better and my units immediately dropped too. After a while, I dropped again to 12.5mg and continued to moderate successfully.

I know that Drs. Sinclair and Eskapa clearly state that we should take 50mg/drinking session, except for all day drinkers or if we drink at 2 intervals during the day, like at lunch and again in the evening, in which cases we should take 2X50mg morning and evening. And I also know that the research has always been with 50mg but I can't help wondering if those of us who feel very sick, shouldn't try lower doses, and conversely, if those of us who don't feel it's working, shouldn't up the dose to 75 or 100 mg?

I'm also curious as to why some of us are more or less sensitive to Naltrexone. Is it the brand of Nal? Do some brands contain more Nal than others? perhaps it's the other supposedly inactive ingredients?. Is it our body size/weight/BMI? Gender? Interaction with other meds?

Why do some of us need 100mg/session and for others 12.5 is plenty? Any thoughts on this?

Curi

I've always tolerated moderate to high doses very well. I've taken as much as 100mg (when I wasn't sure if I'd taken the 50mg dose, or when I felt I was drinking too much in the session(which by the way doesn't work!)), and as little as 25mg which ended up in a spike after a couple of sessions. 50 mgs is fine for me, and yes I have had the Nal hangovers but that was only after drinking around 15 units. I have an idea I am an endorphin junkie, so am not surprised it takes the recommended dose to cover my receptors!

I also have tolerated NAL pretty well, at 50MG for over 8 months. I still sometimes get that light heading feeling from the NAL. I had a great drop in numbers initially on TSM and have held steady for the last 6 months, I am wondering if upping to 75MG will help me get those allusive AF free days and lower my units. My daily nightly habit is such an ingrained habit, ugh! Thoughts?

Steady,

I have heard that for some 75mg. helped, however I tried it for three weeks and didn't see any difference in my daily numbers. Each of us is different so, I would say you have nothing to lose but an extra $1 for each dose.

No matter what you decide, stay the course.

Diver

Thanks everyone for your answers.

Steady, I'd say try 75mg, you never know and you can always go back to 50mg later.



UKBlond, this really hit me! What exactly do you mean by an endorphin junkie? I have a friend who does a LOT of hardcore running cos he loves the high. I have never felt high after any kind of sport, so I wonder if my endorphin levels are just low? so maybe I don't have as many endorphins to block as other people and therefore don't need as much Nal????

Curi

Curi I think I am going to try 75MG starting next week to see how it goes. I just need to pickup a pill cutter.

UKBlonde I too am an adrenaline junky and run, hike, mountain bike, etc. Being an nightly drinker these activities are usually a minimum of 12 hours (next day, not morning) talking NAL up to one hour before.

I will say that on the days I skip my workouts and activities I do drink more possibly to fill the void?

Thank you both for your awesome commitent and feedback to to TSM

Thanks Diver! Always staying on course Your right it's only a minimal amount to add in an extra 25MG.

I too like exercise, not all the time and I do find it hard work motivating myself but I used to get stupid runners high where I'd dance around a bit!!!

Don't confuse this with adrenalin junkies though, I don't actually like danger. I also had/have bulimia and find chocolate incredibly intense - I think the binges are very much the same. I don't however over exercise, once I get the high I'm fine with it. With alcohol I was constantly chasing that high which became more and more elusive.

UKBlond, I get what you're saying about not being an adrenaline junkie, and I have to admit I do feel jealous of your (anyone's) runner's high. I think I read somewhere that runner's high can't come from endorphins as they are too big to pass the blood barrier, or something? I must try and find that article again.

Either way, natural endorphin levels could be an explanation as to why some of us need more Nal than others. I figure body mass would be another one, and Interaction with other meds possibly another.

Anyone else got any ideas?

Curi

Several months ago 2 people (women, I think) PMed me asking about taking 12.5 mg of Nal as the SEs were too bad on 25mg. If you are reading this could you let us know how you got on? Either here or by PM.

Thanks.

Curi