Meggie, I'm sorry the board is eating your posts! Try this (I'm assuming you're using a Windows PC here:

1. Start Notepad and turn on "word wrap" (click on Format on the menu and make sure there's a checkmark by "word wrap").

2. Compose your post but don't use the Enter/Return key unless you want a new paragraph, just let Notepad start a new line where it will.

3. Sign into your account and click the "Post Reply" button as you ususally would.

4. Highlight and copy what you've written in Notepad.

5. Paste that into the "Post a reply" window and click the "Submit" button.

I suggest this because this board has a bad habit of signing people out in the middle of a reply, it's happened to me a number of times.

Back to the subject at hand!

You mentioned that your doc had increased your antidepressant, which one is it? You'd also said that he checked for interactions with Naltrexone and didn't find a problem there, I woudn't expect any though. I'd written before about some AD's causing craving for some people, but TSM doesn't figure into that, it happens TSM or no TSM. If you didn't notice any difference in how much you were drinking around the time you started the AD, it might well be a moot point, but it's a good base to cover. For the same AD, some people report that their drinking went down, so there you go.

How are you doing on mindfulness and the first drink? I know you said you were able to put off your start time, so good job on that, keep working that angle if you see some gains there. If you can break up things when you get on the phone, get the drink physically away from you for a bit (maybe just a little bit at first), you might find another soft spot in the habit there. Even if it seems you aren't making any headway with the mindful approach, if you at least give it a shot you're getting your prefrontal cortex in the action and that's going to have increasing benefits, bit by bit.

Are you logging the number of drinks per day? That can also be a powerful tool, I can heartily recommend it! I've got a spreadsheet I use, I can tweak it and send you a copy if you have Excel on your computer.

Looks like you're about 9 months in at this point, keep it up and keep posting, I hope the board doesn't eat any more of your replies!

Wow, it has been awhile since I have been here. I am now up to one and a half of a pill. I don't know if it is doing any different. I am plugging along. I had vacation at the end of the month and got a lot done in the house. I kinda just go from one day to the next with nothing exciting. Again, thanks to you all for your support.

Thanks for the update, Meggie! Are you still going with a later start time?

Yes, I am. I am starting at 8 instead of 7. I do well some days and not others. I measure my bottle by making marks on the beginning and end of the night. I still get a buzz. I wondering if I was not suppose to get the buzz anymore. I like that first sip because I taste the vodka. Then I don't taste it the second time. I then want to add more so I can taste it. How are the meds suppose to help with that. I don't seem to have a brain change.

I still get the buzz too, Meggie. I think different people just have a different reaction to TSM, some bingers that go with hard alcohol really seem to notice something is missing when the take the Nal and drink, others not so much. Maybe try waiting 90 minutes instead of 60 for a couple of nights to see if that makes a difference in how the first drink tastes/feels.

Looking back to the beginning of your thread, you seem to have gotten the initial reaction from the Nal, so it sounds like it does work for you, it's just going to be on a longer schedule. Part of the work that the Nal does happens in a part of the brain that doesn't have any feelings, so you won't get any "feedback" when a change is happening there.

Are you noticing any change since you started the antidepressant?

If you don't stiffen up the (2nd, 3rd) drink, how does that make you feel? Try it for a night or two and just jot down your findings.

Meggie,

I'm brand new to it and referred by a good friend who is concerned for me, I'm very concerned for me!!!

I've tried AA and it was not working for me and I only hope this will.

If you feel it's working some, and your doctor objects, get a new doctor!

Good luck.

Steve

Best luck to you too, Steve! Let us know if you run into any speedbumps, we're here to help!

Well, June 7th will be 10 months. Sun, I am still waiting for the magic to happen. I want to wake up one day and my brain decides that I don't need that drink. One month and I will be on summer vacation.

Meggie I know you are fed up with hearing it from me - I took 11 months and things didn't change a whole lot except I was having more AF days towards the end - what is your drinking like? You do not have any signature posted (are you recording your units - it really helps to post them here) - how many units are you drinking and how many were you drinking when you started nal? How many AF days are you getting? How long have you been on 50mg as I know that you were only taking a much smaller dose for some time. I hate to say it but you really have just got to be patient - we did not get where we are overnight. ChrisB took nearly two years but suddenly it worked for her. THAT is what kept me going at times. Newlife has been a lot slower than me - and way slower than she would have liked. But she is doing well .....not cured as such but way better than when she started. Deena is in a similar boat ....

Please answer the things I have asked so I have a clearer picture of what is going on with you ...... it will work eventually but I have no idea where you are with it all!

Hugs. Maggie x

Wow, you are really doing wonderful. I did well on the topa, almost a whole year without a drink.
I am now up to 75 mg. I have been on it for awhile. I have had no AF days. I have days I drink less and those I do more. I will keep with the program and keep taking the medication until the doc says no.