Hi, I have been reading here for weeks actually. I went to my doctor last week and got a rx for nal. I started on MWO two months ago with the supplements, tapes and Topa but could not tolerate the side affects. I started on the Naltrexone last week at 25 mg. and felt spacey and a bit of nausea. I plan on upping the dosage today to see how I tolerate it. My story is a long one but short version I was sober for 13 years and really had very few cravings and then New Year's Eve 2000 I had a drink! From then on over several years I was getting by with the drinking but abuse became progressive and I now can't control my urges with blackouts and hangovers and fear of death. I have tried AA in the past but it is just not for me. I am hoping that this will work. At 25 mg. my urges are status quo, no change. I can see there has been a lot of success here and I hope that will be the case for me. I suffer from anxiety and do self medicate with wine or vodka. As a matter of fact my anxiety is through the roof right now but I hesitate to take any anti anxiety meds that I have because of my plans for the Naltrexone tonight. It feels like a catch 22 to me. I am definitely more than a little bit scared. I do have concerns about the liver also as some have mentioned here in their posts. My doctor did give me a script for bloodwork to be done at some point but I was just wondering how soon I should have that done after starting the Naltrexone? I have had plenty of blood work done prior to this medication and everything was o.k. to this point. Thanks for listening.

So welcome and best of luck to you!

Specifically, what anxiolytics are you prescribed? I take Valium (diazepam) and Buspar (buspirone). My psychiatrist told me there should be no interaction at all with naltrexone. I have been taking all my meds while performing the Sinclair Method and have not noticed any of my former anxiety behaviors at all.

A strong word of caution: Although I drink alcohol and also take diazepam, I strongly suggest that it not be done. It is an excellent recipe for death.

Note that there is no interaction between the anxiolytic buspirone and alcohol, so right now my doctor has me on a higher dosage of buspirone than diazepam while I am performing the Sinclair Method. Once extinction occurs, I will be switching back to higher diazepam and lower buspirone dosages, primarily due to cost (buspirone costs me $5/day, while diazepam costs a whopping 20 cents/day).

Bob

Thanks to all. It really is great to have someone answer a post. I had no idea how supportive it would feel. I have only been a silent observer up until now that is. I have had bloodwork regarding to liver profile recently and all is well, just wondered how soon after starting I should have another one, especially after reading concerns here. In answer to the question about the anxiety med it is Klonipin and only a .50mg dosage which my physician didn't seem to be concerned about. I am very cautious with meds. I did take 50 mg of Naltrexone over an hour ago as I plan on having some wine shortly. So far I am just a bit tired but no other symtoms, thank God! Again, thank you one and all for your resonses to my concerns. It does mean a lot to me. This can be a very lonely business.

Klonopin (clonazepam) is in the same family that Valium (diazepam) is in: benzodiazepines. Please be careful! Benzodiazepines and alcohol can lead to heart stoppage or loss of breathing. Also be careful that if you have been consistently taking Klonopin for more the six consecutive weeks, you could suffer benzodiazepine withdrawal which is horrible to go through.

None of this information is to scare you, of course, just please-please-please be careful. We want people to live and to improve their lives!

By your answer, it sounds like you are a cautious person, so I think you'll do well.

All the best...

Bob

Hi LaBear!

Welcome aboard! You'll find everyone here to be supportive and encouraging. It's a great group of people. Best of luck, and keep posting.

LaBear, you name kills me -
Isn't "La Bare" one of those old 80's females watching guys strip clubs?? LOL Anyway - Glad you are here! This forum/community is truly a wonderful place for reinforcement. WE are all at varying stages and it's so good to hear & communicate. Welcome and best of luck in your journey with us!

Bob, thanks for the concern about the meds. I am very careful, but have been taking this one Klonipin in the a.m. now for years and drinking along with it. I only take the one in the a.m. I know about withdrawal from benzo's. I was once on 4 mg. of Xanax a day and counting. It was not really my fault but the doctors. At that time I was not drinking but the anxiety was very high and to be honest back then the doctors just didn't realize the addictive qualities of the drug. The more one took the more anxiety one would have called rebound anxiety or actually a form of withdrawal in and of itself. The withdrawal was from hell and I am glad to be past that and also the reason I fear meds. It was a miracle that I was able to get my life back only to fall into this pit now. As to my name, lol, my husband calls me bear and we took a trip to Old Quebec City where he tacked on the La! Don't know about the strip clubs or the old ladies in their 80's. I may feel 80 but not quite there yet, lol. I did take the full 50mg. Nal. yesterday waited an hour and had two glasses of wine, no side affects other than I felt like falling asleep. I am sure I would have had more but the bottle was empty. Very tired this a.m. also, but it is dreary and raining here. Still hoping for the best but also still in doubt. I am worried that we don't know why these people who were doing so well dropped out. My negative thinking makes me fear something went very wrong. I wish we could find out more about that.

Welcome aboard, LaBear!

I think you'll find that you're in good company here and that a lot of people can directly relate to your comment above. I certainly can. For myself, my choice of 'self-medication' is white wine or beer. FYI, I suffer from OCD and GAD but I'm making some progress with my therapist.

I look forward to reading your future posts.

All the best,

V.

Hi LaBear, welcome aboard!

As you're on a med that is contradicted with alcohol, perhaps you and your MD could explore the use of baclofen? It's been used very successfully, and safely, for the treatment of anxiety in alcoholics.

Just a thought!