I've woke up this morning....it's my birthday...and I just feel like crying ??

Hope,

I am so sorry, but there have been some people that get a little blue on the nal., but it does go away.

I started on Wellbutrin before I started on the nal. but I do have a history of depression, but there have been times that I still felt blue (but I am going through the change, and that is also effects moods).

If you can get some sunshine, B vitamins, and exercise to help with mood. I hope Deena chimes in, for I think she had a really low spot.

I think being busy will help, and keeping friends and family around to help boost your spirit. Go do something for you, but in the meantime do not forget to take that nal. for the side effect do go away with time.

Jaba

I'm so sorry you're going through that! Depression sucks!

I know you're not motivated to do it, probably, but the things Jaba suggested can be helpful if you do them anyway, even if they feel forced and pointless in the moment. You might try doing gentle things that show you that you love yourself, like a hot bath, going for a walk in a beautiful place, having a cup of tea or coffee, or snuggling in a soft blanket. Do you have pets? If you do and they're snuggly, there'a great form of therapy. My cats are one of my go-to self-soothes.

And I always feel compelled to provide suicide hotline information any time someone mentions depression that they're maybe not used to coping with.

Samaritans (08457 90 90 90) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you're feeling, or if you're worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.

Take care of yourself. You are valuable, worthy, and lovable!

Hope, I went through a really difficult blue spell on the nal a few months into it. I spent one whole Sunday sobbing and that entire week was tough. It was so bad that I really thought about giving up the nal. I AM SO GLAD I DID NOT! At this point, 20 weeks in, all the side effects seem to have gone away. I am taking a good multi vitamin, B vitamins, vitamin d and just started some rhodiola. I am making sure that I do things that keep me positive and am pampering myself whenever possible.

You might not be feeling blue because of the nal at all but because of your birthday. You are making a huge change in your life and I think birthdays can be reflective times. It is easy to look back and think about how many days you have spent drunk or hungover and get down. Those days are behind you. My daughter and I took a six week course about making the most of your life and one of the things I learned was the phrase "up until now". When I get down about the past I just say, that is the way it was "up until now". We have the ability to have our futures be whatever we want them to be.

Have a great birthday, keep your chin up, and keep us posted!

Hi Hope,
I too have had days of feeling depressed lately. I've been on TSM for about 10 months & only recently have the depressions come. I never used to experience depression prior to taking Naltrexone. My drinking has decreased a lot because of the Naltrexone so I'm not giving up!
I know that alcoholics swing wildly in their moods, & when you cure that, there are bound to be some emotional problems for a while, while your brain adjusts to your new emotional state.
Recovery is always two steps forward & one step back, it's never a straight line up.
Hang in there, it's worth it in the end!

Paddy,

That is excellent post, and spot on!

I agree that depression is just the nature of the beast, for we hate change and our brains really hate change...and taking that "ah moment" out of the picture no one knows how our brain will respond.

I am glad you are moving forward and your attitude is inspiring!


Keep up the good work,

Jaba

Thanks Jaba!
It was my birthday last week too & I felt depressed all day. Part of the depression that I am feeling these days is caused because I have nothing to look forward to at 5pm. I so used to look forward to those drinks at 5pm & now there is hardly any kick at all from them! I am going to have to grow up I'm afraid, & find more productive ways to get that "ah" feeling other than alcohol!
Cheers.

Paddy,

It is a work in progress, and it will happen. It will take time, and you will find something to fill that hole, but try new things to find it. Think about the life you would have had without the alcohol in your life, and try some of the things you would have tried, but didn't (I alway seemed to procrastinate being drunk). If you need a rush, maybe join a team, for sports can give you that "ah moment", especially when you score, or win...a really adrenaline rush!

I am glad you are doing better, and keep the faith and posting,

Jaba