Hi all,
I used to be on 75mg Naltrexone until 3 weeks ago when I dropped back down to 50mg. I took 2 of my half 50mg pills (I used to cut them in half so that I'd take one and a half tablets to make up to 75mg) three nights ago and I noticed that I was craving my alcohol even less than usual (my cravings have gone down on the Naltrexone that's for sure but when I took the two half tablets three nights ago, I noticed that I hardly felt like drinking at all). Anyway over the last two nights I've been cutting my 50mg Naltrexone in two and swallowing them, and it seems to be working better than ever. ie. less cravings!
It seems to me that because the tablet is cut in half, it is dissolving in my stomach faster and my endorphin receptors are becoming becoming blocked faster. It just seems to work better taking two half pills. The pills are scored so that they cut cleanly with a sharp knife.
I'm going to keep cutting my pills in two and will report back to you as to how successfully it goes. It could be a coincidence, as I have recently started on L-Theanine tablets (recommended by Jaba) and perhaps they have something to do with this decrease in cravings, I'm not 100% sure yet. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks everyone & Happy New Year.

Hi Paddy - I was wondering why you were on 75mg before ? I started Nal in Jan 2015 and was on 50 for nearly the whole year - although my intake went down, I still wasn't 'there'. Finally I went up to 75mg and within 2 weeks had stopped drinking. I think initially it is best for folk to take the 50 ..... just my opinion anyway - but you might be on to something with the cutting the pill in half. You are waiting the hour before drinking aren't you? I am so pleased for you that things are beginning to change - what a lovely way to end the year and start the new year! YEAH !

Happy New Year to you too - I wish you all the best on this journey!

hugs, Maggie

In an edit - Paddy, I just went to your chart - you started last January - the same as me - because you posted this in October, I had thought you started then - so I am doubly happy for you that things have changed ! Your intake was similar to mine too ..... REALLY good news that things are changing !

Paddy,

I am happy that cutting the pill is working for you. I have heard that some pills have a coating (not a time released) and it can take longer to dissolve, and some on the forum recommended crushing them. But, cutting may just be enough for the pill to dissolve faster.

I am glad to hear that TSM is working for you!

Nal on,

Jaba

Jaba - just a thought - maybe it was the fact that I was taking a CUT pill when I upped my dose that finally helped me? just a thought .....

Hugs, Maggie x

Hi Maggie,
I am waiting for an hour before I drink.
I went onto 75mg because like you I found that I was still craving alcohol after being on 50mg for about 6 months. Although the 75mg helped, I still wasn't "there", same as you. I dropped back down to 50mg mainly in order to save money (taking Naltrexone nearly every day gets expensive). I am finding the 50mg working for me as well as the 75mg did. I am hoping though that this trick of cutting the pill in half is going to help me even further. So far so good!
Thanks Jaba & Maggie.

Well I took another two halves of a 50mg Naltrexone again tonight, & sure enough I hardly felt like drinking any more after my first few gulps. I'll swear that cutting the pill in two really does help in the absorption of the Naltrexone! I recommend it to everyone!
Thanks.

Awesome, Paddy!

Don't know whereabouts on the rock you are, but check out GoodRx.com if you are going TSM alone or out-of-pocket.

I'm starting to poke around and see if some TSM docs would be comfortable with taking on out-of-state patients, I think it's really a boon to have a pro on your team. My TSM doc has seen quite a few on his couch, had me feeling better even before the blood tests were taken.

How are you doing on sleep? Do you have any apnea going on, waking with a dry tongue or the like? Are you getting a full-chug 8 hours of z's?

Hi Joe,
My sleep used to be very interrupted with the Naltrexone. I would get enough sleep though, it was just on and off. Jaba put me onto L-Theanine tablets a few weeks ago, and they have helped me to sleep properly, not only that but they have helped me to feel more relaxed during the day as well!
I live in New Zealand and the government helps to pay for my pills. I'm lucky I know
Keep at it!
Cheers.

Very cool, Paddy!

That's the way it should be. May 2016 see you getting the drink under your thumb! Great news about Jaba's recommendation, I'm going to steal that one...

Paddy, this is wonderful news! It sounds like cutting the pill is really helping you. I noticed a coating on my nal that I get from Walgreen, so I started waiting 90 minutes, instead of 60, and I have noticed after the 90 mins I rarely wanted a drink. I have heard of others crushing (or if you have the stomach chewing) the nal to help with absorption, but it sounds like cutting the tablet does the trick for you.

I also have been thinking about other medications or OTC drugs/supplement that could slow down the absorption rate. I know that a couple of meds I am on that can slow down or block absorption of some of my other meds so I have to "time" when I take what (sucks getting old). But, I have never thought about what could slow down or block the nal. I may ask someone, or look into it and if I find anything out I will let you know.



Maybe it was the combination of the two? I cannot remember if you tried waiting 90 minutes or not, but that would have been a clue if there was an issue with absorption. I was just so tickled pink that your brain has flipped that switch that I never questioned why!

Jaba