Received my order from River yesterday. Took 25mg of Nal, one hour prior to drinking. I did develop stomach pains but that is better today. I notice while normally I would have a drink next to me all the way to bedtime, I watched tv for 1 1/2 hours more and thought it very strange I was not craving another drink! I stopped at just under 6 units of alcohol last night and it felt pretty darn great! Tonight I'm going to try drinking wine while staying at the 25mg dose again.

One other thing....I felt a bit out of sorts and I'm not sure if it was mental(knowing I was took a new med, wondering how it would effect me etc). I cant explain it other than a weird, loopy but in control with a surreal-ish feel to it. I guess I'll see what tonight brings. Anyone else feel this and if so, does it go away?

Oh my, yes...a common complaint. "Spacey", too. I was that way very briefly, but then I've had few side effects from Nal, other than a greater tendency to slightly upset stomach, and wildly entertaining dreams.

I understand what you're saying about some anxiety about taking a new drug, esp. one you got w/o a scrip, online from India. Despite our research, and the reassuring posts about the safety of it, it still is different when you actually swallow one down the first few times, into your own body! Sounds like you're off to a good start, easing in w/ the 25.

It comes from being deprived of endorphins.

Chrissie, you were right on, that's exactly how I feel about the med! Now that I know what to expect and an idea of how my body reacts, shouldn't be too bad tonight.

Day two: took 25mg, a tiny bit of stomach cramping buit not the same spacey/surreal feeling I had with the first dose. Only drank barely 5 units at the movie theater and the good news is, I remember the movie AND the rest of my evening, even remember going to bed!!!! Lol, what a great feeling that is compared to most mornings I wake up trying to put clues tOgether of things that happened or conversations I had the night before. I am wondering if I should try a full 50mg dose tonight. Any thoughts?

If it were me, I'd stay with 25mg for a week. Then go up.

I took .25 mg before realizing I would have to wait an additional couple of hours to drink, so just to make sure I was covered I took the other half about 45 min before drinkIng. I didn't get the spacey feeling or nausea however did experience some g.i. Troubles this morning. After only 3 days, my alcohol consumption is half of what it was pre nal. Best of all, while I feel like I could have another drink, I don't get the anxious "gotta have it" feelIng that would usually send me right back for another. That alone is enough to make me prefer to nal before drinking!

Hi LD,

Sounds like you're enjoying the honeymoon so far. Sorry to hear about the side effects, although those should clear up as you progress through treatment (they do for most people).


Oh man, I was very familiar with the "gotta have it" feeling. Hopefully the "take it or leave it" attitude continues for you.

Keep us updated!

-H

Thats right, it's called the "honeymoon stage" and that sure is what it feels like! At only 3 days in its already lasted longer than the honeymoon stage with my ex husband I tend to drink more on the weekends so lets see how well I Nal tonight. I'm going for a full 50mg dose. It seems like each side effect gets a little better for me with each dose.
This forum community is so helpful and reassuring about TSM. I don't think tsm is something I would have ever persued or stuck with, if it weren't for being able to read others experience and of course all the genuine care and support members have for each other. I've never been part of any type of online community as such nor any type of addiction treatment so it's all new to me and so far, a very positive experience