Hello,

I started naltrexone last night, had two glasses of wine. I took on an empty stomach and with a hangover and a cold. I could not keep any food down when I did eat, had chills and could not stay awake. Has anyone experienced these symptoms. I plan on continuing with the method because even the above is better than feeling out of control and desperate. Both my psychologist, psychiatrist and husband do not believe in this method so I feel like I need to prove something. I have been to rehab and recently was in AA and stayed sober for four months. My relapse came on like a tidal wave, one day I am sober the next day I'm not. I think AA is a great way for some people to stay sober but is not for everyone. Any thoughts on getting through the first couple if days are greatly appreciated.

Hmm. It's hard to know since you went in with a "hangover and a cold." (Maybe you have the flu or something?). Anyway, I know it's hard for someone in the midst of the alcoholism, but eating something heavy-ish with your Naltrexone on hour before drinking should lessen some side-effects. Be sure you're starting with a lower-dose (25mg -- if that's what you took, take 12.5 tonight) and work your way up to 50mg.

That does sound more like being sick than like nal side effects.

Do you have enough short-term control to abstain until you're healthy? If so, that might be wise. The illness might be covering up any real side effects you experience.

If not . . . well, take the nal. That's the Golden Rule. Always take the naltrexone before drinking, and always wait one hour between taking the nal and starting to drink. You'll survive.

Thanks for the response!!!

Sounds like my second dose. Up all night puking.

At least you didn't hallucinate.

The good news is it sounds like you are sensitive to it. Dont drive for the first few doses at least.

How long did it take you to get over the nausea? I'm scared to take it again or might have been the fact I took on an empty stomach. Did it help to have food with the dose?

I went with the feeling ill flow to help me reduce my drinking.

I only took 3 pills total. I did find that cutting the pill, taking a half, waiting an hour, taking the other hslf, waiting another hour then drinking helped me. Others say the side effects lessen over time. Many complain about nal-overs for quite some time.

Btw, food may help or it may not. You are going through "opioid withdrawal". Google it. Some of us apparently make natural opiates, and when nal blocks all your receptors, you go cold turkey instantly - it can be very unpleasant. I experienced quite a few of the symptoms on the list. Cold sweats is absolutely one.

Btw, you aren't taking any other meds, right? Definitely not painkillers, right?

I take Zoloft and trazadone for sleep, but no painkillers. I will continue to take the naltrexone if it helps with eventually not drinking.

Hi Skara,

Welcome and congratulations for starting on this program. I started of with the full 50 dose and experienced mild nausea for a couple of days only. You can see by my tracking below, that my progress has been gradual over the past six months. So stay with it and don't get discouraged early on. I have been in and out of AA/sobriety most of my life (I'm in my early 50s). At one point I had 14 years sober. Prior to my last relapse in July I had 14 months. Just know that you've found a place where others have been in similar situations and are seeing results.

Good luck to you and keep posting your progress.
Sheryl

Thank you for the responses. I cut the dose down to 25 with food and feel a lot better this time around. Thanks again for taking the time to advise it is much appreciated and is great information to have!