Hi All

Still plodding along here pretty well ... its funny how there are up and down weeks - but I'm currently averaging about 30 UK units a week (previously 50- 60) .. so its still down.

On night 3 AF this week - ( Generic .... but its Wednesday tomorrow ... and Wednesdays are usually a stumbling block. I enjoy sharing a bottle of wine with my other half on Wednesdays ... and I look forward to it .. an maybe a wee cider ... however if I can do 4 AFs a week I'm ok with this for now.

I've also ran really low on Nal .. next order has been placed but I've only got 3 pills left and not expecting the delivery til next week. Partly this was intentional because I really wanted another 5 AF week .. but I'm doing ok with 4 AF a week.

My units are still a wee bit high on the weekends and I think I'm back to guzzling and drinking too fast again ... Is this what is meant by "drinking through the Nal?!" I'm not sure whether I'm subconsciously doing this as a "reward" for my good AF nights .. any thoughts?????

UKB .. interesting you say after a few days on Nal you think your mood may be dampened ... I'm definitely aware of this ... so am going to try and have no more than 2 consecutive drinking nights.

I'm also still more tired and lazy than usual - after one good jog few weeks back I've been lazy ... still seem to lack energy a wee bit. Maybe this is my Nal SE and I'll just have to roll with it until my Nal days are less and less

hope all well out there in TSM land Lorraine

Hi Lorraine, I wanted to pipe in and Thank you for your posts.

Sorry for 2 posts in 1, but I needed to make sure I didn't get thrown from the site like earlier. It looks like you are doing well with your numbers going down. It is good news that you can take 50 mgs. I might be able to tolerate it by now, but am afraid of the SE"s. Don't know unless I try, right? I'm sorry to hear about the lack of energy. This is another fear I need to get over. You should be proud of yourself that you are making TSM your priorty. It takes a lot of perseverance. BTW. I think some of my excess energy is part of my Bi-polar-ishness. I get a lot done, but dread the inevitable low. Hmmm, maybe the Nal will counter act my manic state. I would offer to come help you with your chores, but we have an ocean between us. Keep up with your Nal, it looks to be working. Here's to a cure!! Keek

Thanks Keke! Hello all!

Well ... So far .. 4 months in... my units are going in the right direction

Monthly averages (UK units)

Pre TSM 50 -60 uk units per week
March avg 38 units per week
April avg 28 units per week
May Avg 34 units per week
June .. so far on 28 units average per week... aiming for 24 and 4 AF days most weeks

Sometimes I think I'm not doing as well as I could be ... but then last night - it occurred to me

I no longer drink alone in the house!!! Hooray! This has been for last maybe 4 or 5 weeks ... I'm considering it a wee milestone!

Thanks to some rather disgusting 0% alcohol "Bavaria" beer ... which I don't really like the taste of ... but somehow it seems to do the trick on my AF nights .. I open a cold can of that when I would usually be ploughing through the wine - and I seem to be quite content.

I'm a single Mum to my lovely 9 year old son ... and although I share the care with his Dad most often for the last 9 years .. I'm stuck in an evening on my own when he's in bed. Of course ... my partner and friends come round .. and we've always hd wine

But this is changing ... and the nights I#m in on my own .. its been a while since I had a drink

I also love the freedom from the obsessive thoughts and worries I used to have about how much I was drinking / how I must cut down etc

I seem to be able to have an AF night wth much less effort now - on my own

Not quite so good with partner or at the weekends though .... but I'm getting there

Anyone else got any tips on what they like to drink instead???

Lorraine

hi fellow t s m ers ...

I could do with a bit of encourage ment.... where are you all? I'm going to the pub tonight with a friend then out with partner tomorrow night usually like some wine on a sunday but I'm trying to just drink 2 of the weekend 3 nights....but it's going to be a little bit of a struggle to have one AF this weekend

so should I just try and limit my consumption every night ???I don't really want to take Nal 3 nights on the trot know as I think I get a bit of a downer...would be good to hear back from u guys

!? Have a good weekend all

Lorainem1,
Here is my bit of encouragement for what it's worth. I am about 3 and 1/2 mo. in on taking the Nal. I also am having the same affect as you in that my numbers are coming down for 50 per week to average of about 30. I have also gone to a 2.8% alcohol they sell in the US called Miller 64. So I am cutting my calories as well as alcohol I am drinking.

Regarding your pub night, why don't you just take your pill 1 hour before starting and don't beat yourself up about what happens. I have only had 2 AF days during my struggle and I have quit trying for now. If it happens OK, if not, I am still getting the extinction affect by taking the Nal and drinking. I have to admit I have not been out really drinking with friends except for a party we had at home. I drank quite a bit that day but over many hours so I felt OK the next day. I think most people on the board will say don't beat yourself up and that was good for me to hear. I kept saying to myself I should have more AF days and drink less per day, etc., etc. We are early into the game and it takes time. Best of luck on your dates and let us know how you did.

Keep up the good work.
Linda