Deena. I think Stephen is right on the money.. Naltrexone works just as well at a low dose, (12.5)plus it doesn't hang around and make you feel crappy for days on end.

Since both alcohol and naltrexone are depressants, you're doubling your displeasure by using both to excess.

G

Deena - I have had the worst day ever - I was so miserable today - and am wondering if it is the Nal - it was your post that made me think about it. I have not had an AF day for well over a week - usually I do have them and am thinking that is why I am feeling the way I am. I am sort of worried about going down in dose - I have been here since January! And do not want to take a step back when I have been in this for so long - but am thinking maybe I will go down ....at least to 25mg. Not sure who else will be reading this - but what does anyone else think?

Hugs, Maggie x

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I just lost my post! Could this day get any frickin' worse?

I went to a festival yesterday. It was the type of thing I would have really enjoyed and interacted with a lot of people. I felt dead. Then this morning I watched the movie. In the movie someone talked about the relief an alcoholic gets when they have their first drink that they do not get when using nal. I still get it. I always will. I just know it.

I have a hard time believing that a lower dose will help me if 50mg has not, but I guess I should give it a shot. Maggie, maybe you should, too.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me. You are incredible people.

Maggie, I think a lower dose may be of help to you, too. as someone said, you can always bump it back up. it is not something I have tried myself, however so take it with a huge grain of salt!

Thanks Jaba, Dee and Zontar - I think I will go down to 25mg - I am assuming that if I feel anything when I have a drink that I need to go back up - but if I feel nothing - as when I have a drink with 50, then it is okay. To be perfectly honest with you all - I am not sure if I have ever noticed a difference drinking on the Nal or not. I was thinking about that yesterday. My intake did go down when in started it but is now slowly going back up - I am almost at pre Nal levels. And drinking daily again too - I have not had an AF day in 11 days ! I really do not want to take any Antabuse to try to get one as it really makes me feel quite ill nowadays, so that is not an option which is a shame as then I HAD to have an AF day - so instead although I think about having one, by lunchtime I have taken the Nal ..... and another day is gone.

Getting so discouraged - I will not give up though - I shall never give up.

Hugs, Maggie x

Maggie, your attitude is an inspiration.

I woke this morning from my mini breakdown with swollen eyes and a headache. I had been burying these feelings for so long because I so desperately wanted this to be the answer. It was good that they all came out and that you all were here to listen.

I am torn. I feel like I should force myself to have a few alcohol free days in a row to see if I feel better with no Nal in my system, yet I also feel that forcing alcohol free days is not the thing to do. I fear that depriving myself might make me drink more in one sitting when I go back to it.

I am going to finish rereading the book and will continue Nal until I finish. I will probably try a lower dose since it works for many and I cannot go on like this. Yesterday was scary for me. It has been a long time since I have felt such hopelessness.

Thanks, everyone.

Oh Deena - I so know exactly how you feel ! That was me too yesterday - but we can do this together ! Yes I do think that you should force a few AF days just to see how you feel without the Nal in your system - but having said that I could no more force an AF day right now than fly to the moon ! I just know that this is the answer for me and am going to carry on - as I said there is no alternative. I have never hit rock bottom and my drinking wasn't too bad compared to some - but it was getting worse and the writing was on the wall - so this has to work for me. I do feel that yo need to continue - maybe try and find something that you want to do - I have not been doing anything - nothing interests me. I work, and also have been remodeling our house which we recently moved into - but have been doing nothing that is fun - or for me - hence trying to find something - like the quilting. I must find something to occupy my mind - even though quilting is mindless, I know how meditative it can be.

Pleases try and hang in here with this .....

Many hugs to you, Maggie xx

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Thanks, Jaba. I agree that what the nal is doing might make it feel like I am making a conscious decision in my drinking. If life doesn't feel like living any more, though, is it worth it? Yesterday was an especially tough day, but there is no day to day zest for life. I am going to continue until I finish rereading the book and researching.

I went to my chiropractor/kinesiolgist today and he noticed a difference in me. He thought that I was under stress and questioned me about anything that might have changed since I saw him last. He gave me a different supplement with additional B vitamins. I know that the B's make you feel better, so I am hopeful.