Hi all,

Like so many, I've been a lurker for quite a while. I know some of my questions have been dealt with in other threads in the past, but I also know that things change, and old answers may not be relevant any longer.

My questions are about the general view of TSM and naltrexone in this country: is my doctor likely to prescribe, or do we just not *do* that here at all? I'm also interested in experiences with ordering online recently, both through American companies, and through Canadian ones.

Oh, and I'm also terrified of taking a medication, not under a doctor's supervision, where I can't be entirely sure of it's quality. Which is fairly ironic, since I seem to have no trouble pouring alcohol dowm my throat . *sigh*

Anyway, glad to be here, and thanks!

I just did a quick search under "Canada" and Struggling, BGH, Maeneds and Claremont are all from Canada.

Canadagrrl<
Welcome! I am from New Brunswick. I went to my doctor about Natrexone and he was very receptive to trying it however he called a collegue who deals with alcoholism and addiction and he suggested Baclofen. I got the prescription and found out a lot of positives about Bac. Try googling "My Way Out" go into the forums, and have a look. My name in there is "hoping for the best". I have being doing well on Bac, been on it for 7 days now, 4 of which are Alcohol free.
Good luck and keep in touch!

Hi Canadagirl - welcome to a great site - you'll find lots of support here. I've just posted "cured" as my cravings are almost nil, and I am able to control myself to a wonderful extent - not really a struggle, just a reminder to myself that the anxiety I've been feeling is "just too bad - get over it!" and then I move on (all due to Nal working mysteriously in my feeble brain!).

As for prescriptions in Canada: my doctor was familiar with naltrexone but only as a craving med - which we all know does NOT work. He gave me a month's worth, and actually suggested that I try real hard to resist! like hello! what the heck did he think I'd been doing for 30+ years!!!! - I said thanks, and never went back for more as I could not be bothered at that time to struggle with him - I was very vulnerable and teary then and could not face the whole thing.

I got some Nal from River Pharmacy and they were able to deliver to Canada at that time (November 2009) since then, however, their site lists Canada as one of the "no-no" zones - drat! I have a pal with a UPS address in NY State who will let me use his address there for another shipment if I need to. But other than that Customs intercepts the shipments and won't let them through (isn't our government wonderful?) - although you might get it eventually - hence River says don't bother. Keep checking their site as they will post when they feel shipments are getting through.

Don't worry about taking drugs from overseas. In my humble opinion they are the same - I noticed no difference - you must be aware of course that none of us can tell you what to do in any medical situation (is my butt nicely covered now?) but personally from one gal to another: don't worry so much! Just do it! It's got to be better then what you are doing now!!!!

As for the Baclofen suggestion: to tell the truth I was thinking about getting some because I did not think the naltrexone was working for me - when lo and behold! my cravings went away (99%) and I've been able to say I'm cured - it just "happened." I'm so thankful to Dr. Sinclair, and to God who sent him to me through the internet, and Dr. Escapa's book!!!!! Good luck - jump off the cliff and fly!!!!!!!!

Hey, thanks for the responses, all!

@minneapolisnick - thanks for looking that up. Maybe some more will drop in...

@Struggling - Wow, 7 days in, and 4 alcohol free! I could do with some of that! I am familiar with the "My Way Out" forum and I will look up Baclofen. I have a sense that my doctor (who doesn't know that I drink too much) will not be prescribing any of this, however...

@BGH - I can relate to not wanting to struggle with your doctor (or mine, for that matter). I just don't think I can sit there and lie convincingly every 3 or 4 weeks. I'll get busted, for sure. "Isn't our government wonderful???" DON'T get me started. What's getting over the border while customs is stopping helpful medications, I wonder. However, your story is just what I wanted to hear - thanks for that. Can I ask you: would you use one of the domestic online pharmacies? Do you know anyone who has? *prepares to jump off the cliff and fly*

the only on-line pharmacy that I tried was River - they are headquartered in Winnipeg - when you call that's who you talk to...but the stuff actually comes from India. I'm sorry - I've not looked up any others and don't know of any in Canada that Canadians can order from, where the actual product comes from Canada. If you find one, please let me know!!

I'm from the U.S. but I'm a frog at heart.

Welcome!

Edited by lena; broke my self-imposed rule re: not posting personal info

Hi Lena - froggy lady! You're always welcome here. Or Montreal. Hhmmmm, yep. Montreal's probably better.

BGH - this was the one I have bookmarked: http://biopharmacytech.eu/products/gene ... one/order/ It's headquartered in Kingston, Ontario.
But now I'm getting a funny feeling. Do these places have proxy head offices in Canada to get around loopholes? I did find one on the Web, called something like CanadianNumberOneCanadaCanadaCanada that said in big red type that it did not ship to Canadian addresses, period.
So. I wonder, can I make a day trip across the border to pick some up in person? That would be another "busted" scenario, methinks. "Oh, nothing, Mr/Ms Customs Officer. Just checking out the culture... OMG, here you go. Take my pills. That's all of them. Yes, I'm sure."
Oh phooey. I took months to do my research and come to this decision. Now what?

Canada Girl,
I am just curious as to why you don't think your DR would be supportive? Mine was very supportive, maybe i was just lucky? They owe you at least to do some research. Maybe you could print something off to take with you?

Hi Canadagrrl - re the ordering from Canada - I think that none of the pharmacies will ship to Canada no matter where they are headquartered - not because they don't want to (heavens let's make a buck here!) but it's Revenue Canada - or Customs or whatever the heck they are calling themselves these days. We are being "protected" from bad stuff, and our drug manufacturers/importers from the U.S. (which is were most of our stuff comes from) are being "protected" from the dreaded lower-cost manufacturers off-shore.

If you can get an address in the U.S. go for it. But remember there are no shipments accepted to P.O. Box numbers - you'd have to get an actual address like a UPS store - which will be a "number" and a street, city, and zip or someone's home address. If you have a family member in the US try getting an order to them and have them mail it. But beware of the LONG postage times! It can take WEEKS to get a package from Vancouver to Halifax!!!!

We have looked up Canada Customs on the internet and from what my husband and I gather you can bring drugs over the border if they are in quantities for your own use - and I think the recommended 4 month supply is just that.

Let us know what you decide.