I believer in the theory too. as much as I hate to say it. I'm not even close to being cured. but then look at BenTSM. go figure

I've had to cut back to 25mg during the week, but I try to get all my drinking done within 5 hours of taking the pill. The side effects are considerably less, and it still seems to be working. On the weekends I go ahead and take the full pill because I know I will be drinking for 8+ hours.

Well - the cravings..................Still live for my wine so I would say that as far as TSM goes in that department, not much change.

I'm going to start recording my progress of 75 mg. I don't chew them but I crush them and down them with a non al drink to mask the bitter taste. Not as bad as I thought it would be. So, here's the start:

Day 1 - 4 glasses of wine
Day 2 - 5 glasses of wine, woke up on day three with a SEVERE hangover - threw up, headache, the whole nine yards. Fun stuff. To note here, I have those kinds of hangovers often on 6 glasses and pre TSM it would have taken much more than that.
Day 3 - 4 glasses of wine and another headache all day.

So, time will tell - I'll keep posting. It may be hope for those of us that are taking so long to get where we want to go.

Hi Claremont -
It's been forever since I posted here & just checking in on a few old friends. I am so sympathetic of your frustration! You are a good person and should not beat yourself up for your shortcomings. Easy to say when I know you feel like **** - just try not to! Try to concentrate on the positive things in your life. Think of what you do that is RIGHT!! I say that b/c I suffer from the same "I am a loser" syndrome - and I am not!! I am trying to use the same kumbaya techniques I am using on you here on myself...LOLOL How's it workin for me??!! UGH - will get back to you on that!! LOL Anyway, girl - we gotta keep keepin' on!!

Your progress w/ NAL is typical, I think. We start out @ 25 for a few days then 50 forever, and if that doesn't work, 75/100 mgs after that...I went up to 75 mgs then 100 mgs NAL after about 6-9 mos respectively, I think...then back to 50 for 6 more mos...It didn't work for me, but I sometimes think I may need to go back and just start taking it again on a regular basis just to see if after years I may be a new kind of guinea pig who needs to take NAL forever and ever...and one day when I'm older...it suddenly kicks in!! HAHA - Anyway, have been off NAL for several months while I went on Baclofen in April.

UGH - it was not a good time. I had bad SEs that I could not seem to get past..talked to one of the Drs who Dr. Ameisien mentioned in his book...GAWD - I had such high hopes again. But, I gained weight and had MAJOR problems with the sleepiness/grogginess (somnolence) that many complain of. So now I am slowly titrating down off the BAC and my next med I will try is Topamax. Hmmmmm - we'll see.

I just really feel strongly there IS a medication out there that will work for everyone. Maybe not the same medication...but the fact there is something out there - I feel for sure!! NAL, BAC, TOPA...who knows...I sure hope so!!!

Hi Houtx - it's been a long time since I've seen some familiar "old" names on the board. I'm happy to hear from you and know that you are OK.

Don't get me wrong - I don't consider myself a loser at all - rather opposite. I'm happy with me and my life but am not happy with the alcohol dependency. It doesn't affect my functioning or relationships at this stage of the game, although I can't say the same of the past. Now, as far as your mention of considering yourself a loser, knock it off. You are here, you are trying, you will succeed. I really think that those of us here are pretty incredible people. We have recognized that we have a problem - whatever each of us considers it is - and have been proactive in trying to find a cure. I can't say the same for those on the outside that don't acknowledge nor care whether they better their lives or that of those around them. It takes a pretty intelligent and caring person to do what you are doing, regardless of where you are with your drinking - not a loser.

I have to agree with your frustration part. That I am with 100%. Nal gives us all so much hope initially and it's hard not to get frustrated when there are some people that get cured so quickly and others that struggle. I won't give up, not yet. Now that I know the cure has taken up to 18 months, and who knows how much longer for some.

Bac - I am scared to death of the SEs, like you mentioned. Topa - hair loss, etc. no thanks. Nal seemed the best choice of all the available options.

I hope your titration back down went well and that you have started the next route - topa. Keep me posted on how that goes for you but DON"T GIVE UP. I do believe you, you will find something that works for you - how can you not when you persevere the way you do?

Keep it up, keep in touch. I wish you the very best.

Hey Houtx and Claremont,

Thought I'd say a quick hello as well. Kind of in the same boat but haven't yet stopped the NAL. I have had a plateau of between 6-10 drinks a day.

Not good but better than I was.

I feel that alcohol no longer has the magic allure it once had. MOre of a job at times. Although I still enjoy my drinks....it feels like I may be just getting bored. Nice to see you guys,...miss y'all./ Best, Jim

JIM - so great to hear from you!! I know you have a TSM anniversary coming up and am happy you are still with us. You know the ones of us that are in the same boat so let's tough it out!

I saw your mention of coffee extinction a while back. Interesting enough, I gave it up at the start of this year and very seldom, if ever, have a cup. I'm back on tea. Hey, maybe TSM has cured us of a coffee addiction instead of alcohol

I hope to hear from you and others that seem to be missing when summer is over! I know people are busy with beer and BBQs so it will be great to hear how everyone has done over the summer.

You are never boring to us Jim - keep posting!

Claremont, an interesting study published in 2006 demonstrated drinking 1-3 cups of coffee reduced the risk of cirrhosis in heavy drinkers by as much as 40%. Those who drank four or more cups of coffee had an 80% decrease in the relative risk of alcoholic cirrhosis (95% CI 0.1-0.4, P<0.001). It would seem your body knew it needed the coffee not just to wake you up and keep you alert the day after drinking but to protect your liver too. Here's the link to the study.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Gastroenterology/GeneralHepatology/3534

Hope it all goes well for all of us! I'm not doing so great really - my habits haven't changed at all. Looking at Topa & yes, others have complained about hair loss, but from what I've read, that is actually pretty rare. And the same ones also said they'd had hair problems prior to Topa, so.... hmmmmm....we shall see.

I'm hoping the weight loss side effect will strike me!! LOL After the gain on BAC, I would LOVE to be seeing the opposite. Anyway - it will all be ok. Hope so too w/ you Claremont (and Jim when you check in here)!

XO

Best of luck Houtx, it must be very disappointing for you at this stage after trying both Nal and Bac. Am rooting for you..xx