damn! looks like it's totally working for you! You might want to disregard what I said about crushing the pill a half hour before drinking. Mario told me she used to do this and feels like it screwed up her process. from now on I'll try my damnedest to wait the full hour. I still quarter them unless I'm taking it 2 hours before. and maybe I only make it 40 minutes but these days it's not a problem to wait the hour. looks like you'll be able to wait too.


CONGRATULATIONS! REALLY LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO BE CURED.

Thanks, everyone, for the great comments. I wish you were all in my town, you all sound like such a cool bunch! Thanks, Kiwi for the description of your last few weeks, I feel like I am headed down that same path. BTDT - I am happy to keep posting and really hope it helps. Many before us, and now, help me every day. This is a confusing process, and it helps to have you all out there as a sounding board, and a place to find good ideas and encouragement.

And yes, I am cautiously encouraged by how my chart looks. A big drop between week 15 and 16, but that is only one week. I had a drop like that a few weeks before, only to return to 40 units again. I'd need to see many, many weeks with more AF days and lower numbers along with greater control on the days I do drink, to start shouting from the mountaintops.

That said, I do feel VERY different this week. I am on my third AF day in a row, and they have been effortless. Sure, AL has crossed my mind, but never in that way that caused me to leap into action. Just a fleeting thought, easily dismissed. Tonight my kids were crazy, running around, screaming and fighting around 5pm (my normal start time), and it didn't even occur to me to drown it out with wine. THAT IS HUGE!

My doctor increased my dose to 100mg (did I say that already?) but since I have been AF since the appointment I have not taken that yet. She said she has seen a few people turn the corner around this time (4 months), with that dose. We'll see. Because I panic about sleeping without AL, she gave me a few days of samples of Lunesta, to help push through several AF days in a row. But after 5 days of Lunesta, I am on my own.

I got a message from my doctor's office today, asking me to call back. I'm a little worried. I am hoping that is not bad report about my blood test. I will keep you all posted!

[Update: the call was to tell me that my liver function tests came out fine, and to check again in 4 weeks. Whew! I hate those "Hi, its the doctor's office, give us a call back" messages with no information, I always fear the worst!]

Wow, the graph looks great YG. Gotta love that trend !
Awesome to hear you are feeling really different... I've had that too. Like you I'm not ready to shout from rooftops just yet... I want to see more weeks feeling the same way. But even if this isn't the finish line.... It's a freakin great indication of what's in store down the track.

I'm sooo grateful to you and the rest of the team here for being such a supportive group. I see in one of your recent posts u mentioned Toxicgirl. Has anyone had contact with her? I've pm'd her and tried to post on her blog... But she appears to have gone to ground for a while. Hope she's okay.

Can't wait to read your next weekly update.

Kiwi.

Ive been wondering about Toxic Girl as well. I too hope she is ok.
Mario

Wow! You're doing great Yoga! Glad to see such an increase in AF days! You're looking like a textbook case! I have GOT to get my doctor to increase my dosage! If she won't, I'l just order more Nal online and do it myself. It seems to be working so well for you and it worked for Ben. Back when I did it I think it was helping too, but My doc wanted me to stay at 50mg for a while. thanks for the posts and all your support!

Well, just when I was looking textbook, I got that itch and drank a whole bottle of wine last night. And so it goes. At least that was on the heels of 3 AF days in a row. I am noticing that white wine does not taste very good anymore, and gives me terrible hangovers.

On 100mg, I felt really dizzy and nauseous after less than one glass of wine. Yet I kept going. And going. But I decided that if that was the urge I had, I should not fight it ... all part of the process, right?

Thanks everyone, for all the great comments. I love coming here and reading all you have to say!

I like that graph! Charts do give a much better visual than just numbers. Was that something you found or are you just creative. I may copy if OK. I need some more of those AF days. I'm lucky to see one a week after six weeks. Two per week should be my goal. Looks like you are doing great!
Mike McO.

Thanks, Mike! I looked all over this site, trying to figure out how others had done their graphs and pieced together the following process.

1. Create a graph online, using this free service: http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/

2. Save the graph to your hard drive as a .jpg file

3. Upload the file to ImageShack at http://imageshack.us/

4. Use the Img button above to insert this image tags into your reply

5. Copy the link to your image from ImageShack between the two tags (after [img] )

If anyone has anything easier, please let me know.

Good luck on the AF days, Mike! I have found that they come more naturally after 4 months.

YG

you're rocking the graph now! nice! you're doing great YG! BTW, disregard what I said earlier about crushing the pill up and not waiting an hour. After reading Mario's posts, I will do my best to wait the hour come hell or highwater.

Another 4 AF days this week, so overall things are looking good. BUT, the three days I did drink, I (again) did not drink with any control. One night was a party and I wasn't measuring, but I am guessing around 10 units!?! That is a lot for me! I was still pouring more when I got home, just like I always have. But, the AF days have been effortless, so at least that part is good. I am still looking for more AF days, and drinking like a "normal" person (1-2 units, 3 max) on any given night.

For the first time in, well maybe ever, I am headed out to a candlelight yoga class that starts at 8:30pm. This would have been impossible before, because I would be at least 4 units in my now!

Have a great night, everyone!

YG

p.s. Thanks Joe, got the message, I will not crush any pills! (That tastes TERRIBLE anyway!)