Here goes. I heard about TSM a few weeks ago, have been reading this site since (thank you all!), saw the doc (actually PA) on Monday, got the Rx on Tuesday, and ready to start tonight. Boy is it taking a long time for one hour to go by...but it's here so I'll go pour the wine. Finally!

I love your username. Nip it. Damn straight and in the bud.

Welcome to the board, the forum, and hopefully to the rest of your life!!!

Buckle up,

Ketchikan1

Welcome and good luck!
EL

Hey NipIt, welcome and good luck - how'd it go?

Nip It in the bud - that's my goal.

So last night I took my first Nal (25g), got a little dizzy (like a buzz, I enjoyed it), drank a glass of wine and felt REALLY drunk - didn't want the next one but thought I should in order to do my 'usual' and make sure Nal stops my triggers. Well, even though I 'didn't want it' I sure guzzled it just as quick as usual. So maybe the honeymoon was very short! Didn't sleep too well (but haven't all week, so won't blame it on the Nal).

Today I was fine, played tennis (my fav) this morning and had a TON of fun, so the endorphins working just fine! Now here's the oddball - at 5 PM tonight, my 'witching' hour - I got real nauseous. So much so that I could pass on alcohol tonight, but I won't (maybe...that's why I'm here, because I think I'll stop by I don't). So is that the Nal trying to stop my "it's 5 o'clock, time to drink" trigger? If so, it sure did a good job! But I took my other 25g Nal about 30 min ago, and will pour the wine in another 30 min.

Thanks for all the good info on this site!

Day 2 - took 25 mg nal, even though felt slightly nauseous off and on all day and then, right at my 'witching' hour - 5 pm when I look SO forward to that first drink (esp on the weekend) - felt even more nauseous. But ate something, then took the 25 mg. nal.

Okay, so as a side note, let me ask you experts - why am I getting nauseous BEFORE taking nal? Is it because I've read here that a common early side effect is nausea? Is it the aftereffects of nal from yesterday? Or is it b/c I'm really, truly hoping that nal is going to help me nip this problem of mine - get alcohol out of having such an influence over my life! - I hope so!! I don't know if it's the drug or my brain/emotions. The mind is an amazing thing, isn't it?!?

Drink #1 - loved it, good buzz afterwards, on top of the world, this is why we drink.
Drink #2 - weird taste in my mouth...is it nal? Looked at my glass and it's not empty - now that's different - am I sipping rather than gulping? Not feeling like having more, even though the wine bottle is not depleted. Weird.

Nausea the next day after taking Nal is not unusual, it often occurs even before you take you next dose. That's exactly what happened to me. Fortunately, it was merely a brief spell -- a matter of minutes, as I recall. I never had it again, even when I upped my dose to 50mg. Nal on!! Drinking abit will supposedly help prevent the sea sick feeling.

Yeah, nausea all around for me when taking nal (before, during, after...). It's the one annoying side effect that hasn't quite gone away for me. And I know exactly what you mean about feeling great after one drink...and then crap after two or three. That for me is the most magical part of nal - is that usually, I can still enjoy a nice cocktail and feel a warm buzz...but it just doesn't go further than that, into manic pounding desperate drinking territory. I assume this is what "normal" drinkers are like

Welcome NipIt! Wine is my poison of choice too. It is an amazing feeling not wanting another drink when there is still wine in the bottle. I have actually saran-wrapped full glasses of wine and went to bed since I've been on the Nal. It's crazy!
Good luck to you!
~Pam

Week 2 - huge triggers - I attended an out-of-town convention for work where FREE, UNLIMITED alcohol was available every night Tues-Thurs. I participated every night after taking 50 mg nal one hour before starting. The first night I drank twice as much as I told myself I would. The second night I stayed at my self-imposed limit - I think my success was due to (1) so mad at myself for drinking twice as much as I planned the night before; (2) I was absolutely self-aware of my immense efforts to stick to the plan this second night, and (3) I didn't know anyone so I forced myself to leave early, after my limited intake. While I was there I made small talk with several folks, while I downed what I was there for, but I know if I had bumped into anyone I knew I would have stayed and imbibed more than I wanted (see first night). The third night I gave myself a limit at the free drinks affair, knowing that I would see a friend afterwards. Rather than drinking the amount I told myself I would, I drank 3x that amount! Guzzled it. So sad. Then met my friend, had a drink with her, drank mine and finished hers when she wasn't looking then refilled her glass with water - how sad is that, then went off for more. Got back to the hotel VERY late, not hugely drunk, but VERY aware of the hugely drunk other people there milling in the lobby & bar (OMG, that's probably what I look/act like). Flew home today and still hungover even 24 hours later... Family is gone tonight, which is typically another trigger for me to down my hidden drinks (mice will play while cat's away), but instead I am NOT drinking. This will be an AF Friday - very unusual - but I want to change! I am reading all of your wonderful posts, finding myself nodding in agreement to so many of your words and stories. Thanks again for posting. This is a long process and I'm only two weeks in, but I really want to change. It will be work, + nal + patience. Nal on.
NipIt