I'd like to get a list going of common TSM questions with answers. I'm going to compile a list myself, but I'd like input from anyone else. Please respond to this post with questions you might have or questions you think are important for new people or others.

I'll then start compiling them into a single forum post and sticky it on the message board.

Thanks,

Q

Hey Q -- I think one of the key questions is whether the timeline in the book is realistic.

Also, I think it would be great to address the TSM experience for daily drinkers and for bingers.

No.

Other questions frequently asked are;

Do I have to drink if once I've taken Nal?
Can I take it earlier in the day?
Do I have to drink the amount I usually drink ie force myself to drink?

If I force myself to drink, will it work faster?

Will it hurt my liver?

I am afraid it will hurt my liver, so will it work if I take 1/8 of a pill?

Will it work better if I take 4 pills?

Why is it important to keep a log?

Bump -

You already have my FAQ.

I did a bit of work on the FAQ section last night. Could everyone have a look and give me some feedback/suggestions:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3041

Thanks!

Q

This is so helpful, it took me alot of time to gather information months ago when I started.

Any new person to the forum will have most questions answered in one post.

Thanks for all your hard work, really appreciate it!

FallingToPieces

Looking good Q!!!

Keep up the great, and Im sure widely appreciated, work.

Great start Q! I join the community in saying THANK YOU.

We know so much more now ... 3 years later as the guinea pigs!

If I may address a touch on #6 with “waiting for answer” – here is my experience of recent:

After trying a number of options without success or serious side effects, I decided it was time to see a GP. I felt incredible depressed and my units had gone back to about 60 units a week as a daily drinker. I wasn’t sure what direction I was going to take, but I HAD to find a DR that I could be totally honest with. And have some blood work done and a liver test.

I have personal medical insurance as I own my own business. I live in the U.S. That means they can drop me for anything they care too or increase the premiums to insane costs if anything related to AL abuse ended up on my record.

So, I was referred to a DR by a GF of mine. I made an appointment under a false name and told them I did NOT have insurance and would be paying cash. I gave them only my cell phone number and used a PO Box as my address. I changed my birthday to my sister’s, but added my real YEAR of DOB. It was easier to remember.

When they sent me paperwork to fill out prior to my appointment, I also needed to include a fake SS#. It’s important to see how SS# are assigned so you don’t make an error here.

When I went to the appointment with the completed paperwork, they also asked me for a photo I.D. I told them I had my wallet stolen the day before and they didn’t push it.

I saw the DR without issue, was able to be totally honest with him without anything getting onto my records. Paying cash, my office visit was only $40.

His first line of defense was to prescribe an anti-depressant. I was nervous getting it filled but at Target they took it with no problems, did not ask for ID and I told them I was picking it up for a family member. Also paid cash. When that had terrible SEs and he changed to a new AD a week later, again I was able to fill it under my “false” information without issue – just needing to remember my “fake” birthdate to pick it up.

I am now considering TSM again and have asked my Dr for it. He is reluctant and says I can’t take it while still drinking. But I THINK I can push it and he may agree. Either way, my medical records remain 100% clean of this “issue”.

Many medications can be prescribed “off label” such a Topamax for migraines. Nal is prescribed ONLY for opiate and/or alcohol abuse. If that gets ON YOUR RECORD – LOOK OUT!

In the U.S. that can lead to:
- Lost of health care coverage
- Major Increases in Premiums
- Forever the inability to secure Life Insurance
- Loss of job ( yes, we KNOW these records are supposed to be sealed, but they are often NOT)
- A stigma that will forever follow you with any other DR you see.

Hope that helps Q.

Now to add perhaps to #8 (?)

I wish we had a firm answer here!

My lack of significant response to TSM I came to believe was the difference in binge drinkers and those of us that are daily sippers or what SpringRider called “Mediterranean Drinkers”.

The binge drinkers seemed to be the ones with the quickest and best results. But I could be totally wrong as so many of us left.

I would love to see some complied stats on this , as I am now learning that “perhaps” my lack of response was due to another issue – Nordict from River. I’m not sure how we would ever get that information Q.