If I were you I would persist with the 1 hour rule and try to push through the SE's. I had irritability when I first took it for about 3 days. But now I have absolutely no SE's and I don't feel any different now.

Thanks Dave, appreciate your feedback.
The last two nights no headache as I took a quarter pill, then about a third. Both nights I drank what I figured out to be equal to 4 units. I enjoyed the taste, but didn't have much of a buzz the second night. I probably waited too long after taking the Nal, but still think it was doing what its suppose to do. I plan on AF tonight because my hubby scheduled a T time for 6 a.m. And I'm not much of a golfer as it is. I believe I'll try the 25 mgs tomorrow night and cross my fingers. keek

Whilst Nal is at it's peak after one hour, it still has an effect for many hours after that. I initially took it early in the day because I didn't trust myself. From what I've seen those who experience bad SEs get through them pretty quickly. I have had horrid nalovers but not until way, way in and then on a stupidly low amount of alcohol. Put me off drinking completely for while which wasn't a bad thing!

Thanks UK, OK, so the AF day didn't go as planned because my hubby asked me to a music festival Sat & Sun. I took the Nal, drank plenty of water and ended up drinking maybe a total of 4 the first night and 2 the second. Mind you, I wanted more on Sunday but DH calmly suggested that I just go to bed, so I did just that. Last night I took a full 25 mgs, drank excessively and woke up w/o the dreaded headache. I think the key is Hydration, as I drank lots of H2O and cocoanut water. I'm taking an AF today and plan on increasing the Nal to about 30 mgs. I'm going back to the more expensive skinny Cosmo because the cheaper brand had double the alcohol content. Go figure! My stomach is a little off today, but otherwise I feel pretty good. Thank goodness I seem to be acclimating to the Nal. Hopeful Keek

Here I sit at 2 am and am trying to alleviate the pain in my hips... I went for hike this morning and it felt good at the time ,but now I am feeling the repercussions. Apparently my fibro is letting me know I have been ignoring it. Can't take my Vicodin for obvious reasons. I guess I'm just venting, which by the way is helping immensely.

I took my Nal an hour prior to going to the store and actively choosing something on the lighter side. I was so proud of myself until I got in the car and picked up just one more little wine ( and I don't usually drive drunk). It is a good thing that I am sleepy now, because I could use something to knock me out... I guess I should have gone with the decision to not drink tonight... This program is very difficult for those of us that need immediate gratification,but ill keep plugging along with hopes that it will be worth it in the long run... Sniff sniff... Xoxox. Keek

You do know that just because you go out, you don't have to drink?

I think that's an important link to break, doesn't have to be yet but it's another habit we have - more an association.

Hi UK, Yes, I do go to dinner occasionally and don't drink, but it is when I actively tell my husband that I'm not drinking. I do appreciate your comments especially since you are on the cured list. Thank you for sticking around the forum.

I can usually make about 3 days before the anxiety or cravings hit. I feel like s@@t this morning and am very down on myself for not taking the AF day, but am stating right now that I will take today and tomorrow off of drinking. Saturday evening I plan on 2 drinks max as I am going to dinner with my son and his GF. They are in town for the weekend and he knows I'm trying to cut down, so I don't want to embarrass myself in front of her. I'm going to take the Nal regardless of whether I drink or not, so that I can possibly get up to 50 mgs. I'm a little confused about the deprivation effect and whether or not it comes into play after only a couple of AF days, but I enjoy the AF days so much that I want to get in as many as possible while still working TSM.

I didn't get the dreaded headache last night. I believe is was the ibuprofen and lots of water. I did wake up very parched though. Perhaps the Nal is very dehydrating and when you mix it with alcohol it is a double whammy. I hate to think what would happen if I didn't down so much water. I can tell that today is going to be unproductive other than reading a lot on TSM.

On a good note, I've made it two weeks taking the Nal and am looking forward to increasing my dose even more. I think I read somewhere that it is recommended to take the Nal daily for about a month. Thanks everyone, Keek

I forgot to mention that exactly one hour after taking the Nal I had a metal taste in my mouth and I took this as a sign that it was doing what it is suppose to do. I'm hoping that this lst week was my peak and that I'm going to be a super responder. One can only hope!!!!!keek

So I've been reading up on the Nal and found studies that recommend titrating up on it to diminish the side effects. One study recommended 25mgs in the a.m. And another in the evening. Hmmmm, it would be nice if the book had mentioned this. Anyhow, I just popped 25 mgs with a glass of hot cocoa and am staying off the booze tonight. BTW, there is lots of new information on Nal and how it is becoming more accepted as a treatment option..woot,woot!

That's great news keek! Good luck this weekend! Follow TSM's golden rule and you'll get there!