From a friend, going to try it tonight for the first time. I'm worried that it may be too late as I can really feel a numb pain in a big portion of my right side but I guess I have to start somewhere. Thinking about possibly going to detox but what good would that do if I plan on doing this method - still thinking about it though/not ruled out.

Never imagined it would get this bad. Used to just be fun and now it's got the best of me.

Which I was just normal.

Thanks for all your support and best of luck to all of you on this journey.

Marianne

Marianne have you had your liver checked out? I can't remember from your other posts. If you are having pain that might be a good idea. You may need to step back and look after your physical health first before you do anything else right now.

Good luck, and remember TSM is always there for you once you know your health is ok.
Babs

Babs,

Ive had so much blood work I'm surprised I can see straight. I don't know what liver numbers should look like but the flagged as high numbers are 'AST' = 0-50 and 'ALT' = 0-70 and then low folic acid and magnesium. I'm not in the medical field but I do know that you're not suppose to feel your organs, just the thought of organs makes my skin crawl. Do you know anything about those numbers? I plan on asking on my next visit.

There is only one hospital in my area that has a detox unit - vice a full-on rehab place where I would have to leave against medical advice after detox - what's the point if I'm not for AA and want to use TSM right.

Thanks for your concern - I really appreciate it - if I go silent it means I'm away for a few days.

Marianne

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My two cents...If Marianne tries to "take care of her liver" before starting TSM, she may end up dooming herself because she's not likely to stop her self-destructive drinking while she waits for appointments...then results...then, well, what? If she was able to stop, she would have done it by now. If her liver enyzmes are sky-high, what's a doctor supposed to do about that? There's no pill to take, she can't get a liver transplant, there is no medical intervention for a fatty or cirrhotic liver --- OTHER THAN TO STOP DRINKING SO MUCH!!! If it's not full-blown cirrhosis (which is irreversible, fatal, and only "cured" via a transplant), then the liver can heal itself if it's allowed to stop having to process a massive amount of toxins every day (22 shots of vodka?!). I would imagine that 50mg of Naltrexone is probably not even equivalent to (I'm just guessing here) 1-2 shots of vodka? But, I see how everyone is very concerned because Marianne's levels of alcohol intake are so high (and have gone on so long) that a more radical intervention is probably required.

Marianne, I think you're at the point where you need to aim for ZERO. I know it's scary to even think about such a thing -- we've all been there. But the fear is just your irrational addiction using its most animalistic tricks to get you to go against your better judgment. I think personally that detox for a few days might be a good thing, just to force you to stop drinking, at least temporarily. If you think, "Well, I'll take a Nal and slowly work my way from 22 to 10 to 5 over the next few months..." you may be just sealing your fate. I hate to sound so dramatic, but I've seen so many good people die from alcoholism. It's ugly, gross, and SO preventable.

But -- it's ultimately your choice. If you're going to continue to drink, though, I'd say, for Godsake take the Naltrexone and see what happens!

Marianne,

Just my 2-cents but I think you should start TSM now and line up your doctor appointments, like Barry suggests.

Good Luck!

Rich

THANK YOU so much for the support!!! I took a quarter pill last nite an hour before and I couldn't believe how this worked!!! I am def experiancing withdrawl symptoms but only drank 3 weak drinks last night - the 3rd was b/c I knew I'd have them and I know that I'm sealing my fate if I try to go cold turkey. The liver doctor said he wouldn't do a byopsy unless I stopped for 8 weeks - well - I am shooting for zero at the end of the day so hopefully that won't be an issue.

I was ready to check into detox at a local hospital-run facility but some responsibilities here came knocking on my door, it's not out of the question though and if I feel that I still need to by Monday I will.

I'm ready to kick this ugly thing! I can't do it w/o all this support from you'all - thank you.

Have a great day!

Hi Marianne,

I'm so glad you know not to just stop cold turkey - it can kill you. And also glad you felt some effect from the Nal right away. It will vary from time to time and person to person so don't be discouraged if your numbers go up and down. Eventually, if you're like the majority of TSMers and you follow the protocol to the letter, you'll achieve your goal of reducing or eliminating alcohol.

Hope the pain subsides and you continue to be sensible about taking care of yourself.

Best wishes to your success and keep posting.

Sheryl

Sheryl,

I was lurking on the other thread about the depression and I have dealt with that ever since I can remember, not sure if that started before the drinking - it's kinda like the chicken or the egg thing. I've been on you-name-it anti depressant and settled on zoloft which seems to work, although you can't really tell unless you stop and that almost led to another divorce so i popped another - this is marriage #3 for me.

You're right about getting out into the sun and/or just finding a way to get off the couch during the dark times - having a westie helps - happiness in your face that one. I don't usually get so down that I want to truely do myself in but 2 w/ends ago I did, my son moved out with his gf and I think it's the most stupid financial decision he's ever made but I have to just let him go - didn't realize how my mind would react when coupled with tons of vodka libations... crazy. Luckily my husband was there to stop me and he took me to the ocean the following few days which helped... although we always start early at the ocean - we're on 'vacation' right. There's a bar at the closest ocean to us called the purple moose - amazing how many people were there drinking at 1030 on a Monday - felt right at home.

Anyway, thanks for the support and I think for today, I'll be ok.

Marianne

Day #2 not so great. Yes I only had 3 weak drinks which added up to around 6 shots of vodka but the biotch side of marianne raised her ugly head when I did not feel that 'good' feeling. Yes, it makes no sense whatsoever b/c I was the one who took the pill, read the book, listened to your stories so why did I even think I feel anything.. ugh. I think I was fine until my parents called and asked how I was doing - just kind of teed me off for some stupid reason - what the f*ck is wrong with me! I should be happy someone cares but instead I told them I was irritated and didn't want to talk about it - now I'll do damage control today.... again but for a different reason.

The dreams were like a bad reality show.

I could barely sleep and woke up every couple of hours.

The good: I'm clear headed compared to what I used to be and I've lost some weight - always good if you're a woman although I wasn't trying so the vodka calories def make a difference.

Actually remembered what I watched which never happens albeit a silly duck redneck show that I've never bothered with before.

Advice on the anger please....