Hi,
I am trying TSM method for the second time. I tried it a year ago but couldn't deal with the side effects of Naltrexone (at 25mg.) I am trying again, this time starting with 1/4 of a pill -so, 12.5 mg.

I feel like the Naltrexone turns me into the Hulk! I am super, super irritable, shaky, dizzy, anxious, and out of it. Also I couldn't sleep for hours last night. I know insomnia is common but I literally feel like I can't even be in public because I am so ANGRY on this medication.

In general I am very sensitive to all medications, but this is awful!

Has anyone else experienced this??

Yes, a few others have reported the irritability. Some find that ramping up more slowly -- from 12.5, as you're doing -- helped with that. For others it isn't really a physical side effect so much as an effect of drinking less or a result of not getting the expected opioid reward.

You're the only one who knows whether or not it's worth it. I know jack squat about your drinking history.

Here's a recent thread on that, if you want to take a gander:

http://www.thesinclairmethod.net/community/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3764&p=46352&hilit=irritability&sid=a38475de23c2cc13da5d36468f6b8681&sid=a38475de23c2cc13da5d36468f6b8681#p46352

Okay, thank you. Helps to know someone else has had the same experience. And as they said, it's definitely not a withdrawal type of thing, but rather an immediate side-effect of taking the Nal. I'm just super sensitive to meds I guess.

I am not sure if I get irritable, but I sure as hell get shaky! I'm not sure why. Maybe I'm an endorphin junkie and I didn't know it! I also had trouble sleeping, but my doctor prescribed Remeron. It's working so far. Perhaps your doctor could help you out with the sleeping issue too.

I get a bit shaky too, but it doesn't sound as bad as you.

My irritability is lessening and I'm sleeping better now (wow, crazy vivid dreams though!)
Now I'm mainly just irritable over the fact that I'm drinking and not feeling high!

I'll bump up to 25mg in a few days and probably go through it all again. That's okay. I believe it will be worth it in the end. I'm already drinking way less and that feels good!!

Opiate withdrawal symptoms:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 000949.htm

Sounds like you are going through opioid withdrawal. Be glad you never took the full dose cold, or you might hallucinate as i did. Not fun.

Go slow upping your dose so your body can get used to it.

Its my theory that some of us produce opiates naturally, taking nal causes us to go cold turkey, straight into withdrawal.

My nal experience:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3564