I took lamictal a long time ago. I don't remember any side-effects or withdrawal to speak of. I don't remember it doing much of anything, but being drunk all the time tends to obscure the effects of medications.

I had terrible side effects from Lamictal. It threw me into a RAGE. I had to quit taking it. I was going off on everyone. Turns out, I'm not bipolar. So crazy trying to find the right diagnosis and meds. As for your progress, I like that downward trend. I'm so glad you're not giving up. Best of luck!

Welp, consumption is not dropping as quickly as I'd hoped, but the trend line is still pointing in the right direction. This week I had some problems with severe nausea that I think may actually be due to the brand of Nal I'm now getting legit from the local pharmacy. Ironically, the stuff I ordered from River doesn't bother me at all, but the new stuff seems to make me incredibly sick ... sometimes to the point of dry heaves. So I'm sticking with the stuff I got from River for now (I have plenty) and one day this week when I'm feeling brave, I'll try the prescription brand again and see what happens.

I've definitely seen a decrease in (or even absence of) craving most days, and have no trouble controlling my intake when in social situations. I tend to mostly overdrink at home, out of boredom, habit or just feeling stir-crazy and wanting to escape my own thoughts. As I mentioned elsewhere on this board, I've been very depressed all summer and spent too much time in the house being my own worst enemy. I'm working on that with my psychiatrist, both from a pharmacological standpoint and by trying to get out more and exercise, socialize, etc. I'm hoping that as we solve that problem, my progress will accelerate. Sigh. Onward.

Applause! So happy you are staying the course and not giving up. Well done Kate.

Week 16. Feels like a plateau. Frustrated. Weekly and daily charts below.

Are you doing anything besides taking the Naltrxone ?

Id trust the locally sourced nal, especially if it makes you feel ill. Quality and potency of overseas meds can vary. That would certainly explain your plateau.

If the local nal is making you feel naseau, thats the nal Id be taking. Ease into it if you have to, this might be the first time you are getting a full dose. I found taking it in halfs over 2 hours seemed to help me.

That makes sense to me what sideeffect2 is saying. Wtg Kate on keeping the course. Applause!

Week 17: Stalled/plateaued/whatever you want to call it. Feeling kind of discouraged. I've upped my dosage to 75 mg the last 4 days, taking 50 in the late a.m. usually (I tend to be an all-day sipper) and another 25 before bed just in case I wake up and want a drink to get back to sleep, which happens maybe twice a week. A little nausea but not too bad.

I'm not enjoying alcohol at all -- quite the opposite -- but I'm still the lab rat pushing the lever, even though I *know* there's no reward. Has anyone else experienced this kind of extended extinction burst? Wondering if I should up it to 50 mg twice a day to account for the fact that my "sessions" are more akin to a smoker's habit -- not really binging but just drinking a little bit all day long. I just had some blood work done and liver function is normal (which was a huge surprise) so I think my body can handle it.

I'm just so sick of drinking and starting to feel like TSM is a dead end for me. Problem is that I've quit a dozen times and always relapsed, which is why I was really hoping Nal would be the solution. Any and all advice appreciated.

Haved you tried forcing yourself to drink less?

After the addiction is gone, habits can remain. Are you substituting additiional calories in your diet for the alcohol you are no longer drinking?