Hi there, I there I was prescribed Nalmefene by my Doc after going 'armed' with info as to why I should be prescribed them.
I took my first at 5pm last night. By 6pm I was driving my daughter home and felt indifferent and not much like speaking. Once I got home, I poured my first glass of wine, I could only drink a few sips. The tea I cooked was binned, the sight and smell of it made me feel sick. The thought of drinking wine made me feel sick (bonus) I felt I just needed to lie down. I lay on my bed at 6.30pm thinking that I just needed to fall asleep but no, what I experienced was really frightening and unpleasant. I was almost asleep but not and couldn't get into a sleep state, with lights on there was flashing. I had no energy to move, mild hallucinations, the worst was the involuntary muscle spasms I was having. They weren't uncomfortable and something like you would see in a Parkinson's sufferer.
This morning I drove to work in a complete daze and almost fell asleep. I don't know how I got through today. Slept for 2 hrs as soon as I got in. Scared to take another tablet - anyone had similar?
Thankfully, I'm still 'riding' on yesterday's effects so don't want a drink. Not looking forward to another night of hot and cold sweats. Any similar experiences would be great to hear.

Usual is at least 15 units a night, probably closer to 20.

Sorry to hear that elsie,

Most of the people here are using naltrexone except for the UK folks. From what I have read the SEs with nalmefene are worse but subside the same way as naltrexone. You might want to cross-post your question on the C3 Europe forum called "Options Saves Lives". There are probably a greater percentage of people there with experience using Nalmefene. Ask Joanna your question.

hi elsie,

welcome to the forum, sorry to hear you're having a rough time of it. would I be right in thinking from the fact you're taking Nalmefene & your unit count, that you're in the UK?

I'm not sure what I can suggest to alleviate your side-effects (SE's). unfortunately, as you're taking Nalmefene rather than Naltrexone, you can't take 1/4 or 1/2 pills to start with, to work your way up to the full dosage. SE's to tend to lessen - very often to nothing - over time. I would suggest only taking the pill when you're in a safe place, don't have to drive, etc. can you hold out until the weekend to take any more so you have a few days to get used to them? did you eat before taking the pill - this often lessens the SE's?

I would also suggest that, rather than it being an affect of the Nal, your night sweats (& maybe some of your other symptoms) are down to you de-tox'ing from alcohol, if you've gone from 15-20 units a day to virtually nothing in one day. so long as your heart rate and/or blood pressure aren't elevated, you'll ride this out in a few days, just try to drink plenty of fluids & eat, even if you don't feel like it

if you continue to feel this unwell, do please seek medical help - going cold-turkey from a high level of alcohol consumption can be dangerous. or even fatal, without medical treatment

all the best

-badger

this is the forum all41 mentions:

http://optionssavelives.freeforums.net/