I realize I didn't add that my drinking this weekend was high because we went out of town, had a sitter and were with some friends who did some drinking with us. We went to the casino, went out to a bar and played bocce ball, played a lot of cards, and did a lot of socializing.
I can't imagine drinking that amount at home for the weekend.
Like I said, I am always really hard on myself.

Hello Everyone! Hope you are all have a good day!
It's Wednesday which means it's time for me to check in with my weekly progress.
I am not too excited about this check in as my number of drinks have went up for the week.
We did a lot of partying over the weekend which we never do, but oh well, I can't go back and change that; I can only strive for better next week!
I ended up with 37.5 drinks this week with 3AF days. My drink count went up, but I had more AF days than last week which indicates a couple of binges.
Like I said, I am not going to be too hard on myself especially since I know the drink count usually goes up for a little while and then drops back down, but I sort a feel like a dog with my tail between my legs for this weeks check in.
Still have a lot of hope, still ready to change!

Still taking 12.5 each night I drink, it may be time to move up to 25, but still having some uncomfortable side effects. This is the only point where I am truly a little bit discouraged.

Like I said, hope everyone is well.

Carli

Carli: absolutely no point in feeling bad, it is SUCH early days for you. Just take the nal one hour before drinking, track your drinks and be nice to yourself. You have a plan and you are starting on it. That is all you have to worry about for now.

Sorry about the SEs - I hope they will go away soon. From what I have read of others' experience they DO nearly always go away. So just do the best you can with that too.

Hugs from Newlife

Thank you newlife. It really is always such a good reminder not to be so hard on myself. I truly feel me, myself and I have created the most damage to my self esteem, but hopefully now, it's time to change that.
Thank you for the words of encouragement!
Hugs back from Carli

When you say uncomfortable, how uncomfortable are they compared to drinking your usual amount?

ukblonde,
It really is a different kind of uncomfortable. I was never really a daily drinker. I was a binge drinker and the hangovers were horrendous. I always knew what to expect afterwards. Now when I drink, I don't have the same side effects as my previous hangovers; now I am nauseous, stiff, and sore with major headaches for days.
I would say the tradeoff is definitely better with the nal. I haven't had one negative consequence of my drinking (other than physical stuff) since I started TSM and I used to always get in some sort of trouble when I did drink before TSM.
No blackouts anymore, that was also a usual behavior for me.
I hope this answers your question.

Thanks,
Carli

Hey Carli,

I just wanted to let you know that we have been thinking about you.

I hope all is well,

Jaba

Hi Carli--

I'd think really hard about going up to 25mg as it might be a good time for you. your attitude is good, and I think some crappier "nal-overs" or reduced days would work into your life well right now. probably sounds like I'm being a real ba$tard, but I think you deserve a little push!

The Nal-Overs really helped me into having some AF days - I had never suffered with hangovers much before Nal so a Nal-Over was a rude awakening !! Glad that you are not getting into trouble any more Carli - Progress yes ?

Hugs, Maggie x

hey everyone. so after that last binge, I had another the other night. I don't know what's going on, but reconsidering ever drinking again. I just might have to go totally abstinent as these binges have been incredibly dangerous for me and anyone who encounters me in the middle of them.
going to do some serious meditation to find my path, but will definitely keep you all informed.
thank you for the incredible amount of support from all of you.