GO you Badger - so glad that you did an AF day! I had originally said I was also going to do today but am not so sure now today is here - I have done 2! Laughed about folk and the wet noodle thing - funny !

Jaba - SO pleased that the headaches are not caused by Nal - are you drinking enough water, or are you hungry? Headaches can be caused by both those things.

Steve - sorry that you were not feeling well again - time for soft kitty ? Feel better - a shame that you didn't get to have dinner with your daughter before she left - that was nice of you to think of her getting sick so not seeing her. How long is she gone for ?

Deena - maybe it was because you knew that you couldn't drink that you felt as you did ? Not that you COULDN'T - but you had said that you wouldn't - you know what I mean.

Reboot - you are doing so well - I am really pleased and impressed ! Wonderful! Have a good travel day!

Have a great day everyone, Hugs, Maggie x

Congrats to everyone who was al free yesterday and congrats to those who thought about it, and are now that much closer to having one in the future.

Reboot, ahhh teenagers...did you ever think while holding those sweet little babies what giant pains in the arses they could turn out to be? Hanging in there with them is worth it, though. They morph back into lovely individuals. Are you a nervous flyer, Reboot? I have seen many frequent flyers drinking to calm the flying nerves. People think that if someone flies a lot they get over that, but some people never do. Good luck today!

Sorry you had a relapse, Steve. Take good care. Since I absolutely cannot carry a tune I am not worried about being called on to sing soft kitty.

Hubby gets home tonight but I am still committed to another al free day. It will be interesting to see if it will be as difficult as yesterday.

Wow - you all did so well. I am ONLY disappointed because I was hoping to be able to view some wet noodle videos today. Darn it. Seriously, good for you all.

I agree that no one should force too much. Let's think of this as more a kind of experiment, to learn something and observe our reactions. Nobody cares whether you are AF or not, just that you do what is right for you to get better. This is not AA, Thank God!

Reboot, I got a good laugh out of "not tonight honey". Steve says that low dose nal increases the libido. I haven't tried it yet but that is an interesting thought. Then I read on some random internet page that that only works for men, not women. What do you say Maggie, you are trying it, I think? Just ignore me if I am being to personal and obnoxious.

Steve, darn it, sick again. Sending you hugs, and virtual chicken soup, Vicks and Soft Kitty. Feel better soon.

Today is my AF day, it is only nine a.m. but as of now I am kind of looking forward to it. We will see when the witching hour rolls around. I want to be clear headed going into Labor Day weekend too. Planning a lot of free time at home (cooking!), and I am really looking forward to it but as I have reported that is how I often get into trouble.

Last night I went to the Wine Cafe. I had, and really enjoyed, two 6 oz glasses of wine (this is the kind of place that sells it by the ounce, so you know.) Then from there I went to my book club too, where we also always have wine. When I got there, I just reached for a water glass and started pouring water. It wasn't hard at all, no one said a word or even noticed. I had two or three large glasses of water and never wanted more wine. This is unheard of behavior for me. Something is happening.

Have a great day, all! Newlife

Bless you for asking, newlife! So, at the risk of sharing TMI, the only side effect of menopause I did not have was loss of libido. I am not sure if what I am currently going through is the nal or my current level of crabbiness which is unusual for me. I have read some about the use of low level nal but would like to hear more about people's experiences with it. When I first read Steve's signature line I thought that he was taking low level nal in lieu of a pill before drinking.




I wish we had a dancing emotie! That is great!!

LOL - okay again at the risk of TMI - menopause sort of really made it worse for me and the LDN is not making a difference ! My libido is off on holiday somewhere I think ......

Newlife - sounds really good with your plans and also pouring the water at the book club - I think once that drink is in our hands (water) then we are over wanting the Al - so good for you. I am going to be AF again tomorrow - I misunderstood the being AF with Steve and thought you meant tomorrow not today - I am planning on having a drink today!

Deena - the LDN works for Steve for the drinking - I am not going to chance it yet for me as I still do not feel that the Nal is actually working THAT well at full dose so am not going down - the days that I do not drink I take LDN at bedtime. I also feel much better today re grumpiness - have not had Nal in two days (full dose anyway) and DO feel much better !

I am going to try to do 2 AF days then a drinking day - then 2 AF days - well, something like that anyway and see how it goes - I work for the next two days (am off today) and am off Monday - but that is 'cos it is my usual day off - not 'cos it is Labor Day! Weekends and holidays mean nothing to me - and so with the drinking it also means nothing!

Hugs, Maggie x

Deena - TMI (sorry guys) I know, but I did have the libido side effect of menopause and it sucked. This was all pre starting TSM. I saw my doctor and we spent a year getting the right dosage for me of bioidentical hormones (estrogen and progesterone), testing my blood, etc. etc.. That has worked pretty well for me, things are much better. I realize that not everyone wants to take them though. And though things are better I STILL would be up for a boost if you know what I mean. Especially because low dose nal has so many other supposedly good things about it, and no downside that I have yet read about.

I don't know if we have a woman on the forum who is on low dose nal and nothing else, so there is no one to ask. I think that Mason was, but I think she thought we were too much drama (imagine that?) and stopped posting. Also she got better immediately so didn't need to come here.

As soon as I feel my feet more firmly under me with TSM I am going to try low dose nal and when I do I will give you a full report. Steve may have more to add when he feels better.

Must go do work now!! Newlife

Greetings and celebrations to all!
Sounds like we are all sort of surprising ourselves. I was depressed about circumstances but actually felt good about the AL thing.
I am using Low Dose for the AL control as well as other benefits. Bear in mind I never drink for extended periods (anymore). I take 4mg, an hour later drink my 2 evening beers. Works for me.
While researching sublingual Nal I ran across some strange discussions of Nal. A stoner site was discussing how long it took to clear Nal from the opoids so they could get whacked on Oxy. General consensus was that dope didn't work for 2-3 days after being forced by "parental authority" to take 50mg Nal. Bottom line...50mg may be WAY to much. Much of my reading supports that. Some of you may have had your endorphins blocked for a LONG time.
Libido. Don't know that that has changed so much as physical ability to have more frequent and more enjoyable sex. I am certainly not a sex crazed maniac but if I were, my body could certainly keep up now. Hey, it's an experiment, ok? Probably upgraded endorphins?
Mason and I did a lot of research on Low Dose. She had intense side effects and blood pressure problems. She also did well on Low dose but we never discussed sex. Haven't heard from her in ages. Perhaps if one of you ladies PMed her she may have insights. Seems like rude for me to ask.
Steve.

Sorry to say it is the nal. Am I the only odd one in the bunch?



I found this on http://www.rxlist.com/revia-drug/patien ... sideeffect


What are the possible side effects of naltrexone oral (Revia)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using naltrexone oral and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

blurred vision or eye problems;
fast heartbeat;
mood changes, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things), confusion, thoughts of hurting yourself;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
ear pain, ringing in your ears;
skin rash or itching; or
wheezing, difficulty breathing.

Less serious side effects may include:

feeling anxious, nervous, restless, or irritable;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
increased thirst;
muscle or joint aches;
weakness or tiredness;
sleep problems (insomnia); or
decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Steve, I was sorry to hear about the cold...are you sure it's not allergies? It is strange that every time we have a af day you have a cold. I think you just want attention and for someone to come out there and take care of you...soft kitty and all.
I am sorry that you missed you daughter for I am sure she was disappointed but grateful that you did not get her sick.

Newlife...wrap your arms around yourself and pretend its me giving you a hug! I am so happy for you (OMG I am starting to tear up again)! You have been so frustrated and I have been praying that a brake through would happen for you and I am glad it finally has! Happy days and a happy dance!

Deena, You are a very strong willed women! That habit of the book club bad wine or not, I would have of had a glass (but remember I am a cheap drunk and I like box wine). You should be proud of your progress and I wish I could hug you as well. (okay, another emotional day for me for I have a hard time hugging anyone thats not family).

I am with newlife about the hormones. I wouldn't be able to live without them, for they changed my life. (Steve this might be TMI for you) I do know women that have went to the doctor after menopause to start the bio-identical hormone, but there is a possibility of your monthly coming back until they balance everything out. I do know some women stop after that first "show". I asked my doctor about why it happens she said it can happen if there is still a lining and/or not enough progesterone or the patient not being complaint about taking the progesterone. I know they claim that you cannot get cancer from them; however, I think hormones are hormones and I don't think I would risk it if I had cancer or had a relative that had cancer. But now that you can see the nal. can effect you sex drive there is another reason for us to have longer af days.

I think Steve is right about the life of the nal. being in our system and I will have to see what the clearance really is.

Boy, I missed Mason, when did she come here? And too much drama? Boy, sorry if we need help. And she got better immediately? Boy, I missed that one, I guess I need to find her postings. I wonder what made her so special?

Maggie, I just love you! You are always thinking of others and that just makes my day (esp. with how busy you are). I am glad you are having more af days, and isn't funny that now your body is almost saying I have had enough. I think that is how I cut down, for my body was telling me that I was still drinking too much with those nal. overs...and of course I was.

I am glad that everyone had a good af day/night and I will be doing tonight and tomorrow if anyone wants to join me.

Jaba

sorry this is so long

Please bear in mind that High Dose Nal completely blocks the opoid receptors making endorphins unavailable. The theory behind Low Dose is the opposite. Blocking the receptors very temporarily causes the body to upgrade the production of endorphins and receptors measurably when the Nal wears off. Dr. Bihari's experience treating with LDN lead him to believe that 4.5 mg was the upper limit as a successful dose. More caused too much blockage to be useful. Bihari stumbled on LDN while treating aids. He found LDN was effective in treating a LOT of diseases including some cancers.
Every time I go back to research there seems to be tree times more info and more Medical support.
Sorry. Off my soapbox. READ and RESEARCH. You may have a real miracle in your medicine cabinet. IF used correctly.
Steve.