I am sorry Cheeto. You are not alone, however!1 Nal on!! Big hugs from Newlife

OK so WTF the deal is I have been struggling and struggling and every night I drink like I am tonight but need to drink to calm myself down to sleep. I think I can drink 1 to 2 glasses of wine but that is not enough to calm me so it's a bottle or more. I go to bed and try deep breathing, meditations etc to get to sleep but like tonight I have to get up and drink more to calm myself and try to go to sleep. It's my sleep that is taking a toll with relaxation and all my hot flashes keeping me awake at night.
I think if I could get past this I would be much better!

Hey Maggie and everyone, just a quick message to see how your are doing. Nothing earth shattering here, no progress to really report, CRAP!
I am getting another 2 months supply for $350.00 Canadian Dollars as I am heading to Mexico for 2 months and will not drink without my Nal.

Nal On!

Cheeto: I am sorry you are struggling but so happy to hear you are still sticking with the nal!!

Can you see a doctor about the sleeplessness and hot flashes? Are you a candidate for bioidentical hormones?

Have a wonderful time in Mexico!! xoxo Newlife

Hey Cheeto!

I was going to say the same thing as Newlife.... I'm guessing your sleeplessness is almost totally caused by your hormones. I would hope that your Doc could find something to help you out with that, whether HRT of some sort or another sleep aid. I've tried ambien, which didn't work for me. Now, if I need something (which I usually don't figure out until the middle of the night when it's too late!), I take a Unisom sleep tab. Not the gels, or whatever... apparently there is a different ingredient in those and they don't work very well for me. It's OTC, but works for me. I have a friend who takes trazedone (I think that's what ot's called) as a sleep aid. There are LOTS of options... hopefully you can find one that works!

Have a great time in Mexico. I'm totally envious!

MinneMom

Hi everyone, I don't think I should be taking much of anything right now for sleep as my Liver is hurting again. I cannot take HRT's as I have so much Cancer and Breast Cancer in my family.
As I was saying on Maggie's thread I am thinking of giving up Nal for awhile as I feel worse on it than pre-Nal and I have NO results after 13+ months. The biggest thing for me is getting a new subscription of Nal for $350.00 for only 2 months supply which I am having a difficult time paying on my limited budget. I know I am going to Mexico but I have free flights and am paying less that $10.00 CAD a night to stay that I can't pass up this opportunity.
Anyway I am getting very discouraged as I am still having a hell of time having an AF day and I am still drinking 1+ bottles of wine per night even when I tell myself over and over I will just have 1 or 2 glasses?
Just really bummed right now! I know I always said I need to have patience and knew that 3 months was probably not realistic so I said hopefully by 6 or even 8 months I will be well on my way to the Cured List???? Well 13+ months in and nothing!!!!!
Not sure about Nal On anymore????

OOO cheeto,

not sure what to say as I get where you are. I just hope that you beat it in the end.

The only way that I successfully do AF days is to do something else, the first one is the hardest and so I go out, either singing or to see a film (both cost about the same as a bottle of wine), the day after is easier to do an af on as you don't have the alcohol need so much.

Whatever though I do really feel for you

Hey Cheeto - I feel your pain - will also answer your post on my thread. I do not think that you should stop the Nal - you have way too much time and money invested. Is there any way that you can not have more than 1-2 glasses in the house ? I know that on the very odd occasion that I have only had two Guinness at home, I have made a conscious effort NOT to buy any and once I accept that those two are the only ones I am having, will not have more - I would have to drive to get more and will not drive, even on two drinks these days. The thing is that if you stop the Nal and ever want to try it again, you would actually have marks against you before you even began - plus the fact in my head, there is no alternative ! You do have over a year - ChrisB took two years! HANG IN THERE my friend ......

((((HUGS)))),

Maggie xx

Cheeto,

My heart goes out to you, for I am the same age and experienced the same "hot flashes and night sweats". I have been dealing with them since I hit my 30s and had to wait until my late 40s to do anything about it. It is sad that you cannot use any hormone therapy. I think Deena used acupuncture and herbs, and I have know other women to do the same and had great results.

I wish that the nal. was working faster for you. And I wish that the nalmefene was cheaper, for if you are having liver issues that would be your answer. I know the side effects are harsher with the nalmefene, but it is supposed to be easier on your liver.

I know you said that nal. wasn't covered by your medical, but what about the nalmefene? Or isn't it being offered in Canada yet?

I do not blame you for going to Mexico, for I would do anything to get away from the cold. I live in Ohio and our winters are nothing like yours, but it still bums me out.

Can you get nal. or nalmefene in Mexico? I heard that as long as it is not an addictive drug you do not need a script for it (I do not know how true that is). And it might be cheaper there.

Also, have you reached out to JoAnna at Options Saves Lives, for maybe she could give you a couple suggestions...it is just a thought.

I wish you luck and hope you enjoy your time in Mexico.

Jaba

Thank You all for your concern and for caring!

Since I was mad the other night I drank without taking Nal but only had 2 beers then ate a few cookies which helped with the cravings.
Of course then last night I took my Nal and drank a lot of wine so today I feel horrible again!

Thank You Jaba as I did just email Joanna to see if Canadians have any alternative to getting less expensive Nal than my prescription. I had checked last year about getting Nal in Mexico and no Farmacia had heard of it under any of the names?

Nigelr I am hopefully going out to see a movie tonight with a friend and am aiming for an AF day with just popcorn and a Soda at the movies instead?

Maggie, I have my Niece and her husband coming to stay for 5 days and am having the US Thanksgiving dinner here on Thursday so I stocked up on booze for all the people I am having over. When they leave I will try to limit what I have in the house if I can?

Ok back to the Golden Rule...
Nal ON!