My nurse and dr. agreed to prescribe me the NAL. yesterday. I'm waiting on my liver panel to come back, and they said if all is good, I'll get my script. Thanks for all of the encouraging words from everyone. I'll keep you posted. I'm going to start on a Friday as I previously planed. Thanks again!

That's very good news, Billy! Thanks for bringing us up to date!

Billy, this is just my opinion, but if you are having panic attacks I would not stop the Xanax. I would try to cut down and only use it when absolutely necessary. Nal. will not block the effects of the Xanax (I know because I have taken it while on Nal.). I'm not sure why Dr. Escapa says it is not compatible with Naltrexone, I'm not sure he explained why. But, I don't believe it has interfered with my progress. I only take it maybe once a week.
Good Luck.
Susie

Thanks Susie, I just picked up my Nal this afternoon. I've been thinking a lot about the Xanax, and the thing is, I only take it if I need it. Sometimes to help me go back to sleep if I wake up in the middle of the night, or if I have a big meeting at work or something where I just need to calm down alittle. Its not like I take Xanax on a regular basis, so im not going to worry too much about that. The main thing I worry about is the SEs.

My understanding is benzos attach to the same receptors in the brain. Therein the obvious concern is that they might offer some reward where there ideally should be none. AA always refers to benzos as chewing your booze.

I don't think their periodic use is necessarily the worst thing, but considering the doctors who have designed this treatment suggested avoiding them it is worthy of noting.

Well wishes, Billy.

Billy - I think (and this IS just my opinion) that what ever we put out there we get! STOP worrying about SE's !!!! You are attracting them to you - OR talking yourself into them! I had slight nausea for a few days! Some folk have NO SE's - Newlife didn't. There is no reason to think that you will - so please let that thought go!!

Hugs, Maggie

Thanks Maggie. I'm gonna do this!!

" AA always refers to benzos as chewing your booze."

LOLOLOL!

Billy, the SE's do go away, mine were tiredness, slight nausea, dry mouth etc. After a week or two they were much lessened.
"Chewing your booze!" Wow, I went to AA for a number of years and I had a friend who was prescribed Xanax and her sponsor told her to flush them down the toilet! I have also heard of sponsors telling sponsees not to take antidepressants! I do not like AA (as you can probably tell). The stories I could tell about AA!! One woman killed herself because she was in chronic back pain but refused to take painkillers! Where on earth do these people get off telling others what medication to take or not. They are not doctors. Anyway, rant over.
I have never ever been addicted to benzo's like booze. They don't feel like alcohol to me, they make me less nervous in stressful situations and tired if I can't sleep. The Nal. doesn't affect them. They work just as usual. So they are not opiates and will not be affected by Nal.
As long as you take them only as needed, I think no problem!!!
Susie

thanks guys. i'll keep you posted.