Wow, Susie! Wow, wow, wow! That's a huge breakthrough in the numbers and in the attitude... I'm so proud of you!

What's the hubby think of all this?

Thanks Joe,l
It does feel great! Hubby is mostly keeping quiet. He has noticed for sure because in the past I would come home with something to drink and now I don't.
He still insists on doing it his way, he doesn't drink during the week and is planning on keeping it to one bottle of wine each weekend night. He has been successful for 1-1/2 weeks now so we'll see.

Isn't that wonderful when you actually come to realize that TSM actually works? It's been 7 months for me now and I still have to pinch myself when I think that I used to drink 15 beers a night with a few shots on the side and maybe a glass of wine or two and now in accordance to TSM I can have one or two beers with no issue at all. It really IS unbelievable but it's true

I realized I hadn't posted in my progress for awhile. So, everything has been going pretty well. I will try to figure out my signature with my progress soon. When I have more time. My husband and I are going to Italy on vacation on 3/16 and back when I started TSM in October one of my main short term goals was to be able to drink in Italy without drinking too much and losing control.
I think I have accomplished that. I can't say quite yet that I am cured, but almost. I almost have complete control over how much and when I drink. I can't say complete, because when my husband drinks, even though I don't really want to, I always join him. And, I usually drink a little too much to be considered normal.
But, considering what my life was like before TSM, it is a huge improvement and change. Before, I could not control when and how much, now I can. I don't obsess over whether I will drink today, I just don't care. I used to drink in the mornings almost every time I had too much the night before, now never.
I thought it wouldn't happen, I thought it was taking too much time but it really changed a lot just in a few weeks. So don't give up hope. I would say it took at least four months to get to this point.
Also, I always have the horrible side effect of dry mouth while sleeping so I reduced my dose to 25 mg Nal. last week. Don't see a difference in the Nal's effect but the dry mouth is more tolerable. Hopefully, the 25 mg will be enough, so far so good.
Susie

Going on 5 months in and it's looking good! Congrats, Susie, nicely done. I hope you and the hubby have a wonderful time in Italy!

Maybe go dual-mode on the Nal and kick it up to 50 if you think you might be in for a long party?

In any case, savor the choice, Susie! You've earned it! And savor Italia!

Susie,

Your progress sounds great and very similar to mine. I really started noticing a difference around 16 weeks, but I still would over drink if I allowed myself. I cannot handle those nal overs, so I keep myself to a limit. My brain to this day will still scream for more, but it doesn't scream as loud and I can say no. I would be drinking with my husband if he drank, and I am thankful he doesn't. I would not be able to resist. So, I can totally relate, for even though I really did not care for a drink while on vacation I still had one or two. Those habits are the hardest.

If you are feeling fine on 25 mg, all is good; however, keep an eye on your intake and how you feel. A couple of people did lower their dose only to find a couple weeks later their units went up. I think Joe has a really good point about the 50 mg when you are partying longer than normal, or take another 25 mg (a boaster dose) if you are drinking longer or two different sessions (drinking at lunch 25 mg and drinking at dinner 25 mg). This is just a suggestion. If you find yourself covered with 25 mg then all is good.

Enjoy yourself in Italy and don't forget to share with us.

Nal on,

Jaba

I thought it would help me to update this - I believe this is around week 28. I had my first A/F day in about 2 months yesterday! We went to Italy March 16-27 and before then I was in really good shape. It was working and working well. So, I got lax and didn't have the pills on me several times the first few days in Italy and drank anyway. And, it still was the same as if I had taken the Nal. the first couple of times I drank. But, I didn't overdrink or have the compulsion to drink more. So, I thought okay, I will just pick up the Nal. when we get home. The buzz did come back when I drank in Italy, but on vacation, you are so busy touring and having fun, so you don't obsess about drinking.
Well, after two weeks of drinking without Nal., it wasn't so easy just to pick it back up. I didn't want to. I enjoyed the buzz again and I liked it. And, within about a month, maybe less, I was drinking in the morning, craving all the time, drinking every day to excess, etc.
So, I got ahold of myself finally about a week and a half ago and started taking the Nal. again. And, like a miracle, it is working again. Cravings gone. I wasn't able to have an A/F day till yesterday, but was able to keep the drinks to about 4 or 5 a night.
So lesson learned, don't do it, don't stop and think it will be easy to start again, because it sure isn't!!

Glad to hear you got back on track, Susie! Yours is a good example of how quickly things can reverse if you don't follow the Golden Rule. "Missing the buzz" seems to be a problem that pops up for some. I'd like to hear of a good way of dealing with that contingency.

Susie, really good of you to post this to help others. And, I am glad you have realized what has happened and gotten back on track. Nal on !!

Newlife