Hi BM
I have had terrible depression demotivation after taking NAL.However I do suffer from depression and have been on Prozac for 12 years. Over the years I have gone from 20 mg of Prozac to 40 mg. When I started taking nal I was on 20 but went back up to 40mg which has helped. Ive found studies on the internet about nal and Prozac (fluexotine) together. It makes sense for Nal to cause a downer as it is blocking pleasure receptors in your brain and to counter that they have used an antidepressant. Makes sense to me but of course I wouldn't recommend just taking an anti-depressant as there are other factors.(Ha and a big factor is that Im not a doctor)

I try to weigh up everything and the depression after taking Nal is certainly not as bad as it was in the beginning and NOT A PATCH on a big hangover that would last for three days with anxiety and massive depression- of course along with total regret over friggin stupid things I had done on some of my wild nights on the booze!
I had Nal last night- had 3 beers and actually feel pretty good today.
You're doing great !

MD

My Dearest BurbsMama:

Who has been your best friend all these years? Who has consoled you when no one else would? Who celebrated your greatest achievements with you?

When you were up, when you were down, abandoned or enraptured, -who was always there for you? Who never let you down, could fill all the lonely hours, and extend the blissful ones?

You know who.

And now you have to say good-bye. You've losing the love of your life.

Think about that: Anyone would cry!

I did.

But if you're like everyone else, it's not the first time you lost a lover. Grant it, you'll probably never lose a lover has grand as this one, but the point is, you got over the other(s), and you'll get over this one the same way: Looking to the future.

He was a great lover, I know. But he was very demanding. He monopolized all of your time.

Time is what you've gained. The most important thing now for you (besides the Golden Rule) is to use that time to improve your life. Re-do the things you used to do before your lover took over, or do the things now that you always wanted to but couldn't with Lover around.Could be as simple as reading again or walking the dog, or as complex as mountain climbing. But do something differnet that you enjoy. You can do it now, you have the time. Don't go crazy all at once, but when alcohol leaves, something has to fill the vacuum.

If you don't, -well he's still hanging around and you know he still loves you.

Welcome Burbs - good to have you on the forum! Sorry to read of what is going on with you. I too had some issues with being teary though on Nal - but I put it down to the fact that I was changing a habit of many many years! I love routine - and for me to change my routine was upsetting even though I really did want it. As for the AF days - I found it hard to have one for ages - so kudos to you for being able to have them, and do not worry about not having three in a row - it took a LONG time before I could do that - but when I did it did help with the teary stuff. There are very few things about TSM that are set in stone - the ONLY one that I know of, being to ALWAYS take the Nal at least an hour before drinking. THAT is non negotiable! Aside from that, it all depends on each individual - you have to find your own way. We are all different and what works for one might not work for the next person. I do agree with Clarion in that you might feel adrift, but feel it is awfully early days for that yet - however as I said, we are all different!

Hang in there - post whenever you feel like it - it really helped me to post often and whenever I had a question - there were some great souls helping me !

Hugs to you, Maggie

clarion and maggie are right! fill the void and find your own way. there isn't really a "right" way to do TSM as everyone is different.

what's really important now is taking care of yourself and giving yourself for your good days, and knowing there will be more of them soon. the AF days are terrific, and you should feel really good about them. we're with you!

I apologize if I implied that taking a single AF day was 'bad'. I'm just a newbie feverishly spouting off like a jackass, I guess.

My reason for harping on that 3 day AF period was that I found the science behind it interesting in two ways.

#1. That waiting 24 hour period for the drug to completely be out of your system was interesting.
#2. The plan ahead replacement activities to serve as a substitute reward during Day 3 of AF also seemed to make real sense.

So I just wanted to share what I'd read on this for anyone who might have missed it since it's only mentioned at the very end of the Eskapa book as a 'supplemental' idea. From a behaviorist standpoint, it makes very good sense to me.

Anyway, Peeps here are totally right -- These are individual journeys towards healing we're all taking here. And everyone is going to be a little different.

No worries T.O.,

It isn't the end of the world; however, I do hope we didn't scare her off.

Regardless of what the book says, TSM just isn't that black and white when it comes to a lot of things except that GR. And even then it doesn't have to be exactly an hour, for some do better waiting longer than that one hour and others will do better taking it first thing in the morning (better to take it first thing then not take to it).

Everyone is different and this is a personal journey.

Besides, for the longest time I felt better on the nal than off. Even though I could do 3 or more AF days, it would leave me with a massive migraine. Even now, there is no difference except I may not be as snappy. Everyone is different and others may really benefit and have those good endorphins that the book talks about. I have never felt a difference, and I believe I may not be alone.

There are a lot of forums that will not allow people to sway from what is to be "their gospel", and that isn't what this forum is about.

Hopefully she understands that and will come back to share her journey with us.

Hi All! Still around. No one scared me off. I really appreciate all the wonderful feedback I've gotten here. I don't substitute *anyone's* judgment or experience for my own so I'm not offended or put off in any way. This is quite an intelligent, well spoken and supportive group of people. I apologize if I haven't been participating a whole lot. I read posts here every day. It's just that talking about all of this stuff is still rather new to me and feels kind of awkward, like I'm still trying to find the language.

As for my progress, I'm doing pretty awesome. A little weed and cutting my nal dosage in half has eliminated the nausea and emotional instability crap I was dealing with so I feel MUCH better. And even with .25 mg, my daily units have been really low. Like, took me a week to drink a bottle of wine sort of low (did you even know wine would keep that long in the fridge??! 'Course, that last glass did taste like the sum total of my produce drawer...) For the last week and a half or so, every day has either been AF or under 3 units. I can live with that.

So I'm just gonna keep on keepin' on. I've got lots to get done around here. Painting and redecorating one of my kiddos' rooms, maybe practice guitar if I'm feeling antsy or go for a walk. It's amazing the things your body and brain allow you to do once that killer need for alcohol has unwound itself from your brain.

Excellent news, BurbsMama!

Totally right on about getting the alch out of your brain. Good things can happen once you get rid of the CNS depressant/anesthetic we call alcohol.

BurbsMama,

So glad you are still around and we didn't frighten you off.

It sounds like you have a good handle on things esp. with replacing the alcohol with something else. Clarion has a point about replacing it and asap (which it sounds like you are).

I am glad you are finding out what works for you and keep up the good work.

Keep us posting and if you have the time maybe start a progress page (just a suggestion).

Jaba