Searching for a TSM friendly practitioner in the Portland Oregon area.

Feel free to PM or email if you aren't comfortable posting names directly. Bonus points if they are on the Aetna Open Access provider list.

Welcome!

Every MD in the country should be practicing TSM as it is the only viable treatment for alcoholism in the history of mankind. If you can't find a TSM doctor, find a reasonable doctor and educate them and turn them into a TSM doctor. If not a TSM doctor, then, at minimum, one who is willing to prescribe naltrexone for alcoholism. Start with showing them a copy of The Cure For Alcoholism by Dr. Eskapa and show them pages 50-51 (Combine Study results) and page 203. Then show them this from the New York Times:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.h ... one&st=cse

The above cites are definitive proof that general practitioners can legally and safely prescribe naltrexone in treating alcoholism.

Good luck!

Nick

Thanks for the welcome! I do agree with you in principle, but the reality on the ground feels different.

My doc refused outright ("I do not prescribe Naltrexone, period") citing the very opioid interference that is the whole point of the program.

I would like to spend less time attempting to locate and educate random doctors, with consults paid at my own expense, and more time working the method using a prescription obtained locally and filled at a local pharmacy.

I've been reading the site for a week or so now -- it is terrific; kudos to all who make it possible -- and will continue to consider the various alternatives. However before I give up on the straightforward approach I guess I'd still like to know if anyone has encountered enlightenment here in PDX.

Yes, you are correct, "the reality on the ground is different." However, the fact is, almost no doctors are aware of TSM or naltrexone. So, you may have no choice but to educate a reasonable doctor. I emphasize the word reasonable. My doctor, a GP, initially refused to prescribe naltrexone, but then I showed the Times article and passages from THE BOOK. The good doctor relented a few days later and gave me the prescription. So yes, it would be great if you didn't have to educate a doctor, but you may have no choice. There is simply no plausible, credible or scientifically-based rationale for your doctor's refusal to prescribe naltrexone. It's FDA-approved, it's a benign drug and has been used to treat alcoholism for over a decade. If you give them the two citations I've referenced, there is no rational basis for his/her denial. I sincerely wish you good luck in finding someone who condones TSM. However, from our experiences here, there are barely any MDs in this category and we may have to create them ourselves. BTW, psychiatrists are far better candidates than GPs for a prescription, based upon our collective experiences here. And, as pathetic as it sounds, you may have to deceive your doctor by telling him/her you want to use naltrexone with abstinence, even though it doesn't work that way. Most doctors are afraid to condone continued drinking no matter how many studies prove that taking naltrexone while drinking = cure. Anyway, welcome and good luck!

Psychiatric references welcome as well.

Thanks. That's why I posted here specifically, and not in a general discussion about educating drs, making the case, spoofing drs, online pharmacies, and so on.

Having said that, I see that I have unintentionally violated the purpose of this sub-forum, as it appears to be to report out successes with local practitioners, not seek referrals to them. Sorry, mods.

PV, this is not so - many people come on here looking for local referrals, and we're only to happy to provide those we can. You're welcome to come on with all kinds of posts, even contribute to our. . .ahem. . .ladies 'personal' forum (whether you're male or female!).

Nick here doesn't realize that he, like me, is a 'mission oriented' person. We love to become involved in, or create, worthwhile causes such as this. Other people are not so oriented, and just don't wanna have to make waves. Judging from your screen name, and your posts, you're the second type of person.

Hey, it's all good - and we wish you great success in your journey. Please DO keep us posted, and let us know if/when you find a local MD who is willing to work with you.

Wish I had a better answer but if someone is from your area they will most likely sent you a p.m. People here do want to help. I hear your delemma. I wouldn't want to roam for dr. to dr. either. I just happen to switch to a female doctor in the same paractice and practically demanded the Naltrexone. Told her I planned on using it and explained tsm, she said "I don't have a problem trying this if it will help you, period" and gave me the rx. I had a mind set going in and was determined to convince her. She is a rather new doctor and open to all new methods! I got lucky! Hope you do too. I also brought print outs on the subject.

Welcome PV!

I truly hope you find a doctor who supports TSM, but if not, lie if you must. Do whatever is necessary to get the Naltrexone. If you say you want it to control alcohol cravings, that's not a lie - you don't need to reveal exactly HOW you plan to use it. It's approved for help with alcohol cravings, but is typically prescribed with abstinence. Once you get the Nal, you're on your way, and we'll all be along with you for the ride!

Since I started this topic, I feel I owe an update.

From what I've learned, there are apparently Kaiser Permanente docs in PDX who are either on-board, tolerant of NAL as a treatment modality, or willing to prescribe "for abstinence." I don't have Kaiser coverage now, but I have in the past. If you have Kaiser in Portland, I'd encourage you to keep poking at your doctor.

In my specific case, I felt that I'd frozen like a deer in headlights when my doc initially refused my request out of hand. I was so unprepared that I had no Plan B.

I had to drop some Rx insurance forms off for another medication so I included a bundle of literature for my internist that included Chapter 3 (Hard Evidence), Chapter 17 (For Medical Professionals), the NYT article Nick recommended, and the wikipedia page on Nal, along with a polite letter explaining my interest and intent. To my amazement and excitement, I received a voicemail less than two hours later thanking me for the additional information and agreeing to begin a trial period with Nal. Liver panels and follow-up appointments were scheduled.

I took my first 25mg today.

I am so happy right now, reading this, tears are flowing. I am convinced your life was just saved, as was mine. Thank God.

Nick