Hey guys,
So, I got a 90 day supply in the mail yesterday, about a week before I expected to get it. Ive been at the point where I have to taper to avoid bad withdrawal symptoms when I take a break from drinking, I usually drink about 10-12 drinks a night and it takes me a couple days to taper back down to being abstinent if I want to quit and avoid the shakes and sweats. I didnt think I would have any complications, so i took the first pill last night, waited an hour and then started to drink. About the sixth or seventh drink I got extremely nauseous and had to lay down, had a headache and basically couldnt get out of bed. I had super restless sleep, I woke up this morning feeling okay and then the stomach ache is back and its REALLY bad, Im almost at 24 hours from taking the first pill. Im not sure what to do, I considered my options.

A: take the 50 mg pill again and drink a smaller amount, following the way I usually taper and just tough out any stomach problems. This kinda scares me though because I have been a bit worried about my liver being compromised, Im only 28 though so im not that worried.
B: take half the pill and drink a smaller amount and see what happens
C: Don't take the pill and ramp my drinking down today and tomorrow, which I know I will be fine with as ive done it 50 times, and then just give it a week or so sober and then give it a trial day with a 50 mg again. (this is what I'm planning on)

I read that those people that get nauseous and have bad side effects are usually people who have been drinking heavily right before starting, which I've been doing and also people who are younger. I have no idea how to go forward so any help and advice would be greatly appreciated! I'm pretty sure my side effects are based on very high alcohol intake this previous week, every day, so id really like to know what your guys drinking was like in the days leading up to starting TSM. Also, I would rather avoid going to the doctor at all if I can, but if it's important to get my liver checked then I'll do it. Thanks again

Welcome, scdrunk!

The nausea isn't uncommon, try taking half a pill on top of a meal, generally the more water you can manage through the evening, the better. Some have used OTC anti-nausea meds, but the side effects should pass in a week or two. Move up to a full pill after a few days if you can manage. This assumes you're using Naltrexone and not Selincro.

Scdrunk, what's the last time you had your liver enzymes checked?

its been several years, ive been kinda scared to get it checked out actually. im supposed to get it checked for depakote every now and then but i havent done it, i went through this period a handful of years ago where i didnt sleep for 2-3 years, literally no sleep. i got on depakote and started sleeping every night which pretty much ended that hell. ive been putting off getting my enzymes checked because i dont want them to be high and get pulled off that medication. i know i should get it checked tho

actually, i just decided im gonna get my enzymes checked at a separate clinic on Monday and see if they're elevated, i dunno why i didnt think of that before lol ive literally been putting it off for about 18 months

Sounds like a good plan. My doc ordered a GGT, CBC w/diff and CMP prior to the Rx for Nal. I got the whole thing at Labcorp for under $100.