Excellent points, per usual. I wouldn't say the side effects are severe, just highly annoying. I guess I should add that my doctor, after reading Eskapa's book, concluded, "I think this book is over-stating the success of naltrexone and under-stating the negatives." That comment, together with my side effects that Eskapa ignores, contributed to my temporary skepticism. But like I said, I'll quit my bitching and wait for the side effects to diminish. I'm thinking I may try 12.5 mg the next time until the side effects are gone, like Netty suggested. Thanks Netty. BTW, am wondering if so long as I drink within one hour of taking 12.5 mg, that it will be fully effective (since the receptors are blocked) so long as I drink during the 2-3 hours immediately after taking the dosage.

When I first took Naltrexone at 50mg, I got slightly nauseous, but it was no big deal. That same week, I took 100mg because I didn't think the Nal was working, but there was no difference between 100mg and 50mg. After that and going back to 50mg/day, I had no side effects. Of course, my body and brain are used to taking a variety of psychoactive meds for 5 years or so which have a bizarre array of side effects. So Nal was quite benign for me.

For what it's worth,

Bob

I think I am going to try this - in fact, I had meant to start w/ 12.5 last night (my first dose), but was having too much trouble splitting my tablet into quarters, so I took 25. I felt like crap all day today (had dry heaves, diahrrhea, nausea, shakiness), and just woke up from a two-hour nap *still* feeling lousy. Guess I'll have the next couple of days to prep some tablets - the idea of drinking, with or w/o Nal, is pretty damn unattractive at the moment.

Hey Water, really great to see yet another new member here

If I were you, having already taken 25mg once, I would do so again the next time. You'll probably find it much easier-going. The side effects were unpleasantly strong for me at each dose upwards, but only for a couple of days. And the first day was much worse than the second. For me it was both surprising how strong Nal affected me, and how quickly I got used to it.

Anyway, however you decide to do it, the main thing is that you work up to 50mg one hour (ideally) before you drink. All the best, keep us posted

I didn't take any nal Wednesday night; I still felt pretty crummy going into the evening even though I had slept nearly four hours by the time my family returned home. My husband (a light drinker, perhaps 2-3 drinks per week) had poured himself a small glass of scotch after our daughter went to bed, and offered me a sip. I *really* wanted to have some, but since I hadn't taken a pill I decided to pass. (I was wondering though...does it count if I kissed him after *he* drank the scotch? )

I woke up this morning (Thurs) feeling a lot better than yesterday, which was good because I had a ton of work to catch up on that I was simply unable to manage yesterday. Since it's also my b-day today, I expect that there will be wine with dinner, so I'll be sure to take my pill when I get home from work.

Wish me luck - I'll report in tomorrow on how it went.

So many birthdays lately - my daughter's is tomorrow! HAPPY BIRTHDAY from me, and I hope the wine goes down smoothly! Cheers!

OK, so last night I took 12.5 and got the woozy feeling about 30 minutes later. A little later I had a vodka drink, and about 6-7 ounces of wine with dinner. Still had that floaty feeling from the nal when I went to bed last night, but no major ill effects this morning, other than a rather nasty coated tongue and really bad breath (anyone else experience this?).

I have been dealing with a muscle spasm in my upper back for several days, and got some muscle relaxants from my GP today. I took a half tablet of the stuff (Skelaxin) which seems to have really helped my back, but I'm not sure if I should mix it with nal and/or alcohol. Maybe I should go read that package insert...

Checking in again - I've been feeling like crap since Saturday - haven't taken any nal or had anything to drink since Friday. Between the muscle spasm (which appears to be on its way out) and now a sinus infection (which had me vomiting much of the weekend), I've been a wreck, although today was a little better. I think it's the change of weather/barometric pressure here that's brought on the sinus problem. I've been sleeping a *lot*, too, getting a good nine hours each night + a nap every day.

I *really* wanted a beer with (OK, *for*) dinner tonight, but I'm going to wait until tomorrow to take my pill and have a drink (or two).

Hi TW
Hang in there, I'm sleeping a lot too, maybe nal or laziness.
Remember we're new at this.
nal + drink = cure

Hi all I'm jazzman. Am here for the same reasons you are. Am kind of newbie to all this chat stuff and how to do it. I'm an alcoholic, but never thought I could or would be one. When I 1st went to aa I'd say : my name is ... and that's it. In other words I couldn't admit I was an alcy. That was 6 or 7 years ago. Have gone in and out of aa since and never could get with it and further more never really and truly wanted to stop drinking. Mostly my attitude was just rotten as in : I dont give a ...how your day went. Although I have nothing but the deepest respect for those who found their way in aa. I'd probably not be seeking a solution to my over drinking if it werent for the fact that my post drinking days became increasingly miserable. I cant even describe it: this unspecified guilt and depression and feeling that there is no place for me. Why wouldnt that be enough to extinguish drinking? I guess thats our universal ? Anyway dont mean to ramble. I dont know how I found tsm, but here I am and I started Aug.7. Am right now going thru the ? stage as I am still going thru the every other night to every 3rd night drinkathons. the only difference being the quantity slightly diminished. I really want this to work and am not about to give up now, but sometimes I wonder like alcohol is just one of the things that causes this general emptiness. Well these are some thoghts for tonight and reading the stuff in these forums is an inredible inspiration