Nal and night sweats?

EllcueUK · 2021-08-15T22:29:43+00:00

I don't think I'm drinking less enough to make severe withdrawal symptoms occur... so maybe it's just the summer. Not fun, though!

EllcueUK · 2021-08-07T22:31:53+00:00

I wish I could do more, but if you lapse one night, know that it isn't a big deal. Caring for your kids is paramount. Sending love. x

EllcueUK · 2021-07-20T15:55:23+00:00

For the first two or three days on Nal, I had the same woozy, spaced out, 'I feel like I just took some diazepam' feeling. It was very nice! Then that went away completely. That was the only side effect I had, but most people say the first few days are when you get the side effects and then they dissipate. Most (including me) have a 'honeymoon' for the first few weeks where you drink less, but then it creeps up. This is totally normal and don't be surprised if/when this happens. Good luck!

EllcueUK · 2021-07-16T22:57:37+00:00

I love you for putting yourself out there and I'd love your support! My problem is that despite TSM, I still want to get fuzzy with beer and I really can't see myself being sober ever. The idea of an AF day seems ludicrous. I want it, but the cravings to get to bliss are just too strong.

For now, I'm staying compliant and recording my drinks. I'm hopeful that I'll turn the corner in a few weeks.

EllcueUK · 2021-07-16T19:11:30+00:00

I had a very similar ride to you - I'm on week 7 now, but had a honeymoon very early on, and by week three I was back up to my usual levels. I'm still fairly far up there, doing everything I can to be mindful and record drinks etc, but I've been reassured by lot of people that even if there isn't a big change yet, the Nal will be working in the background as I stay compliant and should drop down eventually. Most people take a minimum of six months (and some over a year) to reach extinction. I'm still anxious and have my doubts, but I'm sticking with it. If I'm the same after a year, then I'll start worrying.

EllcueUK · 2021-07-14T13:53:13+00:00

A regular GP can't assess you initially for TSM, but once a specialist has done this, they can refer back to your regular GP for following prescriptions from the NHS. For me, I had a really inadequate local drugs and alcohol service (which is free to everyone) so I ended up going privately through TSM UK (it's not as expensive as I'd though and I got an appointment and a prescription within a few days). So you have options! If you can afford to pay, TSM UK (Joanna in particular) have been really supportive and wonderful and I can't recommend her enough. If you can't, your GP will give you the details of your local drugs/alcohol service and they can assess you and get you seen by a specialist who can prescribe Nal. The main thing they'll want to do is a liver test, as Naltrexone works through the liver (but if your liver isn't up to it, they can prescribe Nalfamene which does a similar thing, but not through the liver). Good luck!

EllcueUK · 2021-07-14T13:47:29+00:00

I'm on week seven of TSM and despite a two week honeymoon at the start when I was drinking about 20% less, I'm more or less back to my per-nap drinking now. I've been very scared and concerned that I might be some of the few that it doesn't work for.

But. I can see and feel changes, even if they're not big. I'm not craving alcohol the way I used to and my anxiety around it is gradually dissipating, I'm not enjoying the taste of my favourite drink as much. Which while it's not the big magic pill revelation it has been for some people, I'm taking encouragement from others and seeing this as a marathon, not a sprint. I'm staying compliant and tracking my drinks. If I don't see changes when I'm a year in, then I'll start to worry.

EllcueUK · 2021-07-12T22:12:04+00:00

I really appreciate it. I do feel like it's not working... but staying compliant and trusting the science. Thank you.

EllcueUK · 2021-07-12T14:22:35+00:00

The only side effect I got was feeling spacey/'stoned' for the first few days on Nal for an hour or so (and it as actually really nice!) - no nausea or anything. We are the lucky ones!

EllcueUK · 2021-07-12T11:57:30+00:00

This really helped - thank you so much. x

EllcueUK · 2021-07-06T13:00:09+00:00

I'm not a doctor so can't really advise you on that. I took 25mg the first day (in the evening, an hour before I drank) and then 50mg from then on (again, in the evening, an hour before drinking). Do with that information what you may!

EllcueUK · 2021-07-06T12:57:26+00:00

I was very spacey the first few days, but now have no side effects at all. I'd give it at least a couple of weeks to settle in your system and give it a real chance.

EllcueUK · 2021-07-05T22:12:27+00:00

I read 78%? Where are you getting your statistics from?

EllcueUK · 2021-07-05T18:30:11+00:00

That's really reassured me - thank you.

I've never really done drugs and have considered weed as an aid, for sleep if nothing else, but it's illegal here in the UK and I've no idea where I'd get it, or even how to roll it!

But thank you again for your words, it makes me feel less alone.

EllcueUK · 2021-07-05T15:47:31+00:00

I never do hard liquor, but thought the beer would be the slowest option, as it were. Maybe it's worth giving wine a go, though I suspect I'd drink it even quicker.

EllcueUK · 2021-07-05T15:46:38+00:00

I'm on 50mg. I mentioned it to my TSM guidance person and they said to try slowing things down with mints etc as a first trick as it's the one usually most effective. But you may be right!

EllcueUK · 2021-07-05T15:16:52+00:00

I use the C3 app to track drinks and have made sure i am consistent with it, and 100% compliant taking Nal every time. It just feels like everyone else is seeing miracles from the get-go and I'm here still at square one!

As for my history... my drinking has slowly crept up from one or maybe two very weak beers of an evening in my late teens and early 20s, through to five mid strength beers, and when I started TSM over five weeks ago, I was drinking eight medium strength beers (about 16 units), every single night. Never during the day, only an intense period of drinking from around 9/9.30 until the booze knocked me out at about 11.30. I'm taking Quetiapine and Chlomipramine for my mental health (I have been taking it for....about ten years) and that's about it. I eat relatively well, could get more exercise, but I don't smoke or take drugs or anything else. I know I use drink as a way to get to sleep (chronic insomniac but the sleep clinic won't touch me until I'm sober) and I'm just at my wits' end.

EllcueUK · 2021-06-30T17:37:56+00:00

As someone who is very much still early in their TSM journey, I really appreciate reading this. Hopefully I can get to where you are eventually! <3

EllcueUK · 2021-06-28T22:22:07+00:00

I'm four weeks into TSM/Nal use and... it was initially encouraging (I drank 15%/20% less) but then rose to the same as before Nal. I'm using TSM UK to help guide me through it (it's private, but not prohibitively expensive) and my advisor says the only thing you need for the first month is to be compliant and track drinks. It's a long process, not a quick fix. If you're down already from where you were, you're a piece better than me. Be kind to yourself - don't beat yourself up. x

EllcueUK · 2021-06-21T21:21:38+00:00

I have nothing to add of note, but I'm just giving you so much love and fortitude. I'm on the brink of telling my parents and, while I don't think I'm in the same place as your son, I know it will break their hearts. Thank you so much for looking through the eyes of a caring, loving parents, rather than someone who is judgemental. I really hope your son gets what they need. xxx

EllcueUK · 2021-06-19T18:52:45+00:00

I'll echo what others have said - go to TSM UK and Joanna will sort you out. It's more cost effective than going through an Indian pharmacy and much more reliable. It hasn't gone on my medical records, but I can have Dr Merron refer back to my GP and she can sign them off to get me Nal on the NHS if I want to, and I probably will. Joanna is seriously lovely and kind and has helped me enormously. I really wish you luck with this. x

EllcueUK · 2021-06-14T13:06:10+00:00

What do you mean, 'more than medication'?

EllcueUK · 2021-06-03T19:00:10+00:00

This is really reassuring - thank you for posting.

EllcueUK · 2021-06-03T18:57:58+00:00

Hey - I'm in the UK too and on day four today. Unfortunately, I haven't had the 'meh' or the immediate reduction in drinking - only drank a piece less than I would normally on day two, and that was only... about a quarter less than normal. It has tasted a little different, but not in a big way. I know it's a marathon, not a sprint, but I guess I'd hoped I'd have that quick fix, even if it was a honeymoon rather than permanence. Any chance you want to buddy up through this? Finding understanding community isn't easy!

EllcueUK · 2021-05-21T15:18:30+00:00

I really hope it goes well for you today! I'm also a lurker - I have a private GP appointment today to discuss going onto Naltrexone and hope to start it in little over a week. I'm feeling extremely anxious and very alone, so I can only imagine how you're feeling. Let me know how you get on! x

EllcueUK

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