Hello, all, some advice would be great.

I decided to start on Xmas Day, and I took a half a pill .25 mg on somewhat of an empty stomach, and DAMN did I have some AWFUL SE's..After reading up on some advice, I decided to wait until after New Years Eve, and so on Sunday the 4th I took a quarter pill on a full stomach and plenty of H20.

I still felt a little 'weird' and kind of like on a speed high.. Jittery and such. I only drank 2 beers. Monday I took a half a pill. Same feeling, no nausea, just 'jittery' and kinda 'speedy'. Once I had a neck injury and I was Hydrocodone, and the SE's ( besides the euphoria )is kind of similar. 2 beers, again, and sleepy. I have been taking a half pill since, and no nausea, just this spacey, 'high' kind of feeling...My drinking is WAY down, but I still have these SE's.

Do they go away, or do you always get this kind of spacey rush? Is this the 'trade-off'?

Also, what happens if you go on a trip and forget your pills? If when you get back, are you screwed because you broke the ;extinction'? Can you restart? Is it more difficult?

Also, what happens if you take the pill, but don't 'feel' like drinking? Do you HAVE to drink everytime? Even force down one beer just to keep the extinction going?

I like the results I am getting but I don't like the SE's. Im taking it carefully now, but Im praying I can just take the pill and not feel anything. Any help? Thanks

Fun Gus

p.s. also, I work in a creative field...Does anyone find their creative abilities diminished by Nal? just curious

hi Gus,

welcome to the forum & TSM

most people find that SE's wear off over the first few days/weeks. not taking the on an empty stomach helps - as you have been doing - but some people tolerate it better than others, although it does generally get better with time

drinking without taking Nal once you've started TSM is a real No-No, although it's not the end of the world, the brain unfortunately re-learns drinking without Nal rather faster than it un-learns with Nal, so you're going to set yourself back. try to plan to have a few pills with you at all times & have a decent stock in case of supply problems

there's no reason that you *have* to drink if you've taken a pill - if after taking one you decide you don't feel like drinking, then just don't, no big deal

I can't really comment on creative abilities as I'm not in that field. a few people find that Nal makes them feel a bit "flat" as natural endorphin highs - from food, exercise, sex, etc. - are blocked. however, conversely, if you have a Nal (& AL) -free day after taking Nal for a while, your opiod receptors will be up-regulated (ie more sensitive) so you may experience more of a natural high from those activities

all the best

-badger

Thanks Badger!

May I ask, now when you take your pill, do you feel 'any' side effects? I guess my question is taking Nal do you always feel a little 'spacey' or 'hopped up' or is this something that even after ( gulp ) weeks will eventually go away?

I have been in a half pill for 5 days and I still feel effects...I am afraid to take a whole pill after my Xmas Nightmare ( you'll puke your eyes out!

I know I'm new but in terms of killing the craving it's working fine. But the SE's are still really present, and I am a big guy ( 230 lbs ) and this half pill has me feeling like I am on the moon.

The other thing is I have been taking the pill in the after lunch and the afternoon always feels strange at work. My job requires me to be 'on my toes' and 'entertaining' ( I work in broadcasting during the day ) and while I can still do my job, I find I am struggling to hit my stride like I used to, but that may because Im not overly tired or hungover anymore;-)

I hope these jittery-jangly SE's subside, because I already see a marked difference. Thanks for your advice!

Fun Gus

Fun Gus this is easy peasy but you have to follow the Golden Rule at ALL times. I suggest you read "The Cure for Alcoholism: The Medically Proven Way to Eliminate Alcohol Addiction" which tells you all about TSM. Read a bunch of stuff on this site which is really, really helpful. About SE and all in the beginning you can read a post I put on here of my experience:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3915

I also have put another post on mg and side effects for Newbies:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3930&p=48904&hilit=newbies&sid=b8560f156780c52aa50e0e8f580c623a#p48904

Go on a trip and forget your pills, are you crazy? If you really want this to work you have to have a good supply(I have 6 months supply) and Never Ever leave home without some pills. I am sorry but I just don't get people that want help and the easiest thing in the world is Nal+Drink+Patience=Success. Sorry to be hard on ya but it's just that plain and simple if you really want this as God knows I pray everyday I can attain this.

double post, sorry stupid internet

Gotcha... I may have a situation that could complicate things..

I am being considered to travel for 9 days in June to Russia..And turning down the trip would be very bad for me in the super competitive field I work in. Since this is all handled through the State Dept and USSR Customs, I have been told when they issue you a visa, they absolutely will not let you in country with any pills that are not 'prescribed', and this even includes such mundane things like vitamins. Since I buy mine through the mail, I may be screwed.

I could go to a DR and get a script, but then it's on my medical records...Also the DR in my area only prescribes the 'implant', and that sucker costs 5000$+, since my insurance will not carry it.

So I am taking it now to see if by late spring, if it is working well enough to get the implant, if I can afford it...Or I guess come June I could try to 'white knuckle' it, but I am not looking forward to it. I am thinking about all my options. Waiting until July to start TSM is an option, but I am already a week in...?

That's why I was wondering what to do if I cannot get the implant, and cant take my pills? What happens if I am forced to go off TSM for 9 days? It would ruin the 'extinction' process, right? ( I've ordered the book..) .

Also, I am thinking maybe by May, if all else fails, I can get my intake and desire enough down to get a script for Antabuse, but then again, it's on my medical records, which could affect things such as my life insurance. And by then, I guess it wouldn't matter?

Just some thoughts..Alot for me to think about.

Thanks for all your advice! Fun Gus

After six months of TSM, the idea of going for 9 days without alcohol might feel very differant than it does right now- it might not seem like a big deal at all. Don't wait until July to start getting better!

I don't like the idea of the implant because it doesn't allow you to take AF days without Nal and get the full enjoyment of whatever healthy activities you chose to do on those days. And Antabuse doesn't work, so why would you want to get a script for it?

I personally have taken a "break" from Nal for a trip, drank moderately on that trip, and then picked up where I left off with TSM. It might delay the extinction process a bit, but it won't ruin it.

Best of luck!

Thanks a lot! Hopefully I will get a work around so I can take the Nal with me..But that is good to know.

As far as Antabuse, I may be mistaken, but I thought if I had to 'white knuckle' it, having the threat of getting sick would help me psychologically through it, but most likely I would end up drinking anyway, and just be sick and not able to do my job...So your probably right;-)

I can't be happy about the idea of taking a break from nal. Especially in a foreign country where you have no safety net.

I agree that a trip without alcohol may seem like no big deal by the time July rolls around. Maybe it's not worth worrying about until June. It's only January, you know?

Fun Gus

I have a pdf copy of "The cure for alcoholism" if you would like me to send to you.

I would need your private email address, so if you want it, PM me and I'll happily send it to you. It is very interesting reading and it make all the sense in the world.

Summerglow