Anyone on or starting a naltrexone journey?

[ohthejoysoftoddler]

I'm hoping to start naltrexone next week, I'm nervous but excited to get started. Anyone else on the journey and wants to share?

I just started the alternative one to naltrexone today 👋

I started taking Naltrexone about 3 years ago and it has been life changing. I still drink, but only occasionally. I've lost 20kg and I've become really fit and healthy. I honestly think it is a wonder drug and I'm surprised more people don't know about it! I'm starting to come off now, but I know I don't need it.

Good luck. If you have any questions, ask away. Make sure you got a keyring or something to say no opioids, just in case you are in an accident.

I’ve been looking into this for a year, I’m on a very lower income so went to the gp, refused to help. Got referred to an alcohol and drug support place and they were awful. Absolutely awful. Why they think filling in unit forms will do to stop anybody drinking…just stupid. No I don’t want to make a brainstorming diagram you arse. But my gall bladder exploded in a giant infection filled dirty bomb 3 weeks ago and it’s stopped my drinking in its tracks. I’m really hopping to not go back at all but if I do I will definitely be looking into naltrexone to help.

Oh great! Well done to you!
I think I'll be a week behind you, I have to wait for my lft in the post and then they can dispatch my prescription.
I'm keen to get started now.
Do you mind me asking about your drinking? I'm a long standing bottle of wine a night drinker.

Wow this is amazing well done you. I'm sure it's been quite the journey for you!
I am really into my fitness and I've been getting annoyed at not seeing results from the gym, and I've lied to myself for years that booze calories don't count, and I'm finally ready to admit to myself that they do - it's not my main reason to get a handle on things, but short term I think it will give me motivation.

I'm so sorry you had this experience with the GP I had the same. It took so much courage to go, and she dashed me away within seconds.
I was given the support details too, but I could just tell it would be crap. I'm sorry I don't know of any way to get the medication without the expensive prescription.

I had a gastric bypass back in 2018. Didn’t have an issue before then. But the last few years I’ve alternated between 1.5 to 2 bottles of wine a night. With some nights. I feel I swapped my food addiction for wine. I use it as a stress release 3 kids and a demanding job. But I’ve got to stop. I started this morning but have a sprained ankle so have to take strong pain meds so will stop and restart again probably next week. How about you? How are you feeling about stopping?

@MummaBanana wow what a major change you've had. I can see that, alcohol helps me not pick at food, so can imagine it goes the other way around.
I'm the same, use it to help me sleep after a day of a demanding job and two young kids. I use the 'working on the evening' as a reason I should be allowed wine.
I'm nervous, but excited to hopefully make a change. As I'm getting to a point in life where I worry about health and want to be around to see the kids grow up.
How was night one for you? Are you doing the Sinclair method? I am but through a programme called Nul

I had the same problem with Dr's. That's what I mean about I'm surprised not more people know about it. It's really frustrating!! I just didn't give up until my Dr prescribed it to me. Don't give up! Fight to get this medication guys!!

Hello I don’t take naltrexone but was also a bottle a day drinker for the last four or so years. I have managed to cut down hugely in the last three months and it has had such a positive impact on my life. My sleep is better and my running is more consistent. So keep going and don’t give up giving up!

@Haggisfish3 wow well done!

thanks. I have been battling for about ten years to reduce my alcohol. Finally my liver started hurting as well, especially when I drank a whole bottle and the hangovers were so awful something finally clicked in my head. I was also really surprised at the positive impact it had on my dd and our relationship. My drinking never directly affected her. I never missed anything, wasn’t abusive or a twat when drink but she knew it wasn’t a healthy coping mechanism and didn’t like my slightly louder personality. I so don’t want my kids to grow up thinking alcohol is great, like I did. I’m really chuffed with myself.

How are you doing @MummaBanana? It took me a while to get all my blood tests sorted. I took my first 50mg dose yesterday and within an hour felt a bit nauseous and dizzy. Been exhausted all day today. But going to take another shortly before my 7pm wine o'clock rolls round.

I did what was the suggestion last night and poured my usual wine. I only drank half a glass, but I couldn't eat my dinner either.

What’s the alternative one please? I can’t afford the Sinclair Method!

@Smarty43 there's another drug, very similar but I'm not sure how you get it - or if it's cheaper. I am going through Nul health, which is £200 a month. Actually they tell you the name on their website of an alternative.

Yes I'm very interested in this. How do you get it?
I've lost a lot of weight using the weight loss jabs but in all honesty I'm not going to shift the rest until I cut down the wine

Following this thread

Thought I'd update in case anyone stumbled on this thread.

I started a week and a half ago, and really I think if I can keep it up this will change my life. Since starting, I did have some fatigue and sickness. But it's passed now.

I've had a few days without any alcohol, maybe three in ten days. One day where I had a few glasses of fizz with friends, but I came home and stopped from 7pm - old me would have kept going. The other evenings, I've had one medium glass of wine, and felt satisfied. It's a far cry from my bottle and the weekend extra binging.

I've probably been indulging my normally non existent sweet tooth more, but I have promised myself after this weekend, I will get back to my proper food tracking. Still, I've been working out and so I'm not too worried. I'd rather gain a couple of pounds short term and have every morning waking clear headed.

It's a game changer, it really is. I've bought two bottles of wine in 10 days. That would normally be ten bottles.

Well done OP, that sounds like you’ve got off to a great start!

Great start OP! I found the side effects of naltrexone (dodgy tummy) hindered me so it took a while to build up to a full tablet. It took about a year of drinking on Nal for me to be able to just say, done now. And I am, I could never have just stopped like that before Nal. Now I have one Prosecco on special occasions and it’s nice, but I don’t crave it at all or have the mental gymnastics over when I’m going to drink next, do I have enough in, where should I shop to make sure I have enough…

I haven’t lost weight or saved much money as I’ve treated myself to chocolate and non alcoholic drinks in the evenings instead. Now I’m a year sober, I think I can start cutting these down and have them for weekends only.

All the best OP!

This sounds so positive. I am also a bottle a night person and I can see how it restricts my life in every way. I never go out in the cynicism in dry night with my Sauvignon best friend.
Is the only route privately?

@notanotherroast I did try going to my GP, but they basically laughed me out. I had read about the private route and put it off, finally made myself realise I spend more a month on wine than I do on the private subscription to this Nul Health place.

This said, I've been out drinking with friends this arvo, I took my usual dose as I got a glass of wine. I enjoyed having drinks with friends, but the great thing was I had a switch off. At 8pm, I said right it's time for me to go home.

Are you also taking up the counselling etc ?
I think I would maybe benefit from that as I've obviously got all sorts of issues weight booze etc

The programme offers counselling programmes, which I am not taking part in for now. That said, I've had lots of counselling over recent years, and I think that's helped me get to grips with where my issues are

Thankyou .Such a positive story. I'd be so grateful if you felt able to update from time to time.