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?

It worked really well. Had 1/4 on Saturday, had three small glasses and left at a sensible time. Another 1/4 yesterday afternoon, 2 beers mid afternoon while out with friends and felt no need at all to carry on when home. I do feel nauseous this morning though. Hoping that wears off eventually!

That sounds like a great start @Formel. I had a planned weekend away with friends this weekend, and while we all drank plenty, I definitely had an off switch and didn't feel the massive joy of drinking like I used to

Can I ask is this for moderate drinkers only?

No, and I wouldn't have described myself as a moderate drinker. I probably am now, a few months in.

What are people doing about the fact if you’re in an accident you can’t take opioid painkillers - do you have a bracelet or have told partners? I haven’t told anyone.

I'm thinking of getting one of these. What would you put on it, just "no opioids"?

Hi all 👋🏻
I have come to the realisation that I need to really reduce/stop my alcohol intake, I have no off switch and it’s only getting worse.

Just wondered- what’s the key differences between going through the Sinclair Method and through Nul? Is it that TSM only advise taking the medication when you’re drinking?

The pricing per month seems to be roughly the same but assuming TSM may work out cheaper if you’re not drinking daily.

I’ve been looking at this as well. I’m under the impression TSM doesn’t include the medication whereas it’s included in the Nul price. Hopefully someone who knows will come along to confirm.

I did it with Rethink Drink and think they are brilliant.

Nul definitely has the meds included. I think Sinclair gives you the prescription, but I'm not 100%. I've been happy with the service from Nul, happy to answer any questions.

Signed up to Nul. Have my assessment call tomorrow, I already had upto date liver function blood test results so hopefully that will speed things up somewhat.

Feeling nervous! But ready 🙌🏼

I am contemplating Nul as I am sick of the ongoing cycle. I don’t know if the timing is right though as I am planning on doing dry January, already agreed OH and I will do it together. I did it once before but then quickly slipped back into old ways. Maybe I can then start in February. I might have been better off trying to start now to help with Christmas but it’s probably too late. How do people manage to come off it? If you continue to drink even occasionally after coming off it is it easier to moderate? Surely the brain starts to go back to its old ways of responding?

Can I also ask about the liver function test if that's abnormal are you ruled out?
My last blood test showed abnormalities so I've got a repeat this week doubt there'll be much change but I'd love to try this am at the end of my tether really

I asked them about this @notanotherroast and an abnormal test wouldn't rule you out, they just have to then repeat the liver function test monthly so they can keep tabs.

How did it go @itsendgame ?

@ohthejoysoftoddler thanks for checking in 💙
Meeting with the pharmacist went well, he asked some questions etc and reviewed my recent (NHS) liver function tests and was happy to prescribe. I got an email earlier today to say my meds are on their way! I’m nervous! I have a night out this Saturday (it’s with a very boozy bunch!) and there’s a tiny part of me that wants to wait until after to start the pills, but also I don’t want that feeling of being totally unable to moderate once I have the first drink. Which is always my problem. So I intend to start.

Pharmacist said only to use the pills when drinking and not any other time, so I guess if I take one for the first time Saturday I’ll experience the nausea when out! Or maybe I’ll do a “test run” on Friday at home.

I don’t look like an alcoholic and I’m grateful I’ve managed to keep my drinking largely hidden, but I know it needs to change and now’s as good a time as any…

@itsendgame yeah, I got the tablets and I had a few boozy ones planned in. I started the tablets, and it really jus helped with the off switch. I wish I'd started with a half, as it did make me queasy the day after.

I've still had some nights out on the meds, they've not turned as 'bad' as they usually would. But the hangovers had been killer, even where I wouldn't usually feel hungover. So prepare for that.

This is helpful to know @ohthejoysoftoddler! I presumed Sunday I’d wake up feeling serene and wonderful thanks to the pill! I’ll stock up on some pain relief and rehydration tabs xxxx

Have completed all the initial stuff with nil . Sent it and the first payment yesterday afternoon how long did you need to wait before you heard anymore. Hoping to start before Xmas

@notanotherroast
Congrats on taking the first step.

I had my pharmacist consultation within 2 days (I signed up at the weekend) and the tablets were sent out within 48 hours of me paying the full fee.

I did already have up to date liver function tests which meant I didn’t have to have the thrive test, which sped things up.

Oh thank you hopefully I'll hear soon.

Check your emails/junk… I’m sure I got a booking link almost immediately to book the call with the pharmacist

Should be arriving today!!
How are you all getting on?
I'm hoping to start it as soon as it arrives. I really need to make changes can manage a few a free nights but always end up back again so hoping this can give me the support I need .

Good luck! And great you’re looking to start right away!!

So I’ve used it twice now. Don’t want to cause fear but the first time (it was after a very emotional and exhausting day to be fair) I was incredibly tearful. I guess this is because I didn’t have the dopamine hit of alcohol and just the “depressant” effects right away.

Second time, last night. I opened a bottle of wine. Usually I finish a whole bottle no problem. But halfway through I was bored. So I now have half a bottle of wine in the fridge! This never happens to me. Usually by half a bottle in, I’m on my deliveroo app ordering the second bottle… but no desire whatsoever. So I guess that’s the point?!

I have only been taking half pills. The nausea is no joke 🤢 so even after drinking “just” a half bottle of wine I feel hungover this morning.

Oh that's so interesting.
Would you say Christmas Eve/ Day is not the best day to begin ?
I've got a potentially very boozy Christmas Day and was hoping that drinking far less would keep me on the straight and narrow.
Would you recommend just a half tab to begin with?
I hope it does come today!!

Obviously it’s upto you, I would say that if you’re going to take it, take it after your Christmas meal as it feels like a shame to miss out on a lovely Christmas dinner because you feel sick 🤣🤣! in terms of the emotions I had on the first day, so long as you’re surrounded by good happy energy I’d say you’d probably be ok on the tablets whilst having a drink, I had had a particularly rough day and was waiting for my wine to give me the dopamine hit and it just didn’t. The weirdest feeling for me was waiting for that “aaaaah” feeling after the first couple of sips of wine, and it never came!

Yes half a tab to begin with, the pharmacist told me that a lot of people start with that due to the nausea.

Let us know how you get on xx