Hi guys .
Just wanted to share with you my journey that continues with the Sinclair method !
I've been taking Nalmefene now into my 6th week , almost going into week seven. I have taken half a pill everyday except two days I recall . I must say , for anyone that is about to start this medication , all I will say is ....please do not think this is a miracle pill . I take on board of course , that we are all different and will react differently to this but what I will say first is , please be patient .....
I feel that it is only during the last week I have started to feel more balanced and normal, able to relax a little more . This change has been very subtle but I must say , my behaviours and thought process has taken a dramatic shift . It's only when I really stop and think about the changes in detail , I see them for what they are .
I must say I have not once , drunk a bottle of wine at night and thought I will get up and go to the shop for another !!!! ( This I would do regularly )
I may have drunk that whole bottle a few times but never would I do that !! . That's quite a turning point
Also, I do not think about wanting a drink in the morning , ever !!! I may think about ....now what time do I have to take the pill so I'm able me to drink , but never do I crave a morning drink !
I may well be drinking every night but to be honest , I don't get the cravings !! The first few sips of wine at times taste horrible and I only go on drinking out of habit , when truly , maybe I should go with what my head is saying and have a soft drink as it tastes better
Basically I just wanted to make it clear to people that may be starting this medication to give it time . I've been on a hell of a journey to get it prescribed and , with luck on Tues will be seeing the doctor at the alcohol centre to swap from Nalmefene to Naltrexone . It's been a very stressful journey and the fact I haven't been prescribed it with knowledge , confidence and support from my doctor has been hard . I can only thank Joanna from the c3 foundation , support from here plus support and understanding from my immediate family and friends . I do also thank the support I've had from the centre as they honestly have my best interests at heart but must say , nobody professionally has looked further into this other than the info I have printed off for them . I've not even met my Doc . All consultations have been over the phone
Anyway, sorry , I do have a habit of going on . Basically this is what I would advise and this was the point of my post
1 If you suffer very frightening , extreme side effects to Nalmefene ? Please carry on , plus cut the pill in half (even if it says not . It can cause skin irritation possibly )
2 Don't be surprised if your drinking levels drastically go down but then creap up again . Just go with it
3 Recognise your thought patterns ....What are you thinking , doing that you perhaps didn't before and try and go with it
4 If you are taking Nalmefene then something I have noticed is , 1 hour before a drink is not enough . For me , its two to three . Must say , I really don't feel the urge to drink now at all six weeks down the line , but not after only one hour !!! Leave it at least two
5 Go with your gut . I may not want a drink , but then I have one due to habit , it tastes horrible , I feel full and that I don't need anymore but somehow have more still BUT ... the difference is , I feel in control and it's my choice
6 I've read all over the place that this may take a few months to make a difference . It seems to be the case for me and as I've said earlier , the thoughts are subtle . I feel happy , normally balanced and positive about the future . I did not feel this way during the first four weeks . Nothing has changed in my life !!!
7 If you have read this far down then you must be passionate about helping yourself to curb or stop drinking
8 Now , I am sounding like one of those funny fb posts !!!
9 Cannot leave on a 9 lol
10 Thanks for reading guys , whoever you are . Stick with it like I am and sending out lots of happy vibes tonight xx