I drink between 1 and 2 bottles of wine a night. Took my first selincro tablet yesterday afternoon and genuinely didn't feel like I wanted any booze, not sure whether this is psychological or not but who cares, it seems to work. Unfortunately I took the tablet when picking my daughter up from school as I didn't see anywhere that they cause drowsiness so I drove home feeling really spaced out, not good, in fact probably more dangerous than driving after a couple of glasses of wine. I virtually had no sleep last night also. Is anyone else having similar problems?
Hiya,
I've being taking it over 2 weeks now. First 4 5 days or so I felt and was really sick. Was spaced out and found hard to concentrate at work. Also got no sleep whatsoever for first couple of nights. But all that calmed down after about a week.
At first the very thought of wine made me feel sick. Was amazing not wanting it. However after a week I tried one glass of wine. No urge for more. However, as time has gone on I find my old urge to drink more than a bottle per night is still there. I dont seem as bad in terms of necking one bottle and then racing to the shops to get another, but I had hoped to reduce my urge more than this. Maybe over time it will. I do find red makes me feel a little sick when on these tablets and so it slows me down.
Let me know how you get on and if you feel the urge to drink is getting any less than before :D
Ok, so only made it to day 2. It felt weird not having a bottle in the evening so went out for a bottle which I drank but really didn't enjoy so didn't go out for more like I normally would. Will persevere . Hope I get more sleep tonight and will try again tomorrow.
Jan
Ok, so only made it to day 2. It felt weird not having a bottle in the evening so went out for a bottle which I drank but really didn't enjoy so didn't go out for more like I normally would. Will persevere . Hope I get more sleep tonight and will try again tomorrow.
Jan
Ok, so only made it to day 2. It felt weird not having a bottle in the evening so went out for a bottle which I drank but really didn't enjoy so didn't go out for more like I normally would. Will persevere . Hope I get more sleep tonight and will try again tomorrow.
Jan
There are others in this forum who have experienced similar, Jan12. The unwanted side effects appear to wear off after a few days. I would suggest taking one tablet a day for a week to allow your body to become accustomed to the Nalmefene and then, after that week, use it only before you have a drink as is the usual way of taking it.
I am a little surprised this guidance isn't given to all people who take it. Who wants to go out to the pub and feel crap all night?
Good point. There needs to be more education on the drugs used for alcohol detox.
Day 2 is a big improvement. Let's go for day 3...
My my son is a alcoholic half his life in and out of jail beaten by police Even worse. He's only 38 and in the 3rd stage of kidney failure. I luv who he was before drinking and miss him so much.
HOPE4CURE
Day 5. Went out for a meal yesterday and had 1 white wine spritzer, didn't want any more after that. No alcohol today, I definitely think things are improving. Still having the odd craving for wine but it doesn't last long, I tell myself that if I really want a drink after half an hour then I'll go out and buy some - so far so good.
Interested to see this advice. It seems to me not clear how long you should take it continuously in order for the effect to really take hold, i.e. to break the association between booze and the expectation of pleasure.
Getting over the side effects is a separate (also important) thing. I was getting a lot of insomnia at first, it's worn off quite a bit but not completely. But it's not like insomnia that I've had before, in that it's more calm and so easier to deal with and maybe not as exhausting.
Going back to your point: I'm afraid that if I went straight to taking it only when I was expecting to drink, I'm not ready for that and I'd just not take it. Especially as (for me at least) it takes longer to kick in than the "one or two hours" they mention in the instructions. I find 3 or 4 hours is more like it.
Anybody else any thoughts on any of this? Seems to be very little user experience on the web so far - not surprisingly of course.
I think you are right and the drug information from the manufacturer seems limited. Like the time it takes to kick in, how to get the body accustomed to it before going out and having a night out ruined because of side-effects before you have become accustomed to it. I would have expected a drug that you take daily and which has the effect for 24 hours (which is therefore repeated daily IN CASE you have a drink) would be more suitable than taking a drug ONLY when you plan to drink.
Maybe they will develop a slow release one at some point.
Hi Jan,
I have been taking for about 3 weeks now and unfortunately the drug is not helping as much as it did initially. My old ways are slipping back. Not quite so bad as before, but still pretty bad.
I definitely think the more time between taking the tablet and then starting to drink the better. If I drink relatively close to taking the tablet it has little effect in slowing me down whatsoever.
How do you find you are getting on?
X
Hi Emma,
I've been taking nalmafene for 10 days now and they seem to be helping. I did what Paul said and took them for a week but now I'm cutting down to a tablet every other day and so far I've been ok and not needed/wanted any alcohol. How often are you taking them? Stick with it . 3 weeks is really good and I've heard that if you can get through the first 4 weeks then things get a bit easier.
Take care
Jan
Glad it's working for you Jan 
Have you been prescribed this by your doctor? I asked my dr for this medication a couple of months ago. I was told she couldn't prescribe it and that I should have counselling. Was assessed by a counsellor who said they couldn't offer me the service as I drank too much and needed to cut my alcohol consumption by at least half before they would!!
This is EXACTLY my problem with alcohol services in the NHS. They don't meet the needs at all. Did they offer you any other type of help?
No. I'm reading all sorts of self help books at the moment. I've even looked online to see if I can buy them. I'm not expecting a miracle cure from them, just a bit of help as I really want to stop. I have a psychological dependency and as much as people say "just stop" it really is easier said than done. I manage to go a few days then give in.
Very poor that we have an NHS and you have to resort to DIY solutions 
Karin PLZ listen to Paul . Find professional advice.. There r many ways to stop the cravings and many good drugs help block the cravings to help give u a good start. U have to want to quit. There is no one way to stop or on size fits all. Energy one is different. There r many variables to fit many lifestyles to stop.
The problem is, Hope, that Nalmefene is recommended ONLY with psychological support and that is not easily accessible here in the UK. Drug and alcohol treatment teams are poorly resourced and cannot take on the additional work of counselling people on Nalmefene.
Our NHS services are free at the point of delivery, but that means that resources are always stretched and large holes are left in essential services, particularly those for people with alcohol issues.