What to do instead of Topa?

[twinsmommy]

I just took 25mg of Topa b/c I had some left over and wanted to go back on it b/c it has been the only thing that stops my drinking. I was reading here to make sure taking l-glut and sam-e with it was OK when I noticed the post on Topa and anger. I forgot that it does make me nasty. Almost as bad as AL. Is there anything else that works as well w/out the rotten side affects? It also lowered my blood pressure waaaay to much.
Thanks
TM

[Bambi]

Campral is another one that is good for cravings. I have not used it but others have.....I use topa, 100mg a day and take the supps with it. But remember there is no magic pill as much as we would love to have one. It has to come from with in and with will power and determination. You have to want to stay sober and fight through the cravings....change your habit, routine. Eventually you develop new habits and new routines and the cravings are less and less.

Best of luck to you,
Bambi

[twinsmommy]

That is true. I tried campral. But like the L- glut it makes the cravings go away but I still drank even when I didn''t crave it. With the Topa I physically could not take more than two drinks. I Just need help getting through the habit changing. I guess I should deal w/ the nastiness while I am trying to change. Does that make sense?

[Cinders]

Twinsmommy,

I have found Antabuse a God send. Nope, it doesn't help with the urges, it just means I CAN'T DRINK. Period.

I would ask your doctor if it is possible to take Campral and Antabuse together.

Good luck with whatever you try. If one thing doesn't work, try another. Never quit trying.

Love,
Cindi

[ohmaggiemae]

Hi Twinsmommy,

I started the thread on topa and anger. It's so nice to hear that I'm not the only one! I, too, wish there was something else for the drinking. I tried campral, but I still drank. I think for me it's a habit that I'd like to break, too. Don't know if it's an addiction, don't really think so. Mostly the topa was for my eating disorder. Binge drinking and binge eating go hand in hand for me. The topa really helps that. But I just can't live like an angry psycho! I swear! I'm embarrassed by the anger I've displayed! I have good kids who don't deserve to be yelled at for the tiniest thing! It's just not worth it. It's so contrary to my real personality, too. I'm a calm person, with a good head on my shoulders.

So, I will continue to work on other solutions. Maybe topa with an anti-depressant. What do you think of that? You could ask your doc about that. I think I will. Good luck to us both!

[Accountable for Me]

Just a side note from me...

Withdrawing from the alcohol may cause one to be angry. You experience many, many emotions when you give it up. Years of suppressed feelings are going to come out. Feeling anger is a 'normal' emotion when quitting. Saying coming off of booze is a 'roller coaster ride', is really an understatement.

My doctor said I was 'bipolar'. With my mood swings and lack of coping skills, while sobering up over the last year or so, it was alcohol withdrawal. After a physical and a blood panel - my medication was above therapeutic levels. He had me on mood stabilizers, and other goodies, for a long time. I am sure they helped me immensely, but just know that once you quit booze and start working on YOU, depression and anger subside after a while. It is hard work - but so worth it!

I don't know many people who have experienced anger being on the Topa, although I am sure it is a possibility - I mean people have adverse reactions to many medications.

If after being off of AL for sometime and you are still depressed, angry, or whatever.... my advice would be to see your physician. You may need some extra support in the way of an anti-d and/or counseling.

I am off all of the meds that I was first put on in August 07. I am now on a low dose anti-d (not an SSRI; Wellbutrin XL, and will be starting personal therapy on June 10th.) I know there is a lot of work to be done but I am excited about it really.

Anyway... these are my thoughts on the whole anger and agitation issues.

[Bambi]

Thanks for the insight AFM.
I have been on and off topa for two years now and when I am good and stay on the topa it helps with the drinking so much....I do have the anger outbursts also but have put that towards withdrawal and not the topa because even when I have given up AL before for a length of time with out the topa I would have outbursts....It is our way of release. I would go through periods of "you made me quit.." to "I really want a drink but know that I can't". It is a long, hard road and one that I am still traveling .....

TwinsMommy and all with the anger issue....The supps really do help, but you have to do them ALL because they work in a combination together to help with the side effects of withdrawal! I will be one of the first to admit that they are hard to swallow after a few weeks but keep on swallowing them, they help with the depression and anger and over all health.

Hugs, Bambi

[me145]

Kudzu , antabuse... im sorry to hear about your problems sweety. i am going throgh them myself.

[Accountable for Me]

Oh, and as Bambi said.... the supplements are such an important part of recovery. I have been taking them religiously for well over a year... and I truly believe they really do help tons.

[boozehag]

Apparently chantix is now being prescribed for drinkers and not just smokers. As it blocks the pleasure receptors (nicotene/alcohol etc) in the brain there is no pleasure from a drink or a cigarette and there are no cravings so you just stop. I took it for a month just at the lowest dose and it just kick started me on changing my habits etc so that now I can do it on will power. As bambi says there is no magic pill (or a free lunch!) and like everything else the chantix has side effects (I personally didnt have any except more energy) and is not recommended for people with pshyciatric disorders - so that probably rules out most of us alcoholics! Anyway just thought I would throw this option in the pot.
BH