Medication

The first time I went to my doctor he wouldnt' give it to me either. I went back three weeks later and asked him again. I told him I would order it over the internet and there would be a chance that what I would get wouldn't even be topomax, and then I showed him the CPS book or I guess in the states the APS book and it basically stated that no one even after taking major doses of the stuff had ever died or been seriously injured and the final push was I told him that if he prescribed it to me I would routinely come back and check in and tell him how I was doing and get a refill prescription. He went for this. Try him again!

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alexcanada

I have read the book and have bought the package of CD's (most likely will buy the one for social drinking situations as well) but have not yet bought the supplements or begun the program. Because I have a genetic kidney condition (sponge kidney) and because 1.5% of people using Topamax develop kidney stones, my doctor, who is terrific and very open to most ideas, is reluctant to prescribe Topamax for me. She gave me a prescription for Naltrexone, and I agreed to try that for three weeks before returning to her for a check up. If the Nal... doesn't work for me, she will consider the Topamax. Given the kidney stones issue, I totally understand the admonition to drink tons of water -- keeps the kidneys flushed and reduces the likelihood of stones. I too am very eager to begin this program and was downright euphoric as I read the book, accompanied of course by several too many glasses of wine. However, like the rest of you, I am determined to make this work and will keep you posted on my journey. I love reading about everyone's experiences and know they will help me too.

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Runner

I had already ordered the topa from overseas, enough to get me started anyway. Today I went to a psychiatrist who has been treating my son for ADHD. I told him about MWO and the entire program. He wrote me out a prescription for topa and told me if it didn't work he would give me one for campral. I purposely didn't go to my MD because I knew there was no way he would prescribe the medication. Boy was I pleasantly surprised. At least now I know I can afford to continue because my insurance will cover it. And if my system can't handle the topa, I can always try the campral. For those of you in the US who have struck out with your doctors, maybe a psychiatrist is another option.

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SoCoMom

I have noticed a lot of people including some personal Dr.’s seem to be very concerned about the POTENTIAL side effects of the Topamax. There are a lot of side effects listed as potential, and I too was concerned about taking another drug. My regular routine was taking six prescription drugs on a daily basis. Two for blood pressure, one for arthritis, one for cholesterol, one for depression, and one for acid reflux. You should see the list of potential side effects these bad boys had. Then I took into account how many of these meds told me that I should not be taking them (some at all) while drinking alcohol, and I drank at least a ltr of wine each day.

Then I thought about the total amount of side effects for drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Anyone who is inclined to be concerned about side effects needs to be concerned about side effects for prolonged / heavy use of alcohol. HUGE side effects, and just like all side effects some people are more susceptible than others.

I know of a college kid here in town that died from drinking less than I personally have drank on a good night. Falling over dead is a bad side effect.

I know a farmer down the road who drank almost a quart of vodka a day for years. His liver is about the size of a football and about as hard as an eraser. Cirrhosis is a bad side effect.

I personally have lost most of the vision in my left eye and most of the feeling in my feet and hands. Alcoholic nerve damage they say, but I still drank. Nerve damage is a bad side effect.

I could go on and on, but my point is what we are doing already has terrible side effects.

Take a chance now and you might save your life. I was amazed how good I could really feel again. How great it feels to really sleep. What it feels like to remember conversations after dinner. And yes, driving by the liquor store after work and forgetting it was there makes me want to laugh.

This program works. It isn’t perfect. Mostly because we screw it up. But it does work. It will work if the program is followed as it is laid out in the book. Read the book, get the vitamins, OTC, the CD’s, get the topa, and get your life back.

Please don’t lose sight of the prize. It is a small price to pay and the program takes most of the struggle out. Good luck all and God Bless.

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MDBiker

When I first started on MWO I too was nervous about going to my GP, so I chose to go offshore for my Topa. Things have changed since then...

I have regained much of the self confidence I had lost regarding my health issues. I now no longer dread the notion of seeing my GP about Topa and have an appointment scheduled for later this month. If he does not prescribe the medication for me, I shall simply find another doctor who will.

I understand your hesitation and completely empathize with it. As you get further and further into sobriety, you'll be surprised at yourself. Things you thought you couldn't do no longer feel unobtainable or daunting. So, if you have it all within you to make the appointment and see him/her, I say go for it.

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HadEnough

This is just a thought, but have you considered perhaps going to a psychiatrist or even an addiction specialist, instead of a PCP? I find that they are more "in tune" and "up-to-date" as to these types of medications and it may be easier for you to get them prescribed to you. This is one of the suggestions that was given to me by my PCP. He felt it may be more beneficial to me, since he really didn't know much about the disease, let alone using Topamax as an off-label purpose. Just a suggestion. Believe me, I know how frustrating, time consuming, and costly it can be going back and forth between doctors and feeling like you are running in place. Hang in there....it will all work out for you.

In terms of the dosage, I am into my 4th week and up to 200mg. I found that while increasing dosages, it was like going up hills. Eventually, it all leveled out. When I increased from 100mg to 200mg, I noticed the most difference thus far. But it's been a week that I have been at 200mg and it's starting to level out in terms of the side effects and I am starting to feel great! I think this is the highestI will go in terms of mg's. No need to go higher. When I was first taking 200mg, I started to get headaches, but that soon went away. I feel really good now.

I will go back to my doctor next week for a check-up.....

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I took the topa for 3 weeks. I immediately experienced eye pressure and tingles in my face as well, all the time. But by the third week, one afternoon I was really hot and I just lost it. I couldn't handle the feeling at all. I don't know if what you or I experienced is the same at all, but I found I just couldn't tolerate it, although I was really willing to keep going if I could. But my brain was mal-functioning, and I started thinking about drinking, feeling even a bit aggressive. They tell you in the leaflet insert to be wary of the heat when you're taking the topamax. I completely fell apart...

ANYWAY, I went off the topa. Got into the supplements and hypnosis big time. I IMMEDIATELY felt better off the topa, and continued on with the rest. However, I think the topamax, even for 3 weeks, did help ALOT with re-wiring my brain somehow.

I switched to Campral back about a week and a half ago. I have no symptoms and it doesn't seem to alter my brain waves, the way the topa did. But I also realized that I had to stay off the liquor, which I have. I have had no desire to drink at all... whether it's the campral or just the change in lifestyle, feeling so much better, I'm not sure what it is that has changed, but I feel good taking another "drug" to control the drinking. Somehow my messed up mind thinks that at least if I'm taking a drug to control my drinking, it will work. And the best is that I have no symptoms and no cravings.

I don't want to advise you either way, because apparently sometimes the topa can make you feel crazy for awhile, and then level off to almost zero side effects. I NEVER once felt in a fog on the topa, on the contrary, I was zinging along and tingling the whole way! One thing that really bothered me was my hair, which changed texture almost overnight! Most people don't experience that, but I hated it, on top of not feeling good.

No matter what you decide, know that there are alternatives out there that work. And I REALLY believe that the kudzu and other supplements, together with the hypnosis, have been the key to my success. I'm starting to feel like a health nut, taking Coenzyme Q10 daily, as well as all the other supplements still (and it's been over 2 months now). You'll make it, no matter what, if you stick with everything. Everybody's body is different, mine is apparently pretty sensitive, so I feel good doing my switch. And it's working.

Let us know how you're doing. Hang in there!

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USAnne

Congratulations on starting Campral! I've been on it for nearly 6 weeks now. I've had NO side effects at all. My husband actually calls it the "magic bullet"! My cravings disappeared after one week. I never thought I'd see the day.......!!!! Let us know how you feel after one week.
Blessings.

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Stac

I called and asked for a consultation. I told the scheduler that I would only speak with my doctor about the nature of the consultation. When it was actually time for the visit, I brought a copy of the article about the University of Texas study and a copy of MWO with me. I sat down, told her I had been trying to do this for over two years, but needed to have my own solution before I could face her with the problem, and just blurted out "I have a drinking problem. I need your help". She was amazing. Good Luck

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Icando

Hi y'all,
Tonight about 6:30 pm, all of the sudden, I started thinking about a nice glass or 10 of white, or red wine. I was astounded because it really came out of the blue. I have been having no cravings at all since starting the campral, couldn't figure it out...
UNTIL I looked at my Campral, and realized I had forgotten to take my dose at lunch. Wow! I'm astounded. I didn't think that skipping one little dose would foul me up this badly. I'm feeling like I did back about two or three weeks ago, when I initially went on the campral.
Of course, it's also fall vacation here in France. My kids are here, home for a week from boarding school. All the same issues that normally would make me reach for a drink are reunited : the kids have been in the house this whole rainy day and a bit on edge. And Mom as well, although they are really as good as gold, no special problems. I miss my boyfriend, and my ex was a bit irritating today as well. Plus, ringworm in 5 cats and one dog, having to give them ALL antiobiotics, one by one, every morning and keeping them all separate, are a bit on the trying side.
However, no fear of drinking, I have none in the house and wouldn't do it anyway. But I'm AMAZED at the way those ol' cravings came roaring back after missing one dosage at lunch.
Actually, it's good to know that the Campral really DOES help.

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USAnne