Anxiety and withdrawal
Hi there.
Could somebody please tell me if they've any idea how long the anxiety effects last when withdrawing from alcohol?
I have to say, I'm not an alcoholic (don't actually like some alcohol at all!) but went through a period of heavy drinking (red wine) for about a year and a half, (I'd say roughly 30-50 units per week) a lot more than is normal for me. I was rarely drunk, and I wasn't addicted to the alcohol. I also wasn't using it as a means of coping. It was a means to unwind (I do find it hard to relax)
I first noticed the symptoms last year when I decided to get back to my normal routine. I had horrendous chest pressure and a couple of times I really thought I was going to have a heart attack. I went to my doctor who did blood tests, listened to my chest, took my blood pressure and did an ECG, everything was ok. Anyway, although I'd cut down drastically, I was still drinking, but I would get a heavy feeling in my chest if I barely drunk at all.
Over Christmas, I drank a lot more again. Never got drunk, just drank a lot more as we socialised a lot. Over this period I felt fantastic. I had no symptoms at all. Then after Christmas I decided to get to the bottom of my symptoms so decided to try to see where and how alcohol affected me.
I had no alcohol at all for 6 weeks and had anxiety symptoms on and off. Then I had 10 units over one weekend. Felt fantastic, but then 3 days later got heavy chest pressure. So, I decided to stop drinking alltogether to see if I can clear my system, so here's where I am now......
It's been 3 and a half months since I've touched a drop. My symptoms come on out of the blue and consist of a heavy feeling in my chest, and sometimes it feels like there's an air bubble trapped and it makes me want to burp. This is accompanied with back and shoulder ache. When I first tried all this last year, my symptoms were heavy to moderate. Now I'd say they were mild to moderate (most days now it's mild) but it drives me mad.
I've kept a log and it's like a pattern. I have the symptoms for 3 or 4 days, then they go for 3 of 4 days (and sometimes they dissapear for a week or more!)
Does anyone have any thoughts on this and is it possible for me to go back to a sensible drinking routine???
Does it sound like withdrawal? A bit worried that I've somehow damaged my heart but if it was heart problems wouldn't I suffer all the time, and the symptoms wouldn't go when I drink would they??
I have (and didn't have originally) no other symptoms (such as shakes, sweats, headaches, nausea etc). I have occasional palpitations, but I get these when I drink coffee or have a lot of chocolate so I have VERY little of either of these, in fact coffee I never have now.
I'd be so grateful for any input all all.
Thank you so much!!! xx