Just as I thought my problems were in the past !!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Luton, Bedfordshire
Posts: 45
Just as I thought my problems were in the past !!
Hi everyone from the UK,
I was brought up in a household where both of my parents were alcoholic although both reached a reasonably good age and neither of my parents’ deaths was attributed to drink, although I doubt it helped.
As a consequence I drifted through my late teens, 20s, 30s and early 40s believing that drinking beer on a daily basis was quite normal as was the weekend binge. I suffered no real medical complications (to my knowledge) although a few days work were lost due to hangovers.
At the start of my 40s I started to abstain totally from alcohol during weekdays (mainly as I was commuting by car around 35 miles daily into Central London) but continued to fuel myself from Fri night through to Sun night. This fuelling has now reduced to what I would now call normal social drinking at weekends and whilst on holiday.
But, and it is a big but, I believe that my earlier years (I have just turned the ½ century) have taken their toll on my body as after a weekends social drinking (3/4 bottle red wine Fri/Sat/Sun) I feel discomfort just below the ribcage on both sides. I also feel pressure on my temporal veins added to which I have very heavy heartbeats when sleeping after this period. More recently I have woken up breathless during the night around 2 or 3 times a week. These ‘symptoms’ steadily reduce as my days of abstinence increase (Mon-Thu) but off course Fri sets the cycle off again.
Now I do believe that I am a genuine social drinker …. who USED to be alcoholic as I don’t feel any compulsion to drink at weekends but who does so in a sensible manner. However I realise that even moderate amounts of alcohol are harming me and am now considering a much longer or even permanent period of abstinence having read that this is the only treatment that really works.
I was brought up in a household where both of my parents were alcoholic although both reached a reasonably good age and neither of my parents’ deaths was attributed to drink, although I doubt it helped.
As a consequence I drifted through my late teens, 20s, 30s and early 40s believing that drinking beer on a daily basis was quite normal as was the weekend binge. I suffered no real medical complications (to my knowledge) although a few days work were lost due to hangovers.
At the start of my 40s I started to abstain totally from alcohol during weekdays (mainly as I was commuting by car around 35 miles daily into Central London) but continued to fuel myself from Fri night through to Sun night. This fuelling has now reduced to what I would now call normal social drinking at weekends and whilst on holiday.
But, and it is a big but, I believe that my earlier years (I have just turned the ½ century) have taken their toll on my body as after a weekends social drinking (3/4 bottle red wine Fri/Sat/Sun) I feel discomfort just below the ribcage on both sides. I also feel pressure on my temporal veins added to which I have very heavy heartbeats when sleeping after this period. More recently I have woken up breathless during the night around 2 or 3 times a week. These ‘symptoms’ steadily reduce as my days of abstinence increase (Mon-Thu) but off course Fri sets the cycle off again.
Now I do believe that I am a genuine social drinker …. who USED to be alcoholic as I don’t feel any compulsion to drink at weekends but who does so in a sensible manner. However I realise that even moderate amounts of alcohol are harming me and am now considering a much longer or even permanent period of abstinence having read that this is the only treatment that really works.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Posts: 595
Hi Bud,
Glad you're here. You will see may different stories regarding alcohol and its effect on one's health. At this point, my advice would be to see a physician who might be able to diagnose your pains, fast/heavy, heartbeat, etc. While I'm happy to hear that you don't believe yourself an alcoholic, I would be very careful to make the statement permanent. Many in our membership have done what you've done, only to begin again the march down the long road to oblivion. I don't make this statement to condemn you as an alcoholic. I simply make it as a kind reminder that our affliction is very cunning, baffling, and powerful.
Again, see a physician then report back to us if you wish. We'll be happy to help any way we can.
Glad you're here. You will see may different stories regarding alcohol and its effect on one's health. At this point, my advice would be to see a physician who might be able to diagnose your pains, fast/heavy, heartbeat, etc. While I'm happy to hear that you don't believe yourself an alcoholic, I would be very careful to make the statement permanent. Many in our membership have done what you've done, only to begin again the march down the long road to oblivion. I don't make this statement to condemn you as an alcoholic. I simply make it as a kind reminder that our affliction is very cunning, baffling, and powerful.
Again, see a physician then report back to us if you wish. We'll be happy to help any way we can.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Luton, Bedfordshire
Posts: 45
Physician (or Doctor as well cal em' .... just call this one a Quack) said blood pressure OK, achohol intake nothing to worry about as he drank more himself, pains below ribcage due to excess stomach acid (prescribed a course of anti-acid medication).
Hence ... no faith whatsover in my GP (General Practioner) as he is either not that interested in his patients wellbeing or has the diagnostic powers of an omeba.
Hence ... no faith whatsover in my GP (General Practioner) as he is either not that interested in his patients wellbeing or has the diagnostic powers of an omeba.
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Posts: 9,730
budfrog nothing against Brits at all, my wife is Canadian and her sister and parents are british, but the british health care system from what I hear in regards to alcoholism and addiction is a true joke.
If I were you and in the US I would be looking to see at least a doctor who had some knowledge of the long term effects of heavy drinking or a specialist. Do you have that option.
If I was not an alcoholic and when I drank the results were painful or unpleasant in any way I would simply not drink.
Normal people simply stop doing things that are painful or cause them personal problems when they do them.
I am an alcoholic and as a result what you are speaking of would never have stopped me from drinking, it took me standing on the brink of losing it all including my health before I quit.
If I were you and in the US I would be looking to see at least a doctor who had some knowledge of the long term effects of heavy drinking or a specialist. Do you have that option.
If I was not an alcoholic and when I drank the results were painful or unpleasant in any way I would simply not drink.
Normal people simply stop doing things that are painful or cause them personal problems when they do them.
I am an alcoholic and as a result what you are speaking of would never have stopped me from drinking, it took me standing on the brink of losing it all including my health before I quit.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Luton, Bedfordshire
Posts: 45
Taz I see exactly what you mean it is just that the symptoms have never been unpleasant enough to prevent me from indulging myself at the weekend.
In the UK i do not have access to a specialist without going private and to kick things off I think my best bet is to avoid any alcohol at all in the foreseeable future.
4 weeks in Toronto visiting my Polish in laws during August may prove problematic, I will just have to take it day by day. Maybe draw on the strength of character that saw me give up cigarettes (better not say fags) 10 years ago although alcohol is a totally differant animal.
In the UK i do not have access to a specialist without going private and to kick things off I think my best bet is to avoid any alcohol at all in the foreseeable future.
4 weeks in Toronto visiting my Polish in laws during August may prove problematic, I will just have to take it day by day. Maybe draw on the strength of character that saw me give up cigarettes (better not say fags) 10 years ago although alcohol is a totally differant animal.
Follow Directions!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Posts: 9,730
alcohol is a totally differant animal.
I dated a girl from down under years ago, she asked me for a "Drag off of my fag", I had no idea what the heck she was talking about!
Avoiding alcohol if you are having problems with it is the best thing one can do.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
kick things off I think my best bet is to avoid any alcohol at all in the foreseeable future
You might want to read
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...influence.html
Welcome to SR!
Still Faking It!
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Concord, CA
Posts: 55
I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV so this is strictly my opinion --But seeing a specialist is worth it if your health is in jeopardy!
Here is the thing, alcohol does serious damage to many organs in the body. Being an alcoholic myself, having been an active drunk for 30 years, I know this to be a true statement. I also know that I justification, rationalization, and denial do not make problems go away ... they make them worse!
If you are wondering whether you are alcoholic ponder this, normal folks (non-alcoholics) do not sit and wonder about it ... as matter of fact, they never think about it at all!!! The question you need to ask yourself is: Are you powerless over alcohol (you drink despite health issues) and is your life unmanagable? Only you can answer these questions and make the determination.
Good luck to you,
Di
Here is the thing, alcohol does serious damage to many organs in the body. Being an alcoholic myself, having been an active drunk for 30 years, I know this to be a true statement. I also know that I justification, rationalization, and denial do not make problems go away ... they make them worse!
If you are wondering whether you are alcoholic ponder this, normal folks (non-alcoholics) do not sit and wonder about it ... as matter of fact, they never think about it at all!!! The question you need to ask yourself is: Are you powerless over alcohol (you drink despite health issues) and is your life unmanagable? Only you can answer these questions and make the determination.
Good luck to you,
Di
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