dan5555

Hey guys,

So I am on day 12 of being sober. Probably my 8th attempt this year.... but this time I am determined to do whatever it takes to stay this way.

Only problem is that (as ususal) I have started feeling really down and depressed the last few days. My memory is really bad too and I have been waking up early feeling anxious. All in all I actually think I am feeling worst everyday.

It went like this:

Days 1-4 : Detox in hospital - obviously feeling horrible (Anxiety, Cravings the ususal)
Days 4-7: Feeling great. Motivated and wanting to make up for lost time. Thinking clearly too.
Days 7-now: slowly getting more an more depressed and anxious. Feeling disoriented and dizzy. Like in a dream.

I know that all these are symptoms of PAWS so I decided to go to my doctor to see what he thinks rather than do my usuall and start drinking again to relieve the feelings.

After explaining to my Dr he immediately diagnosed me as suffering from depression and anxiety as a result of drinking for too many years and gave me antidepressants and Ativan. I tried to explain to him about PAWS but he didn't seem to believe me... to him it was just depression and anxiety.

So now I don't know what to do.... i know noone can offer any medical advice but I really don't want to take the ADs if me feeling better is just around the corner....

thanks for listening

Dan

TheSunAlsoRises

I can only explain what I went through...

I went through depression and anxiety symptoms when I stoped drinking pretty severely for the first 3 months, it was still there a little till somewhere around the end of month four... then I dunno it just sort of went away... I can't say relief is just around the corner, at least it wasn't for me. (others will be along) I didn't take anything, I didn't want AD but I did want ativan... but my doc thought it best to go it without drugs... in retrospect I agree and am happy I found a doctor with that philosophy... Best of luck in your recovery...

Clayton

CarolD

Maybe give your doctor a print out from this PAWS link?

Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center

Or check with a doctor more aware of alcoholism?
Ask your local medical association for an addiction specialist.

I was diagnosed with situational depression...which is why
I decided to quit drinking.
I began recovery already depressed. This may not be true for you.

I did ...with a doctors permission...follow an eating plan for hypoglycemia
I walked daily to an AA meeing ...thus .excercise
I added a multi vitamin + B 12 to my life.
I used no med's in early sobriety.

Depression lifted rather quickly.....by the end of 2 months
I felt back in balance mentally and physically.

That's my experience ..hope you find a way to enjoy
a healthy sober future......

Nevertheless

Hello Dan
This is a slippery slope. The first month or so is really a rollercoaster.
My mom Passed away a couple years ago, and I took some of her anxiety pills the first few weeks. I feel it helped me get over the alcohol addiction.
But I didn't take anymore after the first month or so. I didn't want anymore crutches.
I tend to believe it depends on how long or how much you drank. It can be real hell getting away from alcohol, but after the first few weeks I believe taking anything is just an excuse to "take something".
You will probably find opinions from one extreme to the other. But I feel after the first month the alcohol physical addiction should be over and so should be any "help". Just my opinion.
Fred

gonezo77

I'm fighting through what I believe to be the PAWS process now as well. I only have 32 days sober. My dopamine system must be completely shot since I don't really have any emotional affect. I notice that many vitamins and supps. can actually aggravate my condition.

I also quit drinking after I realized my mental health issues only fulminated after I started drinking heavily in college. Essentially, I would drink like a 'madman' Thurs, Friday, and Saturday and start into withdrawals and PAWS by the next time I would drink.

We need to give the neurotransmitters some time to re-regulate without the artificial stimulation of the substance. I worry about SSRI's in the alcoholic population as, long term, I believe they may limit dopamine activity.

Just my thoughts, I'm not a doc,
Nate

hendershot

Whether PAWS or not, I know that I have had emotional ups and downs, anxiety and depression, throughout my 13 months and sober--especially the first couple months. If anti-depressents work for you, great--but they never have for me. Go to AA or other recovery meetings, do recovery stuff with sober people--that is the only thing that has ever helped me. Isolation is the enemy. Best.

Magumba

Hello and greetings to all,first post here and im still finding my feet so apologies in advance for any errors & omissions

Have to say i've sat here with my mouth gaping open after reading this thread.
I'm a little over 5yrs clean from my drug of choice (alcohol) although i did find that i was slipping into dependance on a prescribed opiate pain relief...that has been stopped totally now...im digressing

PAWS...i really am sitting here stunned almost lost for words..EVERYTHING ive gone through in the last 3 months has been outlined or directly stated in this and various threads ive read about paws,i'm in an almost elated mood that is tinged with a bittersweet irony at my own stupidy/ignorance/trust in my own (mistaken) beliefs and lack of knowledge.

Everything im reading ive gone through,especially the black and white thinking phase...i became unable to see anything other than straight lines in my thinking,how could life DARE to be anything other than plain and simple go/no go solutions.

I got to the point of thinking i had genuinely gone mad and feared inpatient treatment...a genuine sickness inducing fear...luckily i believe the psychiatrist i saw had an inkling of what i was going through...HOWEVER...his answer was the chemical solution (Seroquel)...this did not work,just left me feeling awful.
the chemical solution is not the answer for me,this to has gone the way of the pain relief..OUT

I'm trying to assimilate everything i've read,its like a epiphany,i am NOT mad,i do NOT need a chemical cosh to enable me to function.

What do i need ?...i need to spend time here,i need to draw hope from others who share experiences...i need to connect,i need to stop thinking recovery is easy after 5yrs..i need to wake up to reality.

I realise my first post is a bit of a ramble...i'd just like to say thank you to everyone who has ever posted on this subject.
Is it vindication im feeling ?...no, just a huge sense of relief that i dont have to keep slamming my head against an invisible wall looking for relief that isnt there.

CarolD

Magumba.....
Welcome to SR and our Alcoholism Forum

WakeUp

PAWS is the little devil in the details in early sobriety. Everyone should be educated on the effects of PAWS and the roller coaster of early sobriety.

FWIW, this is my recovery plan'
1. AA
2. meditation
3. Hypoglycemic nutrition plan
4. excersise.

coffeenut

Welcome to SR....as others have said, early recovery is tough! PAWS is very real, even though not all doctors are familiar with it. I liked the idea of giving the doctor the print out, so they can see exactly what you are dealing with.

Coming to SR a LOT will help!

barb dwyer

Hi Dan -

Welcome!
When I got sober, it was MONTHS before my body began healing up in any noticable way.
However long you drank,
your body was anesthetized for that time.
Now it doesn't have that anesthetic.
It's going to take more than a week,
or even two weeks to get the systems
alcohol shuts off back online again.

that I can tell you for sure.

Give yourself time; and maybe follow Carol's advice about showing PAWS to your doc?
They'd never heard of it in my home group, either.

And keep posting here!
If Anything got me through PAWS
it was SR and the friendships I made here.

dan5555

Thanks to all who replied. Your posts and advice really helped me to get through the last few days!!! It's nice to know these feelings are normal and will pass....

I can only explain what I went through...

Clayton, Would you say the symptoms passed because of anything specific... for example AA, Therapy, Eating right?? Or was it because of 'long term' being sober?

Thanks Carol... good idea. Actually I will visit a different doctor next week who has more experience in Alcohol addiction and I'll make sure I take a copy with me!!!

Actually one of the reasons I wanted to stop drinking is because i havent felt 'right' for sometime now (depression, Anxiety, dream like feelings).... just the depression has got more intense since i stopped.

I have also started eating healthy, exercising, vitamins... and AA... so I'll just give it sometime for now and see how it goes... at least until I see the doctor next week and what he suggests.

Very sorry to hear about you mum.

I feel the same way. I will leave taking medication as a last resort.!!!

Thanks Fred.

I am finding it really tough at the moment to stop myself from self medicating so I will definately give AA a serious shot.... I don't feel I actually benefited from AA the few times I have been and generally have the feeling that I don't belong there even though the people there are really supportive... but maybe I haven't really given it a chance

Thanks barb... Like you said I just need to give myself a bit of time. Unfortunately it is all I seem to think about the last couple of weeks.... but...

I will try to take it a bit more easy and ride it out....this site definately helps.. at least I understand what is happening. I would be out of my mind if I had to go though this alone!!!

Thank you once again to all!!!!

Dan