time to check in, vent, etc.
L'il fighter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Posts: 297
time to check in, vent, etc.
I'll be coming up on 6 months sober. 
Thank you so much SR for being here. I know I don't post much, but I do feel compelled to lurk here every day. It grounds me and acts as a constant reminder of why I'm doing what I'm doing (staying sober!).
I've been feeling good and feeling lousy. I'm sure it's a common sentiment, but I alternate pretty rapidly between the two. Not long after I got sober I began to have dizzy spells that lasted weeks at a time, that seemed to mimic my concussion symptoms from last year. I got quickly checked out by a few docs who didn't find anything wrong, and it cleared up on its own.
Since then it's come and gone, and this time around I've been dizzy, fatigued, and lousy for almost a month straight. I'm waiting on my doctor's referral to an Ear Nose Throat specialist, but thanks to our wonderful Ontario health care system, I'm due to wait at least another month. My symptoms seem to imply something going on in the inner ear.
I'm not looking for any medical advice, but I just needed to vent about it. I feel like I've taken on so many positive activities since quitting drinking that I'm having a hard time committing to while feeling like this. I have a belt grading at karate tonight, and I'm anxious to death about it!
And that's another thing. My symptoms include sensitivity to certain sounds and noises. It's often accompanied by increased heartrate and extreme anxiety, and I almost feel like I'm on the verge of a panic attack! I wonder if these are periodic PAWS symptoms that are piling on top of everything else.
*sigh*
I also know I should probably not obsess over these things and be thankful for the physical health that I *do* have. I just don't know what to do with myself while waiting to see the specialist. I don't know whether to fight through the symptoms and stay busy, or take a small time out. I generally do tend to feel better when I'm distracted.
Anyhoo, thanks for reading and for letting me get it all out.
Thank you so much SR for being here. I know I don't post much, but I do feel compelled to lurk here every day. It grounds me and acts as a constant reminder of why I'm doing what I'm doing (staying sober!).
I've been feeling good and feeling lousy. I'm sure it's a common sentiment, but I alternate pretty rapidly between the two. Not long after I got sober I began to have dizzy spells that lasted weeks at a time, that seemed to mimic my concussion symptoms from last year. I got quickly checked out by a few docs who didn't find anything wrong, and it cleared up on its own.
Since then it's come and gone, and this time around I've been dizzy, fatigued, and lousy for almost a month straight. I'm waiting on my doctor's referral to an Ear Nose Throat specialist, but thanks to our wonderful Ontario health care system, I'm due to wait at least another month. My symptoms seem to imply something going on in the inner ear.
I'm not looking for any medical advice, but I just needed to vent about it. I feel like I've taken on so many positive activities since quitting drinking that I'm having a hard time committing to while feeling like this. I have a belt grading at karate tonight, and I'm anxious to death about it!
And that's another thing. My symptoms include sensitivity to certain sounds and noises. It's often accompanied by increased heartrate and extreme anxiety, and I almost feel like I'm on the verge of a panic attack! I wonder if these are periodic PAWS symptoms that are piling on top of everything else.
*sigh*
I also know I should probably not obsess over these things and be thankful for the physical health that I *do* have. I just don't know what to do with myself while waiting to see the specialist. I don't know whether to fight through the symptoms and stay busy, or take a small time out. I generally do tend to feel better when I'm distracted.
Anyhoo, thanks for reading and for letting me get it all out.
Professional Drunk
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Toronto
Posts: 465
Hi Midget,
A fellow Torontonian here...I get the same instances of increased anxiety and agitation from time to time. The moment passes after 30 mins at most, but it hits me at random times. I've been in recovery for a year with one relapse, so I attribute it to PAWS and the adjustments I am going through mentally and physically. I think I need more exercise...
A fellow Torontonian here...I get the same instances of increased anxiety and agitation from time to time. The moment passes after 30 mins at most, but it hits me at random times. I've been in recovery for a year with one relapse, so I attribute it to PAWS and the adjustments I am going through mentally and physically. I think I need more exercise...
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Texas, a state of mind
Posts: 380
Congratulations on the long sobriety!
What is your nutrition like? I always think first of how we are fueling our bodies. Are you getting enough of the good stuff? Enough hydration? Enough sleep?
The body is a machine that needs tending....How are you tending yours? When I feel anxious, stressed, wonked, etc it is almost invariably linked to eating poorly and not exercising.
What is your nutrition like? I always think first of how we are fueling our bodies. Are you getting enough of the good stuff? Enough hydration? Enough sleep?
The body is a machine that needs tending....How are you tending yours? When I feel anxious, stressed, wonked, etc it is almost invariably linked to eating poorly and not exercising.
L'il fighter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Posts: 297
Originally Posted by dawnrunner 
Congratulations on the long sobriety!
What is your nutrition like? I always think first of how we are fueling our bodies. Are you getting enough of the good stuff? Enough hydration? Enough sleep?
The body is a machine that needs tending....How are you tending yours? When I feel anxious, stressed, wonked, etc it is almost invariably linked to eating poorly and not exercising.
What is your nutrition like? I always think first of how we are fueling our bodies. Are you getting enough of the good stuff? Enough hydration? Enough sleep?
The body is a machine that needs tending....How are you tending yours? When I feel anxious, stressed, wonked, etc it is almost invariably linked to eating poorly and not exercising.
I guess my physical 'condition' is limiting my physical activity, and in turn making me feel depressed and anxious.
Originally Posted by 2granddaughters
midget, are you going to AA meetings?
Bob (near Windsor)
Bob (near Windsor)
once in a . . .
Join Date: May 2004
Location: looking in / looking out
Posts: 1,214
Originally Posted by midgetcop
Anyhoo, thanks for reading and for letting me get it all out.
No problem! I'm glad you're here and I'm glad you're venting and getting it out! Congrats on your upcoming milestone!!Blue
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,442
Congratulations on 6 months MC
My ears and sinuses can make me pretty sick at times, so I hope your ENT guy will be able to pinpoint the problem and suggest a solution - if it doesn't sort itself out before you get there
D
My ears and sinuses can make me pretty sick at times, so I hope your ENT guy will be able to pinpoint the problem and suggest a solution - if it doesn't sort itself out before you get there
D
L'il fighter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Posts: 297
Originally Posted by Dee74
Congratulations on 6 months MC
My ears and sinuses can make me pretty sick at times, so I hope your ENT guy will be able to pinpoint the problem and suggest a solution - if it doesn't sort itself out before you get there
D
My ears and sinuses can make me pretty sick at times, so I hope your ENT guy will be able to pinpoint the problem and suggest a solution - if it doesn't sort itself out before you get there
D
Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,581
Yeah, I was gonna suggest sinuses, too. I had dizzy spells once and it turned out to be the change in barometric pressure affecting my sinuses, apparently. Weird. Good luck at the doctor, best to check it out! And congrats on your 6 months!
L'il fighter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Posts: 297
Just as an update: I finally have an appointment with an ENT on May 29th. At this point I'm willing to pay out of pocket for someone to see me NOW, but that ain't how it works 'round these parts. On top of everything I have a cold....
...I'm gonna have a brief self-pity party. Bear with me.
I feel since I've gotten sober like my mind is willing but the body is not. I want to get out and exercise and kick some butt, but physically I'm all over the map. Some days I feel like I can conquer the world, but the next day I'll feel like crap.
Some days I feel like I've bitten off more than I can chew. I've been very involved and productive at work, and taken on extra work by participating on a committee. I've also applied for a different position with the same employer. I've undertaken these tasks with positive intent and belief that I can accomplish these things. And then there are times when I'm laying in bed kicking myself in the butt (not literally) for taking on so many things that I can't possibly handle. I'm actually *hoping* that I don't get this new position, because I don't believe that I can do the job (although I know that I can). I just have this internal conflict and anxiety about it.
So, I guess it's not just the physical self. But back to that, I had some bloodwork done by my doctor after I told him that I'd stopped drinking. The results were fine, except a low white blood cell count. My doctor didn't elaborate too much on what could cause it, but mused that it could be caused by whatever is going on in my inner ears right now. Either way, I'm somewhat concerned.
Generally, I'm very happy that I'm sober and I don't really have cravings to drink. I know that there are SR members here facing far harsher realities than I am, so please don't take this the wrong way. I *am* thankful for what I currently have.
Maybe it's alcoholic thinking that is making me frustrated. This need for immediate gratification - "I want to feel better and I want to feel it NOW!"
...I'm gonna have a brief self-pity party. Bear with me.
I feel since I've gotten sober like my mind is willing but the body is not. I want to get out and exercise and kick some butt, but physically I'm all over the map. Some days I feel like I can conquer the world, but the next day I'll feel like crap.
Some days I feel like I've bitten off more than I can chew. I've been very involved and productive at work, and taken on extra work by participating on a committee. I've also applied for a different position with the same employer. I've undertaken these tasks with positive intent and belief that I can accomplish these things. And then there are times when I'm laying in bed kicking myself in the butt (not literally) for taking on so many things that I can't possibly handle. I'm actually *hoping* that I don't get this new position, because I don't believe that I can do the job (although I know that I can). I just have this internal conflict and anxiety about it.
So, I guess it's not just the physical self. But back to that, I had some bloodwork done by my doctor after I told him that I'd stopped drinking. The results were fine, except a low white blood cell count. My doctor didn't elaborate too much on what could cause it, but mused that it could be caused by whatever is going on in my inner ears right now. Either way, I'm somewhat concerned.
Generally, I'm very happy that I'm sober and I don't really have cravings to drink. I know that there are SR members here facing far harsher realities than I am, so please don't take this the wrong way. I *am* thankful for what I currently have.
Maybe it's alcoholic thinking that is making me frustrated. This need for immediate gratification - "I want to feel better and I want to feel it NOW!"
Choosing Life
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Montana
Posts: 1,435
Vent all you like. Lord knows, I've done my share of that here. 
I'm with you on the "instant gratification" thing. I feel good one day and not so good the next. I've also had bouts of dizziness and my sinuses are driving me crazy. I also recently found out that I'm anemic but the doctor didn't tell me what to do about it. It does tend to make me sluggish though.
The first year, we are going to go through lots of changes, physically, mentally and emotionally. As long as we are aware of that and accept it as part of the process of getting to that sober life we so desperately want, it makes the journey easier. I sure hope you feel better soon and get these things worked out. Even the smallest of the physical adjustments can seem overwhelming at times. For now, just take good care of yourself and remember that the life you are pursuing is SO worth whatever else we have to go through to get it.
Congrats on your upcoming six months!
I'm with you on the "instant gratification" thing. I feel good one day and not so good the next. I've also had bouts of dizziness and my sinuses are driving me crazy. I also recently found out that I'm anemic but the doctor didn't tell me what to do about it. It does tend to make me sluggish though.
The first year, we are going to go through lots of changes, physically, mentally and emotionally. As long as we are aware of that and accept it as part of the process of getting to that sober life we so desperately want, it makes the journey easier. I sure hope you feel better soon and get these things worked out. Even the smallest of the physical adjustments can seem overwhelming at times. For now, just take good care of yourself and remember that the life you are pursuing is SO worth whatever else we have to go through to get it.
Congrats on your upcoming six months!
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Here is a link regarding PAWS if anyone needs to consider whatever...
Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center
Well done on your sober time...and Yes! keep that appointment...
Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center
Well done on your sober time...and Yes! keep that appointment...
~sb
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MD
Posts: 15,967
You can do a search on boosting your immune system and also call the doctor who took your blood and ask him/her directly how to help increase your immune system.
You may just need to rest up a little (over doing it).
Prayers and Love sent your way,
You may just need to rest up a little (over doing it).
Prayers and Love sent your way,
L'il fighter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Posts: 297
Thanks for the thoughtful replies. I actually had a call from my doctor's office yesterday - I had some more blood drawn again the other week to check the white blood cell count again, and thankfully they've returned to normal (*whew*!). One less thing to be anxious about.
desertsong - it's funny how doctors are, isnt it? Our doctors must have studied at the same school (i.e. great at diagnosing but not-so-great at explaining). I hope that you follow up with him/her and find the underlying cause for the anemia.
desertsong - it's funny how doctors are, isnt it? Our doctors must have studied at the same school (i.e. great at diagnosing but not-so-great at explaining). I hope that you follow up with him/her and find the underlying cause for the anemia.
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