alwayssober1

Hi guys, I'm 75 days sober, in the morning I feel OK but by mid afternoon I feel brain dead! Can't hold a thought in my head, lacking concentration, I just feel mentally slow?

Sounds dramatic but it takes a lot of effort just to have a conversation with someone!

Anyone else feel the same at this stage of sobriety?

jdooner

What are you doing in terms of recovery?

alwayssober1

I'm getting plenty of exercise during the day, drinking plenty of fluids, eating healthy food etc.

Amajorityofone

The short answer to your question is no. I didn't feel this way after 75 days.

I believe in having an active recovery. Meaning, as you starve the things you want to die, start nurturing the things you want to grow. Thus, what have you been doing with your time? Are you strengthening your mind and body by reading & exercising? If not, than I cannot encourage you enough to start asap. And i would emphasize the mental over the physical. I force myself to read without interruption for at least 60 minutes each day.

Today is a day that you'll never get back. Yet, the knowledge you may gain from it will last forever.

Food for thought.

jdooner

^^^this

alwayssober1

I do plenty of reading and exercising.....?

Mrmellow11

Same here alwayssober....I ride stationary bike 2x a day everyday and been reading for hours everyday trying to keep my brain sharp

jdooner

What are the last five books that you just read? Are you in therapy? How often do you meditate?

I am not trying to opine - I am trying to help you with your question. I did not feel mentally slow at 75 days.

This was what I was going through at 75 days: http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...7-surgery.html

Amajorityofone

If this is the case, than my question would be where you are spiritually? When you lay your body down to rest, does your spirit lay down to rest with it? Or, are you still "wrestling" with the idea of sobriety?

Put simply, if you're looking for answers, dig within.

Good day

Amajorityofone

I wrote this in my clean and sober journal at the 78 day mark...


November 3rd, 2012-

So far, so good.

This has also been another awesome week of exercise.

Monday- 14 pull ups, 100 sit ups and 40 pushups. Followed by a 3 mile run
Tuesday- 32 minute interval bicycle ride on level 10….a first. Followed by numerous weight lifting machines.
Thursday- A two mile walk. Followed by various weight lifting machines.
Friday- 14 pull ups, 100 situps, 40 push ups. Followed by a 35 minute interval bicycle ride on level 10….a first. Followed by numerous weight lifting machines.
Today- 70 laps under 42 minutes. An all time best.

I am now reading books again, both to myself and to my 6 year old son on a regular basis. This week I learned about the “Stockholm Syndrome.” When time allows, I am consciously trying to read in solace for at least one hour a day.

My mantra remains the same….”Stay, straight, ahead.”

Amajorityofone

Another thing I just thought of...

What kinds of foods are you putting into your body?

My girlfriend is a health nut so she's always feeding me stuff like green tea, broccoli, eggs, sliced vegetables, mixed fruit, turkey meat, salmon and 100% pulp based orange juice. I also gave up soda pop for Lent. Nothing but orange juice, milk and water until Easter.

These types of foods have a huge impact on your energy level.

alwayssober1

Thanks for your replies, so are you saying this hasn't got anything to do with withdrawal/PAWS and something unrelated?

I have no cravings to drink, I don't want to drink, I don't think I will drink again after this.

My diet is a normal diet including veg and fruit etc.

KateL

Perhaps you are just a bit under the weather. xxx

sugarbear1

I had several brain changes through, well, today. This is 2 years and 10 months in sobriety. I had smoked a lot of weed, crack and I drank for a long time.....

alwayssober1

I don't know if this is withdrawal or I'm just feeling crap anyway?

KateL

Could well be. The reason I say that is because I feel absolutely awful today. I think it might be the flu coming Feel better soon xxxxxx

Dee74

Hey AS

If you're concerned maybe see your Dr.

I'm not dismissing the other fine suggestions here but I had a chronic sinus problem that had similar symptoms

D

Mrmellow11

I agree with Dee...I went to the doc after my symptoms first started because I had no idea about alcohol withdrawal and boy I was poked and prodded everywhere but at least I know I'm pretty healthy

least

Feeling mentally 'slow' or unable to concentrate on the task at hand are symptoms of PAWS (Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome). It is the brain healing and the changes in the brain chemistry during the healing process.

Google post acute withdrawal syndrome and see if the symptoms match yours. I had trouble with that for the first year or so, then it went away.

alwayssober1

Thanks for your replies everyone,

Least, I did read about PAWS and the symptoms did match up, but I thought PAWS where only fleeting symptoms, maybe a day then they are gone for awhile? not 2 weeks straight for example?

Maybe it is prolonged symptoms for quite awhile until a year liked you said...I will read up on it, thanks.