Renard

How's things going for you anyway?

RecklessEric

Pretty good.
I'm in work and it's a pain in the nuts but apart from that, today is ok.

Renard

Glad it's going ok.
Being in work must be a nightmare during withdrawals.

RecklessEric

Well, Monday (day 1) was horrible.
Today is fine.
Withdrawals have passed, thankfully.

Renard

So glad the withdrawals have passed.

Day 5
Anxiety continues to get better.
Dizziness turns out to be unrelated to withdrawals and is indeed my inner ear, but of course makes the anxiety worse.
I've had no cravings what so ever, but will keep my eye on that.
All in all things ain't too bad : D

RecklessEric

Good to hear, buddy.
If you know what the dizziness is, it should cause less anxiety.
Keep on keepin' on, amigo.

newwestdork

Glad to hear you made it through the withdrawals alright Renard. Keep it up.

RecklessEric

Hope day 6 is working out for you Renard.

Renard

Thanks Eric.

Yeah, I actually had a lie in this morning.
Up until now I've been waking up at 4 am, but this morning I woke up, rolled over and was shocked to see it was 10:45!
Took my meds, had breakfast and am now sat watching the F1.
The first couple of days seem like some kind of nightmare I had. It's hard to imagine they really did happen.

I just seem continually hungry now, as if my body is making up for the past few months, hehe.
Ate a huge fish and chips takeaway last night and don't know how I managed it.
No cravings for booze as of yet.

Got a liver and kidney blood test on Monday and then an alcohol adviser session on Wednesday.
So so glad I went to see my doctor, and would advise anybody going through this to do the same.
They are there to help and aren't judgemental.
It was lovely when he said "you should be very proud of yourself. You are doing an incredibly brave thing".
That really lifted my spirits.

For the first time in months I feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

RecklessEric

Fantastic.
I'm taking Antibooze. It means that even if I give in to a craving, I'll be quickly sick.
It's a bit extreme but so is my situation.
Enjoy the F1, buddy.

Renard

Thanks buddy.

I'm a bit worried about the blood results, but that's nothing new.
I had a blood test three months ago and everything came back clear.
Not sure if there has been any change since then.
Guess I'll have to wait and see.

Renard

Day 7.
Yesterday I must have eaten more food than I have done in months, and I enjoyed every single bite.
I slept nearly 10 hours, so I must have needed it.
Today I feel fine. No headache, no aches and pains, no nausea, nothing!
Even the dizziness is better, but that's probably more to do with the meds for my inner ear.
It feels like a fog has been lifted and I can concentrate far more than I have been doing recently.
I still feel odd, although I'm starting to wonder if this is how you feel without withdrawals or a hangover.
Onwards and upwards.

RecklessEric

One week in, Renard!
And what a week.
Brilliant to hear you're doing so well.
I wouldn't worry about the odd feeling.
It could be just your body getting used to being treated well.

Renard

Day 8.
I can't believe the first week is over.
I had (what I thought would be) my most trying night last night.
Went over to a friends house. There were three of us in total.
Both of my friends were drinking and smoking and there was me sat with my bottle of Pepsi.
And do you know what? I wasn't tempted in the least. Not one bit.
Well, drink wise anyway. Smoking was another matter. Even though I had a nicotine patch on I was itching for a cigarette, but didn't.
I know it sounds unbelievably big-headed of me but I felt proud of myself when I got home.
Off to have my blood test this morning, so fingers crossed that goes ok (I hate needles).
The sun is shining again. Must be a good omen.

RecklessEric

Renard, well done, my friend.
You're flying.
Good luck with the needle!

Renard

Hehehe, thanks Eric.
It went very well, didn't feel much at all, but I was staring at the wall the whole time : D
Just got to wait for the results now.
Next up alcohol counsellor appointment on Wednesday.

Renard

Day 10.

Woke up this morning feeling fine (good lyrics for a song), got myself ready, went food shopping, then went up town to get my Dad a dressing gown for his hospital visit.

After that I attended my alcohol counsellor session, which went really well.
Lovely lady who had some really good advice.
I've signed up to a 12 week course of counselling with her, plus if I feel I need more after she will extend it, which is good to know.

Still haven't got my blood results back, but I'm trying not to worry about that. They will arrive when they arrive, and if there are any problems I'll deal with them.

As for craving? Still nothing as of yet. Maybe I'll be incredibly lucky and avoid them, but who knows what the future might bring.

RecklessEric

All sounds good Renard.
Counsellor is a good idea.
I'm seeing my CBT therapist today.
I fully expect to have cravings at some point.
But they're only cravings.
We don't have to give in to them.

Renard

Day 11.

Boy did I sleep well last night.
Everything's fine apart from this dull headache I've still got.
If it's not gone by tomorrow I'm going to visit my GP again.

Blood results still aren't back. Getting a little concerned about them now. I ring up every day and just keep being told "try again tomorrow".
Ho hum.

Might be going to my friends house again tonight.
Better get the bottle of Pepsi ready : D

Renard

Day 13.

Thought I'd just check in.
Today I'm feeling great.

Got my results back for my liver and kidney functions yesterday.
My liver is showing signs of alcohol misuse but otherwise is stable. Doctor didn't seem concerned about it at all.
I intend to keep it that way.

Anxiety is at an all time low and even my mind feels less foggy than it did before.
The sun is out and I'm sat reading a book with a cup of tea.
Going to start meditating again soon, which I'm looking forward to.
All in all things are good.

Bring on the future.