17 months.
 

I feel GOOD. Biggest test of my sobriety was this weekend when the fam went out of town. I'd like to say i was awesome, fine and serene but we all know that's bull$#it.

I spent the weekend with some old friends catching up and trading stories.

Nothing like being in the s#it with a bunch of friends who have my back.

I used to tell my story a lot, but i've really tried to stay away from my past this go around. I have a sick way of romanticizing the hell i was in.

Both feet in today is all i'm willing to talk about . I get to the rest a little at a time. Small doses of me is all I can handle most days. hahaha

Seems like a life time ago.

I'll say this to the newbies...here's where i was on paper march 1st of march 2016.

My neighbor found me on the sidewalk outside my house almost incoherent.

The drs. did a battery of tests on me. Heart was damaged and weak, Diabetes A1C 11.2...liver enzymes were terribly high. Fluid in my abdomen and legs.

Kidneys showed blood and proteins and the urine.
I remember it stunk BAD and was brown. BP was 240/135 or 140...they were worried i was gonna stroke. I was diagnosed as a chronic alcoholic with very little chance of recovery.

Spent the next 4 months in rehab.....then IOP and lots of dr. visits. It took me 16 months for my liver to heal. Kidneys are clean, heart is fine..no more fluid in my belly or legs. Diabetes...GONE.

If I can do it so can anyone else. Hope is a terrible thing to be without. If you feel like you can't go on....call an ambulance and get some help.

Just might change your life.

Thank you people.

ScottFromWl...I want to single you out for a sec. You have really been such a blessing for me on these boards. You always respond to my posts and offer a great deal of strength. Thank you.

ALRIGHT PEOPLE, HAVE A GREAT DAY!!! MAKE IT COUNT!! :tyou

:You_Rock_:c011:

Fantastic, I am on day 12 and love reading happy posts well done

Awesome man, very encouraging and inspiring!

That's fantastic news Bulldog, and a true testament to what is possible when all seems lost. Congrats on your 17 months and thanks for your sharing over that time.

That's quite a story, so glad you pulled through, even more glad you've attained sobriety. Way to go Bulldog.

Great job, Bulldog777! Great post! Great to hear from you!

What an absolutely amazing turn-around. Fantastic job, BullDog!

:grouphug: Beautiful :grouphug:

Amazing!!! Every newbie here should read your story:You_Rock_

Wow, thanks so much for sharing!

Very inspirational to me and I am sure others.

2+ months for me and I fee so much better.

Man that booze is terrible!

:You_Rock_:You_Rock_:You_Rock_

Congratulations BD :)

D

17 days - so proud of you BullDog! :)

Bulldog, I don't want to pry, and if you're not comfortable answering I understand. My question is they said you had a slim chance of recovering, why? Is it because they didn't think you'd stop drinking, or that your body was just about done? Just curious. That BP number is insane. I've seen mine at 176/128 and thought I was going to explode.

This is so nice to read, and I'm very happy for you. Congrats.:grouphug:

good one bd. thanks

Keep it up man. One day at a time!!

It was for several reasons. I had been in and out of rehabs since I was 22. I'm 43 now. I've been drinking heavily since I was 17. Your chances actually go down for long term sobriety the longer you're on that rotating door of going in and out. I had been diagnosed with PTSD, OCD, and severe anxiety.

I also had a neurological sleeping disorder that nobody could treat without heavy dosages of benzos. It was directly caused by my alcoholism. They didn't know it was related until I had been there for awhile. Once I had completely detoxed, it went away completely. I literally hadn't had a restful nights sleep in years. Now that I'm clean I'm always joking that one of my favorite hobbies are long naps. haha.

My health was really bad. I was in such bad shape i was transported from one hospital to another because the county hospital wasn't able to handle the level of care I needed.

I was unconscious for 5-6 days. It was medically induced because of the level of withdrawal my body was in. I was at high risk for stroke, cardiac arrest and heart attack.

My heart was weak and had developed a rhythm problem due to excessive alcoholism. My kidneys were starting to shut down. I took meds for that for almost a year after I got clean.

In total, i think it was 7 different meds if i remember right to keep me kickin' after I finally left the hospital.

Everytime I went out, my alcoholism got markedly worse. Not like it progressed to an uncomfortable level and I needed help, it was like turning on a faucet and becoming that dude from Leaving Las Vegas.

So with that in mind...what the hell was next?

Death.

So...I didn't want that. I finally gutted up and went through every day, building on the last. Some days were hell, some days were amazing.
This is the longest I've ever been completely clean.

That's all I have to say. I'm pretty tired. I'm gonna grab a shower and get some sleep.

Night all. :)

:e058::e058: hey hey hey!!!!! 17 months!!!:laughing::laughing:

"Small doses of me is all I can handle" haha I totally can relate.

Congrats on your 17 months and getting through the weekend!