new here - first post-need help
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 11
new here - first post-need help
greetings everyone
need some help here - tell me this gets better and if
what i am feeling is "normal"
from 2000 to now i am a binge drinker - drinking several times a week for a few months - then i quit for anywhere from 3 - 7 months
i really want to stop for good - in mid 80's i was pretty headcore - i am amazed at how much i drank back then
so this year - end Aug2007 i quit - mid Oct 2007 - had a series of pretty brutal panic attacks - even went to hospital in ambulance first time - couldnt take it any more and had a few more drinks - the panic stopped but i just do not want to drink any more - so had my last drink end Dec2007
now i am going thru the anxiety and panic - dizzy- rapid heartbeat-
my kidneys and stomach(liver-pancreas) feel like they been stomped on
its almost 60days sober now - is this PAWs? tell me this gets better
i am on anti depressants and they are helping - have good days and days of hell - i came really close to drinking again a day ago
i shud add - in Oct the Dr. had all kinds of tests done - bloodwork tested for just about everything - EcG for heart + wore a 24hr monitor- urine test\stool test - all tests were normal
never had anxiety like this before - had mild attacks over the years but only lasted about 10min not days.
my theory is - my brain pathways are re-wiring and is why i feel unreal at times - nerve damage being repaired and is why i am so jittery-
liver and pancreas returning to normal and detoxing
the last few days i have been hungry all the time - tell me this is normal and gets better - i am going to see the Dr again tomorrow --
i am 50yrs old and want to stop drinking - help!
need some help here - tell me this gets better and if
what i am feeling is "normal"
from 2000 to now i am a binge drinker - drinking several times a week for a few months - then i quit for anywhere from 3 - 7 months
i really want to stop for good - in mid 80's i was pretty headcore - i am amazed at how much i drank back then
so this year - end Aug2007 i quit - mid Oct 2007 - had a series of pretty brutal panic attacks - even went to hospital in ambulance first time - couldnt take it any more and had a few more drinks - the panic stopped but i just do not want to drink any more - so had my last drink end Dec2007
now i am going thru the anxiety and panic - dizzy- rapid heartbeat-
my kidneys and stomach(liver-pancreas) feel like they been stomped on
its almost 60days sober now - is this PAWs? tell me this gets better
i am on anti depressants and they are helping - have good days and days of hell - i came really close to drinking again a day ago
i shud add - in Oct the Dr. had all kinds of tests done - bloodwork tested for just about everything - EcG for heart + wore a 24hr monitor- urine test\stool test - all tests were normal
never had anxiety like this before - had mild attacks over the years but only lasted about 10min not days.
my theory is - my brain pathways are re-wiring and is why i feel unreal at times - nerve damage being repaired and is why i am so jittery-
liver and pancreas returning to normal and detoxing
the last few days i have been hungry all the time - tell me this is normal and gets better - i am going to see the Dr again tomorrow --
i am 50yrs old and want to stop drinking - help!
Looking For Myself...Sober
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Where the heart is
Posts: 10,209
I'm not sure for drinkers. But I think all the symptoms can be one and the same.
Me being an addict has and is going through all the same things.
And I am a little over 60 days myself. And already I can say it does get better.
I think it is all normal stuff that most of us go through.
As long as you are seeking med attention on the things that concern you.
That is the best thing you can do.
Love your handle.
Me being an addict has and is going through all the same things.
And I am a little over 60 days myself. And already I can say it does get better.
I think it is all normal stuff that most of us go through.
As long as you are seeking med attention on the things that concern you.
That is the best thing you can do.
Love your handle.
Don't get undies in a bunch
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: South Shore MA
Posts: 7,120
Welcome to SR Jack
From what I have seen of life, there are two things that can cause panic attacks.
One would be a nerve issue or some other medical condition.
The other would be a spiritual issue... we battle inside over the what if's or should have's.
AA meetings or some other program can help us with the spiritual side of things.
By working the 12 step program they use...we learn to dump our old baggage and live a better life of serenity.
It is sure worth trying.
From what I have seen of life, there are two things that can cause panic attacks.
One would be a nerve issue or some other medical condition.
The other would be a spiritual issue... we battle inside over the what if's or should have's.
AA meetings or some other program can help us with the spiritual side of things.
By working the 12 step program they use...we learn to dump our old baggage and live a better life of serenity.
It is sure worth trying.
Illegitimi Non Carborundum
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Old Home Terra
Posts: 4,272
Better than anyone, your doctor should be able to make a determination and provide help with the medical side of things. Its crucial to be perfectly honest with him/her about your drinking history -- amounts, frequency, etc. If there's been actual neurological damage, the doctor can find it and tell you what to do about it.
But don't forget that there are other sides to this whole thing too, to include spiritual and psychological aspects. I don't think you can focus on only the physical to the exclusion of all else.
I think for most people, by the 60 day mark, the obsession is all that is left of the PAWS... But PAWS doesn't address the emotional damage that's left, or the spiritual hole that most people have.
May I ask? Are you in a program? ... Have you tried AA?
I was told that panic attacks are very often caused by an emotional reaction to a mind that races. Basically one gets themself so worked up into a tizzy that it gets internalized into physical symptoms. Sort of like your body crying for help because the mind is all over the place. (Nervous breakdown?)
Talk it over with your doctor tomorrow... If that's what's going on with you then I'd call it good news -- your mind is something you can control, you just have to exercise some discipline with it.
Try some meditation and deep breathing exercises, or maybe some yoga... Perhaps physical exercise, like jogging or some nice long brisk walks to "burn off" the mental energy.
Try getting on your knees and praying for about five minutes, four times a day... Simply clear your mind, focus on your breathing, get on your knees and humbly ask "Help!"... You don't have to go through every single detail, just ask "Help"...
Remember too that you can't control outcomes in your life. You can only control YOUR responses. There's no sense in fretting and worrying... Everything happens for a reason and God is driving the boat -- you and I are just crewmembers... Relax buddy, and just let things unfold.
Sometimes it helps to simply sit back, watch the trees, and just BREATHE...
Hope this helps. You are not alone!
But don't forget that there are other sides to this whole thing too, to include spiritual and psychological aspects. I don't think you can focus on only the physical to the exclusion of all else.
I think for most people, by the 60 day mark, the obsession is all that is left of the PAWS... But PAWS doesn't address the emotional damage that's left, or the spiritual hole that most people have.
May I ask? Are you in a program? ... Have you tried AA?
I was told that panic attacks are very often caused by an emotional reaction to a mind that races. Basically one gets themself so worked up into a tizzy that it gets internalized into physical symptoms. Sort of like your body crying for help because the mind is all over the place. (Nervous breakdown?)
Talk it over with your doctor tomorrow... If that's what's going on with you then I'd call it good news -- your mind is something you can control, you just have to exercise some discipline with it.
Try some meditation and deep breathing exercises, or maybe some yoga... Perhaps physical exercise, like jogging or some nice long brisk walks to "burn off" the mental energy.
Try getting on your knees and praying for about five minutes, four times a day... Simply clear your mind, focus on your breathing, get on your knees and humbly ask "Help!"... You don't have to go through every single detail, just ask "Help"...
Remember too that you can't control outcomes in your life. You can only control YOUR responses. There's no sense in fretting and worrying... Everything happens for a reason and God is driving the boat -- you and I are just crewmembers... Relax buddy, and just let things unfold.
Sometimes it helps to simply sit back, watch the trees, and just BREATHE...
Hope this helps. You are not alone!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: 49 degrees north
Posts: 1,036
Jack
I'm not nearly qualified to respond to your question. But, as a seven day sober member of this community, I wish to assure you that you have found a very safe and therapeutic place. Perhaps this assurance might alleviate just a LITTLE bit of the anxiety.
Note: My experience is just the opposite. I was up to my hairline in anxiety while drinking. Since quitting, much of it has melted away, even though I am in deep **** (DUI). Go figure.
I've noticed a couple of things in my short time here. First that there is no "typical drunk story," and second, there are enough people here that someone will surely share your story. Pretty cool, eh?
warrens
I'm not nearly qualified to respond to your question. But, as a seven day sober member of this community, I wish to assure you that you have found a very safe and therapeutic place. Perhaps this assurance might alleviate just a LITTLE bit of the anxiety.
Note: My experience is just the opposite. I was up to my hairline in anxiety while drinking. Since quitting, much of it has melted away, even though I am in deep **** (DUI). Go figure.
I've noticed a couple of things in my short time here. First that there is no "typical drunk story," and second, there are enough people here that someone will surely share your story. Pretty cool, eh?
warrens
Naturally Occuring Phenomenon
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 437
When I stopped drinking, I ate like a man possesed! Its been about three and one half months & I have slowed, about two meals a day and one small snack. I'm a member of AA & am currently working the steps. Many have told me that this will help me achieve emotional sobriety & relieve the emptiness inside of me. I'm not doing it because I necessarily want to, I'm doing it cause I see no reason not to. If it does not work atleast I will know I tried. I suggest you give it a shot.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Good to see a new memberand it's always wise to have a medical opinion.
Good to know you are doing just that.
Well done on your sober time!
Here is a PAWS link...
Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center
Welcome to SR!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 11
thanks for the replies everyone
so today was another rough day - started off hyper and progressively
got worse - went to see my family doctor but the office was closed.
so i headed to the hospital emerg..just had to clear this up once and for all.
if its physical they will find it. if it is mental then i can deal with that a different way.
the emerg treated me as a cardiac patient. did all the tests. blood tests for everything. xray. ecg.
i am happy to report that all tests were good. nothing wrong. Dr agreed that it is probably as i thot ..panic/anxiety. I guess i just had to get that out of the way(even tho it was also cleared up in October) But now i now for sure when i get those weird chest feelings and pounding heart that its just anxiety..and knowing that helps in a long way to reduce the anxiety.
I can tell my self its not a heart attack. calm down moron
I will go see my family Dr next week and let him know what happened.
thanks for the kind words and advice everyone things are looking up.
so today was another rough day - started off hyper and progressively
got worse - went to see my family doctor but the office was closed.
so i headed to the hospital emerg..just had to clear this up once and for all.
if its physical they will find it. if it is mental then i can deal with that a different way.
the emerg treated me as a cardiac patient. did all the tests. blood tests for everything. xray. ecg.
i am happy to report that all tests were good. nothing wrong. Dr agreed that it is probably as i thot ..panic/anxiety. I guess i just had to get that out of the way(even tho it was also cleared up in October) But now i now for sure when i get those weird chest feelings and pounding heart that its just anxiety..and knowing that helps in a long way to reduce the anxiety.
I can tell my self its not a heart attack. calm down moron
I will go see my family Dr next week and let him know what happened.
thanks for the kind words and advice everyone
things are looking up.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
