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Completely, utterly exhausted.

Old 07-21-2013, 05:51 PM
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Completely, utterly exhausted.

I'm 3 weeks in, without a drop of alcohol.

I have never felt so completely exhausted in all my life. I know giving up alcohol isn't a cure- all for every problem, but I honestly wasn't expecting to feel this tired at this point.

I am sleeping well, 8-10 hours per night. I eat very well and I exercise whenever I can manage it. Before I stopped drinking, I was working out at the gym every day- now I can barely manage a couple of times per week. I feel like I'm wasting more time sleeping now than I was before feeling hungover!

How long will this last? I'm desperate for my energy levels to normalise, so I can get on with my life!
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Old 07-21-2013, 06:10 PM
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I am on day two and sleeping like an infant.
I try to stay awake by watching my favorite TV series and doing stretches.

Unfortunately I have not allowed myself to talk to anyone I usually drink with, which gives me nothing to do.

I imagine it will last for a while for me.
However, I look forward to what I become passionate about, before drinking was my passion.
That will be what keeps me awake.
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Old 07-21-2013, 06:11 PM
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I don't know how long something like this will last for you. All I can say is what happened with me. For the first month I had what I called "sober hangovers". I'd wake up exhausted, with aches and pains, headache, etc. but most of all I'd be simply exhausted. One thing I did is I went to the doctor and had a physical and some blood tests just to make sure it wasn't an infection or something. I was fine according to the medical tests. I felt like I had chronic fatigue for about six more weeks. Then I noticed it started to lift. I also noticed that I was picking up my hobbies again, focused at work, and was exercising again. It's possible, in my case, that is was depression. I don't know for sure. People have also brought up the term PAWS. That might be worth looking into.

I hope you start feeling better soon. Thank you for posting. Hang in there!!!!
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Old 07-21-2013, 06:21 PM
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Since Bruce mentioned it, here is a link for PAWS that sometimes gets posted here on the forum.

Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center
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Old 07-21-2013, 06:28 PM
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i'm at 56 days sober, and i think i know exactly how you feel... i slept great at night, but still i'd get hit by a truckload of deep exhaustion every single day. i'm just kind of gettinf out of it... i didn't get it today, but i did yesterday. i'm definitely feeling improvement, but i still get hit with that exhaustion sometimes.

i've been asking about this, as well... and from what i've gathered this exhaustion is not uncommon. i'm just trying to rest if i can at those times it hits me bad. i understand that it gets better!! i would say though that if you are concerned, talk to your doctor. better to treat our bodies right while we heal!!

best wishes to you, GJ.
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Old 07-21-2013, 06:55 PM
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I felt that way for around a month, I think.
Hope you feel better soon

D
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Old 07-21-2013, 07:57 PM
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Think about this way: you've been rewarding you're brain through alcohol for a long time. Then on the drop of a hat you've taken that reward system away....completely. Nobody is going to be happy with that, your brain included. It takes some time for it to re-route and re-wire itself to find alternative sources of pleasure. They do emerge, slowly, and out of the fog. You just have to be patient. Easier said then done, I know. But it's an entirely new way of living that your brain is figuring out. Takes some getting used to.

I was also in pretty bad shape for the first month. Lots of peaks and valleys since then too but nothing as bad as those first thirty days. Just try to remind yourself that better days are on the horizon.
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Old 07-21-2013, 08:00 PM
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It will change....in your body's time.

We've put our bodies through a lot, it's time to heal.

Peace
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Old 07-21-2013, 08:02 PM
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It took about a month . It's been nine months now and I feel wonderfully normal!
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Old 07-21-2013, 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by sugarbear1 View Post
It will change....in your body's time.

We've put our bodies through a lot, it's time to heal.

Peace

B12 they give it to you in detox centers too!
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Old 07-21-2013, 08:09 PM
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To recover we need to take a vit b complex or may be lacking b12? Take a multi vit, eat , sleep and little excerise, vitamin b is paramount, high levels of alcohol wrecks our nervous system vit b gets us back on track, take it in the morning, as it gives u energy, and have some food in ur tummy otherwise u might feel a bit yuk
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Old 07-21-2013, 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by deeker View Post

B12 they give it to you in detox centers too!
Many alcoholics are also deficient in folic acid.
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Old 07-21-2013, 09:06 PM
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Honey is a gentle way to get some sugar and calories into your system.
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Old 07-21-2013, 09:19 PM
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I am on day 5 of recovering and I have been sleeping a lot as well. I am going to get a check up just to be safe.. I can totally relate.. I do however feel in control... we can do this one day at the time... for know I suggest you give your body the rest it needs to recover...
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Old 07-21-2013, 11:23 PM
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It's just your body recovering. Think of the damage we've doneover the years-it takes longer than a few days to feel better. For me, I felt better by 1 month
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Old 07-21-2013, 11:34 PM
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The extent and duration of drinking is relevant to recovery.
As a heavy drinker and addict for some decades I sort of took for granted all the bad stuff, both physical and mental..
In my case recovery took quite a while;I am now feeling O.K, pumping iron, doing cardio etc.
My days are now infinitely better than those horrible boozed up miserable ones.
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Old 07-22-2013, 12:09 AM
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My first attempt at sobriety I was completely exhausted every day all day, I was getting past 60 days and people would tell me I would feel better around the 90 day mark, I never made it that far, tired depressed I gave in at 81 days.

Several weeks later I quit again, this time around I changed my diet and take multi vitamins and I have so much energy. I'm not extremely strict and still have treats but don't spending the day stuffing my face.

The most important thing is you rest and allow your body to repair when it's telling you to.

Stick with it, nothing stays the same x
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