Hi All....Newbie's first post
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Florida., USA
Posts: 3,252
Hi All....Newbie's first post
Today is my 9th day without alcohol. YAY! . For maybe about 15 years, up until I retired, I kept my drinking to 2-4 light beers per night. There were few nights that I did not drink, though. After I retired, I started having sleep problems which included restless leg syndrome and so I drank more and more to relax me so I could sleep. At the end of January my doctor did a sleep study, which was inconclusive because I didn't sleep long enough (DUH!) When I spoke with the doctor about the results, she said she believed I was self medicating with the beer to sleep. I told her I had 3-5 light beers per night - every night. I did not tell her that the actual amount I drank was 5-8 light beers per night, every night. Anyway, the doc ordered blood work thinking that perhaps I had a low iron level which was causing the restless leg syndrome. The "self medicating" comment the doc made had merit and I knew it was time to face my increasing alcohol consumption. I had one beer on the afternoon of February 1st and have been alcohol free since February 2nd. This past Friday, the doctor called me to tell me my iron levels were fine, but my liver enzymes were elevated. Yikes!!! This made me very sad, but I was sure glad I already had a few alcohol free days under my belt. Since then, I have been horribly depressed and am suffering with terrible anxiety. My skin itches terribly and my arms have rashes on them. I feel like crying most of the time.
BUT.....I am hanging in there.
Your stories have given me courage and have inspired me to make a healthy change to my life. This is a super group of folks.
BUT.....I am hanging in there.
Your stories have given me courage and have inspired me to make a healthy change to my life. This is a super group of folks.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,536
Welcome Rar! I'm so glad you joined us - you found a great place.
I had that same anxious feeling in the early days. I had the itchies too. It all settled down after a couple weeks. You did a great thing by deciding to stop - be proud of yourself. It'll keep getting better.
I had that same anxious feeling in the early days. I had the itchies too. It all settled down after a couple weeks. You did a great thing by deciding to stop - be proud of yourself. It'll keep getting better.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,760
Well now you're a part of this super group! 
I'm glad you joined us. We share a common goal: to live a sober life.
Congrats on nine days sober. That's a great start!
The itching and anxiety will pass with time. Hang in there!
Is that your dog in your avatar? Cute dog.
I'm glad you joined us. We share a common goal: to live a sober life.
Congrats on nine days sober. That's a great start!
The itching and anxiety will pass with time.
Hang in there!Is that your dog in your avatar? Cute dog.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 26
I've always had some anxiety but it became alot worse after I quit. I'm not far ahead of you in sobriety but I guarantee that anxiety will go away. The first 1-2 weeks was pretty bad. Had dry mouth, restlessness, and all the anxiety symptoms. But here close to day 40 I have little to none. This place will help alot. I really thought I was going crazy until I started to see others going through the same thing. Congrats on quitting!
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