ipaidwithmylife

Hi, I just wanted to ask if it's normal to suffer from PAWS, all through a day, for weeks? I only just recently found out about this syndrome and maybe thought, that this is what I'm going through, right now. But then I read that it mostly occurs in phases and I seem to be struggling with it every day, all through the day. Has anyone else had this problem? Like apathy, short term memory loss, emotions out of control...

Alwyshope12

PAWS is tricky, for me i felt emotions and foggy brain could last days at a time. For the better part of a month, I felt like I was cycling through several symptoms including foggy brain, poor short term memory, emotional... It gets easier as time goes on.

For me, these thoughts and experiences started to occur with longer cycle times as I got more time away.

I am still only about 110 days sober, but the symptoms are much eased, but they are still there. Recovery seems to be a long process, and you need to be easy on yourself as things slowly unwind. Learning to relax and remove outside stresses will also help with reducing the PAWS symptoms.

deadlydame

As Alwyshope says, recovery is a long and hard process and the key is to be kind to ourselves. I have periods of days where i feel great fatigue, in a daze, emotional. I used to get very angry at myself for that. I am learning radical acceptance. Learning to love oneself and accept oneself are essential to a successful recovery. I am five months sober, the Paws seem to be getting easier. so remember Paws are part of the process but they too shall pass... Good luck on your journey

OnMyWay7

I don't know is it's PAWS but there are days I can barely stay awake and feel like there's cotton in my head - then other days I'm fine. Sounds like what others have described. It happens every few days for me.

doggonecarl

Maybe it's PAWS. Maybe it's something else that sobriety uncovered. Why don't you go to a doctor and eliminate or identify other possible medical explanations.

Dave36

Chances are it's just withdrawl. Whatever name you want to call it. It can take a long time for your brain to get back to normal. No harm in seeing a dr tho

Plure

I think what you are experiencing is common for many of us. I've had PAWS symptoms off and on since becoming sober back in mid-Oct. Anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, wobbliness/vertigo, foggy brain, etc. These can last a day or a few days for me. Overall it has gotten much better, however and the PAWS episodes are more manageable...partly because I'm starting to be kind to myself and accept that this is a healing process that takes time.

I also take a few meds, incl. a sleep aid, that has helped me tremendously.

Dee74

Hi Ipaidwithmylife

It depends how long you've been sober - if it's weeks this may still be the initial withdrawal phase.

I'm not a Dr but this is a very good link about PAWs - if you think it is that, there are some tips in the link for dealing with it.

PAWS | Digital Dharma