New here, can anyone relate to these problems I'm having?
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 5
New here, can anyone relate to these problems I'm having?
Hello everyone I'm a new member to this site and I've been thinking about going sober for some time now but I had a couple of things I wanted to discuss first.
Firstly, I wanted to know if anyone experiences the same effects as I do when I drink. For some time now I've been experiencing brain fog where my head feels cloudy, my memory is terrible and I can't concentrate. Watching tv shows, reading, conversation...ill be quite fuzzy on all the details. Drinking seems to make this worse, particularly beer. One beer is enough to cloud my mind. It'll also make me very tired.
Secondly, I'm having digestion problems, and sorry to be gross, but problems with my BM's too. I get bloating and gas and generally feel uncomfortable after eating and I'll sometimes be constipated or feel like my BM was incomplete. It ends up making me irritable.
I've wondered if I could have a possible food intolerance or something like that causing these problems or if I'm just denying that alcohol is in fact the sole cause. Needless to say both these things are making me miserable and even antisocial - I can't function feeling this way. Has anyone experienced these problems? Did sobriety address the issue?
Firstly, I wanted to know if anyone experiences the same effects as I do when I drink. For some time now I've been experiencing brain fog where my head feels cloudy, my memory is terrible and I can't concentrate. Watching tv shows, reading, conversation...ill be quite fuzzy on all the details. Drinking seems to make this worse, particularly beer. One beer is enough to cloud my mind. It'll also make me very tired.
Secondly, I'm having digestion problems, and sorry to be gross, but problems with my BM's too. I get bloating and gas and generally feel uncomfortable after eating and I'll sometimes be constipated or feel like my BM was incomplete. It ends up making me irritable.
I've wondered if I could have a possible food intolerance or something like that causing these problems or if I'm just denying that alcohol is in fact the sole cause. Needless to say both these things are making me miserable and even antisocial - I can't function feeling this way. Has anyone experienced these problems? Did sobriety address the issue?
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 197
I think BM problems are alcohol related. I have definitely "functioned" better in terms of digestion during times of sobriety than heavy drinking. I have a lot of brain fog and fuzz after many days in a row of drinking or one very heavy night. Everything I have heard and read suggests that brain fog improves with sobriety... I feel a lot clearer if I abstain even for a week
You can have reasons, or you can have results, but you can't have both.
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 1,232
Yes, I developed a food intolerance during my drinking days which is taking a little while to clear up but it is gradually improving. And yep, the BMs were also affected.
Also, the brain fog starts to clear after getting off the drink.
I feel much better even after a short period of abstinence, so much better in fact that I have no plans to resume drinking.
Also, the brain fog starts to clear after getting off the drink.
I feel much better even after a short period of abstinence, so much better in fact that I have no plans to resume drinking.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,384
Hi and welcome Jase 
I had stuff very much like that - and it all cleared up with a little sober time
Of course I'm not a Dr and you should go get checked out if you're concerned
D
Glad to have you here
D
I had stuff very much like that - and it all cleared up with a little sober time
Of course I'm not a Dr and you should go get checked out if you're concerned
D
Glad to have you here
D
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 2,332
Originally Posted by JaseInSpace 
or feel like my BM was incomplete.
It may be the alcohol however, just to be on the safe side if what you say in the statement above doesn't stop soon, I would recommend seeing a doctor.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 25,826
Welcome to the Forum JaseInSpace!! 
For me alcohol eventually stopped working, I was in a constant haze during my days, and the physical problems seemed to be multiplying.
Sobreity though changed and cleared all of those things up!!
For me alcohol eventually stopped working, I was in a constant haze during my days, and the physical problems seemed to be multiplying.
Sobreity though changed and cleared all of those things up!!
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 1,130
If you get sober, you start to make better informed choices about lots of things including things like diet, which can have an impact on your digestion. It's not something you give too much thought to when you're drinking a lot.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,601
Welcome!
When I quit drinking I couldn't even find my way TO MY HOUSE. I forgot how to get onto the Mass Turnpike! That is how FOGGY my head was from the drink!
And the IBS - Yep! Booze sh*ts! Totally can relate to that.
Sobriety is worth it! I feel so much better!
When I quit drinking I couldn't even find my way TO MY HOUSE. I forgot how to get onto the Mass Turnpike! That is how FOGGY my head was from the drink!
And the IBS - Yep! Booze sh*ts! Totally can relate to that.
Sobriety is worth it! I feel so much better!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,226
Agree with all the others.
Think about the reasons you sought out this forum to get feedback on your digestive issues. Do you think drink is a big factor?
If it was me, I would abstain completely from all alcohol, and see what clears up. (And also see my doctor.)
Think about the reasons you sought out this forum to get feedback on your digestive issues. Do you think drink is a big factor?
If it was me, I would abstain completely from all alcohol, and see what clears up. (And also see my doctor.)
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 8,704
JaseinSpace, alcohol messes up the entire physiology of the human body. No symptom would surprise me. I've had some pretty extreme things occur. Mostly while sobering up, not getting drunk. But like others have mentioned, all of it levels out with some sober time.
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