Cynix

Hi all,

So i have been drinking since 17 now in mid 40s, mostly weekend binge drinker but last few years been drinking most nights not necessarily loads as binging but could drink 12 hours steady at weekends usually just beer.

Monday mornings for last few month would suffer crushing anxiety at work would stay off booze couple of days then cycle would repeat.

So at xmas end of finger went numb carried on then 2 weeks ago arm was burning and numb, carried on till seen doctor and i can now say i have actually seen a doc scared for my health! Thought he was going to rush me hospital.

So now 4 days with no drink every joint hurts have burning still in arm limbs are heavy tingling random over body and crushing anxiety.

Waiting to do full blood tests and emergency neurology appointment in next few weeks.

Thank god doc gave me some 2mg diazepam enough for a week as i feel like I'm dying at some points during the day and even this small dosage gets me through.

Trying my best to get through the last 4 days signed off work taking vitamins and to be fair not craving alcohol just **** scared i have damaged my body beyond repair or god forbid have ms or als.

Just taking a day at a time waking up is a good thing and waiting on my tests which hopefully come back not serious.

jr67

You have *so* come to the right place by coming to SR, Cynix. Browse all around the site. Continue to post in your own thread(s) as much as you want, and also I recommend joining the Class of January 2020. To join, you just show up and you're in. Ask questions, tell your story. Or not, as you feel comfortable.

Sounds like you've got the medical side covered, do you have a support system as in family and friends? Btw just cuz I (or anyone) ask questions on here, that doesn't mean you have to answer them on line. Maybe they'll just lead to things for you to think about.

I am on my Day 25 of sobriety, and I only discovered SR on my Day 5, but there is a breadth and depth of experience and wisdom here that continually amazes me.

Welcome aboard the sobriety train.

Cityboy

Don't know about the burning and numbness. Anxiety was a major component in my cycle of drinking. After two weeks I feel much more in control and do not seem to be having the really deep feelings of anxiety, stress, and so forth.

Derringer

Welcome to SR Cynix

The anxiety cycle is pretty common and so is a scare of some kind that gives us a wake up call.

Sometimes it's health, sometimes loss of job, relationship, car / license or a brush with the law.

You've done the best thing and headed to get medical advice.

Hopefully you can get some help with the drinking and take the scare seriously and as a sign that the booze has turned on you.

Cynix

Thanks guys for the welcome been a lurker on here for couple of years and i hsve gave up alcohol for a month here and there and felt good then it creeps back up as we all know.

I do have a good suport network so i am lucky there.

I don't crave never have just the way i feel now actually hoping it is the effects of years of drinking as alternative is pretty scary.

Have seen quite a few posts on here with people mentioning similar symptoms regarding numbness, heavy limbs and pins and needles but i know and thankful doc is basically doing a full blood check and sending me to a specialist to find out what is going on.

Suffered with anxiety for years and alcohol definitely makes this worse for me so stopping definitely helps.

Coldfusion

One of the things we suggest a lot here on this forum is having a plan. I like the plan presented by AA. It's twelve simple steps, so you can see the whole thing right from the start. Plus, there's a world-wide support network.

D122y

I didn't have your medical issues, but I had them for sure.

Those issues had escalated for 20 plus years. I was lucky I didn't pop a blood vessel in my brain or die from a comatose breathing stoppage.

The reasons i quit, like 20 of them, seem to fade away and booze starts to look good again.

I have never been a person that remembers negatives and that is working against me when it comes to being a fat lazy embarrassed drunk.

I can't even explain the differences in my life since I changed my lifestyle to that of an extremely proud non drinker.

Last night big party for my wife's friend. Nobody was openly drinking. So fun to have fun without drinking.

Thank God for SR.

Thanks for the therapy.

SoberRican

Hello and welcome. I'm gonna bank on alot of your problems lessoning the longer you stay off the sauce. One day at a time. ✌

Cynix

Thank you believe and hope that myself.

Verdantia

Welcome, Cynix. One day at a time is the only way through it, and I'm very glad you are here. I think SoberRican is right--your problems will lessen with more sober time. I had bad pins and needles in my hands and feet at the end of my drinking and in early sobriety, but within six months of sobriety and taking care of myself, this neuropathy went away. Our bodies are resilient and have amazing recuperative power, but we can't continue drinking without expecting to do some real damage--I am astonished that I escaped with my health essentially unscathed. Wishing you the best, and I hope you continue posting.

Dee74

Welcome to the group Cynix

D

Dee74

Welcome to the group Cynix

D

ZIP

Hi Cynix,
Great idea to visit your doctor. Like you, I started drinking as an underage kid, and it got progressively worse as I aged. When I decided to once and for all quit I got professional help and also went to see my doctor. I was very candid with him about my drinking history. I was all in.
Your doctor may become one of your biggest fans of sober lifestyle. Mine is, and I really appreciate his support.
Glad to see you here.

Surrendered19

Welcome Cynix. It sounds like you are under medical care and that sounds like a very good thing. Keep updating this post and let us know how you are doing. The coming days will be tough but you can do it. As far down the road you think you are, you can get further towards death and continue to find worse suffering and misery. We don't drink anymore Cynix. Simple as that. I'll be thinking about you.

Cynix

Thank you for all for the supportive comments insomnia kicking in now which has happened on my previous breaks from drinking. Will check in and update as days go by.

Anyone lurking and viewing these forum as i did for so long good luck and strength to you all as well.

Anna

Welcome, Cynix! I hope that you get positive answers to your medical issues and I'm glad that you've decided to stop drinking for good. I had crushing anxiety when I stopped drinking too. I still struggle with anxiety but it's much more manageable now. And, insomnia is pretty common in early recovery, but should improve as time goes by.

Hevyn

Hi Cynix. I'm so glad you posted about what you're going through. Please know you're never alone.

I had most of those same symptoms when I first quit after drinking for decades. We've beaten our bodies up quite badly & there's an adjustment to be made. Most everything eased up the longer I stayed sober. I'm glad you're under a doctor's care. Things are going to get so much better.

anxiousrock

Cynix

Well day 5 it is and woke up which is good lol.

Actually feeling slightly better today which is good after only 4 hours sleep.

anxiety has gone for the moment feel stronger in muscles and managed a nice breakfast then walk in park.

just noticed tingling is a lot better but arm still numb and usual withdrawl headache kicking in, just had call and i am booked in for head mri scan and with bloods so full mot later this week.

have a good day all and i hope everyone who is suffering gets through ok.

Hevyn

Well done on your 5 days sober, Cynix.