jarp

A little bit concerned about RAH who has been completely sober over 4 months now. We've just both noticed how fatigued he is, and it seems to be increasing.

His bloods 6 weeks ago showed marginally elevated liver enzymes and mildly high cholesterol (the one that increases with alcohol). He's due for a rework mid jan. But all else was fine.

He's on a low dose of an anti-psychotic (olanzapine) which he takes at night bc it causes drowsiness.

His tiredness has been increasing to the point now where he's falling asleep in the afternoons. Yesterday he was driving and had to pull over to sleep. He's getting 9 hours solid sleep each night, but had terrible insomnia when drinking.

Is this common in recovering a's? Shouldn't his energy be increasing over time? Or is this part of recovery? Prior to going into detox he went on a massive 2 month bender...docs shocked his liver wasn't affected more!!

Carlotta

Hi Jarp. It is fairly common for newly sober people to be tired all the time. Sleeping is the natural way for the body to heal itself. My first 6 months sober, I was perpetually exhausted and would catch as many naps as possible.

BoxinRotz

Hubby is very tired but he always napped since I've known him. I don't know how much of Hubby's fatigue is associated with his accident since he's rested more since being in the accident. I think my hubby is in a class of his own considering our circumstances.

jarp

Thanks carlotta that's good to know. It makes sense. The psych did say the same...in a general way, not about fatigue specifically.

Hangnbyathread

My XAGF slept about 12 hours a day. More on weekends. I was also worried, but learned that this is indeed part of the process. I don't know how long it last as far as if there is like a normal. I asked her about it. She said, yes she was tired but she also enjoyed sleeping because it curbed her urge to drink. She would come home from work, and be in bed by 7PM. Sleep til 7AM, get up and go to work. On a weekend, she would say I'm going to take a nap. That would be 3 hours. This gave me lots of space and freedom. Then after like 6 months you realize you may as well live alone because if she is home, she is sleeping. And you don't want to wake her. I just made it a positive. I stayed on the other side of the house and did my thing. Then she started getting pissey that we never did anything anymore and I moved out. I wasn't going to be made responsible for this new issue. As far as I know she is still sleeping....lol.

jarp

Thanks box and hang!

I don't think he's sleeping to avoid drinking... He says it's bothering him that he's so tired. He's still looking after his recovery, everything at home and spending lots of time with us, so we'll see

cynical one

It could possibly be PAWS Part 1 Part 2

redatlanta

Maybe the anti psychotic should be adjusted. Perhaps a call to his Pdoc regarding the fatigue?

I have also heard this is common. Unrelated kind of but I remember when my mom quit smoking for like 3 months she could barely keep her eyes open. It certainly could be the body spending energy healing itself and ridding toxins.

Hawkeye13

Hi Jarp and Happy New Year

I wanted to let you know that I also slept a great deal in early recovery--10 or 12 hours was pretty normal although I had months of intermittent insomnia while drinking and in very early detox.

Quite honestly, I still sleep much more than I used to and I get tired early in the evening when the sun goes down and I get up very early as well.
My whole circadian rhythm has become very obviously linked to daylight / nighttime for what it is worth.

Part of my fatigue, however, is due to years of caregiving my alcoholic mother--
I was under constant emergency / stress and I believe I have something called adrenal exhaustion syndrome which some physicians don't even think is "real"
but it feels pretty real to me, so that may be a factor of why I still sleep so much even with years of sobriety now.

Anyway, my advice to your husband is to nap and rest when needed, and to set up a sleep routine including warm showers and baths before resting,
herbal tea, etc. and to be on an excellent diet / nutrition protocol for the next year or so to rebuild.

By the way, a shout out to him (and you) on a job well done these past months.
He has really defied the odds and proven people can choose differently and are not "doomed" unless they give up.

I was one of the ones who said "walk away" and I am very glad to have been proven wrong in this case

NYCDoglvr

After four months he shouldn't be experiencing fatigue of this severity. I'd check medical causes.

Refiner

Could it be depression? As one who's been diagnosed with it, we sure do like to sleep... A lot!

jarp

Thanks everyone. He has a medical scheduled mid jan and will bring it up then. I showed him the paws info...he recognised some of the symptoms but not most. He tried taking his meds earlier last night and is feeling less tired today.

I suggested depression but he's sure it's not that..said he's happiest he's ever been. The worst he feels is boredom sometimes when we are at social functions where everyone else is drinking (NYE party etc).

Thanks hawkeye...he has everyone amazed...his addiction psych said it's not often he sees a early recovery period like RAH is having. I know it's early days, and RAH acknowledges he has a long way to go, but he's doing bloody well. He's been asked to come and speak to a new rehab group if he's ready about what his first 6 months of recovery has been like. He's really chuffed with this, and he'll be great!

Hawks

I'm through to 6 months and still getting pretty tired.

I'd love to be able to rest and sleep more but 4 kids under 11, means there ain't much rest time

It's normal and I have heard lots of people say it.

Also seems to go on a little longer the older we are, body doesn't bounce back as quick or heal itself quickly.

I'm 42 btw.

Chantal88

jarp -

After an alcoholic quits drinking there is usually something called withdrawals that last 3-4 days, and then there are protracted withdrawals which can last months and even years. Essentially his body is still trying to recover from the lack of alcohol. There are many books you can read on the subject, and if possible you may want to see an addiction specialist or nutritionist who can give you more info.

Most doctors are not well versed in this area. A specialist or someone specializing in nutrition is your best bet!

hopeful4

Jarp, I am wondering if his meds are a suspended release in that do they release more over time? If so that would certainly explain a lot. I know that happened to me and it took talking to the pharmacist to understand what was happening. I don't drink, but this time of year I also feel more than average tired. I think it is partly due to season change and time change.

Don't know if any of this will help at all but thought I would throw it out there. I am so glad to hear he is still sober and working his recovery. Just excellent!

Stoogy

Some great responses and advice right there, I suffered from insomnia pretty badly for the first week or so but once I got too grips with the restlessness it seemed turn into the best sleeping patterns I have had as an adult, I think it is just our bodies way of balancing the change in lifestyle.
Take care.

Mimi9013

I know you've gotten a lot of feedback already, but I was reading an alanon pamphlet this morning that said extreme fatigue can last 12 months into sobriety.