Aristo

Lately, I've been feeling physically run down, getting heaps and heaps of bad headaches, dizziness, heart palpitations, sinus pain and generally feeling like crap. I thought that I had come down with something or that this was something chronic that happens as part of recovery....

So I went to the Doc - she said it was a sinus thing going around. Got Sinutab stuff (panadol and something for sinus)

The symptoms got worse, and started getting chest tightness and pain in my left arm.

Went back to the Doc - She had me get a whole lot of blood tests, ECG stress test, and ultrasound of my heart.

Went to get my results today and got a different Doc.

Blood tests were all good - apart from slightly high cholesterol and liver function (to be expected - but is has come down heaps and is still in normal range, but a at the top end)

ECG showed the old heart is fine and statistically less then 1% chance of heart attack.

I describe all the funny symptoms to the Dr again. He goes, does it feel like your heart skips a beat every so often or has an extra beat ? I say yeah ! He says - "I had this and it is called - <and he rattles of some medical term with lots of long and hard to pronounce words>"

It's caused by: 1) Too much caffeine 2) Nicotine 3) Sleep deprivation and goes away (immediately) when you exersise.

Hmmm Guess what:

* I drink HEAPS of Coffee now - much more than I drank before (what else do you drink at AA meetings)

* I smoke

* I have been staying up really really late cause I can't get to sleep.

* I haven't ben doing much exersise - but when I did, I don't remember getting the symptoms.

So guess what.....

I'm a bloody idiot. ha ha.

So now, the hard work starts.

Bloody Hell, I have given up the booze - no drink for over 4 months. And now I gotta give up coffee, smokes, start exersising and getting to bed at a reasonable hour.

Ahh well - all in the name of good health.

Thought I would share this as I thought it was funny, yet when you look at it, quite common sense really - Maybe I will get some common sense back someday soon ! ha ha . Also, there maybe others out there with some similar symptoms that this may help.

Cheerio

TryingisDying

And we tend to make it WAY more complicated then it is.....Glad your aware of your problem and feel better!!

GlassPrisoner

At least you know what the problem is.

My caffiene intake goes up and down. My sleep pattern is pretty sound though, at least regular (6 hrs a night). I still smoke, but I walk a lot.

Remember too, your body is healing. It takes a while to repair the damage.

Aristo

Yes - way way more complicated - I was ready to ask the Doc if it could be stress and anxiety - and should I go back on anti-depressants (that I stopped, when I got sober).

TryingisDying

I can only promise you...you will feel 100% in the long haul...and yes it will be a long haul......

CarolD

For the mew healthier you...


Glad to see you!

best

So Doc... If I stop drinking I will live longer?...Yup.
So Doc... If I stop smoking I will live longer?... Yup
Ok sounds good.

Lets see what else?

So Doc if I cut down on the coffee I may live longer?...Yup
So Doc if I go home early and get some rest I will live longer?...Yup.

Ok no booze... I can accept that.
Ciggerettes?.... Will give it a try.
No coffee or late nights out chasing the ladies?
hmmm Why would I want to live longer? *LOL*

Ever notice it is the things we think are fun that kills us? *LOL*

Remember when you were 20 and would do so much that your muscles would ache for about a day after?
Wait till you reach my age... Half that amount of exercise or work requires weeks to get over the aches *LOL*

indigo

Do you like Decaf? I had to resort to it and now I can't tell the difference except I'm not running round like a headless chicken anymore. Keep up the good work.

indigo

Aristo

Ahhhhh - nooooo I don't like decaf, I'd rather not have any - Just like light (low alcohol) beer - There's no point - ha ha

karrotop

hi......yes,i thought quitting drinking would make me feel like a new woman....I ,too,drink too much coffee,smoke too many cigarettes,and don't exercise...my doc wanted me to try Chantrix for the cigs....I said,"no"....one demon at a time,please!I do drink the lite coffee now.....can't tell the difference with that.waiting for my bloodwork results...i am sure the doc will want to put me on more meds for something else......it never ends,does it?KT

Aristo

I hear you KT - Lots of people have told me (including my Doc) to take one addiction at a time - and think about giving up the cigs in like 12-18 months time.

But I think, if it makes me feel better now - I may give it a good try as I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired - this time caffeine and nicotine - or anything with 'ine' (or 'ol') on the end of it.

velvet42

You may not live longer - but you'll certainly FEEL like you've lived longer