amanda30

I have not had a drink since Saturday night. Sunday was pure hell. The shakes, inability to rest or sleep, shortness of breath, and chest pain. I went to the ER on Sunday afternoon. They admitted me for one day and was giving my librium.

I'm not having any physical withdrawl symptoms now. I was okay for a couple of days, but now I'm just having anxiety. I've slow deep breathing, trying to keep my mind off things, but it isn't working. I have no insurance so it's nearly impossible just to see a doctor. Does anyone have any advise on any way to relieve some of this.

baggervance

Have you tried to find a support group of some kind I find If I can talk to another alcoholic it helps me more than anything.I think you have done great not drinking since saturday thats great focus on your positives.I was right where you are short time ago.Stick it out dont drink today.You will start feeling better soon.Try some red apples dont know what they do but old timer told me that and they helped me.

Introvrtd1

Amanda,

Unfortunately anxiety and/or panic attacks may accompany alcohol withdrawals. I think you did the right thing by checking in to ER. It will take some time for the body to settle.

There are some good topics on what happens during alcohol withdrawal in this and the alcoholism section at the top part as 'stickys'.

You will find a wealth of info regarding. The anxiety section of this forum also has good encouraging posts as well.

Take care. You will get better.

Intro

amanda30

Thank you both for your suggestions. I will try those things and hopefully it will get better soon. I think some of my anxiety is also from stressing about being away from my family and trying to find inpatient treatment. Again, thanks!

Daisy1975

I've been having anxiety attacks from hell the past few days too. Today was day 2 without any alcohol or cocaine. I have gone for a walk which really did help and I also supplied myself with some uplifting movies to watch. The movies provide a good distraction - if only until the anxiety passes/subsides a little.

I can relate to the problem of finding medical care while being uninsured. I called a mental health hotline yesterday and they gave me the number of a community mental health center in my city. I plan to contact them tomorrow and get some more information. They are supposed to base your fees on your income/ability to pay. Maybe there is a similar program in your area?

IO Storm

Amanda...

Yes..the anxiety..stomach churning..brain burning is from withdrawal...

Try to get get to an AA meeting if you can while you are waiting..

You don't have to be well to go...I sweated and shook at meetings..

and they helped me get through it..

Love,

IO

barb dwyer

... and while you do all the things listed above ... remember every icky moment of it.

You never have to do this again.
You never have to drink again.
You might, however have to be taught how to live .. sober.. again.
That's why AA is so wonderful.
Just don't forget when you get to the other side.
Don't forget how this feels.

Keep posting! Good job!!!

stone

All good advice above Amanda, it is fairly common what you are going through.
Have you tried any herbal tablets, I found them to work surprisingly well?

Also, meditation/relaxation tapes are good.

You did the right thing going to the ER too, very wise of you.

amanda30

Stone- What kind of herbal tablets.

stone

The ones I have are called Quiet Life, I also have another brand that has basically the same ingredients, they are for anxiety and they recommend to up the dose at night if you need help sleeping. Heres the ingredients...

valerian, hops, passiflora, wild lettuce and motherwort and they also have B vitamins.

carl11

I have 2 days sobriety and I am starting meetings tomorrow....my anxiety right now is telling my manager..I told my team leader who is very supportive and she’s going to discuss it with my manger so, he knows why I have missed work this week...to lie would burn that bridge of trust I think between us...but I still have this effing anxiety anyway...