Finally sober---w/ lots of help from SR
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 357
Finally sober---w/ lots of help from SR
Hey all. I want to send out heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have supported me in the last few weeks. I finally did it; I went to the ER on Friday afternoon and they admitted me around midnight. I just got out of the hospital yesterday afternoon. I was on an IV drip 24/7 for 3.5 days and finally managed to keep down some solid food starting yesterday.
As far as sober days go, Friday doesn't count since I drank two beers before I had the courage to go (aye-what an alkie!). So today is day 5 for me. The experience was very eye-opening, frightening, even humorous at times (I had enough bizarre experiences to write a short story).
My diagnosis was "acute alcoholic hepatitis" complete w/ jaundice (ever had yellow eyes and skin before?). All this with "just a little beer and wine drinking". I don't mean to make light of the situation. It was, quite literally, very sobering.
I want to thank all of you who encouraged me to do a medically supervised detox. I was worse off then I knew and am lucky to be alive and functioning. I look forward to counting the days with you all. Thanks for lending me some courage---hope I can pay it forward!
As far as sober days go, Friday doesn't count since I drank two beers before I had the courage to go (aye-what an alkie!). So today is day 5 for me. The experience was very eye-opening, frightening, even humorous at times (I had enough bizarre experiences to write a short story).
My diagnosis was "acute alcoholic hepatitis" complete w/ jaundice (ever had yellow eyes and skin before?). All this with "just a little beer and wine drinking". I don't mean to make light of the situation. It was, quite literally, very sobering.
I want to thank all of you who encouraged me to do a medically supervised detox. I was worse off then I knew and am lucky to be alive and functioning. I look forward to counting the days with you all. Thanks for lending me some courage---hope I can pay it forward!
1 bite&all resistance crumbles
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: IRELAND
Posts: 2,208
Originally Posted by SoosieQ 
hope I can pay it forward!
I could not stay stopped without the help of face to face meetings with other alcoholics and the program of aa. It's a huge support I hope you'll try it.
Well done again.
Cathy31
x
Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,299
Hey Soosie,
I am so glad you're back and that you got the help you needed!I'm really happy to hear from again.I remember how hard it was for you waiting to go and how scared you were.... *hugs*
Well done and may this be a new start for you.We're all rooting for you,
Lots of love,
Julesxox :ghug3
I am so glad you're back and that you got the help you needed!I'm really happy to hear from again.I remember how hard it was for you waiting to go and how scared you were.... *hugs*
Well done and may this be a new start for you.We're all rooting for you,
Lots of love,
Julesxox :ghug3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 357
Thanks all and big hugs. I haven't had a lot of success w/ aa, so am looking into secular recovery groups in my area. I may have to travel to another town to try Rational Recovery, but am considering giving it a go!
I am so relieved to have gone through this. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. The worst of it was on Friday...sat in the ER waiting room for 3 hours before talking with a doc, then went through all sorts of tests including an ultrasound (with a technician who kept calling me "love" and "deary"), Xrays, palpitations, etc. Finally got admitted around midnight...that would be 12 hours with no alcohol, 7 hours without a cigarette and two days without solid food (I was a little scary!).
It took the nurses an hour and a half to show up w/ an IV, a sedative and a nicotine patch. I finally fell asleep around 4 am, and with my luck, I ended up w/ my own version of Nurse Ratchet. She flipped on the overhead lights around 5:30 am and proclaimed that she was taking my blood. I was totally disoriented and just entering into sedative-enhanced sleep. She missed the vein and was wiggling the needle around in my arm. Needless to say, she got an ear full of colorful words and I got a bruise about the size of a quarter on my forearm-lol!
Thankfully, the nurses work on rotation and I never saw my Ratchet again. I am so grateful to be sober today!!! Wishing the same feeling of safety and well being to all of you!
I am so relieved to have gone through this. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. The worst of it was on Friday...sat in the ER waiting room for 3 hours before talking with a doc, then went through all sorts of tests including an ultrasound (with a technician who kept calling me "love" and "deary"), Xrays, palpitations, etc. Finally got admitted around midnight...that would be 12 hours with no alcohol, 7 hours without a cigarette and two days without solid food (I was a little scary!).
It took the nurses an hour and a half to show up w/ an IV, a sedative and a nicotine patch. I finally fell asleep around 4 am, and with my luck, I ended up w/ my own version of Nurse Ratchet. She flipped on the overhead lights around 5:30 am and proclaimed that she was taking my blood. I was totally disoriented and just entering into sedative-enhanced sleep. She missed the vein and was wiggling the needle around in my arm. Needless to say, she got an ear full of colorful words and I got a bruise about the size of a quarter on my forearm-lol!
Thankfully, the nurses work on rotation and I never saw my Ratchet again. I am so grateful to be sober today!!! Wishing the same feeling of safety and well being to all of you!
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,444
what she said LOL
there are lots of ways that work - just gotta stay honest and stick to your guns
whatever way you get there, Soos, I wish you well and wish you good luck.
and...there's always someone here
D
there are lots of ways that work - just gotta stay honest and stick to your guns
whatever way you get there, Soos, I wish you well and wish you good luck.
and...there's always someone here
D
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,876
Congrats Soosie on beginning your new life! Remember you never have to do this again!
I second what gypsy said...stick around SR! In addition I would read anything and everything you can about addiction...many people get and stay sober without aa, some professionals even go so far as to say more people get sober without aa, so stay positive, stay strong and don't pick up!
I second what gypsy said...stick around SR! In addition I would read anything and everything you can about addiction...many people get and stay sober without aa, some professionals even go so far as to say more people get sober without aa, so stay positive, stay strong and don't pick up!
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 6,608
Thanks for sharing that story and experience. I know you just helped me never want to be in that spot. 1010th reason not to drink anymore! Congratulations and can't wait to hear more from you and your experiences.
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