New here
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Summerville, SC
Posts: 4
New here
Hi all,
I'm happy to be here, and hope that the wisdom of others will help me through this. After having a physical found that my liver enzymes are high. They did ultra sound, and hep tests. I have fatty liver, but no signs of cirrhosis, thank goodness. I was told by my doctor that I needed to cut back to one drink per night. He's a realist and didn't tell me to quit completely. He also said to switch to a drink that I can't stand. I have switched to gin, nasty stuff, and have cut my drinking by about 75%. Sunday, I'll be down to two drinks.
When I started with reduction I started having horrible night sweats, itchy, bad dreams, insomnia, etc. I assume this is a normal part of the process. Uncomfortable, but necessary. I feel much better during the day, other than being exhausted from not sleeping, so that's a start. I've lost a few pounds, which is extra incentive. I know I can do this.
I've been self medicating for way too long, and it's time to stop!
I hope to find much information, and some tips and advice.
Have a splendid day!
I'm happy to be here, and hope that the wisdom of others will help me through this. After having a physical found that my liver enzymes are high. They did ultra sound, and hep tests. I have fatty liver, but no signs of cirrhosis, thank goodness. I was told by my doctor that I needed to cut back to one drink per night. He's a realist and didn't tell me to quit completely. He also said to switch to a drink that I can't stand. I have switched to gin, nasty stuff, and have cut my drinking by about 75%. Sunday, I'll be down to two drinks.
When I started with reduction I started having horrible night sweats, itchy, bad dreams, insomnia, etc. I assume this is a normal part of the process. Uncomfortable, but necessary. I feel much better during the day, other than being exhausted from not sleeping, so that's a start. I've lost a few pounds, which is extra incentive. I know I can do this.
I've been self medicating for way too long, and it's time to stop!
I hope to find much information, and some tips and advice.
Have a splendid day!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Bend, OR
Posts: 136
Welcome to SR!!! Yes, the night sweats, insomnia....all part of the ride! I am going through the exact same thing and I asked the exact same things you did....it is normal. It sucks but it is starting to cool out a bit after only 4 days for me, so expect it to get better at some point. Good luck and you have come to a place where there is a TON of helpful people and advice.
Follow Directions!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Posts: 9,730
Welcome to SR, I experimented with "Cutting back" for many years and somehow could never seem to do it with any long term success, it was for me like a long drawn out self inflicted torture. Some how I always wound up convincing myself that a couple of extra every night every once in a while was okay. Then of course I would get frustrated and try to just quit. Long story short after 5 years of that I wound up being totally addicted to alcohol and could not go a single day without out drinking.
I have heard of a few people succeeding in cutting back to nothing and I wish you all the best.
Most folks here with success quit drinking entirely, for most folks here, myself included when I controled my drinking I did not enjoy my drinking, when I did not control my drinking I enjoyed it.
For me life has been far easier just not drinking.
There are a ton of good folks here to support you and answer questions you may have.
BTW I was diagnosed with a fatty liver by a specialist in alcoholism, he told me if I kept on drinking it would advance to cirrosis, if I quit entirely in time my liver enzymes would return to normal. Well I quit entirely and he was right, in about 3 months my enzymes were back to normal and at about 6 months the swelling was gone entirely.
I have heard of a few people succeeding in cutting back to nothing and I wish you all the best.
Most folks here with success quit drinking entirely, for most folks here, myself included when I controled my drinking I did not enjoy my drinking, when I did not control my drinking I enjoyed it.
For me life has been far easier just not drinking.
There are a ton of good folks here to support you and answer questions you may have.
BTW I was diagnosed with a fatty liver by a specialist in alcoholism, he told me if I kept on drinking it would advance to cirrosis, if I quit entirely in time my liver enzymes would return to normal. Well I quit entirely and he was right, in about 3 months my enzymes were back to normal and at about 6 months the swelling was gone entirely.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Somewhere out there
Posts: 191
Welcome to SR. I'm sure you will find answers to many of your questions, as well as the support you need to stop completely. I'm not a doctor, but cutting down does not work for me!
Best wishes, and I look forward to reading more on yuor progress.
Best wishes, and I look forward to reading more on yuor progress.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Welcome to our recovery community
Here is a link that might help you
Insomnia? 41 Simple Tips to Help You Get to Sleep - Insomnia treatment, cures
Good to see you poating with us
member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,433
Hi TWis, welcome to SR 
Frankly, I'm surprised that your doctor's advice was to simply cut back on your alcohol intake. Switching to another type of booze seems questionable as, although the percentage varies, they all contain ethanol.
Considering the discomfort and condition you describe, I would urge you to consult another doctor -just from a physical point of view. The symptoms may be dangerous, and they are not necessarily a normal part of withdrawal. Hopefully a different clinician will be able to manage this process.
You haven't directly mentioned having a problem with alcohol. But self medicating with drinks can lead to even bigger problems, on all levels. Whatever the case, though, it sounds as though your liver could use a break... Think about it. Being a realist, is one drink per night worth the damage?
Good luck
Frankly, I'm surprised that your doctor's advice was to simply cut back on your alcohol intake. Switching to another type of booze seems questionable as, although the percentage varies, they all contain ethanol.
Considering the discomfort and condition you describe, I would urge you to consult another doctor -just from a physical point of view. The symptoms may be dangerous, and they are not necessarily a normal part of withdrawal. Hopefully a different clinician will be able to manage this process.
You haven't directly mentioned having a problem with alcohol. But self medicating with drinks can lead to even bigger problems, on all levels. Whatever the case, though, it sounds as though your liver could use a break... Think about it. Being a realist, is one drink per night worth the damage?
Good luck
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Summerville, SC
Posts: 4
Thank you
Anna and Hope, thank you for the welcome.
David, thanks for the information. It's nice to know that it's normal. I assume the sweats are just from trying to clear the toxins out of the body. At the rate I've been doing that, I suspect I'm very toxic!
Tazman, I hear where you are coming from. I was thinking that if I can get down to one drink that I may as well just quit all together. I'm going out for supper tonight and rather than a glass of wine, I'll be ordering unsweet tea. I come from a family full (and by full, I mean I can't think of anyone in my family that is not an alcoholic or drug addict) of addicts. Most of which have passed on by their mid 50s. I don't want to be one of those statistics. Thank you for the input. I really do appreciate it.
David, thanks for the information. It's nice to know that it's normal. I assume the sweats are just from trying to clear the toxins out of the body. At the rate I've been doing that, I suspect I'm very toxic!
Tazman, I hear where you are coming from. I was thinking that if I can get down to one drink that I may as well just quit all together. I'm going out for supper tonight and rather than a glass of wine, I'll be ordering unsweet tea. I come from a family full (and by full, I mean I can't think of anyone in my family that is not an alcoholic or drug addict) of addicts. Most of which have passed on by their mid 50s. I don't want to be one of those statistics. Thank you for the input. I really do appreciate it.
Follow Directions!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Posts: 9,730
Sweet Tea!!!! I am a southern boy and that is now my drink of choice!!!!
BTW I was 52 when I finally quit, my body was in the early physical stages of telling me "Hey I am going to die if you keep putting that stuff in me!" LOL
BTW I was 52 when I finally quit, my body was in the early physical stages of telling me "Hey I am going to die if you keep putting that stuff in me!" LOL
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Summerville, SC
Posts: 4
More thanks
rurydy, thank you!
Carol, I will be sure to read that article. I'm sure it well help a lot.
Tazman, you must be a true Southerner if Sweet tea is your drink of choice. I'm a darn Yankee, hence the difference. I'm 42 and my body is saying the same thing. Everyone metabolizes differently.
Carol, I will be sure to read that article. I'm sure it well help a lot.
Tazman, you must be a true Southerner if Sweet tea is your drink of choice. I'm a darn Yankee, hence the difference. I'm 42 and my body is saying the same thing. Everyone metabolizes differently.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 162
Hi everybody,
I am new here. Although not new to trying to quit. this time I really want to do it. I am slowly ruining my life. I am hoping that by making a plan of logging on instead of picking up a drink, it will make the difference for me. Today will be day 1.
I am new here. Although not new to trying to quit. this time I really want to do it. I am slowly ruining my life. I am hoping that by making a plan of logging on instead of picking up a drink, it will make the difference for me. Today will be day 1.
ever closer...
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 361
Welcome and I hope your taper regimen works for you. It never did for me, I thought it meant don't drink my beer drink someone elses and noone will know!!! Like every alcoholic drink eventually I learned to like the taste. So watch that gin you may find it quite refreshing after awhile!! Keep posting someone is always here to read and comment!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Summerville, SC
Posts: 4
Thank you beingjenagain.
Michigangirl, this wouldn't by chance be my sister would it? Wouldn't that be a coincidence? Do you live in the Lansing area? You would recognize "that which is."
Michigangirl, this wouldn't by chance be my sister would it? Wouldn't that be a coincidence? Do you live in the Lansing area? You would recognize "that which is."
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,569
Hi Thatwhichis, congratulations on your decision to change your life. With a family history like yours, there's no sense continuing to dance with the devil. I found it very hard to stop using alcohol as a buffer against uncomfortable things, but my life was out of control. In trying to make things easier for myself, I was complicating everything! I'm glad you found us and are ready to be free of your dependency. (I lived near Parris Island for a year long ago, in Beaufort.)
Laozi Old Man
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 6,665
Originally Posted by Thatwhichis 
He also said to switch to a drink that I can't stand. I have switched to gin, nasty stuff, and have cut my drinking by about 75%. Sunday, I'll be down to two drinks.
Sounds like the controlled drinking phase I went through with;
COGNAC
ARMAGNAC
AMERICAN BRANDY
APPLE BRANDY
APPLEJACK
CALVADOS
FRUTT-FLAVORED BRANDIE
CORDIALS
ABSINTHE
AMER PICON
ANISETTE
BENEDICTINE
BITTERS
CHARTREUSE
CRÈME DE CACAO
CRÈME DE CASSIS
CRÈME DE MENTHE
CRÈME DE YVETTE
GURACAO
DUBONNET
GRENADINE
KUMMEL
MARASCHINO
PASSION FRUTT
PASSIONOLA
PEPPERMINT SCHNAPPS
PERNOD
ROCK AND RYE
SLOE GIN
SWEDISH PUNCH
TEQUILA
TRIPLE SEC
DRY GIN
DISTILLED DRY GIN
LONDON DRY GIN
GOLDEN GIN
OLD TOM GIN
FLAVORED GIN
SLOE GIN
RUM
LIGHT-BODIED RUMS
VODKA
ZUBROVKA
AMERICAN WHISKEY
Bourbon Whiskey
Rye Whiskey
Corn Whiskey
Straight Whiskey
Blended Whiskey
Kentucky Whiskey
CANADIAN WHISKY
SCOTCH WHISKY
IRISH WHISKEY
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 5,068
Thatwhichis,
Welcome to SR. Life is a lot better sober, and this is a great place for support.
Sorry Taz, but down here we consider everybody north of I-10 to a Yankee.
Welcome to SR. Life is a lot better sober, and this is a great place for support.
Tazman, you must be a true Southerner if Sweet tea is your drink of choice. I'm a darn Yankee, hence the difference.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 206
Welcome newbies. I've done the cut down thing most recently. I said, no drinks during the week, only on the weekends. Problem is I would get blasted Fri and Sat, then by Sunday, Monday or pretty much every day by 2pm I'm feeling the desire coming back. I need to abstain completely so I don't damage my body anymore. At 36 I can't imagine deciding that it is ok to keep drinking, destroy my liver, and die leaving my wife and two small kids. Pretty selfish really. Disease or not, I am determined to make this be a lifestyle choice. If people want to make fun of me for drinking diet coke instead of wine or beer, so be it, I'd rather be me than them. Here is to a lovely halloween with my kids and a strong pot of coffee baby!
Hill
Hill
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