36 days Sober but still nervous of health
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 41
36 days Sober but still nervous of health
This is my first post, and I haven't had a drink since Christmas.
Been lurking on this site for the last month since I started to experience my first withdrawal symptoms and had no clue what was going on (so obvious that it was the alcohol, can't believe I was so ignorant when I was drinking).
This site and community have been a fantastic resource for me going through the first month. I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their experiences and support. I was literally looking over this site on my phone probably 6 hours a day during work trying to calm my nerves. After a month of very bad anxiety, a "wavy" vision thing for three weeks, and obsessively checking my eyes for jaundice 20x a day I had my first "I feel great" moment and have almost a completely clear head. So I thought I'd jump in and join the community.
I got a doctor's appointment scheduled for next Tuesday. And while I feel better physically and mentally than I ever have since I really started hitting it hard 7 months ago, I'm nervous about what the doctor's gonna say/find.
While I was drinking heavy on the weekends at college (only weekends from 08-2011), I didn't start drinking daily until just over a year and a half ago. Since that time my intake has increased quickly from probably 20 shots a week, to 30 shots a week, and for the last 7 months I've been drinking 50 shots a week (bourbon, would normally chase it with beer).
While I'm obviously fishing for support I was wondering if others were incredibly nervous about what they were going to find out from their doctors visit and then felt better after it, even if blood tests didn't come out the best or anything.
Been lurking on this site for the last month since I started to experience my first withdrawal symptoms and had no clue what was going on (so obvious that it was the alcohol, can't believe I was so ignorant when I was drinking).
This site and community have been a fantastic resource for me going through the first month. I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their experiences and support. I was literally looking over this site on my phone probably 6 hours a day during work trying to calm my nerves. After a month of very bad anxiety, a "wavy" vision thing for three weeks, and obsessively checking my eyes for jaundice 20x a day I had my first "I feel great" moment and have almost a completely clear head. So I thought I'd jump in and join the community.
I got a doctor's appointment scheduled for next Tuesday. And while I feel better physically and mentally than I ever have since I really started hitting it hard 7 months ago, I'm nervous about what the doctor's gonna say/find.
While I was drinking heavy on the weekends at college (only weekends from 08-2011), I didn't start drinking daily until just over a year and a half ago. Since that time my intake has increased quickly from probably 20 shots a week, to 30 shots a week, and for the last 7 months I've been drinking 50 shots a week (bourbon, would normally chase it with beer).
While I'm obviously fishing for support I was wondering if others were incredibly nervous about what they were going to find out from their doctors visit and then felt better after it, even if blood tests didn't come out the best or anything.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,442
welcome to the posting side of things bswan 
I think nearly everyone is terrified of what they might find after a Drs visit - most of us find that things aren't nearly as bad as we feared - I hoped it will be that way for you too
D
I think nearly everyone is terrified of what they might find after a Drs visit - most of us find that things aren't nearly as bad as we feared - I hoped it will be that way for you too
D
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Center of Mass
Posts: 622
Yes! I was always fearful of the doctor. When I was using/drinking my thinking was distorted and I put a huge amount of effort into trying to hide my addictions from the doctor. Now I realize that doctors are here to heal not to judge. After I had stopped drinking for a month or so I had blood work done and my doctor actually called me up to tell my how much better my numbers looked.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,564
Hi BSwan - great to have you posting.
I was terrified to find out what might be wrong with me. I'd been drinking 30 yrs. Shockingly, I had no terrible damage. Most of my troubles straightened out as soon as I got some sober time behind me. Sleeping was a problem at first - & anxiety - but no serious health issues. Glad you are going to the doctor - let us know how it goes.
I was terrified to find out what might be wrong with me. I'd been drinking 30 yrs. Shockingly, I had no terrible damage. Most of my troubles straightened out as soon as I got some sober time behind me. Sleeping was a problem at first - & anxiety - but no serious health issues. Glad you are going to the doctor - let us know how it goes.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 41
You guys were right, the doctor's appointment went great. Everything checked out fine except my blood pressure. Hopefully that will go down with exercise, diet, and time.
One thing I was actually surprised about was that she didn't mark anything too damaging down about my alcoholism. She had marked that I drank on the weekend only when I last went in (about 2 years ago) in the comments. When I came clean with her about how my intake had increased dramatically, but that I hadn't had a drink in over a month, she actually omitted the quantity I had drank for a year and simply said I had quit drinking.
I read a thread earlier about people asking how to talk with your doctor about it so it won't get marked on your record for life insurance policies etc. Some posters were very reluctant to be honest about their drinking cause of fears of employers, etc. finding out. I found that I had no reason not to let my doctor know everything.
One thing I was actually surprised about was that she didn't mark anything too damaging down about my alcoholism. She had marked that I drank on the weekend only when I last went in (about 2 years ago) in the comments. When I came clean with her about how my intake had increased dramatically, but that I hadn't had a drink in over a month, she actually omitted the quantity I had drank for a year and simply said I had quit drinking.
I read a thread earlier about people asking how to talk with your doctor about it so it won't get marked on your record for life insurance policies etc. Some posters were very reluctant to be honest about their drinking cause of fears of employers, etc. finding out. I found that I had no reason not to let my doctor know everything.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 9,029
It's great that your appointment went well. You are right about the blood pressure going down with exercise and proper diet but the quitting drinking will also help. I went to rehab when I quit the first time around. Everyone got their blood pressure checked twice a day, every day. Mine was good and even improved. The elevated blood pressure is common in alcoholics.
Congrats on 30 days.
Congrats on 30 days.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
