Today is 30 days. Some questions.
 

Hello all, i'm a 36yr old male that drank 1.0-2.0 fifths of whiskey / water per week for nearly 20yrs, never missed work or had any personal problems related to alcohol.

I quit because a blood test revealed very low testosterone and i've been having lyme symptoms (but no diagnosis... yet) for 4yrs.

Now that we're 30 days in I feel absolutely no better in any way and I still have the dizziness / headache / visual trouble I had before maybe even worse and also i'm noticing I feel bloated constantly like i've gained 20lbs but the scale does not indicate that I have.

Great job on 30 days!

Are you continuing to work with your dr? We cannot give medical advice here so a good dr and honest communication is key.

IME, as a very heavy drinker (by the end, almost 9 mo ago now, I was up to a handle of vodka every two days, maybe more), it takes awhile for all of the physical symptoms to change/improve/go away, and everyone's experience is different. One thing is true- on the whole, you will feel better if you don't drink. Any underlying issues- from weight problems to thyroid (an example for me) to...anything- are far better addressed (and much clearer) sober.

Here is an article on PAWS (Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms) that might be useful-
https://digital-dharma.net/post-acut...r-immediately/

Are you working a program? Now sounds like a great time to put a plan in place if you haven't already, and perhaps AA is a good place to start. It has been a critical part of saving my life.

Keep going- don't drink.

I didn't discuss alcohol use with my doctor nor was it recommended I cease, I simply chose to because as things progress i'm eliminating anything they could say that I was doing to worsen my health.

Didn't feel a program was necessary, many of my friends still drink to excess and I still spend time with them on the weekends but I never get the urge to have a drink. Although I find them a bit harder to tolerate since i'm sober and they are not.

Alcohol lowers testosterone and if it's already low, that's another sign to keep going with the sobriety.
I would keep following up with your doc or perhaps see a specialist about possible hormone replacement and especially if you think you have lyme disease.

Hi passingstage :)

I drank for 20 years too and my recovery - to the point of feeling good in myself again - took a little longer than a month.

by 3 months I was feeling better - hope you will be too... :)

I think, if you don't mention your alcohol abuse to your doc, it's going to be very hard for them to treat you effectively?

D

I concur with Dee; after 20 years of daily consumption I would imagine it will take a period of time to get your metabolism and physiology "balanced out". Alcohol interferes with so many of our body's systems, as you have found out. I would encourage you to give it some time and see if you don't feel a little better. Especially in your gut. Alcohol completely messed up my digestive system.