ziggyhund

So it was going to be day one today, after six weeks of pretty much constant drinking, but I was so very ill this morning and started reading about the potential for DTs and getting pretty scared. I was faced with two options: head to the ER and ask for help, or open that bottle of wine in the fridge and try to taper and start tomorrow. Ugh. Drinking to ward of withdrawals is the worst

thomas11

Have you tapered before? 6 weeks is a long run of drinking, I hope you'll be ok.

Done4today

Good luck and don't let your ego get in the way of medical help.

Soberwolf

Welcome to SR

Anna

Do talk to your dr or go to the ER. Tapering is darn near impossible.

Dee74

Hi and welcome Ziggy

If you're worried about withdrawal see a Dr - drinking more can just make the problem worse and the hole that you have to climb out of that much deeper...

Zebra1275

Here are two reasons for going to the ER.

1. After 6 months of constant drinking it's much safer.

2. It's much easier to have a prescription to ease the withdrawal symptoms , then trying to taper.

ziggyhund

... and at 5.30 this morning I found myself unable to sleep, pulse racing =, dry heaving, not in charge of my body's movement, dizziness, sweating profusely, unable to pick up a glass to take a sip of water. And most terrifyingly the visual hallucinations and the unwelcome repetitive thoughts. Like I wasn't thinking them, they were just appearing. I just out of bed and my legs just buckled underneath me. I could barely walk.
I told my husband was the worst withdrawal I'd experienced and it was just getting started. Dragged myself into the shower, holding on for dear life. Then I drove straight to the ER, holding nothing back. The nurses were all so supportive, the doctor a little patronising, bordering on judgemental. But I did it! They pushed fluids in me along two syringes of Ativan, monitored my vitals (BP was high for me, and my heart was erratic and chugging alone at over 100)I just wanted to say thank your the advice to seek medical help. These things go pearshaped so quickly. Now to stay off the evil stuff ..

ScottFromWI

Glad to hear you went ziggy. I ended up in the ER on my last attempt at self-detox too. Did they share any resources for you to contact for local support before you left?

ziggyhund

They may have done, but I am too zonked to read right now. The main things the fear of progressing to full blow DTs had diminished, so I am less agitated

Forward12

That for sure sounds like a terrible experience, but you did the right thing going in. I think now would be a good time to start looking into rehab after the detox. Withdrawals only get worse, and this may have been a cakewalk if you drink again.

loulou1981

Well done for having the guts to go & get help. Hope u feel better soon!!! Welcome to day 1!

ziggyhund

Does anyone how effective Librium is in removing the risk seizures. Will it lessen all the withdrawal symptoms? I can't do another night like last night

ScottFromWI

We can't give medical advice here ziggy, but librium is commonly prescribed to help lessen the severe withdrawal symptoms. You'd need to check with your doctor specifically if you have questions.

Zebra1275

I'm glad you went to the ER. It sounds like you had a good scare.

It's likely that you will feel "normal" in a day or two. That's when you need to really start working on your recovery plan (After blowing it off for years, I finally got desperate enough to go to AA, glad I did).

What you need to guard against is feeling really good in a week or two, and having the memories of your horrible withdrawal fade. You don't want to drink again. You don't know if you have another "recovery" left in you.

Dee74

Really glad you went to the ER Ziggy

Unless you have good reason not to trust the doctors, I'd take the medicine as prescribed.

D