Day 101
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: California
Posts: 50
Day 101
Hi all. I've been sober for 101 days. I've finally put 15-20 years of drinking (off and on) behind me. I've been lurking here at SR for a couple of months and have found everyone's stories and comments really helpful. Thank you!
At this point, after months of lethargy and fatigue, I feel I've turned a corner and gained some energy and mental strength to go out and get back into my workout and weight training routine. My exercise habits since quitting drinking have been zilch. I just lacked the energy. When I first stopped drinking I lost my appetite, stopped eating, and lost a lot of muscle mass. Over time my appetite returned and I filled back out a little. But until recently the tiredness remained.
At the same time, after a few weeks, I developed edema in my abdomen and legs. The edema in my legs went away after 2-3 weeks, but it remains in my stomach area. It's not too noticeable, but it bothers me. I've been taking some OTC diuretics, but I don't know if it's helped. The edema makes it more difficult to workout.
My question is, for edema, should we take in more fluids, or take diuretics? I'm pretty sure that when I was drinking I was both dehydrated (all I drank was black tea all day, and alcohol at night) and malnourished (two Paleo meals, breakfast and lunch, every day). At SR the overwhelming advice for people with edema/bloating seems to be "drink more fluids!," but for some reason I focused on taking diuretics instead. Too much consulting Dr. Google.
Any advice on this situation would be appreciated.
FYI apart from two weeks of initial withdrawal period, which was really unpleasant, I've exhibited no other major symptoms (which is main reason I haven't seen a doctor, the other being that I took time off from work and am between companies).
At this point, after months of lethargy and fatigue, I feel I've turned a corner and gained some energy and mental strength to go out and get back into my workout and weight training routine. My exercise habits since quitting drinking have been zilch. I just lacked the energy. When I first stopped drinking I lost my appetite, stopped eating, and lost a lot of muscle mass. Over time my appetite returned and I filled back out a little. But until recently the tiredness remained.
At the same time, after a few weeks, I developed edema in my abdomen and legs. The edema in my legs went away after 2-3 weeks, but it remains in my stomach area. It's not too noticeable, but it bothers me. I've been taking some OTC diuretics, but I don't know if it's helped. The edema makes it more difficult to workout.
My question is, for edema, should we take in more fluids, or take diuretics? I'm pretty sure that when I was drinking I was both dehydrated (all I drank was black tea all day, and alcohol at night) and malnourished (two Paleo meals, breakfast and lunch, every day). At SR the overwhelming advice for people with edema/bloating seems to be "drink more fluids!," but for some reason I focused on taking diuretics instead. Too much consulting Dr. Google.
Any advice on this situation would be appreciated.
FYI apart from two weeks of initial withdrawal period, which was really unpleasant, I've exhibited no other major symptoms (which is main reason I haven't seen a doctor, the other being that I took time off from work and am between companies).
Hi poolside
sounds like a great question to ask your Dr.
We can't give medical advice here - but to be honest, edemas not really something I'd try and treat myself.
Congrats on your sober time.
D
My question is, for edema, should we take in more fluids, or take diuretics? I'm pretty sure that when I was drinking I was both dehydrated (all I drank was black tea all day, and alcohol at night) and malnourished (two Paleo meals, breakfast and lunch, every day). At SR the overwhelming advice for people with edema/bloating seems to be "drink more fluids!," but for some reason I focused on taking diuretics instead. Too much consulting Dr. Google.
We can't give medical advice here - but to be honest, edemas not really something I'd try and treat myself.
Congrats on your sober time.
D
Congrats on 101!! You beat me with exactly 20 days today
I know nothing about your medical issues, but on workout I know a bit.
Workout is one of the main reasons I am where I am today. I don't think I would hav been sober today without experiencing the very motivating progress I have physically.
On your medical issues, I agree with previous replies: See your DR!
Keep fighting!
-skybert
I know nothing about your medical issues, but on workout I know a bit.
Workout is one of the main reasons I am where I am today. I don't think I would hav been sober today without experiencing the very motivating progress I have physically.
On your medical issues, I agree with previous replies: See your DR!
Keep fighting!
-skybert
101 days is fantastic!!! I personally would drink a ton of water for a few days and if the edema persists head directly to my PCP without passing go. Edema in the abdomen could be ascites and indicative of much graver problems. Doctor or bust is my opinion.
Guest
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
Great job- crossing 100 was a turning point for me too!
As others said, I'd go to the dr. I know my team (GP, liver dr, psych) have been key to my recovery.
My body has needed a LOT of time to repair (I am at 430 days today) and I still don't like my tummy (I needed to gain weight) but that's now because of too much sweet stuff.
Keep going.
As others said, I'd go to the dr. I know my team (GP, liver dr, psych) have been key to my recovery.
My body has needed a LOT of time to repair (I am at 430 days today) and I still don't like my tummy (I needed to gain weight) but that's now because of too much sweet stuff.
Keep going.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: California
Posts: 50
Thanks Dee. I get it. Agreed, I should probably see a dr if things don't improve here soon. It's just that there are so many success stories at SR, it's tempting to expect the same for our own situations.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: California
Posts: 50
Congrats on 101!! You beat me with exactly 20 days today
I know nothing about your medical issues, but on workout I know a bit.
Workout is one of the main reasons I am where I am today. I don't think I would hav been sober today without experiencing the very motivating progress I have physically.
On your medical issues, I agree with previous replies: See your DR!
Keep fighting!
-skybert
I know nothing about your medical issues, but on workout I know a bit.
Workout is one of the main reasons I am where I am today. I don't think I would hav been sober today without experiencing the very motivating progress I have physically.
On your medical issues, I agree with previous replies: See your DR!
Keep fighting!
-skybert
When I was drinking I was doing some cardio (stair machine), HIIT, and weight lifting (compound lifts). I was in pretty good shape--but I don't think I was eating enough, and I certainly was drinking too much.
Once I stopped drinking in January, the withdrawals hit me like a baseball bat to the face. After the initial period was over, I was hit by a prolonged period of fatigue and lethargy. There were days when I could barely get out of bed or walk to the car. Very strange.
I think getting back in the gym and back into my workout routine will be key to my recovery, which is one reason I'm eager to do it.
Stay strong, and make the best of it.
-skybert
Thanks for the encouraging words skybert!
When I was drinking I was doing some cardio (stair machine), HIIT, and weight lifting (compound lifts). I was in pretty good shape--but I don't think I was eating enough, and I certainly was drinking too much.
Once I stopped drinking in January, the withdrawals hit me like a baseball bat to the face. After the initial period was over, I was hit by a prolonged period of fatigue and lethargy. There were days when I could barely get out of bed or walk to the car. Very strange.
I think getting back in the gym and back into my workout routine will be key to my recovery.
When I was drinking I was doing some cardio (stair machine), HIIT, and weight lifting (compound lifts). I was in pretty good shape--but I don't think I was eating enough, and I certainly was drinking too much.
Once I stopped drinking in January, the withdrawals hit me like a baseball bat to the face. After the initial period was over, I was hit by a prolonged period of fatigue and lethargy. There were days when I could barely get out of bed or walk to the car. Very strange.
I think getting back in the gym and back into my workout routine will be key to my recovery.
Evaluating my physically progress 81 days into sobriety to my progress before quitting drinking, is almost like night and day. This fact has helped me not to relapse several times!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: California
Posts: 50
Thanks madgirl! Yeah, I'm not out of the woods yet at 101 days. Still have a lot of work to do.
I did heavy cardio- and weight training during my drinking period too, and I think, in my ignorance, that my body got used to it in some way. I had good progress physically, and my capacity increased as I hoped it would. After reading about workout and addiction, I think what I did was very dangerous! The risk of a cardiac arrest and stroke is very high with that combo. It frightened me enough to make a choice: Either keep on drinking, OR continue my workouts. First choice would be my nemesis, both options simultanously the same, so I chose the last option.
Evaluating my physically progress 81 days into sobriety to my progress before quitting drinking, is almost like night and day. This fact has helped me not to relapse several times!
Evaluating my physically progress 81 days into sobriety to my progress before quitting drinking, is almost like night and day. This fact has helped me not to relapse several times!
I've been 4 days sober and just today I felt SO TIRED! I've been eating well and hydrating big time. My stomach is sorta bloated and I'm never bloated so I'll def see where this thread AND my stomach goes, lol!
Thank you all for everything. I'm so thankful to have so much insight!
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)