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132 days and frustrated

Old 08-05-2018, 11:53 AM
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132 days and frustrated

It's been a while since I posted and feel a little guilty about it. I honestly have felt less compelled to since I don't feel tempted to drink.

Here's what's going on: it's now been 132 days since I had my last drop of alcohol. I was literally just in a bar down the street from me for lunch and some work on my laptop and I just now realized I didn't even consider thinking about ordering a drink. I didn't look at the bottles on the wall or feel any kind of jealousy about the people who were sitting at the bar imbibing. The longer I go, the less interested I am.

The closest I've come is touching a full, cold can of beer that was left outside a gas station a couple days ago. It seems so funny that when I'm most stressed out, the temptations manifest.

Anyway - my problem is that I'm still dealing with some unsettling physical symptoms. I have had flank pain on my right side ever since I stopped and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. I've had every kind of imaging and test you can possibly imagine at least twice and they have not found anything.

At this point my general doctor just shrugs and says there's some things we aren't meant to know.

The last few days, the pain seems to be growing. I can feel it in my lower back and wrapping around to my front. The flesh feels hardened just under my skin - like it's scar tissue spreading or something. They say they would have seen that on a CT scan and even if it is that it's NBD anyway. I'm also getting a lot of muscle twitching, particularly in my legs.

I had a second fibroscan recently and it said that I'm below the threshold for fibrosis - was at 3.3, less than half what it was at my first reading, so my liver must be getting better.

I'm just so frustrated by the pain/discomfort and the fact that nobody can tell me what's going on that it brings me to tears some days.

I don't think I'm going to relapse in the near future but if this frustration stretches on and becomes a permanent thing I can see my will-power slipping some day down the line and wanting to drink just to get out of my head and escape the anxiety over my pain.

Yes, I'm aware anxiety could be the cause - my symptoms do get worse when I'm feeling anxious but there's definitely some kind of internal inflammation going on.

I guess I'm curious in finding out if anyone has advice for how to deal with stress outside of the obvious exercise and meditation stuff. I work out 5 days a week and I'm in good shape - it's just very difficult for me to calm down when I'm concerned about my physical health. Please help.
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Old 08-05-2018, 11:59 AM
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I would go and see a chiroprator who has knowledge of trigger point therapy. Let them have a look.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myofascial_trigger_point

Hope that may bring some relief. P
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Old 08-05-2018, 12:02 PM
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Not sure about what you're feeling,but I am sure it's not something drinking would fix or make better.
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Old 08-05-2018, 12:07 PM
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As you have said anxiety can be the cause of very similar symptoms.

The other thing that causes incredibly similar pain and hardness of the core is trapped air. Normally this abates after a couple of days though - unless you have a permanent blockage or diet that causes excess gas?

Other than those thoughts I could only suggest you seek second and third opinions from a medical practitioner?
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Old 08-05-2018, 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by soberista View Post
I would go and see a chiroprator who has knowledge of trigger point therapy. Let them have a look.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myof..._trigger_point

Hope that may bring some relief. P
I have been seeing a chiropracter for about 3 months now actually. The adjustments have helped my posture but have done nothing for the flank pain. I'm thinking about trying acupuncture.
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Old 08-05-2018, 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by JustTony View Post
As you have said anxiety can be the cause of very similar symptoms.

The other thing that causes incredibly similar pain and hardness of the core is trapped air. Normally this abates after a couple of days though - unless you have a permanent blockage or diet that causes excess gas?

Other than those thoughts I could only suggest you seek second and third opinions from a medical practitioner?
I do have some trapped gas in my colon according to x-rays - but my bowel movements are regular.

I've been to every ER in the city and half the immediate cares and several different specialists.
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Old 08-05-2018, 12:25 PM
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I diagnosed medical issues are so frustrating! I spent years with chronic right sided flank pain. Went from my abdomen to under my ribs and was in both the front and the back. I saw every specialist under the sun! I was poked and prodded for over 5 years trying to figure all this out! All my tests results came back normal (except for the liver enzymes) and I was ultimately diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome/disease. From what I understand, IBS is a diagnosis by exclusion, meaning the doctors have ruled out all other causes. I have also come to understand that Western medicine doesn’t really focus on diet/IBS as potential causes of pain.

I’ve been able to manage my symptoms with diet and anti-spasm meds. Quitting drinking helped the pain immediately! The diet has been the most beneficial for me.

Hopefully you and your doctor can figure out what is going on soon. Hang in there.
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