RUNVS

Originally posted May 12, 2005
Im 33 years old. I ve been drinking alcohol on and off for 6 years. 2 weeks drinking 24/7. 2 weeks clean this went on for 4 years. Been in the hospital lately to get off the alcohol. Now the Doctors put me on 3mg of ativan per day. It is helping me right now. But 16 days on it i try to stop taking it and my body goes crazy. I take 2mg a day for the last 16 days. Is it to early to stop taking the ativan. I want to stop completely but my body is having a hard time stopping. Body and mind goes crazy. But the ativan has kept me off the alchol for 16 days.

Now I'm 8months alcohol free and 6 months off Ativan.

The last few Days I've been really shakey and fatigue. (like parkinsons) My sense of my concioness seems to be altered. I feel like I'm half asleep and half awake. I have a numb patch in my left leg thats been there for weeks.

Also parts of my body fall asleep easily like arms and legs. Like there is a circulation problem.

I'm getting really concerned. Even thinking about seeing a doctor again.

I'm only 33 years old. Im off Alcohol for almost 9 months and Ativan 6 months.

Any feedback would be really helpful. I have no panic.

Does this ever get better?

BSPGirl

Congrats on being off of the alcohol and Ativan, for starters. Other than that: I'm no dr so I'd suggest you go see a doctor for some advice.

raerob

What are you waiting for!?! Throwing a blood clot, or a stroke...of course, it could be nothing serious at all...just some type of withdrawal. But, only a qualified physician can tell you for sure...stop trying to diagnose yourself, and get some expert advice!!!

Let us know how you make out. Good Luck!

rae

jbm125

Hi RUNVS and welcome, after drinking for 6 years and then binging, you say you've been in the hospital lately for, I assume detox, now 16 days on atavan.....you have to know this won't go away in 16 days or 16 weeks. Recovery from alcoholism is a lifelong proposition.
Keep taking the atavan, listen to the doctor. With your history I'd be surprised if you weren't going a little crazy. Shakes and fatigue are to be expected.
Your next paragraph says "I'm 8 months alcohol free and 6 months off atavan.
1st you say you've" been in the hospital lately to get off the alcohol. Now the doctor's put me on 3mg of atavan per day." Which is it?
Parts of your body falling asleep? Ask your doctor about peripheral neuropathy. It's an alcohol induced problem that causes certain nerves to malfunction....for life.
Go to your doctor with a print out of what you posted here. You sound confused.
I'll say a prayer for you.
God bless

ASH

Hi Runvs,
Welcome back and congrats on 9 month sober, that is a great accomplishment.
It is not compleatly clear but seems like most of these symptoms are recent and it would be wise to visit the Dr. Not everything that happens to you will be related to your drinking,
and ex drinker or not, these are things that should just be checked out.
Hope to see more of you here,
Take care

Cathy31

That is just marvellous...but get to the doctor, I'd bet it's something that could be well sorted pretty soon. Well done on your clean time, that's amazing!!
Cathy31
x

Sugasnaps

Grats on 8 months! Go to your Doc about the rest.

earlybird

Way to go on the sober time. It may just be lingering acute withdrawal syndrome, but, I would hope you wouldnt be hoping for some diagnosis from a website to hang your hat on rather than go to an actual live doctor. Go!! It may be nothing and you are worrying FOR nothing. It may not. But you wont know til you go.

RUNVS

Today I'm 8months alcohol free and 6 months off Ativan.

Thank you for the replys. I just wanted to know When do people start feeling normal after they get off the booze.

I will never drink again but just want to feel better. I think I fried my brain.

CarolD

Check out...

http://www.tlctx.com/ar_pages/paw_part1.htm

http://www.alcohol-drug.com/neuropsych.htm


And keep the appointment with your doctor.

RUNVS

Thanks Carol!!!!!!!!!


I really do think its alcohol related. There has to be time period where the mind and body take to heal. My body is craving the alcohol to calm it down. The Gaba recepters of the brain have to go back to normal eventually.

I really wish there were some hard core drinkers that been sober for a few years can reply here.


It took years to get this sick. So was wondering when hard core drinkers started to feel real good again?

I also went to the Doc had cat scan of the brain and a EEG of the brain that came back ok.

Its been a hard 8 months but coming along Thank you for the support.

CarolD

Several former hard core drinkers did reply.

Several hard core recovering AA members did too.

I wear both hats!

What can I help you with?

RUNVS

BTW THANKYOU FOR THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT!!

My 2nd day here and i really like this place!!



I think I'm in the point in my recovery where I am a little fustrated. I am totally dedicated to not drinking again. But Thought I would feel alot better then I do.

Still Feels like a long road ahead of me. I just want my mind and soul back. I just hate feeling so numb and lifeless.

CarolD

Hmmm....
For me...AA is the answer.

Meetings are like classrooms for sober living.
The more you go..the quicker you learn.

By working and sharing with newcomers I feel useful.

I drank daily so I figured I needed daily recovery.

I attended early meetings before work and more on weekends.

I needed the support then and I need to give it now.

Are you involved in a recovery program?

RUNVS

I'm only apart of online support.

BSPGirl

RUNVS, there are alternatives to AA, I personally like www.smartrecovery.org , they also got plenty of online meetings which have proven helpful to me in the past.

earlybird

I drank a over a half gallon of whiskey a day and washed it down with two 40 oz beers. I've been sober for two years. Hows that?

RUNVS

Thanks for your reply. How are you feeling now? When did you start feeling better?


Congrads on the being sober that long.

CarolD

I had my last drink April 24 .89.

I had no pjysical withdrawal after 3/4 days.
Depression left at 2/3 months
By 6 months I felt rebirn.

So....
See how unimportant my time line is to your sobriety?

RUNVS

Thank you CarolD for your replies. Believe it or not this info helps me.

Im still fighting to get better. I have alot of ups and down. Just feels like my whole CNS is out of wack. I think the Ativan which is like librium that the Doctor gave me has prolong my recovery. Ativan is a benzo and it helps people go thru withdrawal of alcohol. Its only for short term use like 7 days at most(according to the manufacturer of the drug) the Doctor told me to take it for 90 days. Many other Doctors have agreed it is for short term use only and 90 days was way to long.

Anyway I'm coming on 9 months without a drink and 6 months with out any medicine or drug of any kind. I hope this hard work will pay off. I still struggle with my health alot just feel wierd and not normal.