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New to this... 72 hours in... support please

Posted , 8 users are following.

vicky69190
vicky69190

Hi everyone, I'm from the UK and the time is currently 02:35 am and I am awake after a 3hr 50m interrupted sleep. 

I picked up a cold recently after NYE and that caused me to be unable to drink which has kicked off my alcohol withdrawal which I now intend to continue. 

I drink every single day. I drink at least one bottle of wine every day sometimes almost two. I have been drinking at this level for over 2 years. 

Over the last 72 hours I have suffered severe sweats to the extent I might as well have stepped into the shower, I've had a racing pulse with my Fitbit telling me it has been consistently at 140-110 BPM whilst I've been lying down. 

I'm so concerned that I've really damaged myself. I'm plucking up the courage to go to the GP tomorrow but I'm just so embarrassed. 

I've been so thirsty I've literally been drinking 4-5 litres of water daily the last two days which I know is too much but I've sweat half of that out! 

I've also been drinking lucozade - probably too much but that's been a crutch for me over these days. 

I'm so embarrassed :-( and scared.

1 like, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • chantelle75
    chantelle75 vicky69190

    Posted

    Hi Vicky and well done for starting your healthy clean life.  Firstly everything you describe is perfectly normal.. you should be avoiding stimulants such as lucozade and caffeine based drinks at all cost. 

    Staying hydrated is good but don’t go overboard on the water, try frozen ice lollys.

    Don’t be embarrassed to go to the doctors please.. at this point in your life you need him/her and you won’t be telling them anything they have not heard 1000 times before, he’ll be glad to help you because you have made the decision for change, 3 days in without detox medication is pretty amazing and I can’t see you needing detox meds if you’ve got this far without.. maybe ask for a temporary light sleeping pill.

    I’m not a doctor but I can tell you my drinking career was over 20 years and I don’t think with the amounts you are speaking about you have done any major damage.. the liver is an amazing organ and yours is currently in the healing process all on its own.  Already you are doing good, go to your doctor please, he will only hear positive things from you and be willing to help.  If you want your mind at ease ask the doctor for a full blood count and he will tell you what shape your liver is in, then go back 2 weeks later and have it again.. you’ll be shocked at the difference.

    Don’t worry.. everything you describe is perfectly normal, try some deep breathing exercises ( take the Fitbit off and put it away, it’s giving you unnecessary worry)

    I like to listen to a nice hypnosis program through earphones in bed, there are lots free on the iPhone app

    Good luck and carry on your doing fantastic x

  • Robin2015
    Robin2015 vicky69190

    Posted

    Great reply from Chantelle! She said it all! Keep trying! Robin
  • gerimaus
    gerimaus vicky69190

    Posted

    Indeed I get those when I stop drinking after a few days of drinking straight.  I drink about as much as you do and sometimes more. I have tried to take Nalmefeme which is only available on prescription by specialist doctors but recently it made me so very sick that I am dreading taking it again.

    I do go through bouts of a month or two when I don't drink, or barely touch more than a glass of wine a day on average but I have found myself slipping up so often that I have decided to seek treatment.

    If you are shy to speak to your GP, why not try a GP who might be specialised in alcohol abuse / dependency?  They will have seen it all, and worse, and will give you the low-down as well as order blood tests.  Indeed, the psychiatrist I went to see wanted to see my blood tests and would have ordered them had I not already had them.

    I went to speak to an organisation in my country that specialises in dependency - these organisations tend to have an in-house doctor and the services are probably part of the NHS scheme.  You will also avoid the embarrassment of telling your GP, and further, it is highly likely that your GP is not specialised in such treatments (this was said to me by my GP who is very experienced and is aware of the issue).  You will have to tell your GP at some point because this affects any treatment he may give you in future for other medical causes.

    Pluck up courage - I do find these online systems a source of great support.

     

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