Exhausted

[Tiredlady80]

I have been a heavy drinker for a long time and have been worried about my health.
I have been alcohol free for a week now and am so proud of myself. But I am overwhelmingly exhausted. I could just sleep for ever!
Is this normal and how long does it last?
Thank you

Hi @Tiredlady80. One of the things about being a heavy drinker for a long time is that you can, without realising it, find your drinking too much alcohol for a long period causes large red cells. These ill-formed cells do not carry oxygen very well and will cause you to be quite exhausted at times.

I do not know if this can be reversed. I am sure there are others on here who are much more knowledgeable. I hope it can, just like the liver, it rebuilds/rights itself when alcohol is abstained from for a period of time.

Ask your GP for blood tests. They can also look at your Folate levels too. It is well known that heavy drinkers can have low folate levels and that can cause breathlessness and exhaustion too. That is easily remedied by your GP giving you prescription levels of folate acid. Makes a word of difference.

You are doing amazingly! Well done! I think exhaustion is normal at first. I found it quite mentally consuming at first (giving up) and then realised how mentally consuming alcohol had been!

Well done - Keep going!

By the way @Tiredlady80, I too meant to say well done!!!