Chronic fatigue and exhaustion since being sober

[CharlieBubbles88]

All blood tests have so far come back as normal so no iron difficiency/thyroid issues etc

Im so tired all the time to the point of feeling weak and ill. I’m just over two months in. Could this be related to giving up alcohol? Anyone else?

Its funny, I am a drinker and drink a few glasses about 5 nights a week. When i do Sober October and the like, i am absolutely knackered and ready for bed by 9pm at the latest, often before. But when drinking i can stay up really late.

No answer for you, just an observation! 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️

I did feel knackered for a good few months. My sleep was terrible. Stick with it. Are you eating healthily/exercising? Drinking lots of water?

I’m glad it’s not just me! It’s one thing people don’t tell you.

Yes, on paper I likely couldn’t be much healthier so I was starting to question my sanity as to why I felt so terribly dreadful. I have never felt so ill in all my life

Hi @CharlieBubbles88 it isn’t uncommon. When drinking you’re masking everything your body feels. Alcohol is also full of calories. You don’t say how much you were drinking but know you’re not alone in this. I’ve heard it in the rooms enough times and also suffered.

It does resolve itself normally if booze related.

Acupuncture...amazing....ask for ' 4 gates points'....great for fatigue etc.

Every day without fail for literally as long as I can remember. 10-15 years at a guess. I have no idea how much as I never really paid any attention but I’d say the equivalent of half a large bottle of spirit a night. Not necessarily that, maybe less spirit and some wine etc.

I like a drink most nights. If I have a few days/ or a week off I am exhausted, feel like I have the flu and can sleep for England. When I go back to drinking I feel fine again and stay up late.

it’s not alcohol withdrawal btw as none of those symptoms at all

Sounds like some sort of withdrawal to me @Wantalolly

@CharlieBubbles88 that’s a fair bit you used to drink. Bloody good on you for giving up! I drank a lot less and still felt crap for a few months. I think it was the lack of sleep. Do you have mad dreams? Mine were crazy. It was like my body had to relearn how to
sleep without alcohol.

I would treat yourself like you’re convalescing! Lots of tlc. You’ve done brilliantly. Just keep at it with the good food, exercise and rest. Maybe take a supplement? I think it’s B vitamins that get depleted?

good luck ❤️

@bitachey I guess but I mean I don’t feel nauseous, I sleep really well, don’t have cravings or any of the listed withdrawal symptoms.

The worst part…I’m only 34 😞 however it’s onwards from here and I’m finally changing the habit of a lifetime.
Sleep has always been an issue but dreams not too bad
I do take supplements and I went for some bloods as I genuinely thought I was ill, all okay but strangely vitamin d was high but apparently that wouldn’t be the cause

Don't give up OP.

Being tired far outweighs the damage that will be done by daily drinking.

Were you drinking as a way of self medicating? I am wondering if there is something underlying that might need addressed?

It's your body getting rid of all the toxins.. it definitely makes you exhausted! I felt like that for a couple of months - in bed by 8 pm and just constantly fatigued. Your body needs time to recover, just go with it. After two months or so my sleep improved no end, and I have tons of energy now (3 years sober). It was -without any exaggeration -the best thing I've ever done in my life giving up alcohol

Not to apportion blame but my parents were daily heavy drinkers so it seems to be a learned behaviour which then turned into a bad habit and then something I came to rely on. I have a very addictive personality and am extremely all or nothing, with both negative and positive things, to my detriment. I also become fixated/obsessive which I’m now aware of and it’s something I’m working on

I have also had a rough few years and definitely used it as a coping mechanism and used anything as an excuse to drink. However I’m finding the ‘mental’ side of it okay, and haven’t really been tempted to drink at all. I’ve had the odd fleeting moment as in a chilled spritzer in summer, nice red with a lamb dinner, but it’s more then flavour rather than feeling. The physical side seems much harder. Maybe I feel too awful to have any cravings!

Firstly well done!
I was exactly the same the first few months of quitting. Really lethargic and craving lots of sugar. I actually gained weight initally but after around 4-5 started to feel better and more refreshed after sleep.

I had exactly the same experience when I finally stopped drinking.

I really don't know why it happens, but felt it was probably just my body recovering after the battering it had taken for 20+ years - and a half bottle of spirits a day is definitely a physical and emotional battering.

Embrace it. You are getting better. Enjoy those long snoozes, eat well, exercise, and let your recovery take hold. It'll probably ease off after a month or two.

And bloody well done!

Massive congratulations on your sobriety, that’s actually a huge accomplishment.

Have you talked with a GP or any other medical professional before quitting alcohol or since? Because your body is going through a very big change and you may need some medical supervision.

I would encourage you to call an addiction support service to see if you can speak to one of the medical staff.

In the meantime, early nights, tons of water, at least 40mins exercise a day and lots of good food.

When I initially contacted the drs, and when I’ve been in for results etc. I have explained the situation but they seemed very dismissive. To be honest they’ve been awful but that’s another story. Given I’m over two months in I think im okay from a medical supervision point of view

In a way I’m glad it’s part of my recovery as at least I know what it is. I was so tired of being tired and not knowing what was wrong with me, I’ve actually cried at work due to feeling so wiped out and weak. I’m very active, average 20k steps a day and daily strength yoga. I’ve dropped the yoga for now but I’m keeping up with the walking,

I’ll try and be a bit kinder to myself and remember it’s my body, and brain, healing itself from all the abuse I’ve put it through m!

It's definitely a thing. I used to drink most days (at least half a bottle of wine) and gave it up about 2.5 years ago. I was drained and exhausted for months, then the fog lifted, my sleep improved, my mental clarity improved and my energy was better than ever. Keep going! And keep an eye out for the pink clouds - my goodness those clouds were wonderful! They're also a thing - intense feelings of euphoria whuch are common in withdrawal. I don't really get them any more (I'm just much happier anyway) - but I loved them!

Well done OP, sounds like you’re doing great but it must be very disheartening to be feeling rough having given it up.

Loads of sugar in alcohol which your body is prob craving so I would add a few sugary treats until your bistro gets used to it.

There are some interesting articles on dopamine and how alcohol/drug use affects the way the brain processes dopamine, and what happens after you cease using these. The brain needs to get used to producing dopamine naturally, rather than on demand once you have had a drink etc.

I found this helpful when I was in a similar situation, I realised I was barking up the wrong tree by trying to get rid of toxins, and instead focused on ways to encourage my brain to produce dopamine naturally, hope that helps

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22588-dopamine-deficiency

Congratulations OP. That's impressive! I did some googling and there are lots of interesting articles about this - seems quite common. There's lots of good advice and the good news is that it should pass! Good luck!

This is normal! Try to comfort yourself with that. Your body is recovering and healing and it does this through sleep. Your body is asking for sleep and care.
This should ease after a while. But in the meantime, do your best to look after yourself.
*A positive mindset and kind self talk

• Lots of water and nutritious food. Especially a serving of protein at each meal. This should help with repair and energy
• Get some early sunlight or use a light box in the morning (lots of research to support this for mood,energy and sleep
• Move. Go for daily walks
• Although your bloods came back ok. Check that they are at optimal levels *Also bear in mind we are coming into winter. For some people, they naturally feel like they have less energy at this time of year

This is interesting as I have all of these. I am SO irritable it’s scary. I actually have told my partner several times to just not talk to me as I’ll know I’ll snap at him despite him not having done anything wrong.

As an aside my mum passed away six months ago (tomorrow) and I think I’m still trying to get my head round that too

it’s frustrating I’m not feeling the benefits…yet, but they will come and I know I’m doing something massive for myself and my body. I stupidly thought after some initial withdrawal I’d wake up feeling fresh and energised but you’ve all given me hope knowing it will happen so thank you to everyone for the support. I’ve got some semi healthy cookies in the oven, hope they turn out okay!