The support thread (continued) for an alcohol free life. All welcome.

[WendyWagon]

Hello and welcome to the alcohol free support thread. We are a welcoming bunch. These threads were started by @drybird some three years ago.
We are a mixture of sober sisters (and the odd gent) who want to lead a alcohol free life. We chat about everyday things that we use to drink to manage. No question too silly. Someone will have done/thought or been through the same.

Joining up as I'm 1 day sober! Except for a violent d&v a few months ago, this is my longest stretch without a drink in 16 months. I honestly thought I'd feel better this morning, but the still night waking little ones put paid to that. I'd been counting on it a bit to help spur on continued sobriety :/

@WendyWagon Im so sorry to hear that. Life can be so cruel. Well done on staying strong.

Welcome @Alcoholfreefuture and well done on your day 1! It may take a little while to feel the benefits- the first 4-5 days are the hardest, and things get much better after about day 10. Just take it one day at a time

Sorry to hear that WendyW is there anything that can be done at all?
Seems a shame in this day an age to be told there is "no treatment" that can be given?

Let it all sink in and then maybe you can research a bit?

Being AF will only help though, not hinder.

I'm so sorry @WendyWagon. sending you much love as you face this new development. I hope it will be ok, and that better days are to come. xx

Speaking as someone who is at the age for picking up diagnoses I don't want, the latest being a progressive lung condition that our surgery haven't even contacted me about, I would say, once you get over the initial shock @WendyWagon, start researching. Someone somewhere will have your new condition as a speciality and will have published on it.

All the best

Oh @WendyWagon - that is totally shit. Well done on avoiding the alcohol comfort blanket (spoiler: it's no bloody comfort and makes it all harder to deal with).

@Alcoholfreefuture well done on Day1. The first week or so is very very long. Takes me about 3 weeks to feel the benefits but I'm quite old- you sound younger so you may ping back more quickly! I have an app that counts days - that you can also set to minutes etc. I find that helpful especially in the early days! Day 31 here!

Sorry to hear about the health issue @WendyWagon catch up when we brunch but until then sending those unmumsnetty hugs.

Morning lads,
I actually have a day off, hoorah. I shall be doing my bookcase.
I was dosed up with a huge steroid injection yesterday so went to the charity interview. Job OK but poorly paid. I might be 'too posh to push' anyway due to the location.
I am now trying to get some support for new health condition. I am not on my way out (yet) but I have developed Fibromialga. It explains the poor sleep and why my whole body aches and feels spondgy. No cure but exercise can help apparently. I haven't got round to checking at the health club yet but I shall make a call today.
Any flights now are business class or I'm not going!
I have lost half a stone in the move. As I probably packed and loaded over 100 boxes I am not surprised. I chucked on a jacket yesterday not worn for ten years so the two and a half stone loss has meant a dress size down at last.
No thoughts of booze and the AF tinnies are on ice. I have been in bed by 8pm.
Welcome to all newbies. Wendy back at the helm.

I'd love to join if I may.

I will go back and read the whole lovely thread but wanted to join and say 'hi'. I have used alcohol for years to manage depression and anxiety and I can't continue.

I thought June 1 was a great day to stop.

@CurtainsForBea welcome. June is a great month to start.
Think three days, three weeks, three months but it all starts with a day at a time. Good luck.

Thanks so much @WendyWagon

I am sorry to hear about your illnesses. I hope you are okay.

Welcome @CurtainsForBea ! Lots of us on here were using alcohol as a coping mechanism. It is a really crap coping mechanism! Do you have a plan to get through your “witching hour” this evening? I used to imagine the end of the day I wanted - tucked up in bed with a book and a herbal tea - and then my mission was to get there. Good luck

Good to hear you sounding more yourself Cap’n @WendyWagon . Onwards!

Hi thanks @Onewildandpreciouslife

Good point about the witching hour...... I am heading to a fancy cafe this afternoon so thought I might pick up a nice cake (which I usually never treat msyelf to due to calories... ) . I think dinner will be early as well. I find that if I can get past dinner then my cravings usually go... fingers crossed anyway!

I am reading 'Quit like a woman' by Holly Whitaker at the moment so this might be a good thing to go to bed with as well!

Hello

Another newbie here if you'll have me, currently on day 3. Bottle of wine a night usually and more on the weekend. I have tried to cut down to just weekends but after a few weeks it creeps up again so time to stop! I've armed myself with some corona AF and cleanco AF gin to get me through the sunny evenings. Currently reading sober daves one for the road which is hitting me with some home truths. Far too much time wasted drinking or hungover!

@SummerScoop welcome.
I must read sober Dave.
I personally like Gordon's AF and I have tried all the tonics. Schweps wins for me.
Marks and Spencer do a pre mixed faux gin and tonic. It's lovely but herby.
I take it to friends houses. Good luck.

Be aware @WendyWagon that fibro should be a diagnosis of exclusion. I hope you were diagnosed by a rheumatologist you trust after a full examination (forget trigger points - they went out years ago) and a raft of blood tests comprising everything you could think of and more.

Having been active in thyroid circles for a long time, I aware of people with an initial fibro diagnosis who have turned out to have secondary hypothyroidism (very common), a benign pituitary tumour or even something as simple as badly treated hypothyroidism of any sort (even more common) and are now completely well. Be on your guard, especially if there is any history of autoimmune disease, thyroid disease etc in you or your family.

Although my main symptoms were over all pain and fatigue, I was actually diagnosed with CFS by a lazy consultant who for some reason either couldn't or wouldn't treat the vitamin D and ferritin deficiencies that were the root of my problems. I'm fine now.

Happy to chat if you think it might help.

@TheOtherHotstepper thank you. I have had an underactive thyroid foe 30+ years, then RA, then this. The full trinity! I do have to have some more tests to be honest. I have had amazing treatment for nearly twenty years and it is failing. I have been waiting for the next new thing the team want to try. My friend had a top rhemetologist who told her not to eat tomatoes! I'll stick with my consultant I think.

Day 1 done.

Shower, bed and netflix are on the agenda. The entire family were awake at 3 am this morning. No idea why but we had tea and biscuits together (2 Dcs) and then went back to bed around 6 am. So we are slightly tired now.

Good morning shipmates.
Wendy at the bridge. I had a straight sleep so feeling OK. Yorkshire tea has been had.
Off to pick the DD up and then more unpacking of books.
I have gone grey with shock (it happened to my dad too) so I am considering having my hair cut off. I love a pixie cut but I am a big woman and can look like an onion. The DH hates short hair but I rebel now and again.
Two faux gins last night (how the other half lives!). Fingers crossed for a peaceful Friday.

Happy Friday @WendyWagon

I was asleep by 9 and have been up for half an hour. Planning a super-indulgent trip to Waitrose to pick up treats for the witching hour, plus a care package for an ill friend. I am pretty sure she requires chocolate. [nods sagely]

Love a pixie cut as well but I have a bit of a moon face. Have not had a hair cut (and I need a colour also) since July last year and have been putting it off due to 'cost' [ahem, not thinking of the £s i have poured down my throat] so think I might have that as my sober-for-a-month-treat.

Happy days everyone!

@CurtainsForBea I had laser on my red veins with the first three months money saved. Stopped me looking like Rowley Birkin QC from the fast show!
I work in beauty so I have pretty good skin but every little helps.
I was told at AA to try sweets when I had cravings. There's a long standing joke about being under the influence of Quality Street.
I loved cheese but I have gone off it. I am hoping for lovely strawberries this year.

Good Morning

I like a pixie cut too. I used to have my hair short but it seems to need more looking after when it is.
Day 4 here not feeling too bad a bit up and down emotionally but hanging on

Enjoy your Friday everyone

@WendyWagon I am big too. Currently longer hair but have had a chipmunk cut in the past. Looks great! I think it is your face that makes a cut more or less flattering.

I currently have a mop as my hairdresser is ill.

I have come off HRT and feeling much better. Brain power still pretty dim though so I need to up my supplement game.

Oh I used to just ask my hairdresser not to make me look like Pat Butcher (I have a manly physique!)