To ask when you felt better if you gave up drinking?

[Fresherthanadaisy]

I’m on day 7 of no alcohol and I feel like I’m ill! I expected to have a withdrawal as I was drinking 2-3 glasses almost every night and feeling like it was an essential part of my evening and mental ‘well being’.
I felt fine days 1-3 but it’s getting worse since - headaches, fuzzy head, can’t sleep, constipation! I’ve given up when I was younger but it’s worse this time for some reason - I’m mid 40’s now though.
I’m keeping going by envisaging my future health and energy and listening to sober podcasts but would welcome hearing a bit about folks early journey.
I’m managing to get through the evenings though it’s amazing how much overthinking I’m doing in the absence of alcohol. I definitely use it to wind down after work/childcare etc.

It’s easy to blame it on the alcohol, but is there any chance that its actually peri menopause symptoms you’re feeling, now that you’ve not got the alcohol.

The symptoms your describing arnt your typical alcohol withdrawal symptoms. That would be shakes, being sick, hallucinations in a worst case scenario situation. You are describing menopause symptoms, id go and see your gp to get some help with them. The last thing you would want is to turn back to the wine to get rid of them.

You've done the right thing giving it up OP keep going 1 day at a time.

I agree with others, it sounds like perimenopause. I also gave up alcohol during perimenopause as alcohol + peri is a bad mix (terrible insomnia, weepy and emotional after drinking, getting full of rage etc .. the booze messes with your hormones)

And, like you, struggled with it at first. Two years in and I’m so much better now. Am thankful for having a clear head in the morning, sleep much better and having energy for my day rather than foggy and emotional. Keep going @Fresherthanadaisy !! It’ll be worth it in the end and, as others said, might be a good idea to go to your gp to discuss menopause.

Hello!
pleased to report that my alcohol withdrawal symptoms completely lifted in week 3! Felt clear and lighter and very very gradually feeling a bit better than when I was drinking and it’s getting easier a few months in.

Thx to those who mentioned menopause. I know I’m peri menopausal and have lots of symptoms already around it (and hot flushes/changes in periods etc. hormone tests were borderline though a few months ago on the ‘okay’ side But I think it will be time for hrt soon. I will head back to the gp soon.

i think its quite possible the peri mixed with stopping alcohol made it a lot worse this time. I’d also been getting some liver twinges after drinking so I think my system had well and truly had enough!!

thanks for the encouragement :)

Oh yay that’s great news! Glad things worked out for you :) (also I hadn’t spotted this was an old thread 🤦🏼‍♀️)