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Original poster

alcohol withdrawal - anyone have any real knowledge/experience/reassurance?

27 replies

whywasisostupid · 19/02/2006 08:00

OK, changed my name for this one. I feel so stupid at the damage I have done/may have done to myself & also pannicky that I might end up dead! That might seem over dramatic, but I've just made the mistake uf browsing the internet & it's freaked me out, so I really need your help if you've been there/know someone who has/are medical in any way.

I was drinking pretty much every day. Usually sharing a bottle of wine with dh. Recently (so last few months) started haveing a beer (about a pint of strong) as well, sometimes too. I've also started drinking during day, do not know why. Just because I could. At my bloody minded, I'm giving up so I'll go out with a bang I had a few days of 6 pints of strong beer). How stupid.

So now I have given up. I had my last drink on Tuesday. On Wednesday night I had my 1st symptoms, felt feverish, dripping in sweat in the night, unbelievable headache, felt very weak in the morning & could hardly find the strength to stand up or do normal jobs. Wed pm felt miles better. since then I have had occasional clammy episodes, on and off bad headache. Still have headache now.

Anyway, like I said, reading articles has freaked me out. I've gone from feeling really proud & relieved to have goven up drinking to terror. The articles said should always consult doctor when giving up (I really don't want to. I cannot admit how much I've drunk, I just want to put all my stupidilt behind me). I also thought after 5 days I woould be over the worst, but it was saying how dangerous & life threatening dt's & grand mal seizures were, with 20% fatality rate etc & that these can still ocuur after a week of giving up, so just when I thought I was over the worst I'm terrified I'm going to drop dead! I might sound stupid, but I've really scared myself. Literally just reading the article made me come over all clammy & palpitations & I had to go & lie down.

Lastly I also read if you get withdrawal symptoms, it's likely you've damages organs. I guess my poor liver has had a lot to deal with, but is it likely to self-repair, can I do anything to help myself, asssuming I don't die of a grand mal seizure this pm?

It was reading a thread on here of someone worried about her dh's drinking that finally pushed me to give up, & a book recommendation that helped. So giving up has been thanks to mumsnet, so keeping me alive/reassured will be greatly appreciated too!

OP posts:
carla · 19/02/2006 08:04

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Cristina7 · 19/02/2006 08:08

Firstly, well done for cutting back and giving up.

If you don't want to get in touch with your GP (although I don't see why not, he's there to give medical help, not make moral judgments) then at least make sure your DH knows so if you feel unwell he can get help for you.

My DH tried a detox cure once, not for alcohol, just for his health. He had a whole week of fruit and vegetables only and he felt awful, absolutely horrible. The change was too big for him.

Keep going and well done.

carla · 19/02/2006 08:13

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FrannyandZooey · 19/02/2006 08:17

Do you feel you're over the worst now? If the symptoms came on strongly again I would seek medical help straight away. I know it is too late now, but god forbid this ever happened again, next time cutting down slowly is the way to do it, preferably under medical supervision. However it sounds like you may have been lucky. It's quite possible there will be no lasting damage - my drinking was much worse than yours

Original poster
whywasisostupid · 19/02/2006 08:17

do I really need to see my gp? Why exactly? Apart from being possibly about to drop down dead of course? What would he do? Did you see your gp? i really don't want to do that if at all possible. At eh moment I'm fluctuating between feeling more or less ok, just a bit tired, to bad headache to clammy. Now I feel ok again. Even headache gone atm. Had it pretty much all day yesterday & 1st thing.

OP posts:
FrannyandZooey · 19/02/2006 08:20

Having read the other posts on here I don't want to scaremonger but anyone telling you that you will be fine, there is no problem, is making a mistake. It is dangerous to withdraw suddenly from alcohol as you have done and you should be concerned. Please take care of yourself.

FrannyandZooey · 19/02/2006 08:23

Whywasi, it sounds like you will be fine, but we are not medically trained and you DO need all the help you can get to recover from drinking like this. Have a look and see if there is a drug and alcohol servce near you and give them a ring.

carla · 19/02/2006 08:27

Message deleted

Original poster
whywasisostupid · 19/02/2006 08:51

o you both mean like physical withdrawal or dangers of relapsing? I'm not clear?

OP posts:
carla · 19/02/2006 08:56

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carla · 19/02/2006 08:59

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FrannyandZooey · 19/02/2006 09:48

Sorry if I wasn't very clear. It sounds like the physical danger is mostly passed but as I say if you had any worsening of symptoms I would seek help immediately. I would also get the liver function test done as if you have liver damage you really need to be aware of it so you can manage that. Yes I think you mostly should seek help for the emotional and mental issues - people don't start drinking in the day 'just because they can' for no reason. If you don't know what caused it this time, what is to stop it happening again?

I hope this has helped a little.

welshboris · 19/02/2006 11:33

Isnt whywasisostupid really Carla?

chapsmum · 19/02/2006 11:44

Why was it so stupid, first of all I woul like to say well done for having the courage to recognise your problem and secondly to be looking for help.
I work in a and e where we admit poeple for the medical management for alcohol withdrawal. feel free to cat me if you want.
Your liver is one of the very few organ in the bodywith has massive regenerative properties. If you stop drinking now it will have the ability to heal itself.
Secondly alcohol withdrwal isn't something you should or have to do on your own.
Your gp can prescribe medication to help with the dts and referre for some much needed support.
When you withdraw from alcohol youshould be taking vitamins (THiamine B12 and folate) which will help to protect your brain and other organs, you gp can prescribe these, they are very very important.
This is a lifelong illness you have and you will require lifelong support.
Dont be frightened of what you have read take it on board and use you gp to give you the support you really do need.
HTH

carla · 19/02/2006 12:04

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NotQuiteCockney · 19/02/2006 12:06

welshboris says what I was thinking.

But it's entirely possible that whywasisostupid is someone else with similar booze problems.

Itsokay · 19/02/2006 12:09

I second the post that says well done, its really good that you have acknowledged that you have a problem.

Your body will feel like shit if you are coming off the drink. It's the toxins coming out. You will probably get very tired all of the time as well. You say that you were sharing a bottle of wine with DH and then drinking a can of strong lager. Sorry but IME you were probably drinking a lot more than that to get the withdrawal symptoms that you are experiencing now. Don't panic. It is okay. You have not dropped down dead yet.

By staying away from a drink for 24 hours you have been fantastic and it will get better, I promise, if you have not had a drink since Tuesday - you are doing really really well.

When you feel paniccy or shivery try to have a 'cup of tea with sugar/hot milk with honey/hot chocolate or just something sweet'. It will help.

Buy some Vitamin B and take it. Take up knitting/crosswords/anything.

You are doing really really well honey, so try not to worry. Please cat me if you want any more help. I truly understand what you are going through.

carla · 19/02/2006 12:09

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chapsmum · 19/02/2006 12:10

confused! (why would carla have a coversation with herself)
I think whoever wwiss is she is looking for some advice, not to explain who she is...

carla · 19/02/2006 12:12

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chapsmum · 19/02/2006 12:14

carla, now v v v confused
btw sounds like youv'e had a pretty rough time of it too, well done for getting to where your at, I always think the best support comes from someone with first hand experience.

carla · 19/02/2006 12:18

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chapsmum · 19/02/2006 12:34

Carla Not at all. Think you've given some very good reasons for the original poster to consider seeking help.

WWISS
Please dont do this on your own. See your gp, theyr'e there to help not judge.

chapsmum · 19/02/2006 12:44

Carla, have just read some of your other threads, am a bit worried that you are still having problems...
Although it is good for poster to have genuine help I think in all honesty you should concentrate on recovering yourself rather than taking on the responsibility of helping someone else recover.

I am not disrespecting your offer in any way, I am sure you just want to help yourself, but from a unbias opinion you really need to concentrate on yourself for a while. I am saying this out of genuine concern for you.

To the original poster my offer still stands

doormat · 19/02/2006 13:14

can people go and have a look at chat thread
a nice bath and
I think she is on one again
or is it me

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