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

[whywasisostupid]

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!

1st of all, a big thank you to carla and F&Z and everyone else who's offered help. I'm sorry if I've started a mini bun fight - of course carla is not me, seems a bit bizarre that people start throwing accusations & doubts about, about genuine requests for help. Why would Carla waste her morning chatting with herself?????

Anyway, still got headache, but that's all, so am very pleased with myself. Was just freaked out yesterday that I might suddenly drop down dead, but my withdrawal symptoms aren't as bad as people seem to be thinking. I haven't had any dt's or even shaking. I felt rough the 1st morning, I had a couple of sweaty nights and a headache that lasted a few days. Tbh I had a week long headache when I gave up tea.

I had no idea that giving up alcohol could be so dangerous, which is why I got such a shock yesterday. But I feel a lot more positive about not dropping down dead! so a big thank you to everyone. I haven't got a credit card so can't do the CAT's but a huge thank you to all the very kind offers.

btw it's okay, your post was also appreciated & really helpful, but I assure you I was honest about how much I drank. Most nights half a bottle of wine plus a couple of beers, absolute max was 6 pints. way too much over the guidelines of 14 units, but accept it or not, that was it. Anyway, hopefully the headache will pass soon, I'll get myself some vitamins & look forward to the rest of my days alcohol-free. Thank you all very very much. I feel liberated.

WhywasI, good to hear you feeling very positive this morning. Yes 6 pints a night would easily leave you having nasty withdrawal and you would be advised to have this medically managed IMO if you were to do it again, so you were right to worry. If you would like me to CAT you if I can help in any way I would be happy to do so (I am paid up for CATs so no worries). However as you have possibly noticed my attitude to alcohol is it black and white since having given up so I may not be the best person to help!

You know you can get as much support on here as you need - or you should be able to, most of the time. I have no idea why people were saying you were carla, you sound nothing like her. Keep us posted if you need any more information or just someone to say "well done"