The Brave Babes Battle Bus - New Year, New Start And With A Firm Resolution In Their Hearts.

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse and I have an ever changing relationship with alcohol.

This is the Brave Babes Battle Bus, it's a support thread for those who feel their drinking habits are not what they should be, or even those of another.

Sober, drinking or somewhere in between, come take a seat.

And for those who would like to know where this all started, HERE is a link to the threads before this one.

Make THIS year THE year that you change your life, for the better.

Have a Happy New Year, full of memories to treasure, not to forget.

thanks all - my very dear friends.
the battle continues with your help. What would I do without you?
getagrip are points 1 and 2 happening now you have stopped? If so, its normal as your body tries to adjust. The disturbed sleep leads to the headaches - both should improve with time.
Skin might break out a bit initially but again, that will also improve with time and plenty of water, herb teas during the day.
Point 4 - some people never get to that point and never will.

Hello Grip, welcome aboard! All sounds normal to me. Not sure how anyone gets to the point where you just have one glass but people do! And you're one step closer to that point by stepping on board the bus Hello Mary too, it sounds like you're both doing great!

Silver, an allotment! How fantastic! I've always wanted one Nice, healthy activity, and loads of lovely veggies to boot. You must let us know how you get on with it. It must be very therapeutic. !

Mouse, you are, of course, absolutely right. You're a clever little mousie aren't you? Hope you all sleep well tonight.

Anyone struggling tonight? I am on day 4 and not really craving a drink that badly but I'm feeling really low. Exhausted, sooo tired, and just feeling emotional and weak. I've got PMT and I'm used to medicating with wine. That used to pick me up a bit (although only temporarily obviously and never worth it the morning after). I just feel totally spent and weepy. Has anyone else found their PMT feels worse? I'm not advocating drinking to help, by the way!! I know this is temporary. Maybe chocolate is the way to go

Evening Ma, I take sooo long to post Hope you're winning tonight

TTM - day 4 is normal for the 'low'. The initial high of stopping for a number of days, suddenly leaves and you're left with a kind of 'Is that it'? feeling about it all.

Stick in there if you can, not long until you can get into bed with a bit of luck! The earlier the better for me I find.

Have you got anything like hot chocolate in? Make yourself a large mug, get into your PJs (already PJd up here!) and just switch down a gear.

If you can go to bed, then go. Read. Write, sketch or knit. Whatever helps you. I'm so sorry that you've hit the low so soon. xxx

Hello Grip

1. Yes but it will pass. Both Silver and I use Boots 'Sleepeze' one a night. Only for a short time whilst your natural sleep pattern establishes again.

2. You need to drink the right kind of drinks, clear fluids are best. Avoid fruit juices and sugary drinks as you can actually get a withdrawal from them.

3. You will see noticeable differences in your eyes and face first, brighter, less puffy eyes and much less blotchy skin, flushed cheeks etc. The weight will start to come off but if I am honest, don't worry about anything else, don't put any pressure on yourself in other areas, just concentrate on the not drinking and the rest will fall into place.

4. You can't. Not yet. You have to 'train' yourself to get to that level of drinking. You have to be in control. And you're not just yet. But you can be. Take it a day at a time and see what happens

I'm away to feed Nemo now. I'll be back tomorrow at some point.

Not a drop on day 2. A clear head and a happy heart for this mouse.

Night night all xxxxx

Thanks Mouse, you are lovely. Have had a medicinal hot chocolate and half a pack of medicinal Jaffa cakes. Now off to bed. Want to see the back of day 4.

Well done for talking yourself out of the fizz Isinde. Sounds like you had reason to celebrate too. It's nice to feel your attitudes changing isn't it?

Sleep well brave babes

Have been reading some of the older threads properly this evening.

You are all inspiring, every one of you.

What a very marvellous thread this is.

Morning:) Day 5 done and dusted! Really determined to make today Day 6 and no alcohol!
Went for a walk this morning, just having some brekkie and then its off to work for me.

Good morning

It's been such a long time since I posted I don't know if anyone will remember me. I have lurked very occasionally but am very out of touch with you all. I recognise lots of names and hello to you all.

Well, am back at work now and all ok, it's still been very hard with dh depression. My drinking crept back up and all the crappy associated misery and sleeplessness and health worries etc etc

So I decided not to drink on new year's eve, had a lovely day and evening, was bright and alert for new years day and haven't drunk since then. So this is my seventh day. Just taking it one day at a time.

I can't wait to hear everyone's news and be here again if I you'll let me climb back on to the bus.

Just reading posts above, how is noteven?

venus I will email you

I have hardly been in mumsnet since starting working so may not be able to post as much as I would like, but I will read as often as I can all your inspirational words. I am at home from work today because I have the grimmest tummy bug of tummy bugs. Ran to loo all night. Mental faculties intact but not much else! If it hadn't been for the fact that dd2 has had it I would have wondered if it was the not drinking purge!

Morning Christie, good to "see" you again. I remember you from last year, great to hear the job worked out for you.
Ps I used to be desiretochange:)

Medicinal jaffa cakes, now there's a thought .

Just wondering how some of the new babes are getting on cat push Cava?

Also, Atosolis did you find your own place yet and how are you coping?

Welcome to Grip. I would agree with what's been said above. But you'll never know unless you try will you. What have you got to lose? That's the great thing about not drinking for One Day. You have nothing to lose at all.

Saf I am still gearing up for Moday if you want to join me. Do you think you could alternate your drinking days, or are you not ready yet. Only you really know how you feel and there's no rush. Well done in taking the dog out despite the horrible weather. I bet he wasn't as keen as you though?

bobitty this is the nicest most supportive thread I've ever found on MN. Love these babes.

christiane welcome back, always nice to see old faces return.

fairie yes to medicinal Jaffa cakes. Is it only me that has a Jaffa cake eating ritual? I eat the chocolate off first, then the disc of orange gloop and then the cakes bit. Makes a Jaffa cake last for ages!

I also eat the chocolate off the outside of maltesers first before sucking the honeycomby bit.

Ok, I have gross chocolate eating rituals.

Day 5 of not drinking and shredding. My head is clear, my thighs are aching.

Gosh, the welcome is certainly warm and cosy on this fabulous bus, thank you all!

I slept much much better last night. My lack of sleep is not helped by my bad back, but I'm taking one mild painkiller for it at bed time and I think the combination of no booze and an eased back might just mean I am in for some much much better sleep. And let's face it, if you've slept well, you can cope with most things - or at least give it a shot!

DH and I had a long heart to heart about this all last night. He is completely on board with this (he and I are equally bad in the drinking stakes) and although we've tried this before, and done the odd week here and there, this time our resolve seems much more solid. DH actually sounds relieved to be ditching the beers. We aren't going to be teetotal forever, but we need to be able to say "we'll have a few drinks on X night out, or on Saturday or whatever" and then just leave it out for the rest of the week. I think that is where I/we want to be. The way I see it we will:

• Feel less sluggish - both in the morning and all day/week
• Health - skin, liver, digestion, etc.
• Lose weight
• Get less cross
• Improve emotional health
• Fewer "down" times.
• Save money, both on the drink itself and on taxis home
• I will get more chores done, more quickly and have more free time

There are even some beers in the fridge left over from Christmas and neither of us has even shot them a second glance.

Today is Day 5 and I can do this.

Thank you everyone.

Morning brave babes.

I am so glad to see the back of day 4. What a crappy day. But today is a new day and although yesterday would have been a perfect excuse to get plastered, I didn't touch a drop! Thank goodness for mice hot chocolate and medicinal Jaffa Cakes (Boss, I trust you keep yours in the fridge; nowt worse than a lukewarm Jaffa). I think my big girls' knickers might be helping me to grow up a bit. I did what was best for me last night (comforting, milky drink and early night) rather than feed my evil addiction. So although I am still cream-crackered (thanks DS for a cracking night's sleep), I have a clear head and clean conscience

I'm on Day 5 too. Not got to Day 6 for many years (pregnancies excepted). Feel determined right now but the Friday night ritual of a bottle of wine may be hard to forgo tonight...will be back tonight that's for sure.

How is everyone doing? Noteven, I often think of you. Hope you're OK. Do come and say hello if you want to. Saf, hope you're good, you sound calmer these days x. Hope everyone else is doing well. It's so nice to see so many posts. It's good to know I'm not alone

Have good days everyone

desire hello you old mucker!

Everyone else, hello

I was kept up by my bug and my dds last night, all night long. I went on MN about 3am and there was a reference to this website. I have NEVER laughed so much. I had to leave my bed and daughters to go and giggle properly.

www.damnyouautocorrect.com
it's a lot funnier than drinking!!!

grip DH has depression and was good about not drinking, but it crept up again over the last quarter of 2011 and mine did too. Very boozy December. His depression has since worsened and so I stopped hoping that he will stop too. He hasn't drunk since 2nd Jan I think. He is getting bad withdrawal headaches. But I think his mood is a bit better and his resolve is stronger.

Your list of the benefits of not drinking is spot on for us too. I also think that all those plus points are huge advantages for our children too. They will have happier parents.

Weirdly, our sex life (practically non existent since DH diagnosed with depression nearly two years ago) has improved any time we haven't drunk.

I think it is down to improved energy levels instead of passing out at 11pm.

Afternoon, tis me, Mouse

Hello Christi!!! Welcome back to the Bus How is work? Did you finally find a suitable post? It's good to hear that DH is on an even keel these days and that your home is a much happier place.

TTM - well done on getting through last night. This not drinking lark makes you a little selfish at times, which is fine. You have to find ways of 'surviving' the urges and if that means PJs and bed, then so be it! Go you!! xx

Off to make some lunch and then we have a visit from Nemo's portage worker. He had a much better night but his poor little bottom is still red raw from the antibiotics.

Back later Brave Babes xx

Hey mouse you little devil. Sorry Nemo been poorly recently but how have things been overall?

Yes work is fine. Working from home today owing to the gastro bug. Must be losing a ton of weight but how to keep it off???!!!

Have not yet managed to do much work though, one blackberry email responded to... I could NOT do this on a regular basis!

DH struggling off the booze - I guess he 'seeing the hangover through to the end' - he must have been drinking more than I thought! He has headache, shivers, grump... Can anyone recommend anything? Milk thistle?

Hey, tis me, Silly/Tinselly :) Time for the Tinsel to be put away until next year. So what do you think to my new name? I think it shows some improvement from the original one, but I don't want to get all cocky and lose the silly already. I'm thinking about this too much aren't I?

Christiane, hello! I don't believe we've met...hope you have a good journey :) Sorry, I can't recommend anything for your DH. Comfort eating, plenty of water and paracetamol??

Grip your list of the benefits of not drinking is something I could have written (without the taxi/going out reference ). Good luck with cutting down. My DH and I have said we're going to try to not drink for the whole of January...he'll do it, he's not an alkie like me, but I'm not gonna give up already!

Mouse, glad Nemo is getting better. Re the sore bottom, have you tried Metanium? Amazing stuff. My DS had the sorest bum I have ever seen (not that I've seen many ) after antibiotics, poor thing, but that cream is brill. Oh, and you're right about the selfish thing. But I realise now that drinking copious amounts of wine was actually far more selfish because I was a grump and unhappy the next day...poor DC :( So more hot chocolate and sugary goodies for me tonight (I hope...). Anyway, I hope you have a nice afternoon x

Have good days everyone

Cristiane
With headache and shivers maybe your poor dh is coming down with what you have?

mouse second that metanium vote. Dd used to get terrible nappy rash. Skin literally used to come off in strips. I used soft lint to dry her bottom after every change. Then a layer of metanium, thicker than they recommend. Then a layer, really really thick, of bepanthen on top. I'd get through a tube of each in a day or two, but it used to work so well. I also had to be super careful about which nappies I used, pampers used to irritate her rash if it was bad. I think its the absorbent granule thingys.

Am sure you are already trying all of this, but just in case...

christiane yes to milk thistle, also to some exercise even if it's just a brisk walk. Perhaps some ibuprofen if he's really achy. Think it's ok to take with milk thistle, check the packet.

In the spirit of solidarity I will not be drinking today even though Friday is usually one of my fine to drink nights. I am positively enjoying the feeling of 5 or 6 nights off the wine - I haven't had a drink since about 9pm on New Year's Eve. Will raise a glass of Rock's Lime Squash with sparkling water and ice to you all tonight.

and third metanium!

Ooh, lime squash, now there's something to add to the shopping list. Is Rocks quite sharp or sweet? I like a good bit of sour.