The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Driving Through A Sober Winter Wonderland.

[Mouseface]

Hello, I'm Mouse

Welcome to the Bus, he's called Gerald.... he takes us up and down and this wondrous land, searching high and low for Babes in need of some support, a warm place to sit and chat, and to have someone to listen to them.

So, grab a seat as we swing by your way. There's lots of hot drinks, food and fleeces, places to just be and places to sit around and chat if that's what you want.

We don't judge, because we've all be in your shoes, be they stilettos, wellies or crocs!...

We're just us, we're just honest and we just do what we can to help, if we can, when we can. Let's try and have a Merry Christmas without getting off our faces this year.

Here is the very first, emotional thread if you would like to see where this all started

And the last thread if you want to keep up!

Morning babes, day 6 here. I woke im the night, feeling like I had a hangover, that feeling of pounding blood and loud heart, took me a moment to realise that can't be the case ??

Hi Jingle, it's a whole lot of readjusting our bodies are having to do - hope you're feeling better now , have a good day.

Anyone else getting headaches? Do I need to up my intake of water (which is practically non-existent at the minute)?

I haven't had headaches (apart from a virus related one for half a day) this time, Obrigada, but I did when I gave up for 8 days before Christmas - I don't know what the difference was? Perhaps the length of time I had been consuming excessively?. Any sort of liquid should fix dehydration headaches (apart from coffee, if like me you only drink it very strong and black), it doesn't have to be water.

Thanks Sweet, strangely enough I drink tea at home but don't like the water at work and drink (yes you have guessed it) strong, black coffee by the gallon

Good Morning all. Hope you're feeling ok Jingle I too went through the same kind of wake ups but it does get better. It's interesting how all these changes happen as your body gets rid of toxins - I try to embrace it.

Sorry Sweet I can't comment on tea bags I don't really like any of them. I'm just drinking a coffee.....

I feel a bit more positive today and have decided that I need to make some positive changes. I have social anxiety and find it really difficult to speak to people in RL apart from when drunk and so want to try to tackle that but baby steps I think. I usually go a bit mad around this time of year deciding to make hundreds of changes at the same time eg stop drinking, give up caffeine, lose weight, train for a half marathon, tone up, make new friends, overcome social anxiety, pay off overdraft, get house sorted, be more organised blah, blah blah.

However, this time it's baby steps......

I have to have a rule for coffee, because I used to drink so much. I DO NOT drink it after 11am - for any reason. Funnily enough, I never had a problem sticking to that, unlike any self imposed rules about alcohol!

Have you thought that you are noticing the effects of coffee because you are no longer in a permanent state of hangover? (projecting here, 'cause that's how I'm feeling)

Baby steps rather than drunken staggering eh, Ruby!!

Sorry x posted wittering on to myself.....

Obrigada yes you do need to drink more water, I find it really hard to do so tend to drink low cal cordial which is better than nothing.

Defo Sweet I'm very experienced in staggering not so much in baby steps

Morning babes, everyone is doing so well, it's been a great boost for me reading the posts from those who have already given up for a while, it's very encouraging to sense the upbeat and positive vibe of the lovely babes winning the fight.

I hit a major trigger last night , I had a particularly severe crohn's attack last night, the pain was horrendous and the blood loss left me so weak dh had to help me to and from the toilet. I have been known to knock back a bottle very quickly to knock me out and alleviate the anxiety of waiting for the next bout of pain , this may sound mad but in that moment you 'd do anything for relief, anything. Anyway I played it out in my head and would have been exhausted today as well as hungover and hugely disappointed in myself, so I took my morphine and bit on a towel instead of downing wine feeling sorry for myself.

The irony is I've been eating healthily and going to the gym but my bowel hates fruit and veg and when it flares everything else so I get hungry, tired, dehydrated and anxious about going out incase I don't make it to a toilet. I also pass out quite often (only when it's bad) so it kinda takes your freedom and confidence away.

I'm just grateful my attacks a fewer and further between than the earlier years when I was consistently ill for years, I really was a sorry site so this is just a flare up and I must stay strong, I'm my mind at least.

Anyway I'm see a physiciatrist today to try and get to the bottom of these nightmares and check I'm on the right meds for my depression and anxiety. Sorry for me me me post but it helps to write my thoughts down and keep perspective on events.

Will NC later but needless to see I'm so proud of every single babe, we are all facing huge challenges in this contrary life but every one of you
show courage and compassion for others and that keeps us together and victorious!!!

Luffs you all xxx

for Baby for being so strong. Seriously well done you.

Thanks sweet really enjoying your posts, your so open and warm xxx

baby you're a fucking hero! My god you've got a lot to cope with. Xx

Thank you Baby

Ruby, like you I have social anxiety and make tons of New Years resolutions (just like yours) but this year like you I am going to take baby steps. At present I am telling myself I am doing dry January and hopefully with the extra hours and extra energy I can move forward to improving my life

sober hey lady, your MY hero, your journey has empowered my resolve sooooo much, your like a different person and it's a joy to be part of watching your success, seriously you, marfisa venus pink and any others I've not mentioned, it really proves "it's not where you start it's where you finish". Compared to what my lovely friends are going through on here at the moment, my illness ain't all that, it's been part of me for so long I just have to get through the dark times, there truly is always someone much worse off.

As a wise babe once said "you never regret not drinking". Also the team spirit on the bus right now is so inspiring it feels like every day each one of us achieves sober is for each other as well as ourself and gives me strength.

I want to be like you when I grow up
Mwah xxx

sweet I use traidcraft African Gold teabags and find them great.

Baby well done for not giving in.

I am Day 3 and it is the first time I have been day 3 for many a year!!

Baby I can't even imagine the pain you are going through xx I agree with you re the bus at the minute, it is great to see it so busy and the team spirit is amazing.

Just wanted to share something that has made my day . . .

I ordered one of the Tower of London poppies for my dad and presented him with the gift cert on Christmas day, since I didn't expect to receive the poppy until Feb, which would mean sending it over when DS visits them at Easter. As DPs were putting coats on to leave half an hour ago, the courier knocked the door and handed it over. Chuffed to bits. Dad teared up a little when I gave him the certificate, so it's lovely to be able to hand him the real thing.

Thanks for the recommendation Soupey, are the 'tea', tea? I'm a fussy bugger, I don't actually like regular tea (can't even drink Kenyan coffee because I find it has a slightly tannin taste, rather than just being bitter). But I will get some for DH who likes a nice cuppa.

Sweet, what a thoughtful gift x With regards to coffee, am going to have to reduce gradually coz of the headaches I already have. Having my last coffee of the day now

Obrigada do you think your coffee intake could have been affecting your sleep?

Off to pick up DS to take him to an after school activity. Won't be home until 6pm, which means I will have got past the worst of my witching hour.

Laters . . . or as Ma said this morning "Layers" (love it)

Obrigada glad you're doing baby steps too. We can toddle along together

Sweet that's lovely about the poppy, I bet your DF was really touched. Now why didn't I think of that as a pressie?

I can't stop thinking about chocolate at the moment, see you in a while I'm off to raid the cupboards