I WANT IT NOW!!!

[Chief]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

Star, Take a look at the six week starter pack in the health store on this site. That's what I'm taking along with Melatonin to help me sleep. I think this would do you a world of good. And like other's have said, the cd's do tend to put you to sleep. It is a bit of an investment initially but I think it's well worth it in the long run. Also, some form of aerobic exercise will help you sleep. How much caffeine are you drinking? You seem to have a grip on the cravings, I think you just need these type of supps to kick start your body into replenishing itself from the abuse of the alcohol.

[happycamper68]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

Star C'mon!

Star, No falling asleep at the wheel. Whatever gets you through--- but it sounds like you need to listen to your own little head and defiinitely take the supps.

L-Glutmatine and Kudzu and a good multi. for now. Read book again. You'll be dandy because you were fine without this stuff, this will give you extra boost you need. :h

[beatle]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

I have to agree with all that's said here. I have gone AF many times before, but never did much supps (just a multivitamin, and milk thistle for the liver) and it's never been fun. I felt cheated, because I still felt pretty damn lousy after a month AF, and couldn't see much reason to keep on (so I didn't, ha ha).

But since going over to a mega-supplement regime, I have felt so so much better. Getting back to AF was no problem (I started the regime about a week before going AF again) and I feel real good (not great yet, but much better). I usually sleep well, and have a good appetite and fairly good amount of energy. It's such a big difference from previous attempts and it makes it oh so much easier to stay here in AF land.

If you take XTexan's supplement advice (excellent) as the base, I would add a lot of cal-mag, especially at night (helps relax you). And really, you need those Bs and Cs in large doses (luckily they are the cheapest vitamins, I think).

For sleep: melatonin, of course. l-tryptophan or 5-HTP (a form of l-tryptophan) are also natural sleep aids that also help your brain re-wire from the changes made by alcohol. You can take these together before going to sleep-- plus the calms forte (and cal-mag). They all work differently and together will almost surely solve your sleep problems, completely naturally.

Valerian, in large doses, is a very good relaxant that can be taken both night and day. It takes about an hour to kick in, and you really feel it. Nice stuff, cause it relaxes without clouding your brain, so you can still concentrate.

For anxiety: I suggest lithium oratate, a natural relaxant that also helps with anxiety AND cravings. If you want immediate effect, use the nose spray. Ahhh...

It sounds like a lot, but I calculate that this all (plus more-- I have a really extensive regime) costs me about a quarter of what I spent on alcohol. So I still have the other 3/4, and I feel good for the first time in many years. Please, give it a one-month try and see for yourself (Do I sound like an advertisement or what? Maybe a pill-pusher?)

Good luck Starlight Imp-- we hate to see you suffer.

[beatle]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

p.s. tkeene, I hope this helps you too. I too have not experienced the HIGH yet, but I feel so much better than I ever have, and it is just so nice to get out of bed ready and eager to face the day. That's a big plus for me. (Maybe even a high?). It's a tragedy to feel lousy after quitting. You deserve at least to feel better.

[slightlysuze]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

Starlight.....I agree that supps might help......and you SO deserve to feel well after all your hard work going AF. :l

The only one not mentioned so far is Siberian Ginseng...which has a normalising effect on the adrenal glands which get damaged by alcohol. (Not Korean ginseng, which is a bit strong and can only be used safely for short periods) I've used it in the past and it does give you a bit of a lift. I bought some yesterday because I was feeling disappointed at still feeling like cr*p after 2-3 days AF....greedy me - I thought I'd be on top of the world after that minor triumph! :H

Here's hoping you can find the next thing for you as you travel along.....I don't even know you but your posts are inspiring ....even though you're not dancing on air! :h

[Deilight]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

Hey Starlight!

I have ALL of the same issues. In fact I have just had to remind myself to go and eat. I can't sleep either and I'm always tired. I'm taking vitamins and stuff. I have meal replacement shakes which do help if you don't have an appetite, it's just that I've been ill with phlegm and all and milk isn't good for that.

I'm sorry I can't help you but just know I am in the same boat. Took a sleeping pill the other night out of desperation but don't want to go down that road!

Hang in there, your body will balance again if you look after it.

Vitamin B is great, perhaps a shot at the chemist. The vit B injections are good, they administer them in rehab every morning for the first week.

[Cinders]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

Starlight,

I can't agree more about the supps. I started taking them before I tried quitting and within a week started feeling better. Physical signs were bruises and cuts healed faster and I felt more alert.

I think xtexan's recommendations are pretty good basic supplements. The B vitamins are critical.

ALLONE tastes horrible but it is a bunch of what you need in one shot. I can't use it because of travel, hard to carry powders and the size of the canister takes up too much room.

Most importantly, just sending positive thoughts to you. I know how anxiety and depression can affect you. Hang in there!! It will get better. :h

Cindi

[nancy]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

Well, it seems you have received a lot of good advice.

You might want to also do some reading about sleep hygeine. Of course, you need to avoid caffeine but there are other things you could look into, like reserving your bed for sleep, getting regular exercise.

You could try searching for insomnia and sleep hygeine.

I guess what I am trying to say is that some people have insomnia that is not related to alcohol so some general advice might also be of help.

[gabby]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

Star, what everyone is tellin is so true. YOU NEED THE SUPPS! I am so impressed with you tho. Your doin so well. Keep up the good work.

hugs hugs and more hugs

[gabby]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

Also you could try some generic benedryl for a quick fix to help you sleep. Its what is in like the Tylenol PM only cheaper.

[Accountable for Me]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

I agree with everyone here Starlight! You must fuel your body especially after years of abusing alcohol. xtexan put it best.

It is common for one to start feeling depressed/unmotivated and unable to sleep during the early days. Sleep is a big one here. It takes a while for that to come back regularly. If you continue to feel depressed after a couple more weeks or it worsens you should seek out medical help. I know you aren't into meds etc... but sometimes it is necessary.

I know you want to spend the money you are not spending on alcohol to decorate your home, etc... BUT; you should really be investing that money in your nutritional well being right now. All of that other stuff can wait.

You need to keep doing whatever you need to do to remain AF and healthy right now. You are very early in your AF right now and you will be going through a lot of 'rough patches' for a while yet.

Hang in there - you are so strong. You need to dig deep and grab your strength. :l

[hart]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

((Star)))

I'm on Campral which is dang expensive. But as for the supps. I am taking the Lithium Orotate and Kudzu. But I have always had sleep problems. I take 1/2 a otc drug. Generic Asprin PM, or Tyenol PM. Just 1/2 tablet and I'm good to go.

My hubby urges vitamins....and I'm sure everyone is right. Just telling u what I do for the sleeplessness.

[natasha]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

star,

are you exercising at all? that may help.

i exercise ALOT and i'm having trouble getting to sleep but once i'm there...i'm OUT. i'm gonna go look for the calms forte today at some of the stores around here to see if that'll make me sleepy before 2 a.m. school starts next week and i can't be sleeping past 7 a.m.

otc ADVIL PM has worked pretty well. i never took tylenol pm because of the ibuprofen/liver/alcohol dangers.

you'll get thru this. you have to admit that you feel better AF. i certainly like waking up refreshed and not hungover, don't you? even though you might be tired from little sleep it's better, right?

it'll get better, i know because i've done it before, you'll start to wonder why you ever drank in the first place.

xxx
nat

[Guest]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions.

Have started by raiding my kitchen and found I actually have a couple of basics:

a)my doc gave me strong(???) Vit B complex when I told him I wanted to quit drinking.....says 2 x 3 tabs per day.........figure this must be the optimum vit B, since doc gave me it, but am unsure if I could perhaps buy better??
b)vit C 500 mg
c) omega 3 fish oils 1000 mg

Have decided to initially go with the essentials Neil recommends and add "something" to address the anxiety.

Am very lucky as there is a fab. healthstore just along the road from me.......well, it seems fab., `cos they got a website, but dunno!!! LOL

Anyway, am headed out to the health store to get myself some All One............I think I recollect some posts where members have found it rather putrid , but am willing to suffer it, just as long as I reap the benefits of it. Am not sure if it`s M.W.O.`s own product, so may have to scour the shelves for something as potent.

Am also planning on picking up something for the anxiety out of the selection you have all recommended.........will again scour the shelves and try not to just "pin the tail on the donkey"..........am willing to shell out now, but want value-for-money, as in quality products.

Thanks all for bringing me to my senses. I know I`d far rather strive to become Twinkling Star than revert to being the Drunken Star of old (LOL) and appreciate it`s high time I invested in some of the vits and supps to begin enjoying my AF. Have said it since I first went AF.........am not giving in...........NO WAY!!.......NO HOW!!

Have now reasoned with myself that it`s not the case that I don`t have the cash to invest..............it`s just that I felt guilty for buying this stuff when there is so much I have yet to do to the house, but like you all say, I am no longer spending money on nightly wine, so `tis only fair that I invest in some of the things which will result in me becoming truly well, in addition to being sober.

You really are such an awesome support team..........love you guys!!!

Starlight Impress x

[Guest]

I WANT IT NOW!!!

Good for you...it is temporary, you won't be on them forever and will feel SO GOOD soon. Then, you can enjoy fixing up your home.....