Newbies Nest

[j-vo]

Thoughts going out to all who are struggling today.:hug::hug:

The hurt and pain is real, and a part of the normal life that we are trying to learn how to live without alcohol. I know the pain of three miscarriages, and I certainly know the pain of severe depression. These circumstances are so difficult, but we get through them one day at a time, just like we recover from alcohol. The hurt lasts a good while, the loss of appetite, and insomnia but as time goes on, it gets better. It doesn't seem possible when you're in the throes of it, but I'm here to say that we all heal, and sometimes we need the help of a doctor. I do believe depression is an illness and sadness is a feeling, two very different entities. The best thing is to get an evaluation from a professional that you trust. More hugs.

[Lavande]

Good evening Nesters,

Damp day in the neighborhood for sure but at least it's coming to an end

Dutch, please go see someone about your symptoms. It would really be the best thing for you & your family. Accepting a little help right now may prevent a lot of heartache down the road. Maybe your wife will do the same. I hope the both of you feel better very soon.

Great to see you Rahul & everyone!

Wishing everyone a safe & peaceful night in the nest!

Lav

[See the Light]

:cuss: Ughh..

:cuss: Ughh..

I guess it goes without saying, but I should have stayed more involved here. I hate to admit it, but it was always my goal to see if I could make it 1 year AF. I didn't..was about 2 1/2 weeks short before everything I learned somehow slipped my mind. Then, since I blew that, I figured a few here and there wouldn't matter anymore now..and since July it has been fairly off and on. Nothing like the problem I had before I thought, so what was the harm? About a month ago I started having sharp pains under my right ribs...my time away probably repaired some of my fatty liver damage, but my time back on left me with alcoholic hepatitis. I need to do this again...for good this time... for I feel my days are numbered otherwise. I am getting help, and need the MWO support to make it work..1 year can't be my goal this time...I can't afford that anymore. I look forward to making it happen with all you again.

[abcowboy]

Welcome home STL!

[planetjanet]

Hello Everyone,

Wow, have I fallen way behind in reading the posts but my plan this weekend is sit with HUGE cup of coffee and start reading. I have had some time to read a few and wow I am so impressed with all of you, it's nice to be back and welcome to the newcomers.

I am doing great, my new job is awesome and life is good. I want to write more but it's bed time for me and so I have to sign off :sad: I will check back in on Thursday or Friday and hopefully have some time to read the your posts. One thing I would like to share is that I really, really wake up with such gratitude to be AF and how much it's so important for me to be honest with myself about drinking. That this is not a 30 day, 1, 2, 3 year change, this is a lifestyle change. This is forever and it's not going to be easy but as long as I am honest with myself of what my truth is with alcohol and it wouldn't hurt watching that video I made when drinking, then I will know that ONE drink will destroy me. I remember my best friend telling me that alcohol is my Achilles Tendon and I couldn't agree with him, it is!!!

Anywho, bed time.....Keep up the good work and lots hugs to you :hug:


Hugs,
Janet
AF Day 14

[LavenderBlue]

Super quick here on the topic of AD's.

I am NOT a doctor, so my first comment is always going to be to see one that you trust and find out what options you have.

I had some luck with antidepressants in my last teens, then again in my mid 20's. I had some side effects, but mostly I was just stubborn about not wanting to be on anything. (So I just drank instead, because that really helps, right?! >_< )

Anyway, after about a year sober I talked to my doctor about how I was doing and he referred me to a specialist. We tried one drug, which hyped me up more than I wanted, then combined it with another and I feel absolutely wonderful; better than I have in years. Part of that is being sober, but I'm one of the folks who needed help getting her brain chemistry to something normal. Then again my depression/anxiety didn't start because anything happened, it's just been a constant for most of my life.

100% do not want to discount those who've had bad experiences. That can happen, too. Or it can take a lot of time and experimenting to find what works. Or talk therapy might help more since AD's only deal with the chemicals in your brain, you still have to learn how to handle the bad and the good if that makes sense. They aren't a magic fix, even if you do need them is what I'm saying. Just settles things out so you have a chance at sorting the rest!

[Pavati]

Hi, All:

Sorry about your struggles, Dutch. One idea I had would be to keep a journal and then you'll have some knowledge of the symptoms and their frequency when you talk with a doctor.

Welcome back, STL.

There is nothing that quitting drinking will make worse - so true!

I am delirious from sleepiness. Keep on keeping on, nest.

Pav

[Guitarista]

There are NO negatives in being sober. None.

Welcome back STL. Sorry about that health issue raising it's head again, but great you are onto it. All the best with it and hope you are back in good health asap.

Good job on 14 AF Janet. Congrat's QDub on 80 days, and Starfish on 90 Days booze free! I know there are some other milestoner's 'round here somewhere too, so big congrat's to youse also.

11/11/15 Lest we forget.

Have a bewdy out there and take care.

[NoSugar]

There are NO negatives in being sober. None.

I'm almost always freezing so I must admit I liked how a couple glasses of wine seemed to warm me up... But somehow the 3 a.m. sweating that almost always followed wasn't worth it! I tried to blame that nightly drama on what must have been the longest menopause in recorded history !

[Guitarista]

I'm almost always freezing so I must admit I liked how a couple glasses of wine seemed to warm me up... But somehow the 3 a.m. sweating that almost always followed wasn't worth it! I tried to blame that nightly drama on what must have been the longest menopause in recorded history !

Lol NS. Glad you sorted that out! And do you know that in freezing conditions (i.e. lost in the snow), AL is not recommended as it will dissipate our body heat quicker. Can't recall, but might be to do with body heat moving to the skins surface quickly when drinking.

[paulywogg]

Hey all,STL,I was reading your thread in the holistic part and wondered where you'd gone off to,glad you're back

[NoSugar]

Yeah, Mr G, alcohol only makes you feel warmer - I think you're right about the mechanism. When blood vessels are dilated, we lose heat much more quickly. Now I drink decaf coffee with cream (to make it special :smile when I'm stuck in a cold restaurant while others guzzle wine. SB to you :wink:

[Lavande]

Good morning Nesters, happy Hump day too

Welcome back STL!
I hope you get well soon & hang in there with us.

Congrats to everyone piling up those precious AF days!
Don't you just love doing something positive for yourself??

Have a great AF day one & all!

Lav

[Byrdlady]

Morning, Nesters!
Planet J, I'd like to underscore what you said about our goals here. When I was in the trying-failing cycle, I was putting time limits on myself. "I just want 30 days AF, or I just want 100 days AF...." That LAFQ (somebody slap me for using acronyms....Last and Final Quit), I knew I had to quit forever. Yes, it was overwhelming and YES, I didn't want to have to admit that I'd have to be AF for the REST OF MY LIFE (to be said in IMAX). But I didn't succeed until I got that into my thick skull. This AF Stint doesn't have a finish line, it must be a lifestyle. I tried my darndest (Southern Speak) to take a softer approach, but by golly, AL is ruthless! I had to slam the door closed, and I keep it closed and locked! I cannot entertain a 'WHAT IF'. I can't afford to do that. I have too much to lose! I don't even go there. It serves no good purpose. Lav taught me to push those thoughts out....I control my thoughts!

I could sit here and feel sorry for myself because I don't GET TO DRINK. I tell you, after 1757 Days, that sounds ridiculous! But it didn't when I was in early days....I felt 'LESS THAN', angry, and deprived!! I tell you, as a card carrying Alkie, you don't know deprivation until you've tried to moderate! 'What do you mean I can't have MORE?!" MORE is what I do best!!! MORE was the problem. The drink in hand was never good enough, I was already worried about the next one. Today, DEPRIVED is not how I feel. I feel FREE....I feel normal! This took TIME and patience. The 'forever thing' is a big deal, but it is extremely empowering. If you have been trying to quit for years and keep going back and repeating the same mistakes....give FOREVER a try! Maybe THAT is the last piece of the puzzle for you, too! SLAM that door on AL and lock it good and tight! It was the best decision I have ever made! No MEANS No!
Hope everyone has a peaceful day! Byrdie

Edit to add: 80 Days AF for G Man and Q W!!!! 90 big days for our very own Star!!!! Great job yall!!!! :horse:

[Mr Vervill]

There are NO negatives in being sober. None- G-Man

There is nothing that quitting drinking will make worse - so true!- PAV

Yes,so true on both!

Welcome back STL