Uhh...

[Goodboy]

Been away for a few days and I didn't realize I would miss this forum. ( Playing the tuff guy ). I am afraid of withdrawals. I feel the panic coming on after just four to five hours without a drink. I don't know how far i can let it go before i give in, but so far it has just been one day ( because I couldn't get to the Vodka). I hate to be a whiner, I know a lot of you have been here and fought through it. I feel like a big wuss. I try to stay busy and deal with it, but the mood swings and shakes make me even more of an A-hole than when I'm lit. I am going today to buy some L-glut. I hear you guys say that helps. I am not sure about the kudzu. Can this cause digestive issues? I am so sick of being this way...

[choppersmom]

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Goodboy,

Sorry you are feeling this way. If you are scared of the withdrawals, perhaps you should seek medical advice? You are NOT a whiner or a wuss. Good for you for coming here and seeking support and to talk. I don't take the Kudzu any more so can't help you there, but the L-glut is wonderful stuff. Take it one minute at a time if necessary. Keep yourself busy! :l

[louise]

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I don't think most people have any problem with kudzu - but much of the kudzu in stores is not very helpful as it isn't formulated correctly. Get the kudzu from here. Do use the ALL One vitamin/amino acid stuff - it can be gotten at some health food stores.
Do you have someone around to make sure you are ok detoxing? Don't know how much you have been drinking - but if it is a lot, you may want to read the various threads on detoxing. Please check in and let us know you are ok.
You say it has been 1 day - is this a full 24 hours? If so, you may be over the worst of the physical stuff.

[42cat]

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Goodboy, great to hear from you. I've been wondering how you were getting along. Sounds like you're putting up a good fight with AL. Don't give up - you can take him.

I was afraid of withdrawals too .. for lots of reasons ... the possibility of needing medical attention (I paid really close attention to my body), dealing with the anxiety and nerves - I think that was the most difficult at times, the thoughts and run through your mind, the physical feeling of shaking and feeling generally ill. Don't feel like a wuss, K? I found it helped to have a "plan" .. or plans ... What-if type of plans.

Oh, and I found the L-glut to be great. The bottle I have says to take 4 capsules three times a day ... that's a lot of caps. I don't think I took quite that much.

When I had my worst couple of days detoxing, I found that a brisk (5-10 minute) walk around the neighbourhood every now and then really helped ... something about working up a little sweat power-walking, getting the heart rate up .. really took the "edge" off the withdrawals ..... Plus, it was a good distraction to just watch people and traffic and stuff as I walked along .. thinking "I'll bet they think I'm just out for a little happy walk .. little do they know the fight I'm putting up right now..."

Chamomile tea has been great too - it really relaxes you. Took awhile to get used to the taste - but if you put a little lemon in it, it is to die for .. I actually "crave" it now.

Keep on posting, OK? Where better to share this struggle than in a neighbourhood of non-judgmental people who totally understand?

{{ hugs }} to ya!

[Goodboy]

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Thanx

I don't have anyone to help/watch me detox. I went for about 18 hours Sunday, then fell down Monday at 10am. I will check the detox threads. It does scare me.

[greeneyes]

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Goodboy, I can empathize. That was about my time limit too. Being an A-hole is the least of your worries. You have to be careful and I don't know how much your intake was. You need to get medical help if you think you might need it. Drink more water with fresh lemon squeezed in it than you think is possible. Eat small healthy meals to keep your blood sugar even. Soak in a hot bath w/ 1 cup each epsom salt and baking soda for 20 minutes to help draw out the toxins. Get a little exercise and fresh air. Rest. Breathe deeply with belly breaths. And remember how this feels (write it down) so you are not inclined to repeat it. Good luck and let us know how you're doing.

[Goodboy]

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Thanx

Thank you all. I am very emotional today for some reason. Cats post made me well up. I don't usually do that. I've had two drinks today, so much for will power. My has been about a fifth/day for a while. I guess that is part of why I'm worried. My doc. told me to get counselling, but I don't do well with that stuff. My doc. seems reluctant to prescribe anything, but may be for my own good, I don't know. I appreciate you all.

[42cat]

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I've been keeping emotions to myself for years . When I was at the turning point a couple of weeks ago, my thoughts and feelings were all over the place for awhile .. I was sad, angry, remorseful, guilty, hopeful ... It was struggle enough just to try to keep a normal face with all that going on in my head. It's not easy to keep smiling when some rogue emotion sneaks up when you're least expecting it. I had to leave the room a few times because TV commercials hit a soft spot.

Two drinks so far? That's not bad at all .. definitely salvageable. I'll bet you can get through the day with either no more, or just a few more spaced WAY out .. between walks and other distractions, water, eats, maybe going out to get that L-glut. How about dumping the hard stuff and opting for a beer if you need one? I found the little "changes" helped me to feel like I was making progress. I mean, I know one beer and one rum and coke are approximately the same .. but just making the switch felt like I was doing something..... If that makes any sense.

Oops, I have babbled. .... but then, that probably doesn't surprise anyone ..... Good thing I type fast .. haha.

Seriously though ... take care of yourself. You're going to win this.

[mica]

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Hey, there, Goodboy, and welcome back!

You are dong fine. Coming here, reading and posting even when you have had a drink, that's the thing to do. We are all pulling for you!

I love the kudzu and find it really helps, as does the l-glut.

[PitMan]

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Hello, Goodboy. I am going through the same thing you are with the withdrawals. I don't drink Vodka anymore. Fell off a swingset at a friends party, embarassing as hell. L-glutamine does help some. I could'nt find kudzo where i shop. I had a sample of campral from my doctor , but it only helps if you completely quit drinking. I could'nt do it. Keep fighting it and never give up. Even if your puking your guts out, I have, just keep thinking that this feeling sucks and I want to make changes.
Next few days, you know how that goes. I keep slowing it down but then I'll binge. It's a tough road but you don't have to go it alone here.

[puddytat]

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I was all excited last week, had my detox/withdrawal plan in place .... but, didn't make it. Managed 4 days with beer only (I generally do a fifth of vodka a day), and had decreasing amounts of beer each day. Then the wheel came off. Hard time at work feeling social and feeling "right". And such intense FATIGUE! L-Glut got me along pretty well during the withdrawal-that-wasn't -- slipping the L-glut powder right under tongue helps. gotta get back on track. Have been reading up on the meds, and wil try Naltexone and Baclofen. Psychologically, it's hard to face being so AWARE of life, and the mess I'm in (DUI) etc.

Anyway, be careful in withdrawal like Cat says, and am pulling for you here, and understand what you're going thru. hopefully we can beat this

[scrubbly]

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Goodboy, love the avatar (and thanks for the thoughts on my dui thread before I throttled some of the more sanctimonious posters over there, but I digress...)

Anywho, I'm feeling for you on the detox over here and have some thoughts...

I didn't even want to go there with my doctor, so I ordered my RX for topamax online from River Pharmacy. They are reputable, you get what you are ordering and they don't mess around. There are links to their site from here on MWO.

As for the other advice, I haven't had any trouble with the kudzu, as a matter of fact I have been doing all the supplements as recommended by the program, and I'm a wuss myself when it comes to vitamins, etc. (have intestinal issues at the drop of a hat) and haven't had any bad side effects from any of it, just had good results being able to first moderate for several weeks and have now been AF for several weeks more. Here is a link to the dosages etc. for the supplements - Welcome to My Way Out and go to the PDF located at the end of the NUTRITION section, it has all the poop on the supplements and dosages. Good info.

If you only do ONE supplement I agree with the L-Glutamine. It's cheap, readily available, hell even Walmart carries it, and it cuts the cravings considerably. Do 2000 - 3000 mg per day, split into 2 doses, one upon waking up and one mid-morning or at least by lunch (much later in the day and some people have sleeping trouble from it). It's also a good one for people to use on the spur of the moment to cut a craving - I haven't actually tried this myself, but I hear that if you have capsules you can pour the contents of one under your tongue and the craving is gone within minutes. Probably doesn't taste good but appears to be effective.

And for my last 2 cents, be a bit of an a-hole for a couple days if you have to, it's better than going back to bad habits. We sure don't mind.

[LilBit]

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Goodboy, everyone answered you so well. I don't have much to add except hugs :l and a reiteration that it does get easier! The l-glut does help. And yes, you can probably expect a mixed bag of emotions as you go through withdrawal and "wake up." Please come here a lot and don't ever worry about it being too much. Keep us posted.

LilBit

[Tulipe]

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Love avatar

BTW,
Love the picture - downloaded it and sent to lots of friends. Exactly how I feel this morning after having it out with hubby.

Tulipe

[42cat]

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How goes things today?