Crazy for Wine Day One!

[crazyforwine]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your support on my "having trouble getting started" thread. I spent last night reading about withdrawal under the Research section (wish we could move the thread about withdrawal somewhere else, it's a really good one!). I have tried a few times with varying degrees of success to do a beer taper; I just don't want to do it this time, so I am going to use Valium for 3 days. I really don't know how bad my symptoms will be-I generally have about 1.5 regular bottles of wine/night. I suspect there will be some....anyway, I plan to use the Valium only when !necessary.

Also part of my plan:

Vitamin B, multivitamin, calcium, lots of water
Exercise every day (am getting back into running, hopefully my knees will take it!)
Stay close to the Board
Get some healthy food in the house, honestly, I haven't seen anything green in quite awhile

So that's the beginning of my Plan. I would so appreciate any comments, suggestions or support, esp over the next few days. I'm nervous but as Lav points out, trying to keep a positive outlook!

I'll update this about the withdrawal situation because I think it scares a lot of people. I'm not thrilled about using Valium but hopefully I won't use much!

PS What is Red Bush Tea I see you all drinking? Is it like Red Zinger, kind of citrusy tasting and bright red?

CW

[bottlestopper]

Crazy for Wine Day One!

Good luck crazy. I am on day 3, and struggling a bit today, but I will make it through today I am determined. For me, I find taking it one day at a time helps, not thinking past today and just saying for today I will not drink.

I have been drinking a similar amount to you, sometimes much more, but every day at least one bottle of wine, maybe 2/3. I am not really suffering any withdrawal symptoms as such, just a little bit irritable and spaced out, but I have been taking baclofen for a while too, so it could be that. I dont think you will suffer too many withdrawal symptoms, but I suppose we are all different.

Anyway, well done on making the decision we can do it together. I started a daily thread today for those newbies who just want to take it one day at a time, if you think it will help, you are more than welcome to join us.

[winetowater]

Crazy for Wine Day One!

Hi Crazy,

I am on Day 8 AF and was scared to death about withdrawal when I first started as I went cold turkey. I was drinking two bottles of white wine every night for at least three years. I had no withdrawal symptoms other than irritability (the worst was day 3 and then it got better) and some insomnia. I felt absolutely. GREAT by Day 5. Hang in there - it's well worth it!

[crazyforwine]

Crazy for Wine Day One!

Thanks, Wine, that has been my experience some times, too, although once I felt so jittery I couldn't stand it-it felt like a full blown panic attack! But it did pass after a day or two. Not fun. I am determined to hang in there this time, I have been dithering and dawdling for too long.

I do feel a bit emotional this morning, like sad and lost.

CW

[winetowater]

Crazy for Wine Day One!

Hi again Crazy,

Well, I feel that way myself sometimes too but I'm not sure if that has to do with withdrawal or not, problem somewhat... I also started Prozac two days after I stopped drinking. And I know that this may not be the "healthiest" thing, but I find that a good, strong cup of coffee in the morning does wonders for me as well. Again, hang in there and stay with it - we're all in this together!

[FlyAway]

Crazy for Wine Day One!

Hi Crazy, sorry I didn't see your other thread. If you have a health food store near you I'd strongly recommend getting some L-Glutamine. It helped my cravings tremendously.

[WineSucks]

Crazy for Wine Day One!

I agree with Fly....the L-Glut has made an amazing difference for me. You are doing so well. I was drinking about 1-1/2 bottles of white most nights and the only part of withdrawl I noticed was just being tired as my body went through the detox. I found that warm lemon water helped get rid of the toxins and exercise has really helped me.

[crazyforwine]

Crazy for Wine Day One!

Thanks, guys! I will head to the health food store for L glutamine tomorrow. I was not perfect tonight. I got scared of taking Valium so I decided to have a little beer, as in the beer taper. Had about 2/3 less AL than I normally would, so that's a huge cut. I have been going back and forth and back and forth about how to do this, having really scared myself once or twice in the past with severe anxiety when I cut back or quit. I can't afford to have that happen right now, with my kids home, even though they are busy with friends, and things going on with work that I don't want to overreact to, which happens when I'm anxious...

I did take vitamins and drank a lot of water, and got some Red Bush tea. Ran about 3 miles, very slowly. So, I think that's all good. Perhaps I should have gone with the Valium, or nothing at all...

The mind is a terrible place to be at times! The circuitous thinking makes me crazy.

I really appreciate the support, this has been a lonely day except for you all!

CW

[FlyAway]

Crazy for Wine Day One!

I'm glad that you're here. Lots of people will slip up and then stop posting which only makes things worse! I've said it on here several times, the only way that you can fail is if you stop trying. If you go to the health food store tomorrow, also look into getting GABA. That will help you with anxiety.

[crazyforwine]

Crazy for Wine Day One!

Thank you, FlyAway. I am glad to be here! One of my goals is to say the truth as best I can...

I actually have some GabaCalm which my brother in law, who is a psychiatrist, recommends highly. You put it under your tongue...he loves it. Probably better than Valium. I am very nervous about getting hooked on another thing, and I understand getting off benzo's is not easy.

Onward! Good night to you all, I am going to try to fall asleep. I am wired and tired at the same time. Weird.

CW