Help with withdrawal

[chipsmum]

I am on Day 2 after heavy drinking for years and have what I believe are classed as moderate withdrawal symptoms - shaking, sweating, unable to eat, was sick once yesterday and only slept for about an hour last night, also feeling very anxious.
Can't say I feel any better today. I cannot get an appointment with the doctor until next week (Holiday in the UK Monday) and although I feel pretty bad, I dont think I am serious enough to go to hospital.
Is there anything that I can buy over the counter that will help ? I did ring an alcohol helpline and they said it was dangerous to stop suddenly and that I could get seizures or even die ! They recommended I start drinking again and slowly cut down over a few days or couple of weeks but I think for me that would be a recipe for disaster.
How long before I start to feel better ?:new:

[Gaia]

Help with withdrawal

Hi there,
Congratulations on taking the first step and making it to Day 2. This may be your toughest day, but seriously after Day 3 it gets much better.
How much were your drinking? For how long? All day or just at night?
Things to try:
- lots and lots of water with lots and lots of fresh lemon juice
- warm baths
- comfort food
- tea
- movies
There is a withdrawal thread here in the ASAP section - you may want to take a look. And certainly, do go to the hospital if you have chest pains.

Best to you.

[chipsmum]

Help with withdrawal

Hi

Been mostly drinking all day for the last few weeks but before that only at nights and not every day. On a really good day I would average 6-8 units but on a bad day, it could be more than 20 !
More bad days than good recently so hence the decision to finally stop.
I think by the time I can see the doctor, the worst should be over but did expect to feel a tiny bit better today than yesterday.
I was running a bath as you posted as I did not smell too fresh this morning after the night sweating so that's one done !
Will try and increase my water intake but not taking the risk of going to the shop for lemon juice in case I stray into the wrong aisle...
I haven't been able to eat anything yet but managed a class of milk. Also been taking some stomach medication as it feels really acidy.
If I can tough it out for today and start to feel an improvement tomorrow, I can do it !

[chipsmum]

Help with withdrawal

and I should have said well done and getting to day 22 - wish it was me !:goodjob:

[girly wirly]

Help with withdrawal

welcome chipsmum

you sound really geared up for this. come on we can do this.

day 2 is great and it'll be day 22 before you know it with the help of this site and your strong determination to change.

i'm on day two too!

[Guest]

Help with withdrawal

I used to be sick like this if I'd been on a lengthy binge. Just take it easy, stay in bed but make sure you are in regular contact with someone. From what I've seen withdrawls seem to be worse in the first 12-24 hours - regards shakes coming on etc, or should I say thats when their severity becomes aparent. Moderate withdrawls which I had a few times start to get better after 3-5 days although sleeping problems last longer. The good news is that they go away and every thing settles with time.

Stick in there.

[chipsmum]

Help with withdrawal

Hi Girly Wirly

Nice to chat to someone at the same point as me. How are you feeling today ? Any bad symptoms ?
If you don't mind me asking, how much were you drinking ?
Yes I am sure we can do this - in my case I REALLY have to this time.

Let's keep going together :l

[chipsmum]

Help with withdrawal

Hi to Ukblonde as well

Looks like I have landed in a friendly supportive forum. A few places I have visited have been quite patronising and judgemental which I don't need right now.
You have done so well to get to 2 months, that seems like a lifetime at the 2 day stage !

[girly wirly]

Help with withdrawal

at least one bottle of wine and two cans of lager every evening, often more. i have never drank during the day apart from the odd weekend away.

i don't really suffer physical withdrawals exept sleeping problems (i've been up since 12:45), its battling the cravings that are hardest for me.

i feel really happy today, gonna get rid of this shite from my life. x

katies 30 day challenge is a good thread to join. looking at abstinance like climbing a mountain and spurring each other on to try and be al free for 30 days.

also look in the need help asap section, theres a toolbox full of tips and tricks to help you stay off the booze x

good luck, off we go x

[jessie]

Help with withdrawal

:welcome:
Hi Chipsmum, every day get's better. I don't use it myself, but maybe you can try Valerian. It's supposed to be very calming. And then I agree with all Gaia's advice. Lots of water with fresh lemon juice especially - flush all the poison out asap.
All the best to you.

[greeneyes]

Help with withdrawal

:welcome: Great job on deciding to get your life back and making it through day 1! Withdrawals take a good bit of courage as well as TLC. Do stay home if you can't risk the shops. You have received good advice. I'll just emphasize the water part. Avoid caffeine. Do try to eat as often as you can to keep your blood sugar up. Your body processes alcohol like sugar and is used to a lot of it. So eat something sweet if you need to. If you have any vitamins, your body would appreciate them.

The anxiety is tough, I know. It'll get better. There is a spot on your inner upper arm just above the elbow joint. Extend your arm in front of you, palm up. Upper part, side of arm closest to you, about 3 fingers up (towards armpit) from the joint. Feel a tender place? Press there for a couple minutes on each arm. It's called the valium point and will help settle the anxiety.

Hang in there, you're doing great!

[JACQRABBIT]

Help with withdrawal

Hello CM,

really well done on getting to day 2,

That sounds like some pretty 'heavy duty' withdrawal symptoms,
Really well done for sticking with it.

I am at 7 weeks can tell you It does get easier but sadly I still sometimes crave a drink.

It's worth every minute to get your life back though.

Again Well done.

:goodjob::goodjob:

[Shikakai]

Help with withdrawal

So sorry, Chip...

[chipsmum]

Help with withdrawal

Starting to feel a little better this evening. Shakes nearly almost gone and I haven't been sick today. Had a small bit of fish to eat. Now if I could just get some sleep tonight, I might even be feeling good by tomorrow

[prancy]

Help with withdrawal

My experience is that Day 2 is the worst because on Day 1 there is still alcohol in your system and on day 2 you are really starting to withdraw. I find lots of time in a warm bed helps me. Warm baths, and lots of water to flush it all through. Keep on it and in a few days you will look in the mirror and see the difference in your skin. It is amazing what we do to ourselves with this poison!
prancy