Another newbie

[Cosette]

I have been reading the threads all afternoon. I honestly never thought I would have a need to be here but here I am.

I am 51 and for most of those 51 years never touched a drink of any kind(my best friend was killed by a drunk driver and I litterally could not raise a glass and drink it)

As to what happend to change all that I am not exactly sure. I honestly can say I have only really had a "problem" since May of this year. I woke up the morning after a dinner party with no memory of the evening at all. It scared me and I called my doctor. I crave wine--and have several other symptoms of menopause (I know TMI) so I THINK the underlying cause is hormones out of whack big time.

I am also a gastric bypass patient. WE SHOULD NOT DRINK AT ALL. Well I think perhaps I have traded one obsession for another--not unusual. Anyway next week I am starting on Campral (if I can not drink till then) and am already taking supplements but will add Kudzu and the cd's.

My family is very concerned (and I think mad at me)This behavior is so totally not me. I will take all the suggestions you can throw at me. Thanks
:new:

[Determinatrix]

Another newbie

Hi Cosette,

Welcome! Read thru the threads here as there is so much to learn. The support here is wonderful.
Good for you for ordering the cd's. Those really help.
Looking forward to your next post.

Dx

[wonderworld]

Another newbie

Hi Cosette-

I can hear how concerned you are. And I'm so glad you found this site. There are others here who have had the GP surgery and then found themselves in peril with the alcohol. This program is a great way to work with the situation and get the support and tools you need. MWO is helping me tremendously, especially the great people here.

Look forward to getting to know you better. You never have to feel alone with this board. Keep reading and posting. Glad you're here!

wonder xx

[Accountable for Me]

Another newbie

:welcome: Cosette!

I am glad that you found us! You will find a lot of support here. We are a great bunch of people who understand what you are going through.

[Cosette]

Another newbie

Thank you all for being so welcoming. This is strange territory for me. I am usually a very private person--not used to sharing. I am trying a new approach!

[Determinatrix]

Another newbie

You can lurk as much as you want and read.
I think the connections you make with others,
letting them help you, you helping them,
is what keeps us family.

Dx

[Cinders]

Another newbie

Cosette,

Glad you are here. :welcome:

Like you, I had gastric bypass. Mine was Jan 19, 2004.

Unlike you, I have been a drinker all my life - teenager on.

However, I was a medium drinker all my life (2-3 drinks a night) and then one year after my surgery, WHAM, heavy drinker, blackouts, unable to stop, etc. (1 to 2 BOTTLES a night)

This is not unusual, apparently. It may be simply addictive personality, it may be substituting the sugar in the alcohol for the sugar we can no longer eat. Oh well. Who cares? It is now an alcohol problem and is what it is.

Read, post, ask and learn. My best wishes for you that you find the answer and can achieve AF (alcohol free).

Cindi

[wonderworld]

Another newbie

Hi Cosette-

Was just thinking of you and wanted to say hello........ Hello !

wonderxx

[Long Road]

Another newbie

Urgent

Cossette,

You are the most important person I've ever seen on this or any other site about alcohol. You say that you barely touched a drink until you are over 50, is this true? And now you say that you find it almost impossible not to drink now that you have started. Is this true also?

In the western world most people start drinking and:

A) like it and drink moderately or, like it but rarely drink at all

B) love it too much and then decide to give up

C) adore it then can't stop until they're sick, alone, desperate, unhappy, in jail etc.



The important thing with you is that you started late. Most people develop the urge in their teens/twenties, when human beings have very little control over their own personal choices. At this time it's very difficult to discriminate between "youthful" lack of control, and genuine genetic alcoholic drive. As a mature person, you can tell the difference between what you genuinely want rationally, and what your brain thinks it needs.

You are a diamond in a hill of beans, please keep posting. We all need you.

[Cosette]

Another newbie

another newbie

Yes its true I rarely drank until the last couple of years. Of course I was your normal teen but never really drank to excess. I do tend to have a bit of an addictive personality but its never really caused a problem. I am off to the Dr. today and MAY get capral. I am worried about the insurance red flag.

Has anyone had success using the the supplements and not a prescribed med?

[satori]

Another newbie

Cosette;233735 wrote: ........edit..........Has anyone had success using the the supplements and not a prescribed med?

Cosette,

I was successful without any meds OR suppliments.
although I did take Kudzu for about 3 days when I first went AF.

Now on day 139 AF.

So - it IS entirely possible to do this without ANY meds or supps.

Love

Satori

xxx

[Cosette]

Another newbie

Hi All,

I pick my Capral up today. There was a mix up at the pharmacy last night. 1 1/2 day AF and wanting to eat anything not nailed to the floor. Probably still not approaching the calories I was consuming. ALtho I would love a drink right now..............I cant wait for the tapes and Kudzu to get here!!

[nancy]

Another newbie

Hi there

As Db2fromala said, I guess it's not uncommon for gastric bypass patients to develop alcoholism. That is so scary! I guess you might be substituting the booze for the food.

You might want to do some research on that.

As for the insurance issue... too bad campral is a red flag.

if you ask for topamax, you can see if the doctor can just report that you have migraines. Some members have done that and that is the approved medication. Low doses can sometimes be effective.

Outside of that, you can order your meds online from a pharmacy advertising on this site, as many members do (river pharmacy) so it does not go on your records.

As for your question about supplements... from my reading of this website, it seems that people can succeed with willpower, nutritional supplements, kudzu, hypno CDs and other natural means. But they seem to be succeeding mostly at abstinence. Successful moderation stories absent medication like topa or naltrexone are hard to find. I know because that is my goal and I am always on the lookout.

I wish you the best of luck.
:welcome:

[maxman]

Another newbie

good luck and welcome