Withdrawing From Alcohol - Am I Over the Worst? Posted: 09-09-07 18:12pm
Hello, I've made myself really ill from
drinking too much. I'm not sure just how
much it was, but I was hooked to the point
where I could not sleep any longer than 5
hours without experiencing withdrawal
effects.
Last week I had, and am still treating a
severe kidney infection. The alcohol was
just too much for me anymore (I have many
health problems, and was making them all
completely worse, and it had gotten to the
point where drinking is no longer "fun" -
I was drinking to avoid withdrawal).
I severely tapered down my drinking
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (I've been
feeling just miserable - that and with the
kidney infection). I had two last drinks
yesterday morning, dumped the rest, and
haven't had a drink since. I've been
treating tremors since last week with
Tempazepam - this really eased up on my
tremoring and my heart racing, and I'm
pretty much over the sweats.
Is there more to expect that comes a few
days after quitting? Also, my stomach
hurts, and I'm very constipated, and my
stomach is swollen - like it hurts to suck
it in. I have a sensation of gas being
entrapped, and I just can't get rid of
it.
any thoughts?
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PghMom
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Get Help Posted: 09-10-07 05:27am
I have gone with withdrawal just recently
and I was told I needed to be hospitalized
for detox. I wasn't because I declined due
to the fact that I think my therapist
wanted to make more money and have me
admitted to inpatient rehab. However,
that's not the point. What helped was I
drank herbal teas, (chamomile really
helped my stomach) and nibbled on
pretzels. I drank water when I could, but
it was the tea that helped. I also drank
sleepy time tea and mint. You sound like
you are in so much pain and I think that
staying away from the alcohol will only
help you get better. Pain will feel worse
because your body is waking up again. BUT
it sounds like you need to get to a doctor
because of your swollen stomach, you could
have a blockage, you could not, but the
only way to find out is if you see a
doctor. But if you are reluctant to go, I
suggest the chamomile tea, even if you
hate it, because it's natural and a few
cups can act as a laxative. Make sure you
take vitamins too. Have you taken any B's
or a multi? That helps get your body back
on track too.
Good luck. Please let me know how things
work out.
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shadowalker164
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Posts: 175 Location: Tampa, FL
Posted: 09-10-07 08:58am
Mostly by this point, you are clear. Acute
withdrawal symptoms would have set in
almost immediately after quitting
drinking. People who drink two quarts of
Vodka every day for years suffer really
bad withdraws, some of them actually die,
others go into delirium tremens. Am not
sure which is worse.
But most of us go through what you are
going through. It’s crappy, but it
won’t kill you.
You asked the question, “Is there more
to expect that comes a few days after
quitting?”
One of the most common and dangerous
symptoms of this disease, sets in a few
days after we quit. And that symptom is
“I think I pulled the plug on my
drinking too soon.” Or “I am making
too big a deal of this drinking business,
I am sure a few won’t hurt me.” Or my
favorite. “I am not really an
alcoholic”
That symptom gets more of us drunk than
almost anything else. The worst symptom of
this disease is the insane notion/belief
that we don’t have it.
That is where a recovery group comes in so
handy, each of us have had those thoughts,
it is very helpful to have friends remind
us what it was like the week before we
quit drinking.
