Alcoholism, Addiction and Recovery For all addiction topics, including alcoholism, substance abuse, and other addictions.


advertisement
 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-17-2016, 02:29 PM #1
Wintercat Wintercat is offline
Newly Joined
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 1
8 yr Member
Wintercat Wintercat is offline
Newly Joined
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 1
8 yr Member
Default I am scared. Desperately trying to quit alcohol

I've been trying really hard to get some help for this. I am 29 years old and I've been drinking 5 tallboys of beer everyday for 14 months. I guess I thought nothing bad would happen.

One morning I woke up and I felt really weak. Later that day I started getting twitching muscles. They started in my feet (I could actually see muscles in my feet twitching), and this progressed to other parts of my body. Basically my muscles will twitch at random parts of my body. After looking it up and seeing the words, seizures and DT's I realized that I just really made a huge mistake by drinking so much.

This all happened a month ago and since then I have been trying to quit. It's not the cravings that are bothering me, it's the muscle twitching and the fear I get when this happens everyday. I tried cutting down first, since it was reccomended by someone online. They said cold turkey is dangerous...which I found out on Day 2 of my cold turkey attempt.

I have went from 4 beers, to 3 beers, to 2 beers, to 1 beer in about 20 days time. After that I felt like I was good to go with quitting. I stopped drinking beer. I felt fine for about 8 days.

Then it happened. I got major tremors and twitches all over my body as well as paranoia, anxiety, my mouth keeps watering (salvitating), and also I feel clammyness on my skin. I feel shakey, irritable.

So last night I drank 2 beers and that made the twitching go away but it's back today.

I've been avoiding going to the doctor because I keep trying to do this myself but I feel depressed that my efforts of weaning off only resulted in my body returning to twitching everywhere. It gets worse when I try to fall asleep and almost feels like electricity in my legs and I will jump up.

Will this ever go away? Is this normal? Is this dangerous? I really need help I think. I am seriously thinking of finally going to the doctors tomorrow and admitting my shame. I feel so ashamed.

I feel depressed because I was SO proud of myself for cutting down and quitting for over a week. I was really happy and thought I had this beat. But no...now I'm back to square one with the weird tremors. I feel like beer isn't fun, it's just a medication to help me not wind up dead.

What should I do? Did I permanently destroy my body? My birthday is next month and I feel like my life is over.

Any advice or support would be great for me right now. I feel like I have nowhere to turn to.

Thank you.
Wintercat is offline  

advertisement
Old 02-17-2016, 04:13 PM #2
Jomar's Avatar
Jomar Jomar is offline
Co-Administrator
Community Support Team
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 27,678
15 yr Member
Jomar Jomar is offline
Co-Administrator
Community Support Team
Jomar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 27,678
15 yr Member
Default

Are you also paying more attention to the foods you eat , maybe taking some multiple vitamins and some supplements?

It will help your body & mind to get beyond the detox symptoms.

some info-
https://www.google.com/search?q=diet...+alcohol+detox
__________________
Search NT -
.
Jomar is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
bizi (02-17-2016), CamCatt (12-07-2017), kiwi33 (02-18-2016), Wide-O (02-17-2016)
Old 02-17-2016, 04:38 PM #3
mrsD's Avatar
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
mrsD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
Lightbulb

When you stop or cut back on alcohol, the body has to switch its metabolism from liver conversion of alcohol to glucose, to other metabolic pathways. This often leads to carb/candy cravings in the beginning. Expect this, and only allow yourself a bit more carbs in the beginning, tapering off to a limited sugar/carb intake.
Lean proteins, veggies and some fruit and nuts.

This is our alcohol support thread with more information and
the support of others who have done this same thing:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread104096.html
This is a long thread, but if you read some each day, you'll find answers to supplements, and other information that may help you.

The twitching is probably low blood sugar, as you try to stop the alcohol. This means your body is converting over from alcohol metabolism to regular food metabolism. Magnesium is one mineral that alcohol use depletes in the body, so soaking in some epsom salts in lukewarm bath water, before bed will calm those down. You can get oral supplements too, but avoid those with OXIDE in them. Chelated forms are called magnesium glycinate, carbonate, taurate, malate, or a delayed release form called SlowMag (magnesium chloride). Some find SlowMag easy to tolerate at one tab twice a day. This can reduce twitching considerably.
__________________
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.-- Galileo Galilei

************************************

.
Weezie looking at petunias 8.25.2017


****************************
These forums are for mutual support and information sharing only. The forums are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.
mrsD is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
bizi (02-17-2016), Icehouse (11-28-2017), kiwi33 (02-18-2016), PamelaJune (02-18-2016), Wide-O (02-17-2016)
Old 02-17-2016, 05:10 PM #4
kiwi33's Avatar
kiwi33 kiwi33 is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Sydney, Australia.
Posts: 3,093
8 yr Member
kiwi33 kiwi33 is offline
Grand Magnate
kiwi33's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Sydney, Australia.
Posts: 3,093
8 yr Member
Default

Hi Wintercat

I can relate to what you have written (I am in remission from alcohol abuse).

Both Jo*mar and mrsD have offered you excellent suggestions about eating in a healthy way. Also, alcohol abuse can lead to depletion of Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - this can cause many signs, including neurological ones. Taking Vitamin B1 as a supplement is worth thinking about.

The alcohol support thread that mrsD gave a link to is definitely worth checking out. Many of us (at different stages of recovery from alcohol abuse) contribute to it. Everybody there offers the others support, encouragement and suggestions.

All the best.
__________________
Knowledge is power.
kiwi33 is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
bizi (02-17-2016), onlyhuman (02-04-2019), PamelaJune (02-18-2016), Wide-O (02-17-2016)
Old 02-17-2016, 10:58 PM #5
Wide-O's Avatar
Wide-O Wide-O is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Europe
Posts: 608
10 yr Member
Wide-O Wide-O is offline
Member
Wide-O's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Europe
Posts: 608
10 yr Member
Default

All good suggestions. Magnesium, B1, B12... Still, I think it would be a good idea to consult your doc and perhaps ask for a blood panel? It might be alcohol related, directly or indirectly, or it might be something totally different. But drinking does deplete vital vitamins and minerals. Your GP can be your friend and ally in this, and might also have better ways to safely quit drinking.

But most important: no, you probably (I'm not a doc of course) have not yet damaged your body beyond repair. As soon as we find a way to quit drinking, our bodies have an amazing ability to heal. Your life is far from over, and removing alcohol from the menu can certainly be done.
Wide-O is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
kiwi33 (02-17-2016), onlyhuman (02-04-2019), PamelaJune (02-18-2016), Rain shower (02-27-2016)
Old 02-17-2016, 11:47 PM #6
tnthomas's Avatar
tnthomas tnthomas is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: High Desert, Calif.
Posts: 160
10 yr Member
tnthomas tnthomas is offline
Member
tnthomas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: High Desert, Calif.
Posts: 160
10 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wintercat View Post
What should I do? Did I permanently destroy my body? My birthday is next month and I feel like my life is over.
This bit of adversity may be your salvation, your mind and body will heal, as you now have the desire to do so.

I drank 12+ beers daily for over 30 years, and at some time along the way had acquired Hepatitis C, which I likely had for decades.

I'm free of alcohol and hep C, and my liver is doing very well...as is the rest of me.
tnthomas is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
onlyhuman (09-06-2016), PamelaJune (02-18-2016)
Old 11-27-2017, 10:59 PM #7
Equine Dentist Equine Dentist is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 48
8 yr Member
Equine Dentist Equine Dentist is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 48
8 yr Member
Default

I was in your exact shoes five years ago to the day. I waited another year and a half to finally get help. Everything got a lot worse in that year and a half. I will be four years sober in February and it's unbelievable. My story is quite long and dramatic, I will just say that I made it through and everyone is sooo proud. Including me. I didn't know that everyone would be so thrilled. No shame needed. Good luck to you
Equine Dentist is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
CamCatt (12-07-2017), coopster (01-09-2018), PamelaJune (11-28-2017)
Old 11-27-2017, 11:26 PM #8
Equine Dentist Equine Dentist is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 48
8 yr Member
Equine Dentist Equine Dentist is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 48
8 yr Member
Default

I should mention that i.went to the hospital
Equine Dentist is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
PamelaJune (11-28-2017)
Old 11-28-2017, 08:45 AM #9
Icehouse's Avatar
Icehouse Icehouse is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 659
10 yr Member
Icehouse Icehouse is offline
Member
Icehouse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 659
10 yr Member
Default

While I congratulate you on that week, it is not nearly long enough to rid your body of the current damage that alcohol (in large amounts) has done.

That is why many rehab programs are 30+ days

Listen to MrsD and find the supplements your body needs then add in good food and lots of water and you will be come out of this with your head held high.
Icehouse is offline  
Old 12-07-2017, 09:01 PM #10
CamCatt CamCatt is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 13
5 yr Member
CamCatt CamCatt is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 13
5 yr Member
Default

Hope you have the willpower to go on and quit alcohol. Good luck
CamCatt is offline  
 

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Desperately looking for help Nash New Member Introductions 14 03-23-2015 07:11 AM
Need help desperately stoppitt New Member Introductions 13 04-24-2013 10:25 AM
Desperately Need Help Rebekahleigh General Health Conditions & Rare Disorders 1 11-26-2012 08:12 AM
desperately triggered kyangel04 Survivors of Suicide 5 07-25-2012 08:24 PM
Desperately need help Flustered Spinal Disorders & Back Pain 9 02-12-2008 08:21 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:09 PM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.