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djhouseblend
USA
9 Posts |
 Posted - 02/17/2012 : 11:28:24
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I have been a functioning alcoholic for 20 years or more, drinking in excess of a bottle of wine a day + a few strong cocktails. (I followed in the footsteps of my mother, I guess) and I have stopped drinking for about 13 months now. Pretty much cold turkey, about the same time I started getting TMS symptoms.
Why did I stop drinking? Well, my liver was getting very sore; I could feel pain all the way to my back. I did get my blood tested, and luckily had no "out of normal" ranges.
Drinking was a definite escape for me. I didn't get totally hammered every night, just enough to get a nice buzz going on. (I built up quite a tolerance). About a couple months after quitting booze, I started getting these intense (but short) panic attacks- they would occur out of nowhere- very terrifying. I was also getting heartbeat irregularities, similar to MVP's (mitral valve prolapse), with high pressure in my neck when I would lay down for the night- felt like high blood pressure. So, I went to the doc, and I did have high bp, about 140/150 over 90. He prescribed Atenenol (a beta blocker) and an SSRI. I didn't take the SSRI. I was on the beta-blocker for 3 months- then started getting pressure in my throat, dizzyness, vertigo, and anxiety. So I stopped it, went thru 2 weeks of living hell and then slowly (six months) got back to "normal". But it's not 100% normal, to say the least.
Now I have a tightness in my throat, tightness in chest, (sometimes a clicking sound when I take a deep breath) ringing in my ears, smell of phantom smoke, slight anxiety, swollen neck glands, sore back muscles (when sitting) and slight dizzyness. (I get the heartbeat irregularities too) I don't take anything now except for Vit. C, D, and fish oil. Some days it's hardly noticeable, some it can get quite aggravating/depressing.
Since I have no chemical "escape" anymore- could my nightmarish childhood be coming back to haunt me- with the current stresses of today- thru TMS?
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
~Dr. Suess~ |
Edited by - djhouseblend on 02/17/2012 12:11:08 |
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Wodg
Australia
89 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2012 : 15:46:03
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Alcohol buzz is a distraction plus the hangover and pains from drinking alcohol would also be a distraction.
Now your distracting yourself from the present by bringing up memories from the past.
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Joy_I_Am
United Kingdom
138 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2012 : 05:26:46
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djhouseblend,
First can I say a huge CONGRATULATIONS on quitting! It does sound like drinking in those quantities was bound to affect your health sooner or later, and you are doing a good thing for yourself, though it may not feel like it at times.
But yes, I identify with your feelings, because the same thing happened to me. I have made several attempts to quit, and at about 4 - 6 weeks I find my anxiety shoots through the roof. I also went the beta-blocker route, but didn't like the fatigue and wheeze it caused. Also, I knew that I needed to deal with the anxiety rather than mask it.
I guess all those years we were drinking, we never learnt to deal with the stresses of life, so we have to learn those skills now. It can actually be a positive, exciting thing, like a second adolescence, but without the stupid hormones! I find exercise and journalling helps; some people might need therapy. Also, google 'quit drinking' - there are some great sites full of friendly, helpful people who quit, and can give you supportive advice.
You may also want to look up PAWS - Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. The brain goes through changes for months after you quit, it sort of 'resets' itself. This is positive too, but can be challenging.
Every heavy drinker who manages to quit says it's a great thing. I wish you well!
Joy |
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djhouseblend
USA
9 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2012 : 08:48:12
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Thanks Joy! I KNEW I found the right forum! :)
It's incredibly refreshing to find someone who has gone thru similar experiences. Beta-blockers really throws your body out of whack; if there was the worst thing I could have taken- that was it. I naively went back to the same general doc and he wanted to straighten me out w/ another brand of beta-blocker and benzodiazepines! :( I just threw them in the garbage. The 6-8 months of my body/mind straightening itself out was no trip thru the tulips. (Still working on it)
Yoga and meditation has been my saviors; as well as Dr. Sarno's books and people like you. :)
To quote SteveO:
“Greater healing comes from seeking out someone who has healed from what you have.”
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
~Dr. Suess~
Find me on facebook! Neal Halverson |
Edited by - djhouseblend on 02/20/2012 19:18:04 |
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From alcoholic to teetotaler = sudden TMS ?
