ACM

[JoeOh79]

Hi im 31 yr old male that has been struggling with something doctors dont know. Well its been a year now and i finally know what it is.Its called alcoholic cardiomyopathy. I have not been diagnosed but im sure thats what i have. When i take a drink   i would feel really sick the day after and it would last weeks. Symptoms are like heart disease( chest pain,headaches,fatigue, swelling,short breathe). Been to doctors before and all test were fine. Been to ER too. So  i thought i was going crazy. Right now i dont feel well cause im having my last episode cause i had a drink . However im glad i know what it is. Its not something psychological like everyone was saying. Im not going drink for years. I hope to recover again plus go get tests done. If anyone is going through what im going thru, read about ACM. I was really confused thats why i try to drink thinkng it all went away but it did not. Now i understand the condition. What u dont know can kill you. Good luck everyone and stay sober!

[Westguy1003]

I'm happy you have decided to quit drinking but I would advise you to get the ACM properly diagnosed before trying to treat it yourself in anyway.

The symptoms for ACM are vague and very typical of a number of conditions and diseases. It is also common for ACM to present no symptoms until the condition has progressed to a very dangerous, very critical point. Often by the time you start seeing symptoms it is NOT reversible, or not completely. There is treatment though, and they can test for ACM very easily. Ask your doctor and/or cardiologist to test for it specifically.

In the meantime, AA, rehab, or general therapy (or a combination of those) would be a good idea to help you with your sobriety. Also feel free to use the members of this forum for support. There's nothing you've done or are going through that someone on here hasn't experienced. No shame. Just support!

[dominosarah]

Happy 4th of July!!!

[dominosarah]

Have you thought about any type of recovery care such as AA or and addiction therapist?  You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders and know what you need to do.  We are always here to support you.  Keep us posted on how you are feeling okay?      sara

[JoeOh79]

I read about ACM and i think thats what i have. My health insurance is pending. I want to get checked again even though everytime i have gone to docs, tests were negative. I told them i abused alcohol for years and they never mentioned ACM. I feel angry because they could have warned me  about it or lectured me. I think that ACM is to blame for the symptoms alchohol abusers go through. Since its reversible, it  is commonly overlooked and confusing.  Best thing to do now is to take total absence of alcohol. I advise people sufferring to do so as well. Put extra effort this July 4 to not drink. There will be alot of firecrackers blowing up today, dont become one of them. Stay safe. Stay sober.

[ibizan]

You are SO YOUNG to have this ACM!this condition comes from years of heaving alcohol use!You are fortunate to be ALIVE!so glad u have been lurking this forum and now posting and have benefited from the wisdom put forth here by many....and many...u know who u r and i thank you for your help!:)Please stick with us here......we have been where u r at...and also know the initial difficulties in stopping drinking emotionally, physically and mentally...but what we have acheived is well worth the journey which never ends...until we leave this earth....and pray it is by natural causes and not by our own hand with alcohol/drugs.

[JoeOh79]

Less than one single drink. My mind tells me 2 drink but my body tells me not to. I am tired  of these symptoms it has taken a toll on my life. Doctors said everything is fine before. If  so then why does my body reject alcohol? My body still hasn't  recovered and i guess im not gonna try to drink anymore cause i keep relapsing. Its been a year of chaos. I have lost jobs and family.Been to cardiologist and psychologist for help. I am now working. It takes weeks  2 recover then the temptation of that small drink destroys my mind and body in 1 day.  I'm sure im not going to stay better if if i keep trying to be  my old self. Seems like some withdrawal reaction issues that progresses.  Doing research and reading this forum tells me its time to quit drinking for good. Drinking used to make me a hero, now drinking  makes me a zero.I read good advice here and 2gether we can save ourselves.

[Jacker]

You had a single drink and felt this way? Or multiple? And how often?

[dominosarah]

I am glad you have chosen not to drink anymore.  We just lost a very valuable member of the forum to alcoholism.....its nothing to mess with.  I hope you will start feeling better~~~~sara