Recently I graduated from college, and while attending I developed a drinking problem even by my socio-cultural definition. Its not uncommon for me to drink a 750ml bottle of brandy on the weekends. I'm a habitual drinker, so I might typically drink a 200ml flask of scotch in the evenings; however in the last two months it has turned into a towering inferno. During college when stress levels rose - and there was a sense of emotional instability - it was always easy to turn to beer, wine or liquor. I turned to liquor when I noticed beer and wine were causing me to gain weight.
Over 3 years ago I was diagnosed with hyperthyroid, and fibrillated. There was no evidence of mild stroke, and no need for a cat scan according to ER professional and experts. I was treated, and recovered in three months. Recently I've been taken off the medication. I started an exercise regime when released to go back to work. For the last 3 years I have worked on my heart profusely. Lately, however, my blood pressure has been elevated as a result of the many changes I am enduring; which has been overwhelming. It has been a little screwy, eg: 125/93 67,112/88 68. I've also have monitored it at 141/98 72, and breathing exercises I manage to bring it down.
About a year later after being diagnosed with hyperthyroid. I started feeling this chronic ache in my left elbow, and shoulder. Now my ring finger gets numb. This was the side I carried my backpack on (I never used it properly). I type a lot. Poetry got me through my boredom as did drinking, and friends. I also have a pinched nerve in the left side of my neck.
Currently I am weening myself off the brandy it had gotten to 18 shots everyday for approximately a month. I am now at about 11 drinks a day (I did this overnight), but for some reason my left arm - as I'm trying to fall asleep - will develop this sensation of alarm, then tightness. I also feel like I'm losing my breath - perhaps its a symptom of sleep apnea, or heart failure; however I'm not intolerant to exercise. I also feel tightness in my neck, and severe tension in my shoulder blades. I don't have heart decease, but my mother does have fibromyalgia. My cholesterol is about 170, my triglycerides are slightly high. My sugar is normal. Of course my last check up was a year ago. Did I have a stroke, or a seizure? Am I suffering from heart failure. I do feel panicky at times. Could this be related to a pinch nerve. Does alcohol abuse cause sleep apnea?
As far as I'm concerned I've burned my share of brain cells, and a cat scan is far to expensive to check if I did have a stroke. Right now my shoulder is hurting just typing this.