Question about some of the symptons of alcholism

[Shakies]

I've been an alcoholic for about a year now and it's gotten to the point I don't eat anymore, in fact I've lost my appetite completely.  I've recently tried quitting with horrible results. After 4 days off I still can't eat and throw-up several times everyday.  I'm shaky, light-headed, very weak.

I've been to the doctor and was referred to AA, but I need to get past this part before I could even attend.  I can't afford to go to a detox treatment center either.  I have no health insurance.

My question is: is there a alternative method that might help me get my appetite back?  A certain drug or vitamin etc.?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Shakies

[pammy0690]

Thank you so much for the kind post.  We have done a lot of work and it has been an uphill battle all the way.  We were on a path of destruction that was going no where fast.  I fact that I found this forum and made some awesome friends really helped. When I read that you and a few others were able to quit I knew there was hope for me too. Everything I would read here I would share with my husband. We still battle our demons but life is manageable.  Hopefully soon I will not need the hydro anymore.  But for now it is handling my pain just fine.  I had to discover the balance between use and abuse.  My husband and I were always the life of the party and very social.  Being the life of the party has its price especially when oxy is involved.  I really think that our marriage is stronger because of everything we have accomplished in a few short months.  Thanks again, Pamela

[peaz]

Bill--C'mere and give ma a lift, will ya?

[hippy]

hey there  , i hope your feeling better.
just wanted to let you know any detox
you go to has to take you if you tell them you are at the point of wanting to kill yourself rather then go through waht you are going through.
that is the way to get past the no insurence thing.
good luck.

[bmac]

Hello Brother. I hope they Gov't isn't giving you any problems these days! LOL
I always get a lift from your posts. Bmac

[percsnomas]

Pammy,

I was so happy to read about Mr. Rips' progress a couple days ago.  His really is an incredible success story; and i wish him continued strength in staying in recovery, and re-discovering life.

Now your story aint so bad either!!!!
What a huge accomplishment, working your way down to a couple hydros per day. Especially with all your pain(jaw and surgery), and considering that you were "breathing in" a significant amount of Oxy. I can remember one of your first posts when you joined the other place; and considering where you(and hubby) are at today, warrants the story being told often.  You know, sharing the hope!!!!

You know i wish you both continued success, in probably the most worthwhile "task" that exists...........reclaiming your lives!!

percs

[pammy0690]

Nicely worded post.  Thanks for looking out for our best interest.  Pamela

[hippy]

i just wanted to say i foud your last post very
well done and informitive, i was quiet a immpressive read.
thanks for being there and caring enough to respond with such
clarity and kindness.

hippy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!peace

[Jerri2]

I just wanted to say thank you for your concern for our well being on this forum.It is nice to know we have someone so kind as to take time to respond to our post.Thanks again..  Jerri

[theGolden1]

With all due respect ... I don't know how you arived at the conclusion that I think Shakie would be cured in 7 days of detox. When it comes to alcohol, most people know better.  I am also well aware of the "organic" changes that take place in advanced disease. I just don't believe we can say that the person may never return to normal. That is an "unknown" ... The possibility that Shakie could relapse in the future is not as important as his immediate crisis. He was asking for support and encouragement as well as information. A little less science and a little more humanity ... btw/ I'm probably right about the hepatitis .... Goldie

[Forum-M.D.-rcb]

Dear Goldie:

I reviewed my response to Shakie and saw no mention of anything being irreversible. The total goal in that response was to mobilize this person to seek help which he was not doing. There is no mention there of irreversible change.  I mentioned irreversibility only when responding to your comments which concerned me because it could have hurt him and many others. me What this man needed at that point was motivation to seek help which he was not doing. The fact that I did not express sympathy does not mean that I did not have compassion for him. However, as I mentioned in a previous thread , a professional must have empathy, not sympathy, if he or she is to survive and help others. There was much sympathy expressed by others to Shakie and I hope that he sought help.

I am well aware that many know of the details of the chronic withdrawal period  but there are even more folks who do not, and they were the target. I am very aware of the co-frequency of Hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease but that was not the question in point. I am interested in giving help not in being right. I am fallible and make mistakes, but hopefully not ones that cause damage. Your initial remarks had the potential of damaging many others than Shakie. I might add that we will always need science, and should have more; but more science doesn't preclude human compassion. Without science we descend into voodoo. You appear to have much knowledge and I hope that you will put it to the use of others and continue with this forum

[ragz1]

Note to doctors: I've detoxed three times the first two was with librium and valium which never fully relieved the cravings and anxiety. The third time at a different hospital the doctor (an alcoholic) used phenobarbital and I never craved or got anxious. This also allowed me to come to the conclusion that I was an alcoholic and not just going overboard on my drinking because of work pressures. It's been three years. So if you have patients having a tough time you might want to try that. Benzo's never quite stopped the suffering.

[Thomas03]

Thanks, doc, for such comprehensive responses. Feel free to "intrude" any time!

Thomas

[Forum-M.D.-rcb]

Dear Goldie:

Your comments were very appropriate but I must strongly disagree
with the statement to the effect that "I don't think you would be that ill after one year of drinking". I will be brief because this section belongs to the fans and I don't like to intrude unless it's really important.

The idea that once you're over the acute dangers of withdrawal within the first five to seven days you're out of the woods, compromises and complicates total recovery. The fact is that the organic changes in the brain due to the combination of the toxic effects of alcohol and the associated nutritional and attendant biochemical abnormalities take weeks or months or may never return to normal . This is one of the  major factors contributing to the repeated relapses that occur. These  changes affect the membrane and the  structural integrity of the cell and its attendant metabolic functions. This accounts for much of the depression, lack of energy,insomnia,anxiety (dysphoria) in the long term recovery phase and lead to heightened urges and attendant readier relapse.  

There is no question of the contribution of uncorrected irrational thinking and behavior  to relapse but that process is amplified by the DIS-EASE that the person experiences. I'm always reminding professionals and patients that "The Psyche(Mind) has a Body". The physicians were wrong in the long ago to ignore the psychological contributions, but it is equally myopic to ignore the organic changes that are there even if they aren't so immediately apparent.

Alcohol affects adversely the intake, digestion, absorption, storage, transport and utilization of nutrients due to its physical property of water and lipid miscibility and its associated toxic effects.  

We may be able to  talk of it at another time.

[theGolden1]

Dear Friend .... the doctor covered all the bases here, but I don't think you would be that ill after one year of drinking. I suspect something else. Please have a blood test for hepatitis C or have a liver panel done asap!! This is serious. Sounds like a liver problem. Go to any ER, they will take you inpatient immediately. Alcoholic's are protected by the law. You cannot get fired for being an alcoholic. It is a bonafide disability and you are entitiled to medical help. The ER will contact your local social service department and you will qualify for SSI and will automatically get medicaid ... let us know how you make out ... don't wait .... Goldie