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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 1:10:55
I went out Wednesday night and drank to excess -- I don't remember how I got home, and now 24 hours later I feel terrible, my hands are shaking, and I'm generally miserable. I think I'm only now starting to sober up.
Aside from being disappointed in myself, I'm worry about withdrawal. Can one get the DT's from a night's heavy, heavy drinking? I don't know how much I had, but I'm sure my BAL was in the .25 range. Does this mean I'm going to turn into a vegetable in a few days? Are things just going to get worse now? (I am reading about the delayed onset of the delirium tremens and it has me worried.)
I have been taking vitamin B supplements, so I hope that will fight off any neurological damage. But. again, does drinking that much alone mean I've done some brain damage, or would it be caused by something secondary to that (e.g., falling and hitting my head)?
I'm obsessing again ... :-(
amd
Posted by ed_uk on June 17, 2005, at 8:16:15
In reply to Fell off the wagon ..., posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 1:10:55
Hi AMD,
>Can one get the DT's from a night's heavy, heavy drinking?
No :-)
~Ed
Posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 14:57:38
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ... » AMD, posted by ed_uk on June 17, 2005, at 8:16:15
That's good to know. How about alcohol dependence from once-weekly excess? I've actually blacked out about three times in the past four months or so, but spread out ... is getting the DT's possible from this as well? Does blacking out mean I'm causing permanent damage to my brain, or is it instead a transient chemical effect that aside from comorbid alcoholism or the dangers associated with risky behaviors when blacked out is probably not good but not dramatically bad, either?
Essentially, I'm sitting here worrying that although the alcohol is leaving my system, the worst is yet to come (in that my brain is now going to have withdrawal effects from the bingeing).
I'd been a month on the wagon, and now it's back to square one. I hope I haven't jeopardized my future with that extreme night out.
(The other thing I worry about is that by the time I got home, my BAL was /still/ rising, and I'll never know how high it got. How long after drinking one's last drink can one expect the BAL to rise? Is it more or less immediate and does it start to fall as soon as one stops drinking, or is there latency between that last drink and the increase in BAL? Would I have known if damage was occurring ... I guess I feel very depressed today, unable to focus, and I'm worry this won't go away.)
Thanks,
amd
Posted by TamaraJ on June 17, 2005, at 15:42:43
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ... » ed_uk, posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 14:57:38
Hi,
Sorry you are feeling lousy. Benders will do that to you, unfortunately. I don't think you have to worry about brain damage or the DTs as a result of drinking excessively once a week. I drank excessively more than once a week for many years, and blacked out on a number of occasions, and I did not suffer either brain or neurological damage of any kind. And, within a day or two (with the first day following a binge being when I felt the worst physically and mentally), I was feeling better. As for brain damage, I actually had a better memory, in spite of my drinking, than most of the people in my office. That being said, and I know you know this, but, based on your posts over the past while, you really need to stay away from booze. The stress you put yourself through following a binge is probably causing you more angst than the actual drinking.
Oh, and don't worry about being back at square one. You learn from mistakes, including what triggers you to drink. Be aware of the triggers, and you have a better chance of staying sober. You can join the thread up above where another poster is working on sobriety, if you want. We are celebrating her milestones and providing her with support and encouragement.
Take care.
Tamara
Posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 15:43:29
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ... » ed_uk, posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 14:57:38
Related to this ... what about liver damage? It's been about a year since I had a physical, and about two years since I had blood work (aside from STD tests). Will bingeing occasionally cause major liver damage? Or is this brought on by constant drinking over a long period of time?
Thanks,
amd
Posted by TamaraJ on June 17, 2005, at 15:47:37
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ..., posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 15:43:29
I can only speak from experience based on my own drinking, but I never sustained any liver damage in all the years I drank. My doctor has always run a liver enzyme blood test when I have had an physical examination, and it has always been normal. And, the last 2 or 3 years of my drinking career, I drank every night, and certainly more than 2 or 3 drinks.
Tamara
> Related to this ... what about liver damage? It's been about a year since I had a physical, and about two years since I had blood work (aside from STD tests). Will bingeing occasionally cause major liver damage? Or is this brought on by constant drinking over a long period of time?
>
> Thanks,
>
> amd
Posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 16:03:59
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ... » AMD, posted by TamaraJ on June 17, 2005, at 15:42:43
Tamara,
Thank you for your message. I worry that I jeopardize my future from my drinking because of its effects on my brain, but the true danger is probably the work missed, money spent, and relationships ruined.
I am hoping that within another day or two I will be O.K. It's these first days, when you feel lousy, depressed, and unable to focus, that the fear it's more than transient rears its head.
Like you, my memory is generally extremely sharp. I can't remember names for the life of me, but the esoterica of various technologies, the syntax of C, Perl, and other programming languages, and the commands necessary to run an Oracle database -- I have no trouble remembering these with ease. I guess that's what I freak out about. One day I fear I'll wake up and be unable to do my job.
I guess the fact that I'm communicating today is a good sign. But the true test will be putting my executive functions to use.
May I ask what you do?
And you really drank to excess -- and blacking out, passing out, etc. -- for /years/ and are fine now? That at least gives me hope. I hate it when I pass out from alcohol. I know the other day I was on a mission, drinking quickly and excessively (as indicated by the blackout, which I believe is triggered not by BAL level alone but by the speed at which one raises that BAL to an unacceptable level).
My eyes feel heavy today, and I feel ADD-ish. I hope this passes as well.
amd
Posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 16:09:17
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ... » AMD, posted by TamaraJ on June 17, 2005, at 15:47:37
I think a physical would help put these fears to rest. I am going to schedule one for next week.
amd
Posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 16:23:00
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ... » TamaraJ, posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 16:09:17
Am I at risk for W-K syndrome? I generally take a 125 mg supplement of B vitamins daily, but now I'm worried this was not being absorbed. Is it possible a few months of heavy drinking would lead to this, or would it takes years and years of daily, heavy drinking? I don't want to end up in a mental hospital for the rest of my life.
amd
Posted by TamaraJ on June 17, 2005, at 16:23:21
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ... » TamaraJ, posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 16:03:59
Hi,
Yes, when we start missing work, losing relationships and being financially reckless, because of our drinking, it can be cause for worry. I didn't miss any work, no matter how hung over I was, and sometimes I am still surprised at how well I functioned when I felt like total crap. But, the last couple of years of my drinking, I was using a lot of Sudafed, which gave me lots of energy and seemed to help with hangovers. I took the stuff daily, three times a day. Orange juice, lots of orange juice, and other liquids (well, except coffee which didn't taste to good when I was really hungover, and I was a huge coffee addict - up to 12 cups a day at times LOL), help the body recover from a hangover. As for friends, most of my friends were partiers like me, and we spent a lot of time drinking and smoking drugs, so I was in good company.
I started drinking when I was 15, and probably had my first blackout when I was about 16. I was young and foolish, and drank wine, beer, martinis, rye and gingers, as well as sharing a couple of joints with friends, over the course of a number of hours, all on an empty stomach. Not to smart. You'd think that would have stopped me in my tracks. Oh well, live and learn.
Try not to worry. I think excessive anxiety can have a detrimental effect on our memory and thinking. So, just try to stay away from booze and drugs, and you won't be stressing yourself out as much about the effects on your brain. And, yes, you are articulate and communicating very well today. And, I am sure the heavy-eyed, ADD-like feeling will pass after a good night's sleep and lots of fluids.
To answer your question about what I do, I am a policy advisor. Much of what I do requires a good memory for all sorts of details, including provisions contained in many, many statutes. Even when I was drinking, I could remember details of a case from years and years prior or provisions in an obscure statute.
Take care,
Tamara
Posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 17:02:21
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ... » AMD, posted by TamaraJ on June 17, 2005, at 16:23:21
I hope I have the tenacity and constitution you do ... it sounds like you've recovered well. I worry I am on a downward spiral, despite having stopped drinking. Perhaps in a few days my cognition will be back to "normal," and in a year or two of abstinence back to a point I've not experienced in years.
You are a highly functioning alcoholic. I, unfortunately, tend to dive into depression following a binge, and the anxiety that accompanies it is doesn't help.
One day at a time, and I hope I didn't just cross some point of no return cognitively.
amd
Posted by TamaraJ on June 17, 2005, at 18:06:35
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ..., posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 17:02:21
You will, I am sure. You know you have the power to stop the downward spiral before it starts. And, I seem to recall reading somewhere that the liver can be quite resilient, and does regenerate itself. Yes, you should be feeling better both physically and cognitively in a day or so. Just keep yourself hydrated, get some rest and try not to worry.
I haven't been a highly functioning alcoholic for a number of months now, but it has nothing to do with past drinking. I was severely iron deficient for quite some time, and wasn't responding to oral treatment. Then I had a extremely bad reaction to Depo Provera and later fractured my arm and had to have surgery. Being so sick, I ended up quite depressed. It has been killing me to miss work, but it couldn't be helped. But, when I got sober 9 years ago, with the exception of a couple of months I took off when I stopped drinking, I probably only missed about 4 or 5 days total from work due to illness. Getting sober was one of the best things I did for myself.
One day at a time is a good thing. It's all we really have.Take care.
Posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 22:32:28
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ... » AMD, posted by TamaraJ on June 17, 2005, at 18:06:35
Tamera,
Thanks. I'll update you with how I'm feeling in a few days. I'm very tired today, feeling under the weather, and having a hard time focusing on anything. Patience, I suppose, is what I really need right now, not another drink.
amd
Posted by TamaraJ on June 17, 2005, at 23:28:43
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ... » TamaraJ, posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 22:32:28
Yes, please, let me know how you are doing. I can imagine that you are feeling under the weather and tired. But, just keep reminding yourself, that it is temporary and will wear off. I don't know if you are in, or have considered, a 12 step program (AA), but if you are not quite ready for that, perhaps you can make arrangements with a close friend (who you trust and find reliable and who doesn't drink, or doesn't drink to excess), who you can call when you get the urge to go on a tear. If you are able to distract yourself by going somewhere with that friend or even just talking to the person, you might be able to avoid the binge. You can also call A.A., and a volunteer will talk to you and help you through the urge to drink.
Good luck, and take care.
Tamara
Posted by chemist on June 17, 2005, at 23:49:41
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ... » AMD, posted by TamaraJ on June 17, 2005, at 23:28:43
> Yes, please, let me know how you are doing. I can imagine that you are feeling under the weather and tired. But, just keep reminding yourself, that it is temporary and will wear off. I don't know if you are in, or have considered, a 12 step program (AA), but if you are not quite ready for that, perhaps you can make arrangements with a close friend (who you trust and find reliable and who doesn't drink, or doesn't drink to excess), who you can call when you get the urge to go on a tear. If you are able to distract yourself by going somewhere with that friend or even just talking to the person, you might be able to avoid the binge. You can also call A.A., and a volunteer will talk to you and help you through the urge to drink.
>
> Good luck, and take care.
>
> Tamara
>
>hello amd and tamara....amd, the offer still stands....i hope you are well, and take me up on it should you feel the need...yours, c
Posted by TamaraJ on June 19, 2005, at 16:31:05
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ... » TamaraJ, posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 22:32:28
there. Sorry about your block :-(
Posted by mattsit on June 20, 2005, at 14:39:52
In reply to Fell off the wagon ..., posted by AMD on June 17, 2005, at 1:10:55
AMD...
I almost have to laugh when I read your posts...You remind me of myself all the time. I seriously doubt you will end up with any of the SERIOUS mental issues you read about on the internet. I am guessing you binge drink and then search topics like "alcohol and brain damage," etc. Yes, those things are real and out there, but they take a LONG time and a LOT of drinking to develop.
What that doesnt mean is that you should continue your current ways. Im guessing you have these intense worries and high stress for the next 3 days or so after a heavy drinking binge, and then you start feeling fine again...until you do it all over.
I havent completely cut drinking out of my life, but I have cut way down, and eliminated binge and solo drinking completely.
Posted by AMD on June 25, 2005, at 15:18:39
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ..., posted by mattsit on June 20, 2005, at 14:39:52
Posted by sunny10 on June 27, 2005, at 12:58:41
In reply to Re: Fell off the wagon ... test ... (nm), posted by AMD on June 25, 2005, at 15:18:39
whatcha testing? Or should I have read all of the posts???
This is the end of the thread.
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