New here and starting Topa and with a question

[playland]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

Hi Everyone, I'm reading but just no time to write but thinking of every one of my dear friends here.

Welcome home LJ, I'm really happy you are here and don't worry we will get to know you in a jiffy, so just make your self at home, WTE did a wonderful job of decorating our place with lots of comfy couches and chairs, who needs to go out on a binge when you can stay safely at home here and talk to us

My daughter leaves tomorrow evening, Sun, I'll be home around 6 my time, might have to want till we'd or thurs.

Took my pill today as we did all the celebrating over the weekend. Wish I could post personal Fotos here of my daughter looking so happy and beautiful, I'll send some along to some of you privately, which seems to be most of you, LOL.

Bye for now, love you and I'll try to post on Thursday as we'd is a long work day.

Hugh's and kisses

[ljeanner]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

Hi Play, yes, much better to come here then go out on a binge. I feel I have made a royal mess this week of myself. Because of that I have lost 3 days. Sigh. Yesterday because of how hungover I was, and today, trying to sort out where I am and where I need to go--and a severe bout of depression. I am sure it is withdrawing from the alcohol after a binge that causes the dip.

I am lucky that I work from home and I can "miss" days, but now I am terribly behind in the work I need to do and may have to tell a couple of clients that I am behind because I have been "sick." Which, quite frankly, is both a truth of sorts but also a bit of a fib.

I will start the All One tomorrow with supps and hopefully that starts to lift my spirits, gets me out of the fog, so I can get back on track with all the work I have piling up!

Also, Sun, I was wondering about the Rhodiola. I bought some a few months back that was recommended to me. How do you use it? When and how many a day? Thanks!

My avatar is one of my drawings!! (Just wanting to share a bit of myself on the cheerful side!) Cheers to you all. xo

[StuckinLA]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

LJ not sure how much you wander off the topa thread to the others, but joanna_d is also an artist--and does some crazy-awesome drawing. Maybe you two could get in touch? She just got sober with bac, btw.

As for me, ladies, no bac. Just not drinkin'. More very soon but as for tonight I am beat.

[DizzyBee]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

Hi all

Still working away here, starting to enjoy the clearheadedness of weekday mornings. I'm sometimes a bit grumpy at night and I worry about how that will affect boyfriend as I will only really see him at night but I think I'll just have to explain all the long term benefits that will come with him putting up with my weekday grumpiness

Some days I wake up with a headache (probably the insulin thing) and then before I'm fully awake I feel 'Oh God, not another hung over day' and then I'm so happy when I realise that its not and that the mild headache will go away on its own after I had breakfast and that I will have energy and power to do anything I want during the day instead of simply feel weak and yucky.

Sun, I'm also really glad you came back, it feels really *comfy* right now. I think you can do the 2 Guinness thing if you have the L-Glut when you get home, perhaps that's worth experimenting? If you can get there with L-Glut and Kudzu alone, then I don't see a point in you torturing yourself with the AB. We are all the same but also all very different. And I've also said you were a little *special* LOL, just teasing, I think it will be great if you can taper down to two on your own - if I could do that, I would not take the AB but there is no way that I could, because like most here I've tried and failed.

WTE, if you're reading this I'm really sorry to hear about your accident and I'm sending you a bunch of healing energy. :l Even though I don't say it out loud every day here because I respect your wishes, I do love and miss you very much, and really hope that you will come back one day.

Play, I'm glad you took the AB, I think that's the right choice for you, like it is for me. In the long term you can look forward to some weight loss (overall I've lost 4 kilos) more focus at work, more pep in your step and just overall more 'life' to look forward to. I'm also glad you had such a nice visit with your family and look forward to the photos.

Hi Meggie, good to see you!

How's it going, Space?

LJ, no highjacking, we like newcomers. I think the trigger for you is pubs and going out so rule one is staying clear from them for 30 days or however long you decide. You can tell your friends that you're on a diet and cutting alcohol calories (I sometimes do that) or tell them whatever feels right so that they don't keep asking and tempting you.

Because I now only drink at weekends I do feel entitled on a Saturday and Sunday and last Saturday I decided not to drink and boy was I grumpy. Like a kid who got promised to get to go to Disneyland but has to stay home kind of thing. I don't know if you feel like this on the weekend or how it works for you because you're not an everyday drinker but I think we should do some work on you to prepare you for when you do feel like a drink.

The first thing I'd recommend is L-glut and that you have this an hour before ending work every day (or others can chime in here, I can't use it as it gives me headaches but I'm the only one here for whom it doesnt work as its brilliant) to stabilise your blood sugar. I would keep the container (or 1 dosage in a tupperware container) in my handbag for 'emergencies.' On 'red' days like Fridays and Saturdays take the L-glut more often, again you can ask Sun and others how they use it. We often confuse hunger with drinking and when our blood sugar is in control with the help of L-glut it really helps us not to binge.

Second, to go with the L-glut, also take a look at your diet and ensure you don't reach points in the day where you are absolutely ravenous. I carry a baggie of almonds with me and have a handful if this happens and I have to go to the supermarket, otherwise the wine bottles taunt me.

Third, get something to help with your mood. You have been through some bad stuff and you are isolating so perhaps you simply have situational depression and once you feel more empowered because of the not drinking, this will heal naturally. (You can always go to the doctor later) You can take this questionaire, Julia Ross recommends taking Amino Acids like 5HTP to help heal your mood and it really works if you're not drinking. Julia Ross' THE MOOD CURE

Fourth, when you're feeling better I think moving town to where you know more people like you suggested is a great idea, or otherwise you'll have to find some activity with people that doesn't involve drinking that you can look forward to like a women's gym or walking group or a creative writing course.

Argh, and you don't know how many times I told clients I 'had the flu' - HATE it, HATE it, HATE it.

Anyway, that's all from Dr Dizz LOL. I should get to work!

:l

[DizzyBee]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

Oh and LJ, don't worry about the book pages, I'll tell you what it says as I own it, although I often recommend it to others as well.

[ljeanner]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

Oh geez! Dizzy, wow, lots of good stuff you posted. I will comment on them tomorrow (I really should get to bed now, eek), but just wanted to say I took the Mood Cure quiz and oh boy oh boy oh boy. I scored low in:

SEROTONIN
NOREPINEPHRIN (I don't think it is thyroid)
GABA or Cortisol
AND ENDORPHIN

I am a mess! LOL

[DizzyBee]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

Perhaps you should consider buying the book then, LOL as it will tell you exactly the nutrients you have to take, tests you can do at the doctor or order from labs, what foods will improve your mood, etc.

And don't worry I also scored low on everything! We'll talk later (I'ts 11AM here) sleep well.

:l

[ljeanner]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

Apparently sleep isn't of interest at the moment as I am excited by all the new possibilities for change and healing.

Dr. Dizzy ... thank you! Yes, pubs are definitely the trigger. Although I sometimes have wine in the house but it is a rarity and not something I need. In fact, my ex-boyfriend drank anywhere from 6-12 beers every night, while I drank pretty much nothing at home. Sometimes I would have a bottle of white in the fridge over quite a few days ... and I would come home one night wanting a glass and he would have drunk the bottle. I would be so mad, haha. I am committed to staying away from the bar for 30 days. I know I can tell my friends that I am trying to save money to get ahead (they all know how I have struggled this year financially freelancing full time) or for those I know who will offer to buy me drinks I can tell them I have a lot of work to do over the next month and need to focus on that with no distractions.

My schedule is in such disarray, I am not positive what the actual trigger is, but likely it is a cycle of 6 to 8 days due to a long week of working alone at home. One way to solve it may be to set up a coffee date with friends rather than drinks so I can socialize but not be tempted to drink.

I am definitely starting on on L-glut tomorrow (I have lots) and will play around to see what works. I must admit that my diet has probably been a huge trigger. Mostly that until recently my funds were so limited that I know I wasn't getting enough food or nutrients. Drinking on an empty stomach is a terrible idea, but when I end up drinking that is often the case. So, a huge contributor right there.

I will definitely get the Mood Cure book. Thank you so much for that. I wish I had it a year ago when I was going through all this crap with my job and relationship!

I appreciate your comment about your having to tell clients you have the flu. It doesn't make me feel better about having to do it, but at least I don't feel so alone! You have been so generous in offering your perspective and I can't tell you how much it means to me and how helpful you have been to me already -- and many of you on this thread! I know, Dizzy, have been experiencing your own challenges and I admire your honesty in going through your process. In fact, again, all of you here. I think that is why I love this group of ladies who post here so much.

Stuckin, yes, I am starting to do some more wandering around the site, and shall look her up.

Have a lovely day everyone! Cheers to you all, LJ

[sunshinedaisies]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

Good Morning everyone !!

So lovely to see lots posting at the moment ! Dizzy - as usual, so much wonderful information. You really are so good here for us all. I don't think I want to take the quizzes in the Mood cure book - I am sure that I will come out low in stuff and hate having to take vits and things, and seem to do fine with the All-One as my vitamin regime. Maybe I will see if we have it at work and if I get a spare minute have a look at it - I think we do have it.

And yes Dizzy - I do think I can do the 2 Guinness thing with the Kudzu and the L-glut - when I took it properly, it worked very well for me. It is just remembering to take it. I have some at work 'cos they laughed and asked what the white powder in the baggie was !

oh - and you aren't the only one who says I am "special" - ROTFLMBO !!!!! Definitely not normal - that is for sure !!

Meggie - lovely to see you pop in - how are you doing?

LJ - Yes - Dizzy has some wonderful info here and it will take some time for you to digest it all but at least start on the l-glut - I was taking it at least three times a day - a couple of teaspoons in an inch or so of water, with the last dose being about an hour or so before I planned on having a drink. Or even closer.

LJ - your drawing is wonderful - I wish I had talent like that! Wow - did you take lessons or is it just natural?

Hi there stuck - so happy that you are doing better - and no Bac? Wow - well that is even better then - good for you. How are you feeling?

Play - hope that you had a wonderful time with your daughter and sad that she is leaving. Well done on taking the AB yesterday - please keep in touch still like we did the week ew did it though if you need to and I look forward to chatting later in the week.

i have just noticed the time and need to get going. Work awaits me !!

hugs to all - have a wonderful day,

love, sun XX

[spacebebe01]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

I think I have the mood cure book somewhere but have never read it, I will look for it. Dizzy I had a banana for breakfast this morning, I know its not great but at least it was something healthy

LJ you are sounding so good now and so possitive, Dizzy does have great ideas and a great way of saying them, the 30 day not drinking sounds like a good idea for you as does meeting for a coffee, it sounds like you need to get out of the house, socialise and let loose once a week and thats when the drink gets you so trying new ways to do that would be a good thing.

Whats happening with you Stuck? no bac when did you decide that, so is the plan to stay AF, maybe you could go for the 30 days as well if counting days helps you.

Play look forward to hearing from you later in the week.

So Sun are you going to commit to taking l glut and keeping the drink to 2, it does mean remembering to take the l glut throughout the day but then if that means you can do what you want with the rest of your time and not have a problem with going over your limit on the drink then surely its worth it.

I am still the same really, not feeling any better, still struggling to get out of bed and actually do anything with my day and my mood is pretty low, although the fact that I can come on here and post shows it is not as bad as it has been at times. I have no idea when I will get my car back either thursday or in three weeks as it depends what part they need and one of the parts if it is faulty needs to be sent of and repaired that is what would take three weeks. So now I have no car again, to go shopping I have to get a taxi which is more expense all the time and a pain, I need to go today but I havent even managed to get dressed yet. I am still not drinking and do not really think about it, my son has had some bottles of beer in the fridge since his birthday and they are no tempation whatsoever, neither are the cans I bought a while ago and didnt drink, they are still put away. In some strange way tho the fact that they are there is a comfort to me, I have not yet wanted to drink them but if a mad craving that I couldnt resist where to come along then they are there rather than run out and buy a bottle of vodka. I am still kind of unsure about myself with this not drinking thing, not because I doubt the way I feel but because it seems to good to be true, after all the years I struggled with drink and at times thought I would have to give up and just drink myself to death because I was such a hopeless case to feel like I am free of it is unbelievable especially since it has taken no effort from me.

[ljeanner]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

Good morning everyone!

Yes, only 6 hours sleep. It is the reason I hate going on a binge night. It can take days for me to get back to normal. Blech.

I took my All One just now in some tropical juice. I forgot how thick it gets!!! I think I may go towards hiding it a bit more in something more "mucky" like Sun does. Add a banana, some berries and a bit of yogurt, and voila, a breakfast smoothy! I have taken my round of kudzu, primrose oil, gaba and L-glut (and comforte). It is a lot of supps for the day!

I love that L-glut works for so many on this thread, and sorry Dizzy that it gives you a headache. Sun, how lovely that L-glut can curb you to stay at 1 or 2 Guinness. I keep seeing this little devil sitting on your shoulder, tapping on your head, and seemingly wanting to keep you from sticking to something that is working so well for you. I wonder who that little devil is?

Space, how many days have you been AF? Good for you in any case, but I am sorry you are feeling so awful. Are you taking any supplements? Is there anything else you can do that will help make the process a bit easier?

Thank you for the compliments on my drawing, Sun. Yes, I actually have two degrees in art (BFA and an MFA). I mostly do fabric sculpture not drawing, but can't make a living at it so that is why I write full time.

Dizzy, it sounds like insulin is the cause of your "hang over" feelings on some days rather than alcohol?

I am now in a better mood to get moving through my day at the computer. I have A LOT of catching up to do on some big projects. I will check in later though.

Cheers to you all, LJ

[ljeanner]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

Aren't I the chatter box ... lol ... was just texting a friend who I meet with for drinks and told her I was taking a 2 month hiatus to clear my head. She was awesome. Said she had been thinking about doing the same thing. So I feel good knowing I can meet her for lunch or breakie now instead of a drink after work, and now I don't need to explain!

[Alcoholic]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

Hi, everyone:

I was so busy w my dad that I haven't checked in. Just want to say I'm back but still suffering from the after visit shock. It was not easy dealing w a paranoid 77 year old bad tempered dad, who may be showing signs of dementia. Taking over his affairs is so difficult because he is so controlling. I just wanted to give up and say, dad I can't help you anymore. It was emotionally exhausting.

I have a lot to catch up to see how everyone's been doing. But just want to say hi, I'm back....

[sunshinedaisies]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

ALLY - so wonderful to see you back !!!!! Although I am sorry about your awful time with your dad - what a shame for you when his visit could have been so good. How did you and hubs get on when he was there with you? My mum can be very controlling and it always annoyed hubs when she came to visit 'cos he said that she treated me like a servant - but she was a guest in my home!! Plus she is old - AND my mum !!!!

Anyway Ally - once you get over your visit we need to get back to what it was we were doing - LOL !! How did you do with the drinking while he was here or did he drive you to drink? I so feel for you. it must have been so hard - but I am SO happy to see you back !!!!

LJ - we don't mind you being a chatterbox! It is lovely to have some fresh blood here !! Not that the old stuff isn't good - I know everyone knows what I mean !! And I think you have fitted right in with us. Have you decided on any sort of plan at all? sounds as if you have with all the supps and stuff that you took today and that is great about your friend agreeing to take a couple of months off drinking - is she one of the ones that you usually are with when you binge? Maybe you can ask her help in it and have her try and stop you? That when you go out - both of you just don't drink?

What is fabric sculpture? The mind boggles !!!! I would love to able to draw !! you would laugh at my attempts!

Space - my dear - lovely to hear how you are doing. I so understand that you wonder how you got where you are without trying - but however, i wouldn't question it - just go with it. I think it is awesome and wouldn't change a thing.

Can you not get the bus for your shopping instead of a taxi? Mum doesn't have a car either and she either walks round to Tesco which isn't far or gets the bus.

LJ - you must have seen in the posts how I have my mucky drink - the same every day - I like the mango orange pineapple juice that Dole does and put a banana and then just an inch or so of milk - not sure why. I really enjoy it. I have the green all-One and like that best! I am glad that you managed to get it cheaper through Vita-cost.

Okay - well, I went and looked for the Mood Cure today in the store - and as I got there - a customer picked up the only copy we have - LOL. I told her it was a good book - turns out that she thinks she might be bi-polar but her friend said no - and that she needed to look at The Mood Cure !! I did laugh to myself. It will come back in and I will look at it then......

Oh Space - YES I am going to commit to the L-Glut and taking it and only having the two Guinness a night again. Last night I had four. Today I have taken the L-Glut and it will just be two tonight. I already can feel it !!

Oh - LJ - in the Alan Carr book, he has a little devil sitting on your shoulder too - and every time you DON'T take a drink, the little devil dies - I could NOT bear the thought of that as it hurts me to think of me killing something, so I substituted the devil with a fairy - and even named her - LOL. And if I HAD a drink - I was poisoning her. it worked really well - as I have said before the alan carr book does resonate with me - I need to get it back on my nightstand for the smoking. I was halfway through it then all this with my job happened and I have never gone back to it.

anyway - I must think about eating I suppose - sometimes it is such a bother !!!

love and hugs to all,

sun XXX

[ljeanner]

New here and starting Topa and with a question

Hello lovely people ... I am too tired to post much as I've been on the board all day (can, you say productive? NOT) exploring and posting.

But, Sun, I have a question about rhodiola. I have 250mg capsules. I am wondering how much you take and do they help take the stress edge off? Just wondering how to add them to my new supplement regime.

I am following the updated version of MWO supplement schedule, but it is so many pills. I need to change the magnesium because I don't like swallowing horse pills.

I found that one of the bookstores here has the Mood Cure, so I am going to pick up a copy of it Dizzy.

Oh, Sun, I am very familiar with Alan Carr's smoking cessation books. I smoke, but just like the drinking I quit for about 7 years and then STUPIDLY started it again. I am finding it a lot harder to quit this time around. I think in the smoking ones it was the little green nicotine monster wasn't it? LOL I like your take on it with the fairy.

I hope you are doing well today, Dizzy, nice to meet you Ally and I hope your day is going better, Space. I am sure I am forgetting someone but still getting to know you all (even though I've read your whole thread!).

Cheers to you all, LJ