I don't want to be totally AF......,

[actiongirl46]

Thanks for the update on Vit B . . . makes sense and not a fun feeling. I can get a similar feeling sometimes from AL and caffeine.

Yes, Blue, I don't mean to put you off from your own thread . . . I am trying to get some AF days in for now and will see. I'm going to work on it with the therapist. I also have to work through it with my hubby as he is NOT in support of my former daily 1 - 1 1/2 bottle of wine habit . . . plus a few beers . . . that is the primary reason AL has been out of the house since 12/14/15. He has had it. So, a much different situation than yours TMH. Granted, we also have two teenage boys (ages 14 and 15) here at home. My sister thought our new arrangement is a little controlling, I think it is what I need for right now to get some true AF time in and reset the brain. I truly can't fathom not drinking ever again. At this point I don't know if I'm just fooling myself or not. Time will tell.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Lots of snow expected here.

[ToMyHealth]

Hi. This will be quick. Rain expected shortly and I need more steps. Only a mile or so.

Actiongirl, it's like when you are dehydrated. Weak, dizziness to the point of almost passing out. I have been blaming the way Imhave been feeling on just that for about 2 yrs. one of the reasons I de ided to stop drinking..... at least for awhile.

Hi Blue...liked your post the other day. Just cuz I am talking about my AF days which maybe I shouldn't do, does not mean anyone can't post here. Come back. We miss you.

Frances, good news about your Mom. Thanks for sharing your stories. I had no idea. I mean, bet it seems hard to believe considering where you are at now.

My home has alcohol. I never expected dh to quit plus we have friends over who we keep Jack Daniels, certain kind of gin, wine for. It is getting a little testy. The other night dh commente under his breath "you are more fun when you drink" and this afternoon he left to play 9 holes. His parting shot was he would be home in time for Happy Hour. Better make sure I have some chilled V8 and cut limes......

TMH

[frances]

Hi - Glad to see everyone keeping with their goals! I got great news yesterday that mom's tumor is shrinking! I'm hoping this will help her get back into some routines in her life. She stopped some things, understandably, when she was first diagnosed in October - had some bad days after radiation but has been steadily feeling better since Thanksgiving and getting back to her hold self. She's not enjoying some of the side effects (mainly rash on her face and very itchy and swollen eyelids) but hopefully those will get better over time too. We just keep reminding ourselves how much worse it truly could be!

TMH I hope the vitamin B helps you feel better soon! AG sounds like you are taking some great steps regarding AL in your life. For me I kept drinking and drinking more and more, found myself starting earlier in the day on weekends, always finding a place to have a drink when I was out taking the kids places - like when I dropped them off before a game and they had to be there an hour before the game started - I'd go spend that hour drinking before going to the game...anyway this was happening all the time (my kids both play a lot of sports) - also I would have a drink many times on my way home from work because my commute was so long (ashamed to admit that!) finally I realized it was really getting out of hand. I knew I had to do something. there had been many times before that so it's been a problem for years.

I need to keep those things in mind whenever I think I have this thing beat! It may be dormant but it's in there!

I had started a roast last night but it was going to need a few hours and wouldn't be ready until around 8:30 and we wanted to eat early, so husband brought carryout home for dinner last night and brought a bottle of wine home with him. I didn't want any - really just didn't! I love that. but I did have a little bit of the leftover wine from what I was cooking with. Probably about a glass.

Hope everyone has a great weekend - I'm heading out to get some errands done - no other plans but maybe something will come up.

[actiongirl46]

Hi all - TMH, what are your symptoms when your Vit B levels are low? Is it dangerous? I don't think I've ever heard of that. Health care is such a monster, I hate it.

Did you feel you missed out on HH? Or did you feel ok? I had the cravings again tonight but was able to surf through. Ice cream helped, oh boy, the last thing I need is another vice. Having hubby on board and all AL out of the house (and having us committed to that) has made a huge difference for me this quit, all the other times I've tried to do it on my own.

I'm going to continue to try to learn all I can about myself and my relationship with AL. I haven't really thought too much about it before. I met with my therapist today and she will help. I need to define what I need for myself, and I think she will help me do that safely and without any "denial" blinders. Anyway, that's where I'm at in the journey. I'm not waking up hating myself every morning so that is a really good thing. I'm on the road to getting better.

Frances, Blue, I hope you have a great weekend and have a chance to do the things you love. Take care! AG

[ToMyHealth]

Quick note to say good night. Did not go to Happy Hour last night. I have gone in the past without drinking, but I have also gone with intention of not drinking and getting caught up in party atmosphere and giving in. So best not.
Got results of blood test late today. Vit B levels way down and need 4 weeks of injections. Darn! Knew I should have kept taking my supplements. Asked if I could just go back on them but too low. Well, I want to feel better! Can always do supplements after. Sure hit Medicare deductible fast in 2016! Can't even remember how much it is but bills will remind me. And then there is the useless AARP supplement which I keep thinking of canceling, then worry something major will happen where need that 20% coverage. Know there are young families out there who must pay through the nose so really shouldn't complain. Sorry.
Good night.

[actiongirl46]

Hi all -
Blue thanks for sharing that about being home. Sometimes I wonder if it is making me crazy! Although I mainly write or am on the phone so a cubicle would not be the best option for my work. Also my hubby is a stay-at-home dad most of the year. We are a little young to be bumping into each other all day but here in year 2 we have found a better rhythm.

Today I was at an all day meeting and then hit the gym just for a little bit (still not feeling that great). I didn't have any cravings! Maybe I need to book some AF activities in the evenings although that is when my kids are home so I hate to be away.

TMH - great job on 7 days. Or 6 if you went to happy hour. Regardless, you have a great string going, I'm right there with you. I do think changing habits (for me, getting all AL out of the house) is key. A long with a lot of other things, but it is a huge piece.

Have an awesome Friday!

[blue1]

Hi guys....Happy Thursday!

Frances....I'm glad your mom is feeling better and I'm praying for positive test results and the cancer is dying.

Ag....I'm home most days by myself for hours and I definitely think boredom is a trigger. I've been looking for a job for a while now. I don't know if it's me being 50 or me being out of the workforce for 6 years...but no interviews yet. I'm thinking about doing some volunteer work in the meantime....just to get out of the house.

Hope everybody is having a successful day!

[frances]

TMH and ActionGirl you are both doing so great!! I'm thrilled for you :happy2: I really think breaking the habit is important for success with this. At least it was for me. And I know how hard it is in the beginning. The brain and body just scream that they want AL. It is so important to eat or drink something else or do something else and then that feeling passes pretty darn quickly. And when it comes back again - as they say - - 'rinse and repeat'! After a good amount of time those thoughts wane and NOT drinking becomes the norm. I was truly amazed when that started happening.

Skipping the happy hour is not a bad idea TMH if you think it will be too tempting. I know it would be hard for me!

[ToMyHealth]

Ok, on to Thursday and tomorrow I'll hit a week AF. Been a long time coming.

Slept fitfully last night. Might have been the ice cream! Woke up very early, felt groggy, almost got dressed to go for lab test but it was dark and Iphone said "fog". All lights got turned off and I slept for 2 hrs!

So off I go. Lab, Starbucks, gym, dentist (lots of housecleaning inbetween appts) & tonite's temptation is neighborhood Happy Hour. BTW, they happen every 2 weeks. May skip.

Need to run.

TMH
Day 6

[actiongirl46]

Hi all - Golf in the cold doesn't sound like too much fun . . . hopefully it will warm up for you!

Frances, let us know how your Mom does, that sounds very stressful.

I am FINALLY feeling better today but wouldn't you know the old cravings hit me hard around the witching hour. I was able to surf the urge by watching some bad TV but boy was I cranky. My poor teenagers. And hubby. Dog didn't seem to notice.

I think my trigger was boredom as I work from home. I think I need to get out more. I'm definitely going to the gym tomorrow! Have a great Thursday all - AG

[frances]

Hi all and good to see you Blue! I'm also glad to see everyone doing so well!

Mom got her chest CT scan today so I'm anxious to hear what the results are - I hope the drug she is taking is killing the cancer - she is doing so much better now and if she gets good results I'm sure that will help her get it off her mind (me too!)

Quick check in during a busy day at work...stay strong everyone!

[blue1]

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!
I'm going to try this again....I just lost a long post!

I want to thank you guys for keeping this thread going while I was nursing my mourning wounds. I started this thread because I didn't know where I fit on this site anymore. This thread is here to support you where you are....not to judge you on your journey. YOUR JOURNEY!

I'm so glad everyone is doing so well!
I've been doing good at modding so far this year. I'm not feeling as sad about my sister and I think that's helping.

REMEMBER WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU IF YOU DON'T DRINK ANY OR IF YOU DRINK TOO MANY!!!

Welcome to you new guys....hope everyone is having a successful day!!!

Better stop here lol...before I lose this post lol....

[blue1]

happy to say i not only made it through the evening af, i enjoyed myself. We left after half time. I am not worrying about not sleeping as i have in the past. If i can't sleep, i get up and watch tv or read & if i can take a nap the next day, i do.

From what i understand, alcohol leaves your system by day 3.

Tmh
day 3

yayyyyyy.....go tmh....keep up the good work!!!!!

[ToMyHealth]

Good day. Couldn't believe how tired I got playing golf. Cold and very windy. None of us did very well. Dr. Is suspecting low Vit B levels. I normally take a Super B Complex but have gotten out of habit. Both my grandfather and my sister had/have to get Vit B shots. Sister gives them to herself. No thanks. Pass me the supplements. Lab tests next.

Thanks, Actiongirl, on tagline compliment. Feel free to use it. Keep at it at the gym...soon as you feel better.

Frances, aren't you lucky! Being thin. Yet we do have to keep,our bones, muscles strong. I had osteopenia (hips) which turned into osteoporosis after having chemo. Taking generic fosamax and have turned it around to "mild osteopenia". At this age I have turned into my mother with the fear of falling. It really is scary, ladies, how all of a sudden one day you realize you are just like your mother . Except mine rarely drank! Bless her soul.

Happy Hump Day. Bible Study then on way to hospital for my volunteer shift. Make it a good one.

TMH
Day 5

[actiongirl46]

Frances, I agree. I also am humble enough and new enough to know I have A LOT to learn about myself so that will be my main focus . . . I feel so fortunate for the support here and with my hubby and friends.

TMH, I just joined a gym in December. Was off to a great start but then came the holidays, vacation, blah blah! Now I'm on my third day of a horrible head cold/cough. So . . . I'll have to get back to it later this week. I'm looking forward to it though because when I was drinking I could never "make time" for the gym or when I did I didn't work very hard because I was so "tired". No wonder I gained 20 pounds in the last 1 1/2 years!! I like to exercise and that is one thing AL took from me. I'm excited to get that back. Turning 50 didn't help either!!!

Nice to be here and I'll check in tomorrow. Have a great Wednesday - I'm hoping for a clear head, not from AL withdrawl (no drinks here) but from congestion- ugh!! Onward!