Hi folks,
I, too, am glad I found this blog/strain. About 6 months ago, I was taken off a ferry boat during work in an ambulance because I thought I was having a heart attack. I'm 27, been drinking since I was 17; drinking quite heavily since I was 21. After many tests that trip to the hospital - they couldn't find anything wrong with me and gave me clonazapam and prozac for anxiety/depression. After months of being on that, I felt better, but I still drank like normal. Yesterday, after having drank heavy for 4 days straight - and knowing that monday was coming (I usually don't drink at the start of the week, rather start thursday or friday), I was getting ready to sober up for the week - bam - panic attack... Trouble breathing, tight chest, racing heart, palpitations, felt like I was going to die. Shitty thing is, I don't have health insurance right now, and didn't want to freak any of my family members out... so I just tried to ride it out, scared as hell. I tried sticking my finger down my throat to try and get any alcohol that hadn't been processed out of system (it felt like i was still drunk, so maybe the alcohol had been sitting in my stomach waiting to get processed)... (this actually ends up being a trick to get your heart rate down)... so anyway, the last 2 days I've been exercising and hydrating and not drinking, eating healthy and feeling better. Then I smoked a cigarette today (first one in 2 days) and it kicked my heartrate up big time. So doing some internet research... I came across "supraventricular tachychardia" which is directly related to drinking/smoking/drugs... So, if you are having any of these symptoms on withdrawal... this is basically whats happening... its withdrawal from overuse. If you've had these symptoms you need to watch your intake, don't drink 2 days in a row, and get some exercise or you'll end up in the hospital... if you can't go to the hospital, splash water on your face, gag yourself (this triggers a nerve which slows your heart), and cough... these things will help slow your heart... usually you should be ok and get through it, but it CAN kill you depending on how far along the alcoholism and drug use path. And if you smoke, you're that much more at risk... Good luck to all and hopefully you can take care of yourselves. Cheers.
I, too, am glad I found this blog/strain. About 6 months ago, I was taken off a ferry boat during work in an ambulance because I thought I was having a heart attack. I'm 27, been drinking since I was 17; drinking quite heavily since I was 21. After many tests that trip to the hospital - they couldn't find anything wrong with me and gave me clonazapam and prozac for anxiety/depression. After months of being on that, I felt better, but I still drank like normal. Yesterday, after having drank heavy for 4 days straight - and knowing that monday was coming (I usually don't drink at the start of the week, rather start thursday or friday), I was getting ready to sober up for the week - bam - panic attack... Trouble breathing, tight chest, racing heart, palpitations, felt like I was going to die. Shitty thing is, I don't have health insurance right now, and didn't want to freak any of my family members out... so I just tried to ride it out, scared as hell. I tried sticking my finger down my throat to try and get any alcohol that hadn't been processed out of system (it felt like i was still drunk, so maybe the alcohol had been sitting in my stomach waiting to get processed)... (this actually ends up being a trick to get your heart rate down)... so anyway, the last 2 days I've been exercising and hydrating and not drinking, eating healthy and feeling better. Then I smoked a cigarette today (first one in 2 days) and it kicked my heartrate up big time. So doing some internet research... I came across "supraventricular tachychardia" which is directly related to drinking/smoking/drugs... So, if you are having any of these symptoms on withdrawal... this is basically whats happening... its withdrawal from overuse. If you've had these symptoms you need to watch your intake, don't drink 2 days in a row, and get some exercise or you'll end up in the hospital... if you can't go to the hospital, splash water on your face, gag yourself (this triggers a nerve which slows your heart), and cough... these things will help slow your heart... usually you should be ok and get through it, but it CAN kill you depending on how far along the alcoholism and drug use path. And if you smoke, you're that much more at risk... Good luck to all and hopefully you can take care of yourselves. Cheers.
I was a heavy drinker from the time I was 16 until I was 21. I am allergic to beer and have always drank hard liquor. Heavy on the weekends (750ml of rum a night) and lighter on the weekdays (250-300ml a night). I typically drank 5 nights a week, sometimes more, sometimes less. I started to get panic attacks a year ago. I lived with them for a year not knowing what was happening or why. Typically I would drink or exercise to relieve the feeling. I quit drinking about 2 months ago and the attacks have gotten much better. Instead of panic attacks I just have a slight feeling of anxiety. Every now and then I feel like I may get a panic attack but it never comes. Hopefully another 2 months and everything will be back to normal. My only advice is to quit drinking and find something active to do.
I have also seen a lot of comments about "that tingly feeling" or "lightening strike" that triggers the panic attack. I had this happen one morning while I was in Mexico after binging for 3 days straight (over a Liter of Jagermiester each day). I spent the rest of that day worshiping the porcelain goddess and trying to fend off hallucinations. You go through that once or twice (especially in Mexico) and you really have no interest in drinking ever again! When you want to drink just remember how bad you have felt and how scary it was the last time you had a panic attack. (I literally put signs up around my house to remind me while I was withdrawing.)
I have also seen a lot of comments about "that tingly feeling" or "lightening strike" that triggers the panic attack. I had this happen one morning while I was in Mexico after binging for 3 days straight (over a Liter of Jagermiester each day). I spent the rest of that day worshiping the porcelain goddess and trying to fend off hallucinations. You go through that once or twice (especially in Mexico) and you really have no interest in drinking ever again! When you want to drink just remember how bad you have felt and how scary it was the last time you had a panic attack. (I literally put signs up around my house to remind me while I was withdrawing.)
Most of the posters here are on the young side. Here's something from the other end. My mother is 82 (looks 70....whatever that means) and entered a detox center in the desert. She thought she was going there for an appointment, only, and not to stay. She lasted only about 36 hours and then her atrial fibrillation went into overdrive and she had to be admitted to the hospital. She stayed in the hospital for 12 days! She was discharged this past week to a skilled nursing facility because she's still weak, but since her a-fib got better, she couldn't remain in the hospital. She's agitated, doesn't sleep, paranoid, and still very confused/disoriented. I'm guessing she's still experiencing these alcohol withdrawal symptoms, even though others seem to get over these symptoms in a shorter time. August 19 was when she had her last drink and her methadone. I wish I could see some improvement.
She's had two back surgeries in the last 15 years and was increasing her use of various pain medications. Most recently, it was methadone, oxycontin for break-thru pain, and vodka every night. Then her memory started going and the neurologist said it was Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's specialist then said that she was taking so many other drugs, including the Vodka (1.75 L every three days), that they wouldn't say it was Alzheimer's until she was detoxed so that we could see what was left.
So, at this point, we still don't know if any of her mind will come back and if it's alcohol dementia or Alzheimer's disease. If she does get some cognitive/processing function back, she will continue her treatment at the detox facility to learn new behavior modification and non-drug pain management techniques. Right now, though, she's not processing well. The physical therapy she's receiving is walking, which will help her get her strength back. Because she's so restless at night and can't sleep, we have to hire an outside "sitter" to stay with her since they don't have enough staff to watch her all night, and they want to make sure she doesn't wander off, fall down, or do something else.
This may not help any of the younger people who are posting to this thread, but please know that it is heartbreaking to family members to witness the destruction of their loved one. I think I needed to vent, too. Thank you.
She's had two back surgeries in the last 15 years and was increasing her use of various pain medications. Most recently, it was methadone, oxycontin for break-thru pain, and vodka every night. Then her memory started going and the neurologist said it was Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's specialist then said that she was taking so many other drugs, including the Vodka (1.75 L every three days), that they wouldn't say it was Alzheimer's until she was detoxed so that we could see what was left.
So, at this point, we still don't know if any of her mind will come back and if it's alcohol dementia or Alzheimer's disease. If she does get some cognitive/processing function back, she will continue her treatment at the detox facility to learn new behavior modification and non-drug pain management techniques. Right now, though, she's not processing well. The physical therapy she's receiving is walking, which will help her get her strength back. Because she's so restless at night and can't sleep, we have to hire an outside "sitter" to stay with her since they don't have enough staff to watch her all night, and they want to make sure she doesn't wander off, fall down, or do something else.
This may not help any of the younger people who are posting to this thread, but please know that it is heartbreaking to family members to witness the destruction of their loved one. I think I needed to vent, too. Thank you.
That's a great idea actually. I put signs up from when I had panic attacks as well and I htink it helped me out a lot. The flashes, just FYI, are totally unique to actual withdrawal symptoms--they aren't the anxiety. Sucks to ahve to go through that too!!
Licensed Dietitian
588 posts
I went to the psychotherapist appointment last Tuesday and she confirmed that the anxiety/panic symptoms were related to the alcohol withdrawal. I explained to her what I was doing (the 4 steps in my last post) and she said that is exactly what I should be doing. She said the 1st non-medicinal treatment always offered is breathing techniques deeply rooted in meditation called relaxation response and she would have had me practice it if I wasn't already. I am continuing to do these things including daily meditation and I am basically back to normal. I haven't had any panic/anxiety attacks for about a week. I had a couple very minor attacks that I was able to circumvent with breathing techniques in about 5 seconds. I actually feel great since I am no longer hung over everyday. I have a lot more energy. I haven't had a drop of hard alcohol in 17 days. This weekend I was at the beach and decided to take a little test because I never intended to be a "non-drinker" but just need to get through the withdrawals and never go back to daily hard alcohol intake. I had about 7 or 8 beers on Fri. and was anxiety free on Saturday. I think I am out of the hell completely and I don't plan on going back there.
mdsmith, I'm going to give your plan a shot. I'm at almost 4 weeks since my last binge and still experiencing periods of panic/anxiety. It seems coincidental that I found your posts right about the same time I started re-reading "Wherever You Go, There You Are," which is all about mindfulness meditation. I read the book years ago but recently started reading it again, right about the time I started having alcohol withdrawal. Hope it helps, as nothing else seems to.
19:30. That book is on my nightstand. It was recommended on one of the sites about meditation for anxiety treatment. Jon Kabat-Zinn is great and many of his seminars are on You Tube. The Relaxation Response was recommended by the Psychotherapist. I believe it is also based on breathing techniques. Good luck! It helped me beyond words.
Can you tell me more about this book? It sounds like it's a real help and I'd love to read more on it. Thanks!
It's called "Wherever You Go There You Are" by Jon Kabat-Zinn and it can be purchased at any Barnes & Noble. He is a PhD and founding director of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. It is based on Mindfulness Meditation and breathing techniques. You can also see some of his speeches on You Tube. The one posted by Google has about a 10 min portion where he has you meditate with him and explains the process. Give it a try and you will get an idea what it is all about. Good luck!
I can't believe this thread...I have joined alcoholics anonymous websites and tired searching about this topic for years and have found minimal information. Usually some random quotes about "alcohol may cause streess and anxiety" but I never heard of any people that were like me that have had these horror stories. I started my heavy drinking about sophomore year of college, approximately 3 years ago. I was visiting a friend at college and had to take a 4 hour bus ride back to my college the next mornign.
As with 90% of college students, of course, I got completely hammered and stayed up until about 4 oclock in the morning. I was on the bus home and watching a movie....really hungover, but it wasn't really me phasing me too much, I had always gotten hangovers and felt groggy and a little queezy but nothing to hardcore. Then all of a sudden, like all of you have felt, I'm on the bus watching a movie and I get this crazy feeling in my chest, I start shaking, and I thought I was going to die. And worst of all, I'm in a situation where I really can't get out of it. I suffered what felt like a 12 round boxing match with my mind for the rest of the bus ride until I got back to college where the feeling never really went away. It lasted the next day until I calmed it down while downing a 6-pack of 16 oz icehouse cans.
From that point on, I've gotten the horrible anxiety and stress whenever I'm hungover, which is usually everyday. I go through spurts of 3 weeks-month where I'm drinking every night. I usually go for 4-5 24 oz cans of beer, usually icehouse/bud ice/steel reserve/malt liquor because regular beer just doesn't cut it for me anymore. My thing is I don't like getting really drunk, I like a moderate buzz-kinda drunk feeling before I got to bed. But my tolerance has gone up so much that it literally takes me near 100 oz of strong beer/malt liquor.
I've been doing better because for the past month I started an exercise program which, believe it or not, does really help. I still have the stress and panicky feelings but they weren't nearly as bad as when I was just drinking every night and working. The exercise helps but the feelings are still there. BUT, no matter how I'm feeling from the night before or after exercising, I ALWAYS get so nervous, panicky, and my worst panic attacks while driving. I don't know if it's because the first time I experienced the anxiety I was in a bus or what but no matter how hungover I am my anxiety will increase by 100% when I'm behind the wheel.
I'm planning over the next month to cut it off but like you all know it is so hard. But I know what it feels like to have the anxiety, panic attacks, and chest matches you have with yourself because of anxiety. It is awful.
Good luck to everyone.
As with 90% of college students, of course, I got completely hammered and stayed up until about 4 oclock in the morning. I was on the bus home and watching a movie....really hungover, but it wasn't really me phasing me too much, I had always gotten hangovers and felt groggy and a little queezy but nothing to hardcore. Then all of a sudden, like all of you have felt, I'm on the bus watching a movie and I get this crazy feeling in my chest, I start shaking, and I thought I was going to die. And worst of all, I'm in a situation where I really can't get out of it. I suffered what felt like a 12 round boxing match with my mind for the rest of the bus ride until I got back to college where the feeling never really went away. It lasted the next day until I calmed it down while downing a 6-pack of 16 oz icehouse cans.
From that point on, I've gotten the horrible anxiety and stress whenever I'm hungover, which is usually everyday. I go through spurts of 3 weeks-month where I'm drinking every night. I usually go for 4-5 24 oz cans of beer, usually icehouse/bud ice/steel reserve/malt liquor because regular beer just doesn't cut it for me anymore. My thing is I don't like getting really drunk, I like a moderate buzz-kinda drunk feeling before I got to bed. But my tolerance has gone up so much that it literally takes me near 100 oz of strong beer/malt liquor.
I've been doing better because for the past month I started an exercise program which, believe it or not, does really help. I still have the stress and panicky feelings but they weren't nearly as bad as when I was just drinking every night and working. The exercise helps but the feelings are still there. BUT, no matter how I'm feeling from the night before or after exercising, I ALWAYS get so nervous, panicky, and my worst panic attacks while driving. I don't know if it's because the first time I experienced the anxiety I was in a bus or what but no matter how hungover I am my anxiety will increase by 100% when I'm behind the wheel.
I'm planning over the next month to cut it off but like you all know it is so hard. But I know what it feels like to have the anxiety, panic attacks, and chest matches you have with yourself because of anxiety. It is awful.
Good luck to everyone.
Good luck to you, when you say plan to "cut it off", are you talking about quitting drinking cold turkey? Be careful, and expect that the panic attacks will be terrible, especially for the first week or so. I quit cold turkey and it took over a month before I started feeling "normal" again.
That's awesome. I actually think I've been there before so that's funny. Thanks for all the information. I know exactly who that guy is!
I have had two episodes with pretty severe anxiety following long periods of continuous alcohol consumption. I just had the second one this morning. I woke up and by about 4 hours later, I was feeling panicked. I drank a glass of wine, took an Inderal and a cyclobenzaprine, then I took a multivitamin. Then I found this thread. Then I went on a 45min-1hr. long fast walk (trying to keep my heart rate up), and just chugged two large glasses of OJ, ate a banana, and took another multivitamin. I can't beleive how much all of that has helped. I don't feel great, but I feel a whole lot better.
Hello everyone,
It's been 10 days since my last post and everything is really good. I haven't touched a drop of hard liquor since this began on 8/22. I've basically stuck to beer and only had a couple per night and many nights no alcohol. Friday night a buddy of mine was coming to visit and he is a heavy beer drinker and I knew this would be my first real test as to what will happen when I get drunk again. I bought a 30 pack of Miller Lite and by the time he and I went to bed there were 2 in the fridge. I woke up feeling hungover but not anxious. Everything was fine with one minor exception. We were eating lunch and I suddenly felt a little panic attack coming on and within 5 seconds I was able to completely squash it with the breathing techniques I have learned. I honestly think that because I know I have the ability and tools now to stomp out any attacks as soon as they begin is why I don't have the anxiety anymore (and of course I don't drink 8 Jack and Cokes 7 nights a week anymore). As we know, the fear of having a panic attack is usually what causes the attack so if you know you can quickly get through it then you won't be worrying about them and in turn won't have them.
It's been 10 days since my last post and everything is really good. I haven't touched a drop of hard liquor since this began on 8/22. I've basically stuck to beer and only had a couple per night and many nights no alcohol. Friday night a buddy of mine was coming to visit and he is a heavy beer drinker and I knew this would be my first real test as to what will happen when I get drunk again. I bought a 30 pack of Miller Lite and by the time he and I went to bed there were 2 in the fridge. I woke up feeling hungover but not anxious. Everything was fine with one minor exception. We were eating lunch and I suddenly felt a little panic attack coming on and within 5 seconds I was able to completely squash it with the breathing techniques I have learned. I honestly think that because I know I have the ability and tools now to stomp out any attacks as soon as they begin is why I don't have the anxiety anymore (and of course I don't drink 8 Jack and Cokes 7 nights a week anymore). As we know, the fear of having a panic attack is usually what causes the attack so if you know you can quickly get through it then you won't be worrying about them and in turn won't have them.
hey everyone,
just wanted to wish everyone the best with fighting anxiety, i been damaging myself daily for about 9 yrs now, i quit drinking 6 days ago, i have had the attacks, man they are no joke....none of us are alone... i don't plan on drinking for a long while... going to let my body rest ....i look forward to getting in better shape and helping others out, and not being hung over all the time, operating at 73 percent...lol...i wish there was a chat room were folks like us could talk, i have found that talking and being around folks with the same issues can really help.... talk to you soon
just wanted to wish everyone the best with fighting anxiety, i been damaging myself daily for about 9 yrs now, i quit drinking 6 days ago, i have had the attacks, man they are no joke....none of us are alone... i don't plan on drinking for a long while... going to let my body rest ....i look forward to getting in better shape and helping others out, and not being hung over all the time, operating at 73 percent...lol...i wish there was a chat room were folks like us could talk, i have found that talking and being around folks with the same issues can really help.... talk to you soon