some bad habits

[beember]

I know this is kindof dumb but has  anyone started a drinking problem while on treatment?  I feel like i'm losing control of everything, and that i've become very inadaquite as a human being.  I'm not sure who to talk to , because i'm afraid of sounding pathic. My husband can't wait for me to accomplish and finish treatment.  He says that the way i am acting is not normal for me.  I talk to him about things but i don't think he really hears me.  All of a sudden i am wanting to drink and drink all the time.  So i know i need some help.  Sometimes i need some time to myself and i never get to have that.  Like my child is screasming at me and i just want her to go away for five minuets so i can do something. Lots of anxiety and anger.  i keep wanting to just take myself off tx because i want to feel better emotionally.  I feell bad to come here mooping and whining but i just don't know anymore.  i have to go right now, but i have some more i need to say so hopefully i get back on tonight.  thanks and i love ya all for your advice.

[negative1]

Not a dumb question at all.

I was on 48 weeks tx and I used to drink but stopped the day before I began tx.
About half way into tx, I started to drink again. Just a beer or two but then it began to escalate to 5 or 6 beers anight and then I began to throw in a few shots of Tokillya also.

It was like I felt so just messed up in my head and would have panic and anxiety attacks and a beer would help calm those and make me forget about how messed up I was in the head. Then, if one beer made me feel better, 10 beers have got to be better than that!
I would leave work for lunch and go to the pub across the street and just sit there and drink and talk to the bar keep.I really would go with the intention of having one beer and a sandwich, but it just made me feel so much better and alive that I would stay til it was time to go home at about 5 in the PM.

Near the end of my tx, i was doing this every day of the week. My bar tab was running in excess of $1,200 / month. That's alot of beer!

I did lose control of everything too. I got worse after tx and for about 6 months post. With the help of my better half, Nicole, I managed to make it through.
I cleared and I do have a beer or two on occassion, but have it all under control now.

Funny you should post this. Someone here on the board just posted the same topic and qustion today.

Also a footnote here......You said that your husband could not wait for you to finish tx.  Well, be sure he understands that it will take you some time post tx to get back to your old self....it doesn't happen over night.


Good luck to you and don't worry about whinning here on the board. This is the place to do it!
Earl

[DougV]

It does happen and no you sure aren't the only one.  Fortunately not often.  It is supposed to reduce your chance of successful treatment, but as you can see from Earl it doesn't always have a negative impact.  You might try taking Chantix.  It is approved for quiting smoking but there is indication it is helpful in other forms of addiction, including food and alcohol.  Heck if you happed to smoke you might even get two for one.

Hey Earl, did you see one of our girls is refusing to talk in regards to some dude's death?  Hope she knows if she needs help all she's gotta do is send her jet on down to get me.

Doug

[negative1]

Yes, I was one of the lucky ones and cleared. But I WOULD NOT RECCOMEND MY METHOD!

Like tx doesn't mess you up enough...throw some booze in there and see just how bad your head can get!

And if you are on any anti anx meds, there is a real cocktail for ya!

Those types of meds work on the same portion of your brain......if ya have one left....that booze does.

Really fight off the temptation to do it! It s a quick fix, but has lasting implications and will hamper your efforts to fight off this dragon!

I would suggest smoking a bowl....ummm...now THERE iis a great idea!


Earl

[beember]

Thanks guys for your advice.  I know i shouldn't do it, but should i tell my doctor about having a drinking splurge?  If i tell him do you think he'd take me off tx?  i have my ups and downs about my tx.  some days i ready to just quit and other days i really want to stick.  I just don't have any comfort talking to my dr.  I wish they could give me a chill pill or sumthing....... or ya a bowl...of cheeriors.  lol anyways thanks and i'm really gone to try to get a hold on this.  i'll be talking soon.

[Pancho and Lefty]

Does this sound like depression to anyone else? If it's the case, drinking (a depressant) is not indicated. Or indicated for someone depressed who wants to off himself.

take care Beember

[luv2sleep]

Hey beemer,

These side effects are quite common, and you are not unique! I would look into anti-depressants and tranquilizers, and arrange for a time and place where you can be left alone.  Perhaps a long bath ,with music and candle light will fit the bill. Peace time is very important, as the TX can and will magnify stressors. Also, have your husband review some of the numerous past threads with you pertaining to these vary issues. Use this board to vent and ask questions, we are a small subset that understands!

                    Hang Tuff

                                       L2S
                                 
             

[sharasmile]

HEY BEEMER,

I MUST ADMIT THAT I DIDN'T DRINK AT ALL DURING TX. BUT WHEN THEY STOPPED TX 3 WEEKS AGO..

THAT WAS WHEN I WENT ON MY BINGE  

THE BEST SUGGESTION I CAN GIVE YOU IS TALK WITH YOUR DOC.

I DIDN'T HAVE ANY DEPRESSION . I WAS JUST ANGRY AT EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME  

MY DOC. PUT ME ON KLONOPIN . IT ACTUALLY HELPED TO CALM ME DOWN IN THOSE MOMENTS OF LOSING IT.

EARL KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT   HE HAS BEEN A GREAT FRIEND AND A HUGE HELP DURING  SOME OF MY MELT DOWNS

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A SUGGESTION TO YOU ...HAVE YOUR HUBBY SIT DOWN AND READ SOME OF THE POST ON HERE AND IT WILL HELP HIM GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH...THAT'S WHAT MY HUBBY DID AND ALL THE SUDDEN HE HAD A LIGHT BULB MOMENT

I FIND THIS TO BE SUCH A DEJA VU.  JUST YESTERDAY I LEFT THIS SAME QUESTION....LOL..

IF ALL ELSE FAILS LAUGH TIL YOU CRY THAT HELPS SOMETIMES

AND IF THAT DOESN'T WORK PUFF, PUFF,PASS.....LOL...

HUGS AND PRAYERS COMING YOUR WAY

SHARASMILE
                                                              

[Betty W.]

Beember, I am not on treatment, however, I can give you some very good advice.
When we have liver problems alcohol (in any form) is very bad for us.
Stress is not good either, I listen to very soothing music, either in a comfortable chair or in my bed. Think of nothing but
starting at your feet and going up to your head trying to relax. Go into your bedroom, close the door and just meditate, it is one of the best drugs available.
Yes I would tell my doctor everything You are going through, if he is a good person he will help you !
I willl keep you in prayer. please continue to post and let us know how you are feeling....
We are here for you, Love and Prayer Betty

[robin]

I'm thinking you need something for the ribavirin mood destroyer. Sounds like the meds that are trying to get rid of the virus are playing havoc with your mood. Are you taking anything and if so, maybe it needs adjusting. Maybe the hubby could take the kid and give you a couple hours alone. Sounds like classic riba-rage to me. Good luck and keep your spirits high...robin

[Kira]

Beember, it sound like the riba rage to me, too.  I was so anxious and angry on tx, caused by both the ribavirin and the interferon.

The xanex and pain meds helped me make it through tx, and the anti-depressants work for that, too.  Can you talk to your doctor or family dr about some meds to help you get through the awful mood issues that tx brings on?

Cris

[Pancho and Lefty]

beember,

I posted a hasty reply before. I've had a lot of experience with drinking. . . stopping . . . and staying stopped. There are women on this board who seem to have also. If I was one of them I'd PM my phone number.

Alcohol is not an indicated medication for anything. . . period.

Amber Jarrett is a Salt Lake County health dept nurse who facilitates the face to face group there. Her office number is listed in their site. If I was you, I hope I'd give her a call. She's sympathetic, knowledgeable, trustworthy and will talk to you about this.

http://www.hcaaf.org/

Don't try to get through this alone.

 

[beember]

Thanks for all your advice.   Will talk to my dr.  on the 15th and see what he says.   As for now i'm doing okay on the drinking part.  Four days no alcohol, hardest part is the weekend.  The alcihol seems to make me feel better but it also will make me nutty.... so i think i will try the other advice and smoke....  willl see though.  Anyways i checked out that site and i am gonna to get a hold of amber.  Anyway my spirits are alot higher today and things seemed to work out for me today.  I'm don't like to ask my dr. for drugs because i don't want to look like i am med seeking.  i should just get over that.

[beingbecky]

Beember,

Please get spme meds from the doctor, there are things you can take that are not addictive to help with anxiety and pain or riba rage. depression whatever.

Alcohol is definately not a solution.

Take care,

BECKY 

[kentucky]

anxiety is a side effect of the interferon.

i took effexor (anti-d) and it worked for me. i felt spacey the first week or two on it. and then i was fine.
it worked for me and i dont think i would have made it without it.
as i was having anxiety and insomnia.
was on tx. for 43 weeks.