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Stomach bloating and shooting pain

I have been a heavy drinker for 10 years and have been consuming 1 pint to a fifth of vodka per day for 9 months.  Today is my first day without alcohol.
I have tried to quit before but suffered severe anxiety, sweating, and shaking, the whole deal.  A friend gave me a few Benzos and I haven't had any issues today. Drinking lots of water.
I am very concerned that my stomach has swollen to the point that I look pregnant and I have gained 40 pounds in the past year.  I am also experiencing shooting pains on my right side.  
I am too upset about how I look to even see my friends.  I know I have to stop drinking.  Any comments about the pains, and most of all, will the bloating go away after no alcohol?  If so, how long does that usually take?
I would appreciate any advice and/or personal experiences.
12 Responses
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Avatar universal
Hi

We share a similar drinking history and symptoms that eventually lead me to the ER, a 14 day stay and a battery of procedures all relating to Cirrhosis unfortunately.

The bloating could be Ascites, a condition where fluid is trapped in the abdomen (Google it)
Let’s hope it’s not.
As to the pain, could be your liver, im not a physician but if you experience other symptoms or have began to notice changes in skin color, muscle wasting - with weight gain, I’d go immediately to a hospital.
I don’t want to alarm or scare you, but it could be a serious condition, or something or nothing, but only testing can produce the results either way.

Good luck on sobriety!
Jason
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Avatar universal
Good Morning KHeart. I'm just writing as I was thinking of you and was hoping you would let us know how you are doing.. You have support here if you want it as we do understand.. I wish you well KHeart. lesa
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3060903 tn?1398565123
Congratulations on your choice to quit drinking. I quit back in '99 and still have huge regrets for the time that i wasted polluting my body and my mind. I sure hope you can do whatever it takes to continue on your journey. AA is a great place to meet clean and sober friends, in early sobriety. Often we have to wait to socialize with even our own families if there is drinking associated with get together s , so it comes in handy to have people you can go out with, without having to be around the alcohol. You've had enough consequences with your drinking to use as an impetus as well which helps a lot.

Here's a little info on bloating due to alcohol i found, hope it helps.

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Take a break from alcohol and drink some water in between as it helps in getting rid of bloating. Water reduces the production of gas in the stomach.

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Over-the-counter medication like Beano, Alka Seltzer and Midol tablets, can be helpful in relieving excessive bloating and the discomfort associated with it.

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Exercising or walking for a while, can help relieve bloating. Certain yoga exercises and postures are also known to be effective.

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Avoid eating foods like broccoli, cabbage and wheat and grain products, that are known to cause bloating.

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Acupressure points on the little finger are known to effectively reduce alcohol bloating. Hold and press the tip of the little finger on each hand for around five minutes, thrice a day for this purpose.

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Soaking in a tub of lukewarm water and epsom salt will help deal with the gas and bloating.

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Avoid swallowing air by chewing gum, smoking and consuming aerated beverages.

Why Does Alcohol Bloat the Stomach Anyway?

A major reason behind alcohol-related bloating is the consumption of alcohol in large quantities (binge drinking) and after a long gap of time. The toxins and wheat or grain ingredients that alcoholic beverages contain, can cause the rapid loss of electrolytes from the body. The stomach tends to bloat because of the accumulation of sulfur-bearing gases in the gut wall. These gases even cause pain and abdominal discomfort that lasts for two or more days. The toxins also cause the face to bloat, along with swollen lips and puffy eyelids. Drinking alcohol can also impair the digestive system's ability to digest complex foods properly, which in turn, leads to the development of gas in the abdomen, causing bloating.

Love that you're here and hope you stick around. You have a wonderful attitude and thats all that's required to finally give up this ghost.
Keep us up to date, there's always a friend to be had in the program, and most of us have been there, myself included. God Speed.
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Avatar universal
I have been thinking about you and hoping you made thru day 4. When we stop drinking the smallest things can make us feel like drinking like being to happy our a lil sad our even bored all of these, our any strong emotion can cause us to relapse, especially early on.. All you can do is stat again..Well I do hope today is day 4 KHeart..  I look forward to a update..
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Avatar universal
It must be day 4 now ?, or maybe even 5 ? - I add my congratulations KHeart
I hear Your determination and I am elated that You have made this change for Your life !!

I Wish You Good Health And The Best Of Luck !!

Regards,
Tink
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Avatar universal
Congrats on day 3 KHeart !! Keep it going !
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Avatar universal
I am checking into that right now.  Thank you!  
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COMMUNITY LEADER
Congrats on day 3!With the Affordable Care Act,if you are not employed you are most likely eligible for a health care card.You should inquire @ this,it is not difficult to sign up and within a month you'll have a card and can get health care for conditions you have not been able to treat!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Wow Lesa thanks so much.  I completely relate.  I cancelled on so many friend and family events because it cut into my drinking time.  I am saddened about my behavior particularly over the past year. I lost my car, 2 great jobs, and friends due to drinking.  I am at the end of day 2 and I have been more active than I have been in months.  I also was tied to the house with my booze.  By the time most people were getting off work, going to dinner, etc. I was already drunk.  I refuse to live like that another day.  I have found an AA group in my area and will check it out.  I have been to AA many times, it is an excellent program but I was not ready to quit.  So thank you so much for responding, and here's to moving on to day 3!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Kheart Welcome to the forum. I'm glad to read you are feeling a lil better. You will definitely loose weight if you do not replace the alcohol with food. I also had a very large stomach from drinking It took awhile but the weight came off I had more energy I also was not sitting as I use to sit a lot at my table with my drink. I get out of the house much more as I do not have alcohol tying me too the house to my table and chair. I also did not see people as I was so unhappy with my appearance but also it would have cut into my drinking. Anything that effected my drinking came second our not at all. I'm not normally so selfish but when active in my addictions I was very selfish. Also benzos are addicting so be careful with your use, when you stop taking those you will probably face insomnia and the anxiety. You will just need to work thru this. AA would be a good support for you as it is very difficult to stay quit once symptoms hit.. Anyway I wanted to let you know Yes you will loose weight ! Congrats on your decision to quit It will be the best decision you have ever made ! I know it was for me and mine.. lesa
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Avatar universal
I currently am do not have insurance. This is day 2 of no alcohol and I woke up feeling a little less bloated, no pain and definitely refreshed with more energy.  No withdrawal symptoms.  I understand that the safest answer is to see a doctor but since unless it is a 911 emergency, its not a viable option for me. I was hoping someone could speak to their experience with weight loss after abstaining from alcohol. Thanks everyone so much.
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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
GET YOURSELF TO YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR ASAP!Sounds like some serious medical issues from this type of drinking!
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