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confused

Hi I am trying to cut down on drinking,,, I had a near death experience a few years back which set me into panic attacks the worst hing as I am sure any of you have experienced are aware of....not fun  ended up in hospital a few times i went on depression meds and xanax and finally weaned off those  then I got this job that I felt preassured into by family and felt incompitent i was a health and wellness coach ....go figure  I started getting panicy before calls had to go to the bathroom was so shaky, so I thought hey I will have a drink before I call these people..isn't that great...well it has escalated so much...i am no longer coaching but now get up shaking and sweating so i drink till it stops...if it starts again i drink more...is this craving?  if I have to drive anywhere or have a comitment it gets worse..i know some is anxiety of having a panic attack but also know alcohol plays a part. i am trying to cut down do i force myself through some of these shakes in order to cut down?  it just seems ny end of day i have had same amount any thoughts?
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Avatar universal
thanks so much for caring...I am doing better...my shakes have stopped for now but i still have a little work to do...I am so scared to stop completely, but have definitely cut back  I really think the kutzu is helping, thank you for your friend request ...not sure how that works but  I will try to figure it out, much appreciated will keep you posted!
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3060903 tn?1398565123
  Just go ahead and shake, it it's alcohol any little amount will stop the progression of your getting well. If it's anxiety, then you'll be able to get coping skills (without meds) from your psychologist. Until then girl, just go ahead and shake, it happens to so many, You're at home and no one is judging you harshly. We're here if you need us. I'm going to send you a friend request just in case you want to talk one day. Okay? Have a good week, don't sweat the small stuff. From another human jumping bean, Liz
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3060903 tn?1398565123
Hey atlanticgirl. that's what aa is all about, try to check it out.

STEP 12 HAVING HAD A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING AS A RESULT OF THESE STEPS WE TRY TO CARRY THE MESSAGE OF ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS AND PRACTICE THESE PRINCIPLES IN ALL OUR AFFAIRS".

I've misplaced my AA book but this is what i remember of it.  Hope your feeling well . Keep up the good work. You'll be okay. It will take a little time. This too shall pass (just as you did with your xanax, you can do this too). Keep posting. We need you as much as you need us. Hugs. Liz
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Avatar universal
I drank for my anxiety.......so i would just say this is my anxiety, should anyone need to know, i used "It is not an option" (Drinking that it). Best of luck getting the beast off your back. I think that it's great that you not go on any drugs because as you've found out they all have side effects and are hard to get off of. I think you're doing the exact things that you should be doing, QUIT
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3060903 tn?1398565123
Ii love your go to statement "This is a TEST and i have to PASS!!!".
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Avatar universal
sorry, i wrote this big long reply, not sure what happened, sorry you are dealing with anxiety too, no one can understand unless they've experienced it...it's a big ugly monster.  I am still not sure how I helped you but your compassion is felt.  what makes me so mad is that i have always been super layed back, always in control, outgoing, love to do things...now i am like a scared dog when it's lightnening outside...afraid of everyone and everthing and everywhere.  i am doing better though today I am trying this kudzu herb and really have no desire to drink, just doing a schedule to wean off so I don't shake too much.  someone is testing me though, my teenage son confided in me last night..something he and his friennds did, i thought I was going to lose it, but I did some deep breathing and kept telling myself things could be worse...funny but not funny, turns out i found out some other things today that were worse, thought i would surly need a lot to drink or take double xanax, but I didn't  i just kept telling myself it's a test and you HAVE to pass it. so far so good I am actually feeling pretty good about myself today which is a big change. thanks for getting back to me hope you get this and you're doing well
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3152614 tn?1343799178
No, haven't seen anything.
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Avatar universal
i sent you a reply but i don't see it, did you get it?
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3152614 tn?1343799178
I just had to comment this and show you some support. Not only does your struggle with the drinking touch me but your battle with anxiety as well. I haven't had to have a drink in a long time. But tonight, right before I got on here, my own anxiety was choking me. I'm unemployed and was feeling that familiar despair and fear, so I had to get out of myself. Already you have helped me.

One thing I learned when I quit drinking is that people, places and things drove me crazy. And controlled me. Most of it stemmed from fear. It wasn't the drink itself, but life that had me down for the count. Until I was willing for a change did I begin to get stronger and actually learn to live life, on lifes terms.

I don't know if any of this makes sense, but I do believe and have advised others experiencing withdraw to attend an AA meeting. There you will find individuals who have gone thru exactly what you are currently. You don't have to endure it alone. For the sake of your family and yourself, it is worth it. Like I said, drinking to merely get by in life is only a symptom of what is truly going on with us underneath, and an AA meeting could give you so much. I will have you in my thoughts and I truly thank you for helping me see tonight that I'm not alone.
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Avatar universal
hi nighthawk61...no I am not working right now, It was really what started this whole thing and it just spiraled, so I am on leave right now, so yes I am lucky to be home most the time. My husband knows about my panic from the past, but does not know about the drinking he has been so helpful, sometimes I can't even go to grocery store.  I am trying to set a schedule for the weaning...i don't get drunk, i just try to drink small amounts at a time to try to avoid shaking.  i do have an appointment with a psychiatrist(not until end of august hard to get in with these guys)...really don't want to go  on meds...i was on some depression meds when i had my incident and on beta blockers, i got myself off those and it was hard, but i keep telling myself if i did that, i can do this i am just not sure if the shaking is my anxiety, it is usually when i am thinking negative thoughts or a combination maybe if i just take a small dose of xanax when it happens, just don't want to mix the two...so glad you feel free, that's what I want ....my life back  thx
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Avatar universal
thanks for the post...yes i do have a low dose of xanax but am scared to take it because i dont think you're supposed to take when drinking...I did take one though about 5 in am because I was so anxious, it's 10;30 and so far so good...we'll see how the day goes on....my husband is out of town which i think adds to my anxiety because my kids are so dependent on me and I feel so much pressure, sounds so silly, he'll be back tomorrow, I am sure that will help thanks again
Helpful - 0
3060903 tn?1398565123
Hi Atlanticgurl - shaking is part of withdrawal, and once it starts showing itself your disease has progressed and you may never be able to drink again without experiencing these symptoms, Are you working right now? Do you have the precious time to deal with your withdrawal from alcohol and the access to a psychologist to discuss why you are having panic attacks and how to manage them without medication. All i know is, a whole bunch of us were in treatment. It was up to the client to ask and accept "something" to help with withdrawal; anxiety etc. The symptoms of both are related. Taking any drug is going to take time and pain. Our bodies become impervious to the meds and they alot of times must be "managed". IEarlier on, i put myself at the mercy of the drug companies to my detriment. The last time however, when i went into treatment i chose not to have any drugs "to help me get through". And when the last of the withdrawal was over, i was free. So, you gotta ask yourself this, is this your time; do you want to be free?
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Avatar universal

I would wean myself away from the alcohol within a few days. And even if you experfience the shaking just arrange it around the time you can be home to do this.  The sooner the better.

As for the panic attacks can't your Doctor prescribe something very mild that would just help you to get past this initial time. Also exercise is really great and you need to eat a very healthy diet.  Take good care of yourself.

It is very hard but I think so worth it in the end.  Good luck!!!!

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