Sickness and nausea, 70 days since mild heart attack, which resulted in sudden alcohol withdrawal.

[Damaris1]

Hello, I have regular episodes of sickness (mostly bile) since 24 hours after being put on medication for mild heart attack. The three days in hospital meant I went into alcohol withdrawal cold turkey and had a rough time with DT's. Is the sickness caused by Protracted alcohol withdrawal? I regularly visit my GP who doesn't seem concerned as my many test results are fine and my latest liver check shows it has completely healed. I panic a lot and find it difficult to believe I will get better. Please can anyone reassure me. Thank you.

[Yumz199725]

Ahh hun that sounds awful is it possible it's a side effect from medication?? Hope you feel better soon x

[Damaris1 in reply to Yumz199725]

Hi Yumz, and thank you for replying. I'm currently, with consent from my GP, trying to eliminate them one by one. There are 2 possible ones, the aspirin and the Clopidogrel. I'm hoping that it's only that. It's quite stressful. I'll keep you informed.

[Survivor1952]

I had 5 weeks in hospital, I was drinking a pint of beer a day and a whisky a day as a minimum prior to being admitted. No reaction at all to lack of alcohol and not gone back to it either.

[Cavalierrubie]

The body has a wonderful way of healing itself so think it’s just a case of time before you will settle down and feel better. It’s a great shock to be diagnosed with a heart condition and that will cause you anxiety and panic. You don’t say how much you had been drinking but would think stopping cold turkey would upset your metabolism. It does sound as if you are perhaps having side effects from your medication so if it doesn’t get better l would see GP. You will be ok and you will get better. You should have some follow up appointments and l am sure you will be looked after and monitored. I know it’s difficult, but try not to worry and let nature take its course. It’s early days and you will smile again.

[Damaris1 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Hello Cavalierubie, I'm feeling more positive already, having read these replies. I've spent days googling so many things and driven myself frantic. It does seem likely that the heart attack, failed attempt to get stent fitted, allergic reaction to dye and being told I'd picked up gastro enteritis in hospital, didn't help. Within 24 hours of taking heart medication I was affected with gastro enteritis symptoms but that's now been ruled out as it keeps coming back. My liver has fully recovered but I think perhaps it's my stomch lining which has still to repair. Thank you for getting in touch.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Damaris1]

👍. Good to hear you so positive. Dr Google takes over the day if you go to him! Stick with your GP. Hope things soon settle down for you. Getting gastroenteritis on top of everything else just messed your recovery up. Take it easy, you are not in a race, slow and steady. You will get stronger and stronger as the days go by. I wish you well and well done for stopping the alcohol. It is hard, but as Del Boy would say “You know it makes sense.” Let us know how you get on and take care.

[Damaris1 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

I replied to you but can't find it. I'll keep looking, Cushdie

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Damaris1]

😂😂😂

[Blearyeyed]

You've had two health issues bash you at once so although it is 70 days on, the combination of the heart attack , getting used to any medications , and alcohol withdrawal; followed by the body recovering , can still cause feelings of sickness and nausea.

If you are also feeling stressed and anxious about what has happened that can also upset your stomach and make you feel sick even without the other illnesses still affecting you.

Are you taking any medications?

It's worth noting if the symptoms get worse after certain medications to see if it's possible to be put on to an alternative that makes you feel less sick?

It's also worth keeping a daily symptom diary .

Noting in it what you do , what you eat and drink, and when any symptoms come on. With this you may notice a particular pattern arising showing that the nausea happens during or after certain meals or activities. You can then adapt those activities , or avoid them, or any foods that add to the problem. You may also need to pace your day with a balance of rest and activity especially if you e tried to just jump back into normal activities without building up your ability to cope with that physical stress again.

If your symptoms are being caused by understandable Anxious feelings after your recent trauma learning to relax when you feel nauseous by sitting with eyes closed and using deep controlled breathing will help settle your blood pressure and nausea.

Drinking the recommended water each day especially during physical activity ; and before , during and after a meal also helps reduce nausea .

Have you been to Cardio Rehab yet?

If not , it may well be a good time for the GP or Cardiologist to refer you because this can help you build up more strength and confidence after an event.

It may also be worth requesting your GP or Cardio team for referral for talking therapy , or a CBT relaxation and mindfulness either face to face or online to help you learn the techniques to cope with any of the symptoms that could be being triggered by both the effect of having a heart attack and the big change that has occurred no that you have stopped drinking alcohol.

Believe me , the Mental Health support is usually the missing piece in the post illness treatment puzzle which is makes all the difference in getting back to normal again.

Hope you get the help you need to get through this , take care , Bee

[Damaris1 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Hello Blearyeyed, Thank you so much. Lots of articles say it's not physical symptoms connected to paws but I'm hoping you are right and my sickness possibly is, It seems to make sense. I do most of what you advise, except, i must do more excercise. I'm waiting for a place for the rehab treatment but i must make more effort. I was very unbalanced on my feet when I was discharged and have only discaded my walking frame this week. I'm still a bit unsteady but way better than a couple of weeks ago. I really appreciate your reply, it's all becoming more positive to me. Thankyou.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Damaris1]

More exercise at first means taking it slow and getting your confidence back. If you need a walker still take it easy and get used to using it . Just keeping moving helps. but a few minutes a time through the day is better than pushing too hard doing long walks or endless repeats if exercise when you begin.You could try some gentle stretching exercises in a comfy stable chair. 5 minute strolls on a flat surface. Just a few things to get used to movement again .

And although most articles may say that physical symptoms are t connected to PAWS , they aren't talking about a person going through PAWS and recovering from a heart attack at the same time. Having both conditions will make the symptoms that happen during recovery for both illnesses feel worse.

Take it slow , try to keep positive and patient and you will get there. Bee

[Damaris1 in reply to Blearyeyed]

I've never been one for excercise but your reply has spurred me on. (Just needed some encouragement perhaps) I'll do that tomorrow, then report back. I knew I should be doing something but it's been too easy to lie on the sofa and wrap myself in a blanket and lie and ponder. Yourself and others on here are an inspiration for me. You have all made someone much calmer and able to cope. Thank you all for putting a smile on my face, for the first time in weeks x

[Blearyeyed in reply to Damaris1]

I'm glad you are inspired but do remember take it easy at first.You don't want to go from 0-100 , it never works and will have you back on the sofa. You need to build up your strength and stamina at first , especially if you weren't a regular exerciser before your heart attack.

Consistency is key with exercise and pacing yourself is essential to that. Work from within your comfort zone and just do the minimum to begin with, then when that feels too easy add in a tiny a bit or do a few minutes more.

And always give yourself a pat on the back for any activity you try, because just trying regularly is more important than how fast you go or how long you keep going. Exercise and Activity should feel like guilt free fun not a chore if you are going to keep it up.

Remember the old story , it's the slow and steady tortoise that wins the race not the fast and frantic hare.

I'm looking forward to reading your posts in the future and seeing how much you improve , not just because of the exercise but in all aspects of your recovery like confidence and positive thoughts about the future. Take care , Bee

[Damaris1 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Good afternoon. Sorted out in my mind last night after settled in bed, what I'd try to achieve today. Although I never go for walks, I love dancing, so today had ten minutes jigging about to country music (trying to line dance) Really enjoyed it as it wasn't like a duty.

Because of my sickness problem I am careful what I eat but threw caution to the wind last night as all I fancied was curry and chips. To my amazement I haven't been sick. Of course I realise Paws doesn't follow rules so perhaps it's my turn for a few good days again.

I can't remember what else I'd planned but it was something to do with housework, so I will skip it. I've also decided to get a cleaner for two hours a week. I have saved a fortune by not drinking and smoking so can afford it. I'll get her to clean the windows and wash the paintwork as I seldom got round to it. Snooze time now. Take care all, hope you have a pleasant day x

[Blearyeyed in reply to Damaris1]

Sounds like a good plan.I must admit I often get my little bursts of exercise just getting up and dancing to music I like in the living room, much more fun than a treadmill.

The occasional food treat is something we all do from time to time. If you are eating healthily the majority of the time it's good to have a little of what you fancy.

Exercise and Eating should still feel like a pleasure and not a punishment.

[scentedgardener]

Can you ring your local alcohol advisory service? In this area it's the drug and alcohol service. I had to stop a painkiller before a procedure, couldn't understand why I felt so ill. I rang the local service, and they told me that given the dose I was on and the length of time I'd been taking them they would have insisted I take methadone for the withdrawal symptoms. This was prescribed medication, I had discussed it on drug reviews with GP, nobody told me this could happen.They should be able to tell you if your symptoms are typical, how long they might last, or if they might be connected with your medication.

[Damaris1 in reply to scentedgardener]

I keep replying to everyone but hardly any of thwm are here. I'll sort it tomorrow. I don't think i'm clicking the right link to send, sorry folks.

[Deejay62]

Hi Damaris, it sounds awful what you’re going through. Try your Gp again and explain everything. There as been some very good suggestions of help you can seek. Don’t be alone this group is always here to support you also. I hope you’re able to get medical help because if you’re throwing up there’s a chance the medication won’t be working in you.

Let us know how you get on and I wish you all the best.

[Damaris1 in reply to Deejay62]

Deejay62, Thank you. I will certainly keep in touch. It's a lifeline. Actually it's been one of my better days today. That's something else I've learned, no two days are the same. I have seen 5 different GP's since I got home and they all seem to have a different approach. Haven't been sick today, since I stopped the aspirin (with Doc's consent as a trial)