6 months in

[briccolone]

Hi all- as it's all doom & gloom at present I thought I'd add a little cheer perhaps to say that Friday was for me 6 months alcohol free. Suppose I should celebrate that in some way but don't feel like it in the current climate. I have no idea what state my liver is in save to say that several of my symptoms, mild brain fog,ataxia, pruritus have all gone. So, still don't have a diagnosis and won't be getting one any time soon. Last place I want to be anywhere near right now is a clinic anyway. Hope everyone is bearing up under the lockdown. Stay safe. Best. k

[Laura009]

Well done ! All l can say is keep doing what you're doing and stay healthy and safe . That's celebration in itself 🎉🎊

[briccolone in reply to Laura009]

Thanks Laura-spot on-that's exactly how I feel...

[Laura009 in reply to briccolone]

😍

[Bootandall]

Hey that's fantastic! I'm sure you will find yourself feeling more energetic as the weather gets warmer and I hope you will celebrate in some small way. Maybe tuck a pair of clippers in your pocket on your next walk and collect the makings of a small bouquet? Pretty leaves on stems and flowering branches can be just as nice as blooms. Good job! x 👍😊

[briccolone in reply to Bootandall]

cheers Boot-working in the garden -it's really spring like at the moment

[Bootandall in reply to briccolone]

🌄🌷🐝

[ThreeSmiles]

Hi brick

Well done me ol’ fruit 👍. First 6 months isn’t easy so you have really done well and 🤞🤞as time goes by you should think less and less about the Vimto - if you haven’t already 😀👍.

So good that your symptoms are going! Shame you can’t get checked at the moment because that might have brought you some good news...

Continue the good work, eh! 👍

Miles

[Hidden]

Hi

That's fantastic news, onwards and upwards for you!! You should be really proud of yourself. Take care and stay safe. Lynne

[briccolone in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Lynne. Wish I could pass on some good tips for sleep... Best k

[Hidden in reply to briccolone]

Thank you! Hey , I've had e nights where I've had 3 hours!! Woo hoo!! A miracle for me!! Watch this, I won't get any tonight!! Take care and stay safe. Lynne

[alfredthegreat]

Great job bricco.

What a milestone !

All the best for the next 6 months

Alf

[briccolone in reply to alfredthegreat]

Cheers Alf. Think I'll give the doc a call in 2 months and get some repeat tests done just to see what's what? As coco says I'm lucky I don't need any treatment right now. Without having a diagnosis as such it's been a bit of a mental struggle but I'm actually proud to have kept an even keel. There's been a dodgy few weeks in Feb when I thought I was in real trouble. This forum has kept me on the straight and narrow though. 😀

[alfredthegreat in reply to briccolone]

I'm glad that the support on the forum really helped you.

Everyone on here wants the best for everybody.

Keep on posting

[briccolone in reply to alfredthegreat]

hear hear

[CocoChannel in reply to briccolone]

What happened in February if you don’t mind me asking?

[briccolone in reply to CocoChannel]

don't mind at all coco, stopped drinking back in mid-october-not doctors orders-just not feeling 100%. slowly started feeling a bit better just before Xmas although still not great. Mid Jan started getting mild brain fog, mild ataxia-which worsened in Feb-at that point no diagnosis so tried lactulose which helped sleep patterns. Mid feb I was feeling like crap tbh. Blood tests hadn't showed much. In the end I insisted on GGT tests which revealed elevated levels 130. was not a surprise to me so doctor wants to do some more tests in a month or so which is fine-he mentioned Gastro, So as mentioned brain fog has diminished to the extent that it's not readily apparent as has ataxia and low level pruritus. I have developed tinnitus though which i think is related.

[CocoChannel in reply to briccolone]

☹️ Yikes. No wonder you were down in February. Take it easy 🙂

[briccolone in reply to CocoChannel]

cheers coco

[Hidden]

Hi Bricco

Here's our congratulations gift to you from us all 🎖

Well done !

With love from your forum friends x

[briccolone in reply to Hidden]

Lovely thanks

[buckldgl]

Well done. You are an inspiration

[briccolone in reply to buckldgl]

Not sure about that buck but I certainly appreciate the sentiment cheers

[CocoChannel]

I’ll celebrate with you as that’s a major milestone. As well as the improved health you mentioned, I bet you’re thanking your lucky stars you quit in earnest before this current situation kicked off.

Anyone in the early stages of weaning themselves off alcohol now with the added stress that Coronavirus has brought us all has it doubly hard.

So six months and counting, all of your symptoms have gone?

Well done again 👍🙂

[briccolone in reply to CocoChannel]

Very much so, all symptoms? Not entirely sure - digestive system much improved as well . Still have some refered left shoulder pain but even that seems better. Not entirely sure what's going on? Bearing in mind my age and history it could just be taking a long time to clear up. One thing about covid-19 no socialising so no pressure to drink- not that this was an issue anyway. Cheers

[Hidden]

Congratulations on your abstinence! These very difficult times can cause havoc on those not disciplined enough still! I don't blame you for not wanting to go in to a clinical setting right now. Home seems safest unless an absolute emergency, it seems. Proud of you. Stay safe. Be well.

[briccolone in reply to Hidden]

Appreciate it vwoo stay safe

[Hidden]

Good morning briccolone,

Congratulations on your abstinence!

I can see your forum friends are here to support and encourage you .

It is lovely to share your positive experiences too - I am sure it will give hope and inspiration to others

Take care and stay safe,

Trust9

[briccolone]

And a good morning to you Trust9 -many thanks. In the absence of access to conventional NHS care services right now I'm sure this forum has a heightened importance. . kind regards and stay safe.

[davianne]

Well Done Bricco. It always gives encouragement to pass milestones like this.....you know you are doing well, which makes the next milestone seem much nearer.👍👍👍😊

David

[briccolone]

much appreciated David....

[Jay1948]

Many congratulations. What worked for me was not counting the days. I suppose I was lucky I have no idea where I got the will power from. Kept telling myself it doesn't matter how long, what matters is not to drink again. We all tackle our problems in different ways. . Your way is working for you and that's great news.

[briccolone in reply to Jay1948]

yeah for me it's just a diary marker-I'm not thinking about alcohol-at all. I don't even want to drink...I was never dependent on it-just drank too much for too long. I just miss wine when out in restaurants-but hey restaurants are so last month....

[Chaz3125]

Fantastic news well done. I’m like you 5 months alcohol free and at the moment I’m feeling great and don’t even want to have an alcoholic drink even the smell makes me feel sick. Again congrats your smashing it xx

[briccolone in reply to Chaz3125]

nice one Banni...how was Xmas? mine was dullish a distant memory.....

[Chaz3125 in reply to briccolone]

Christmas was ok to be honest. The only thing I missed was my champers with my fry up but went for orange juice lol xx

[briccolone in reply to Chaz3125]

Tangerine juice with sparkling water's not bad ...

[Loobylou72]

Hi Bricco

Congrats on your milestone. I'm new to the forum and it's great to see the support and kinds words everyone shares with each other. You deserve all the medals and high fives as you have kept going when a diagnosis isn't clear. I'll follow your journey now and send you best wishes

LoobyLou

[ThreeSmiles in reply to Loobylou72]

Hi Loobylou

Welcome to our forum! Although I see you have been with us quite a while👍. You have a very very rare illness from what I have read....Hope you are managing OK.

Miles

[Loobylou72 in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Thanks. Yes I have two rare conditions one in my liver and the other in my blood which is chronic. Woop. I signed up to the forum when I was in hospital for surgery but then didn't do anything as just spent time feeling tired and wallowing in self pity! I'd love to be able to sleep, that still eludes me at the moment. Lou

[briccolone in reply to Loobylou72]

Welcome and thanks LoobyLou-this is indeed a great forum and a great source of knowledge from those you've been through it and going through it. If you have any questions-post away...we're friendly here...

[Loobylou72 in reply to briccolone]

Thanks I'm still working through how to sleep better, having a memory a sieve would be embarassed by and being itchy. Oh and I am really struggling with not exercising as much I've run three marathons and love manic exercise, so this has all been a real shock to the system!

[briccolone in reply to Loobylou72]

3 marathons-wow...I'm not in your league.....I do some light weights-occasionally LOL

[Hidden in reply to briccolone]

Lifting the odd Snickers bar 😜

[briccolone in reply to Hidden]

damn-yes I admit it.....LOL

[Loobylou72 in reply to briccolone]

Chocolate on sofa watching Netflix is not a bad alternative. I have had four operations on my knee. I run with the lightness of an elephant in Doc Martins!!

[Hidden in reply to briccolone]

Hi Briccolone/Soul Gym Mat! Lol

3 Marathons! Impressive indeed! I've only done one in 1989 up hill on a hot sunny day .....never again 👎

I too miss the manic exercise !

Trish

[briccolone in reply to Hidden]

you've fallen out of an aircraft though....

[Hidden]

Hi again gym buddy

Well you could always join me next time around or I can join you ?

Byeeze gym buddy x

[Loobylou72]

I hate hills. Well done on sky dive. My son did one and said it was amazing although was v nervous beforehand. He is training to be a Doctor now. Makes me proud as NHS staff really doing an amazing job.