Day 42/6 weeks. Hot damn, 6 weeks! That certainly cheered me up this morning! To be honest, folks, I’ve been feeling pretty despondent so far, even had a bit of a cry out of pain and worry and a dash of self-pity. I woke up in the worst pain, my joints not only ache but I’m having sharp pains and muscle/tendon soreness and stiffness. This getting old is a bitch! I definitely pushed it too hard this weekend, and possibly was pushing through a bit of an arthritis flare up when I shouldn’t have. It does have my hypochondriac mind racing a bit, though. I knew I had some arthritis in my thumbs and my feet, in particular (and my mom has the same, so there is a hereditary element), but since I quit drinking it seems to be getting worse. Plus, usually when I get up and around in the morning things loosen up and I start feeling better. Not today. Now, I know that I was numbing a lot, including physical pain, with booze. My husband also reminds me I have been more physically active in the last weeks than in the months prior, so that could be part of it, too. As I am typing this, my hands are stiff and my thumbs are twinging with pain, but I guess feeling a bit better. It’s a good thing I am not glued to my phone like some, or my thumbs would be way worse off, I think! ANYWAY…trying to find a doctor in a pandemic has proven to be a challenge and I kind of gave up. I still haven’t seen a doctor in a long time, don’t even have a designated primary care physician. This week I’ll call my insurance company to help me find someone and get the ball rolling. Thanks, fam, for reading my worried rant today. I know one thing for certain, drinking won’t help anything and it’s not even an option in my mind. If anything, it made things worse and my body is still healing - hopefully! Much love on this Monday.
Congratulations! And I’m sorry that you’re not feeling well. My father has psoriasis and that eventually leads to arthritis as well, it’s hard to see someone in that kind of pain. I really hope you’ll get help to find a doctor soon. Pa claims that hot baths and rosehip (we have rosehip soup here in Sweden) has helped. But unfortunately that’s not scientific. But maybe you can find some homeremedies like herbal tea or something to ease tha pain while you’re getting help to find a doctor.
Hopefully you don’t have to wait to long.
I’m sending all the positive vibes I’ve got your way.
Stay safe and get well soon 
Thanks, friend! I used to take fish oil supplements, so I’ll start on those again, and I’m going to do the cleanse that @IcanIwill Kayla suggested once I find it. Also, today is day 1 of starting my sugar reduction plan to reduce inflammation. I already take some herbal supplements that have curcumin (turmeric) and dandelion root, among other things. I’ve started doing cold and hot treatments, and as much as I do NOT enjoy baths, it might be necessary to do that with Epsom salt. So, yes, trying all the natural things I can! I’ll have to look up the rosehip idea, thanks for that. I appreciate the well wishes.
Day 8 - getting so much more done - my resting pulse is now 14 beats below my last drinking day pulse. Lots of AF drinks in the house. Still having cravings but managing them better. Checking in here is a real motivator to stying sober. Thank you for all your support.
Day 23. Looks like I’m headed back to Lake Charles for work for a few days this week. The good thing is that I get to take my dog with me. Today I am focusing on letting things go. The only thing I can control is me and my actions. Everyone else can be late, no show, run around like headless chickens. That’s not my business. My business is making sure I show up on time, do my job to the best of my ability, be kind but maintain my boundaries. That’s what I can control. I can make sure I don’t drink today.
@Nordique It was great to read your post, because it was exactly what I was thinking about all morning.
@RosaCanDo congratulations on six weeks! That’s awesome! I’m sorry you’re not feeling well, physically, and I hope you feel better soon.
Congrats on your 6 weeks. And a bigger congratulations on realizing drinking isn’t going to help a bit. Sorry you’re illin. I hope you get better soon.
You were surprised by your friends reaction.
It’s funny how we as the addict build this up to be something that it really isn’t.
We have to remember that this is our choice. We are wrong to live our life’s requiring other people’s acceptance.
If someone has a problem with our choice, then that is entirely on them!
I’m a member of a Faceache group that is centered around the mountain endurance event I did the other week.
The amount of guys on there who, once furloughed, decided to stop drinking because they knew what would happen if they didn’t.
They didn’t think they had a problem, just that being home all day doing nothing might create a problem.
These guys are now six months in and thinking wow. I feel good.
They are celebrating and posting on the Faceache page their achievements.
Everyone is praising them.
What I’m trying to say here is, we, as addicts can be very sensitive about this. Most people really don’t care.
Hell, checking daily…new to staying sober and new to being sober…I’m looking forward to being a part of the community and gaining support daily, thank you
Congrats on 6 weeks sober twin!! I’m so sorry you’re not feeling well. 
does anything help with it? I hope you take it a little easy today and get to feeling better! Find you a good doctor!
Ahhh I want to give up sugar too. It’s so bad for us and it’s in everything! I read a study once about rats brains lighting up for sugar the same way as they do when given cocaine. It’s insane and so addictive!
I must say that I know how you feel. I live alone and I (mostly) work alone. I’ve pretty much given up on the idea of meeting a woman.
After all, I’m not rich, I’m not what you could call young, and I’m certainly not good-looking, so I don’t know what the hell I could offer anyone.
I’ve tried internet dating and all the rest, for years. It never works out, I always end up disappointing.
So there it is… I stay alone.
It’s probably for the best… at least for everyone else.
Congrats to you, too, lady! Doesn’t it feel like a big deal?!?
For the arthritis, after alternating hot and cold packs, taking Aleve and doing some light stretches, I’m finding some relief. That plus rest seems to help in the moment. I got a list of doctors from the insurance company and have started making calls. Same old story as the last time I tried, insurance says they’re accepting new patients, I call their office and “no, due to the pandemic we are not accepting new patients.” All I can do is keep trying. If it gets worse I can use a telemedicine urgent care that my husband’s employer added to our insurance recently, so that’s somewhat comforting.
I hope it doesn’t come to that but at least you have that option if it does!
Hey everyone, checking in with 38 days.
I managed to get out early for my first walk of the day, then visited a friend until lunchtime, he made us both salad for lunch so that was a nice treat instead of a meal replacement product. I’ve managed to lose 16.2 lbs so far, so I’m pleased about that, but also just treating my weight-loss/ED recovery, one day at a time, just like sobriety.
I made it out for my 2nd walk without too much deliberation. I’m still preferring audiobooks to music, I feel like it’s healthier for my brain too.
Having a pain flare-up, fairly convinced it’s to do with the drastic change in the weather and my increased activity and pushing through injuries, but I will persist, because if I stop, it takes me forever to restart anything 
A better Monday than last week overall 
Day 42 or 6 weeks! I’ve just been at work this morning. It’s been a busy day. After work I’m going to see my aunts new house and for a walk with my dogs and my mom. I’m feeling so so. Sleep was elusive last night so I’ll go to bed early tonight and hope for better!
So, as the meme says… I should stop drinking coffee. And, sadly, I think that will have to be the case. I was already weening off caffeine (because it really is a problem for me), but I was going to save coffee for last.
However, I’ve been having a lot of health problems and I cut coffee for a couple of days (and upped my Monster intake to counter balance because I have a problem), and I noticed my symptoms in the morning were considerably less. It’s hard because I’m something of a coffee nut. I love a good light roast from an air roaster. I’m that person who grounds their own beans every morning. I have very poor hearing and eyesight so my body has made up for that by having a very keen sense of smell and taste, so I’m one of those annoying people who tastes everything as if I owned my own cooking show. 
Anyway, it’s not an easy cut for me, but I’m going to do it. My plan is to be off all caffeine by the end of the month.
Besides that, I’m still clean though honestly I’ve been struggling a little in that area mentally, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
Have a great day all!!
@anon79808082 You know, I get so far behind on this thread that I end up scrolling through quickly, often not stopping to offer a comment because the thread has moved on, but I simply had to pause and tell you how sorry I am about your brother. How utterly heartbreaking to have your brother disappear, but what a dream you had too. It seems to me that he loves you very much. I’m so glad you and your sister talk on this day to remember him.
@Dazercat 290 days is amazing and you should definitely be proud. I’m sorry about your loneliness associated with your wife. I have a taste of what you must be feeling with my ex. It’s hard to be sober/clean and have your other be there physically but that’s it. I hope that she will be okay.
@Dragonflygirl82 Oh my god, I’m so sorry to hear that about your tenant 
You’ve been through so much this year!
Evening peeps. How we all doing? Ive actually had a good day. Ive been chilled and calm. Ive also noticed that im finding it easier to not get so stressed out. Even if someone cuts me up on the road etc I dont straight away get road rage etc. If i feel myself starting to lose it I seem to be able to talk to myself and calm down really quickly. Its made such a difference.
Day 328 no alcohol. My sugar intake is still pretty high but I don’t think that’s so bad. Will work on it gradually.
Goodnight everyone.
Needed this! And congratulations!