You’re cracking me up! Can’t wait to see how this unfolds.
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@C_8 on the point of being honest, I made a list of they key things I wanted to get across in my appointment. I thought there might be a risk of me minimising everything when I got round to saying it out loud. Turned out I bawled my eyes out through the whole appointment so the list was useful anyway, I just handed it over.
Let us know how it goes 
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That’s a great idea. I have so much in my head, I’d probably just ask for a flu shot!
It’s after midnight, so I’ll try to go to sleep now. I’ll have time to write it down tomorrow. I also have my notes from my last therapy session 
Thank you!! 
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Yes, write down all the things!
This is a process, that’s for sure, but it’s a process that will, at some point, make your life a lot more manageable. It is a lot like recovery in how we always have to maintain it, how it will change, ebb and flow. It took me a while to figure this out and a little while more to accept it. Now, it’s just another part of my life.
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Update:
Thank you all for your input. Back from my doctors appointment. Day 41 AF.
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Dr. commented on how well prepared I was, with my notebook/lists.
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I was totally honest. His comment: I don’t think that’s the volume you told me previously. Nope, it wasn’t. Sorry. I’m an addict.
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Ultimately prescribed 10mg Fluoxetine (generic Prozac). Follow up in 4 weeks.
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BP lower than it’s been in years. Yay to not drinking!
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Lost 9lbs since last visit. Yay to not drinking!
6… and I did get a flu shot 
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH 
PS: He hadn’t heard of PAWS. I wasn’t surprised.
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That is all such great news!!! Thanks for the update; I’m betting you will start to feel much better soon. And congrats on the weight loss and the blood pressure!
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Awesome! Nailed it, if you ask me.
10mg fluoxetine was exactly where I started dose wise. At 2 week follow up I basically told my doctor things felt like they were still changing and adjusting so we’d follow up at 4 weeks instead rather than make a decision about the future of it. So quite similar to your plan overall!
I did get side effects at first but they died down between days and weeks.
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Sounds like it went really well!! Good job!!
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Especially on point 2: WOW, you were killing it. That is just so brave! I never managed, and i wish i could one day
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Happy for you Cate. Well done.
My GP hadn’t heard of PAWS either.
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Sounds like a successful appointment all around! So brave of you to be brutally honest with him and just lay it all out there. That’s the only way to really get what we need. Well done lady!
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This is so cool where is this from?
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PS: He hadn’t heard of PAWS. I wasn’t surprised…
I am not surprised either. Prozac is a great start but I feel that most of us here is passed the Prozac state. Most doctors are not educated enough about the medications. They get some info from the drug company reps.
I would say read read read about credible publications.
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Sorry for not getting to this earlier. I’ve had lots going on and have wanted access to a computer/keyboard but haven’t had it. The biggest help to me for anger has been learning how to become effective with mindfulness. I learned about this from walking through thoughts with my counsellor and from group sessions I took through public health (Mental Health and Substance Use clinic), but I have also found the Youper app really useful for guiding myself through finding mindfulness when I don’t have the presence of mind to guide myself. Youper will talk you (text) through thinking about it and finding a healthy perspective and also lead you with audio in guided mindfulness exercises. My goal with mindfulness is to get an arm’s length from my emotions and observe them, understand them, gain perspective, and it doesn’t make the anger go away but it helps it look smaller and helps me believe I can manage it.
I also find prayer immensely helpful. Doesn’t have to be spiritual or addressed to a HP but practicing and speaking out a perspective of caring about the person you’re angry with and genuinely wanting healing and improvement for them is powerful. Though difficult at first. It also helps see the other person as human rather than enemy. I don’t have it handy but @aircircle has shared a prayer before that is very good for this.
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Not the first time I’ve posted this, but sounds like it might be the kind of thing you need to hear at the moment 
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Wellbutrin is a great choice as an antidepressant. Saved my life. It also helps with addiction which is great. When it comes to medications, they have to be tailored for each person.
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Hi driftwood, checking in with you. Hoping you have found relief to your depression and struggles. I drank heavily for 38 years. I was diagnosed w/ severe anxiety that lead to major clinical depression in 1994. In March, 2022 I had a major psychotic episode and was hospitalized, resulting in Bipolar 1 diagnosis. Looking back, believe I’ve been bipolar most of my life. Turned to alcohol to self-medicate myself and numb my feelings from an abusive and traumatic childhood. The psychosis happened well into sobriety. The bipolar1 diagnosis was hard to accept. I didn’t know much about the disorder. I was especially difficult to diagnose as I’ve been a successful entrepreneur and sales professional throughout my life. But knowing what I know now, I was classic bipolar. I’m still learning to adapt to my disorder but adding alcohol is the worst thing I can do. I meet with my therapist weekly, my psychiatrist monthly and have an unshakable faith in God. I know that when I let go of my death grip of fear, He makes my paths straight. I let go of His hand on occasion and run off in my own direction, when I return, my life returns to a nice equilibrium again.
I am doing better than ever and am grateful for my sobriety, my friends, my family, my home, my car, my attitude of gratitude. All the best to you Driftwood.
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Oh I felt this so hard! It can be hard to come on this app and see everyone very far into their sobriety, radiating positivity. I love to see it, but a part of me wonders if I’ll ever get there when I’m struggling so much.
Day 16 and similar to you, anxiety hit me like a wall. I developed a fear of driving and I’m really struggling with depression as well. I don’t have any advice, just know that there are others fighting right along side you. You are not alone 
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@driftwood i see you havnt posted in a while and hope your well. You are not alone. Im 5 years off alcohol and still have crippling anxiety. And once the anxiety calms down i get depressed because WHY THE HELL AM I LIKE THIS? WHY WHY WHY EFFING WHY?!
outbursts follow, holes end up in walls and the wife gets scared im going to end up doing something stupid.
The only thing thats stopped me from slipping during these attacks has been going to the ER. Probobly not the best advice but everytime i thought i was so anxious i was going to drink, i went straight to the ER.
I probably [definitely lol] have some undiagnosed issues but am hopefully going to get to the bottom of it sooner than later.
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