Am I dying or what???

Here is a letter I wrote my mom today who also suffers from severe dizziness and vertigo. Any input would be appreciated...

Hi Mom

I just wanted to touch base with you again and thank you for the information regarding your dizzy spells and also tell you that I have begun taking Singulair which has really worked well for my pollen/pet allergies. On another note and regarding my dizziness/vertigo, in the beginning, I had no problem with drinking alcohol but after continued use (unlike years ago when I used to drink), I would wake up with severe dizziness after an evening of drinking. Then, it got worse and I would get dizzy in the evenings once the alcohol wore off. Sometimes the dizziness would be very alarming - to the point where I was close to going to the ER. I don't understand how years ago I was able to put down a whole case of beer every night for a year and a half and feel just fine but this "time around", I have just 3-4 beers and I get really dizzy a few hours later. Perhaps I have an underlying condition that is being exaserbated by the alcohol but I've had a zillion tests and everything always comes back "normal". Anyway, the good news is that I've been drinking less and less and am not drinking at all now because of this. About a week ago I begged God to help me stop drinking. Looks like I'm getting my wish but OUCH!...I just hope the dizziness is nothing serious.

I also get pricking, tingling, hot flashes, numb spots, muscle tremors/spasms, tickling, fluttering in ears, and all kinds of other crazy things from time to time. Sometimes I feel like something sinister is brewing inside me but all tests seem to show that I'm the perfect picture of health so who knows. Even anxiety sufferers get sick sometimes.

On another note, I do take a 1mg Lorazepam every morning at about 8-9AM and begin drinking at about 3:00PM (3-4 beers or a couple glasses of gin and soda). I've often thought that perhaps the Lorazepam and alcohol were interacting and causing my dizziness but that does'nt make any sense because I usually take a second 1mg Lorazepam again in the evenings and I actually feel slightly better (you'd think if the Lorazepam/alcohol mixture were to blame I'd actually get dizzier!). Also, years ago when I used to drink (I quit for several years) I would pop a benzo here and there and NEVER had any dizziness or vertigo. What's changed here???.

Here is what my mother wrote in response to another email (not this one) that I wrote her last week regarding her own symptoms...

"...I'm sorry you are bothered with vertigo. It's an awful thing. I've had it off and on for twenty years. It bothers me at peak allergy seasons. I take Clarinex and if it gets really bad I take Entex LA too".

I'm clueless at this point. I used to drink and never got dizzy but after quiting and then starting up again years later, I can't drink two beers without feeling like I'm going to pass out once the "hangover" kicks in. I also get a ton of anxiety and other weird symptoms during my hangovers. what's wrong with this picture. Please help if you can!!

- Thank's, GreyGoose

Grey,

I think it is wonderful that you share such an open relationship with your mother and that you can confide and share your inner most thoughts and feelings.
Also, I am glad that you have quit drinking, I think you will start to see some relief in the days, weeks and months ahead.

I wanted to remind you.....and beleive me, I hate to be reminded of this myself but..............Your no spring chicken

I cant do things like I did in my late teens and early 20's. Remember, as our bodies get older they react differently.

Didnt mean to offend

(((((((((((((((gg))))))))))))))))))

the common factor that keeps showing up is the alcohol. some ppl can't drink. i'm one of them. you may be another. it sounds like it. i think if you would go a week without it, you'd see a big difference.

suffering from severe allergies is hell. i know. i do. i think alot of your other symptoms is a combo of that and extreme anxiety.

you're gonna be ok. however, you're never going to feel great when mixing alcohol with meds, or not mixing at all even, it seems.

gl!

kd

Grey,

I have to agree with Kimmy that alcohol does feature pretty big in your posts. IMHO you don't drink enough to hurt your liver or anything, but drinking with an anxiety disorder is a different ballgame altogether.

I'll bet that your drinking because it has a calming effect for a while ( I've been there so I do know) and you really don't want to give it up. Gosh, I still hark back to the time I could drink many pints of strong beer, eat a big meal, sleep on the floor in a friends flat, and then turn up for work next day as if nothing had happened! Those were the days alright. Iron man.

Not now though.

Stay with us Grey; good to hear from you.

Cheers, M

Wow, so many good *SUPPORTIVE* replies here - thank's a bunch folks!. Myzen, you sound exactly like me. When I was younger I could chug down a whole bottle of MD/2020, get a nice buzz, fall asleep on the floor and the next morning, feel great and go on about my business as if nothing had happened. If I tried that stunt now, I'd probably end up in the ER. Your right - life really changes when we get older. Twenty years ago, I'd have gotten drunk this evening, ordered a few pizzas and spent all night whispering sweet nothings to some supermodel. Now, about all I can do is sit at my computer all day fretting about things...a bottle of Lorazepam nearby. Blah.

Kimmy. You are so right. I think I'm one of those people who, because of my anxiety and other problems, can't tolerater alcohol as well as others. The "high" feels wonderful but the hangovers totally suck. Like you said, allergies probably contribute. I know my mother has been to hell and back with allergies, vertigo, inner ear problems, etc all her life. I'm taking Singulair now and it seems to be helping which is good.

Hi jmo531. No, I'm not offended (or mad) at all hon (((jmo531))). Yes, in fact my mom and I have just started writing to each other for the first time in years. She say's she feels very "confused" and "awkward" around computers but the other day she actually sat down and wrote me a beautiful, long letter and we have been chattering away like bluejays ever since. Yes, I am very happy that I quit drinking to although this afternoon I had been working my butt off and it was really hot (we live in FL.) so this afternoon I was DYING for an icey-cold beer and there were 7 left in the fridge. It sure was'nt easy resisting the urge but I hate that vertigo feeling I get once the fun is over and the hangover begins. True, I'm 43 and I have hear many people over the years talk about "life ending after 40" and I'm beginning to wonder if there's some truth to that!.

PS: I usually don't help other people or ever respond to my own posts because I feel so bad inside so this is taking a real effort here just to write this but you peopel have been so nice to me and I really appreciate it.

Also, I just want to say hi (and many thank's) to Ozzie, ButterflyLady and several others who who been very supportive. I read all of my post and PM's but I'm not always able to answer unfortunately.

- Regards, GreyGoose

aw thanks for acknowleging my support of you.....i usually don't have answers but i'm always here for support for you cause i like you kid!i was happy to read the wonderful supportive responses to your post..these folks had some great advice and words of wisdom for you......keep hanging in there tim...i care about you!...love julia

Thank's Butterflylady. You are like my gardian angel - always checking up on me to make sure I'm ok...always something pleasant and encouraging to say. Thank's for caring! :-)

((((((( Butterflylady))))))))

..thats what friends are for darlin'.........

(((((((((((((Grey)))))))))))))))))

Even responding to your posts is a wonderful, huge step for you. WOW. I know it takes effort but be proud of yourself. I am

((((((Ozzie)))))))

Grey,
Drinking while using Ativan, will definately make you dizzy, just Ativan alone can cause dizziness. That sort of dizzy, when I experienced it, wasn't like a weak,faint, sort of dizzy, but more like a "drunk" dizzy. When using any meds, you should never mix them, especially those in the "benzo" family. I know sometimes when we are depressed we somehow do not or will not heed the warnings on the labels nor what the doc tells us, which is very risky.
If you are going to drink, do not take the pills too, that's gambling with fate.
Please take care now,
DEb