Alcohol Withdrawal: Methadone Symptoms & Side Effects

Question: Could this be alcohol withdrawal?

(Posted by: Kgen on 2009-05-29 08:10:29)

I have been drinking regularly for the past 4 weeks or so. By regular, I mean a few drinks each day (1 to 3) and then binging on the weekends (usually saturday & sunday) not until I get sick, but until I'm heavily intoxicated. Before these past few weeks, I'd maybe drink heavily once or twice a month, but I got married a few weeks ago and on the honeymoon we drank a lot (drinks were included w/ the price). Since I returned from my honeymoon, I've found it kind of hard to not have 1 or 2 drinks in the evening and binging on the weekends. Now that I've went back to normal (not drinking hardly at all), I've been having horrible headaches and some really random nausea. The headaches are different than normal ones. They seem sharp and very painful, and last all day. I seem to have a few other symptoms, but nothing major. The headaches are my biggest problem. I say all that to say, is it possible that I could be having a very light case of alcohol withdrawal? Please, any help would be greatly appreciated!

Posted by: AnimalFilter on 2009-05-29, 08:16:11

Yes, it's possible. It's more likely, however, that your body is simply "rebalancing " it's chemistry and you're feeling side effects. Daily drinking can alter your balance of electrolytes, blood sugar, and blood pressure and once you discontinue drinking it can take a few weeks for these things to return to "normal " so to speak... Alcohol withdrawal symptoms shouldn't last more than about 72 hours. Good luck :)

Posted by: poorsinner on 2009-05-29, 08:25:49

It could be migraine headaches and the alcohol has just been hiding them. Here are some of the symptoms. Nausea or vomiting Sensitivity to light or sound Loss of appetite Fatigue Allodynia Numbness, weakness or tingling Dizziness or vertigo (feeling that the room is spinning) Chills Increased urination Increased sweating Swelling of the face Irritability If your symptoms don't let up see a doctor Hope this helps

Posted by: gmonte33 on 2009-06-01, 20:40:00

It's very unlikely that you would experience withdrawal symptoms after only drinking 1-3 drinks every night for 4 weeks. An extremely common sign of alcohol withdrawal is tremors. If you extend your hands do your fingers twitch or shake? If not then it's probably not alcohol withdrawal. Like others have said the severe headaches along with the nausea sound very much like migraines. With migraine headaches the pain usually occurs on one side of the head. I get them occasionally and it feels like someone is banging on the side of your head with a hammer. Also alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually resolve after about a week. So if these headaches persist they may be migraines. Try taking some ibuprofen and lying down in a dark, quiet room and taking a nap. If that doesn't help then see your doc. There are some prescription meds for migraines.