Say hello to our new member Wernicke Korsakoff

Pauly · Veteran Member

Say hello to our new member Wernicke Korsakoff

Toni Baloney · MIP Old Timer

Good Morning Pauly,

I am in a real hurry today, but wanted to respond to you Post.

My first year, in retrospect, was more of a "fog" than anything else. never stopped to wonder if this condition was Permanent - I just knew I was not going to Drink - no matter what.

Permanent - they say NOTHING in this world is Permanent. This is ONLY a ONE Day at a time Program, I cannot think about the future too much, even now, I get myself up into a Tissy of Worry, when I do.

yesterday's news about the Ports in this Country being sold, is a good example. I started thinking about what that could mean, and the Tissy began, I had to stop and Pull Myself, into action, with Prayer, that I can stay here, in the moment, doing ONLY what is in front of me to do.

So with this Response, I will start my day, and ask you to just try to do your day, one moment at a time, one heartbeat at a time.

Projecting fears into the future, is something for me today, that I have to put a stop to. The truth is "Life is whats happening as we make our plans" have experienced so, many, many times, that I can start today, with a "Show Me Dear God", instead of a "What am I going to do about this God?" For me, the second part does not work.

Lots of Love and support to you, you are doing well, and the saying of the 1st year is a Physical Detox year, has been around for many, many years.

A great Big Hug, and one more little thing I want to share is an old saying also, "My mind is like a real bad neighborhood, you should not go there alone"

Hugs to you Pauly,

Toni

amanda2u2 · MIP Old Timer

I used to work on a psychiatric floor of a general hospital, and I have seen Korsakoff's syndrome. It is really heavy sh**. There are various degrees of it though. You may or may not have it to some degree... to really know you have to visit a doctor who is knowledgeable about this and be examined.

I can say that, whether or not you have it to some degree, be very grateful that you stopped drinking now,, and so it won't get worse. And people can adjust and learn to live with any kind of handicap, including this one.. I mean... you are 'with it enough' to find the computer, bring it up, and post us a post that makes sense..... people with advanced Korsakoff's can't do that.

I'm glad you brought up this serious subject. Our brains really do get pickled, and if we do enough damage to it, the damage can be permanent.

But, before you go and label yourself with this,, and get all upset and feel hopeless... check it out. k? and don't start taking megadose of thiamine yet either... tho sometimes a moderate supplement of B complex vitamins is helpful.

How long have you been dry? If it is only very recently,,, this could be withdrawal symptoms,, but you can't tell what is permanent yet...

love in recovery,

amanda

GammyRose · MIP Old Timer

Hey Pauly,

Toni and Amanda have shared alot with you. I would want to see a Dr., get a good check-up. It just takes awhile for our bodies to start working without the alcohol. I've shared before that when I was sober after about two years, the Drs. said my liver enzymes where highly elevated, they were concerned.Now 21 years later my liver is fine. I have some health issues that the drinking didn't help, but I'm dealing with them, one day at a time and by the grace of God , get through each day. My worst day sober is better than my best day drunk.

Don't let the monkeys in your mind get the best of you, check it out with a Dr.

(((Hugs)))

GammyRose

Pauly · Veteran Member

I`ve replied to your other post Rose, I`m not suggesting that I`ve definitely got WK syndrome, however, what I was not prepared for was, when beginning to investigate recovery, just how much potential damage we may have done. I`ve freaked a little and apologies to all. ARBD is without a doubt with me, there can be no other explanation for this punchy feeling. I really do not want to go to the doctor, perhaps I`ll investigate something more discreet. When you begin to investigate the damage to the frontal lobe/cortex of your brain in some respects it makes sense when you recall just how apathetic you have become etc. Overall I suspect I thought recovery would be a breeze, it isn`t. It`s not just the cravings, which I feel I`m doing well with, I jogged past the off licence 30 minutes ago

, it`s all the health implications that I was oblivious to and this is from a guy that up until recently went to the gym 4 times a week. Ethanol/alcohol is such a dangerous drug and beer is so not coloured water..

Doll · MIP Old Timer

I too had very high liver enzymes, no potassium, and many (self inflicted ) aches and pains.

The good news, it's been 6 months and my liver is back to normal, potassium is up and I deal with the aches and pains. Thank God I got sober before it was too late.

Keep holding on.......it does get better.

Proud of you!

-- Edited by Doll at 17:14, 2006-02-22

amanda2u2 · MIP Old Timer

I'm glad you brought it up, Pauly, and gave us some links to learn about it. Alcohol is a poison that kills cells, and can kill enough to kill a person. We don't like to think about that... Fetal alcohol syndrome, cirhhosis of the liver, Korsakoff's, delirium tremens. You are right. It looks like your anger is helping you to stay away from it. But then... the only way to know what my own condition really is is to consult someone who is an expert. Even doctors don't diagnose themselves.

Thank you for sharing with us about one of the potential dangers of alcoholism. And do keep up the good work that you are doing to remedy your condition. Jogging past that place is good exercise.

Some of the words some of you use I don't understand,, are you from England? What is the 'off license'?

love in recovery,

amanda

Pauly · Veteran Member

I am annoyed with myself Amanda, yes I`m in England, an off license is a place that sells booze. Some time ago in the UK, when only pubs could sell alcohol, if you wanted off premises sales you went to the side/back of the pub where you bought your tipple from a shop style counter. As kids we used to go in for crisps (potato chips?) and lemonade, if you found enough empty bottles of lemo and took them back as returns you could get enough money back to buy and share a bag of crisps. Try telling the kids of today that and they`ll just not believe you

recovering jb · Senior Member

Well Pauly, the drink and drugs do real damage as we all have seen- But the power of the human body and spirit to heal is immense- Think of it, billions of years of evolution selecting for those individuals with healing capacities to pass on their genes- I think an AA program, and prayer complemented with rest and a healthful diet and vitamins will heal many cases that- Of course, seeing a doctor would not hurt! this book has been helpful to me- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/158054391X/sr=8-3/qid=1140739625/ref=sr_1_3/002-4398304-5685622?%5Fencoding=UTF8 pm if you want more info- it basically suggests a good diet and essential amino acid supplements, which both stimulate healing and reduce cravings. Good luck, Joel

-- Edited by recovering jb on Tuesday 2nd of April 2013 10:22:22 AM

sheilasdad · Senior Member

Hi Pauly,

It might be good to check in with a doctor and heed the advice of all who have posted earlier. i can only offer this: I drank Irish whiskey at an alarming rate nearly everyday for the last ten years of my drinking (age 26-36). The nice bunch of guys that I chose to spend my time with believed that I was in the early stages of "wet brain." When i first got sober i was convinced that my mind was irreparably damaged. Well, that ain't necessarily so. Last year I was accepted into a doctoral program in urban education. They take only twelve people each year. This was after this "drunk on the verge of wet brain" got his bachelor's and masters degrees in sobriety. I've been sober ten years now. I think the fog is lifting. I say these things not to boast, but to let you know that things when newly sober are not always what they may seem. Hang in there. It's worth it.

Mike in Boston