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Are Light Headedness And Fatigue Indicative Of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?

Posted on Fri, 14 Apr 2023

Question: I suffered coinfection of maleria and typhoid early January 2018. I have not been well enough to return to work since. Maleria and typhoid cleared long ago but I was still weak and had lots of fatigue,some fever , low apetite , elevated heart beat. we noticed that my liver enzymes were elevated 2 folds. so started treating it. I had to go off alcohol cold turkey once I started using ciprofloxacin for the typhoid treatment. .I used to drink frequently and heavy sometimes. a litre of whisky in 2 weeks should be an average for the past 2 years.i was a frequent user of energy drinks with alcohol or on their own to give me a boost during my busy schedule. I have XXXXXXX drinking since 2004.Not sure at these levels. liver enzymes have improved and energy levels have improved. but I still feel lightheaded almost all the time and have fatigue when I do activity. I also have elevated anxiety when I try to do activities related to my normal life. I want to know if what I experienced could be withdrawal symptoms of alcohol

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

Not withdrawing symptoms but the body adjusting to the changes!

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I am so sorry to hear about thee symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are acute and wouldn't hang around this long. What you are currently experiencing are symptoms related to all changes from stopping alcohol.

Returning to heavy consumption is something I grossly discourage. However, minor quantities of alcohol once in a while are protective of health. The fear is, would you be able to stay at minimal quantities or would return to high consumptions if you were too.

In all, symptoms related to changes, You would improve over time. If you can stick to consuming less than 10g of alcohol weekly, that is fine.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Ivo Ditah, Internal Medicine Specialist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (21 minutes later)

I was hoping to heal completely then decide on the minimal amount to drink. For now I wish I could heal from all this sooner than I seem to be doing.. The light headedness , heavy head feeling and strain in the muscles at the back.of my neck and head is my biggest worry now. if I could manage that I will be less anxious about getting back to my life.i really need to get back to work. once well I can control myself on alcohol. I loved alcohol I doubt I was addicted thus my ability to quit cold turkey.. my body seems to be so.out of balance.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:

Have you tried any pain medications?

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

What medications have you tried for this pain? We could resort to addressing the pain and providing some vitamin boosters to help you with this and see how that unfolds.

Right now, it is difficult to pinpoint an organic cause to your symptoms as they are not specific to a disease condition.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Ivo Ditah, Internal Medicine Specialist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (2 hours later)

I am open to any suggestion. I am not doing any painkillers now. I am currently on Livolin Forte, soluble vitamin , Vitafol , propranolol and adding milk thistles soon. I hope this helpful.Thank you

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

What do you take Propranolol for?

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Can I know why you take Propranolol? Is this for the anxiety? How much do you take daily?

You are already on a good number of supplements. I wouldn't want to add more at this time. I wouldn't recommend Livolin either at this time.

I will recommend you stay calm, and let's be rather meticulous in our approach. Reviewing all your details, this is more suggestive of an adaptive process on the path of recovery.

What does your job entail? Are you totally out of work or work limited hours?

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Ivo Ditah, Internal Medicine Specialist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (13 minutes later)

it is because my heart rate was elevated. and I had some tremors and shaky hands. I know it helps with anxiety too. but for Anxiety and depression the doctor prescribed fluoxetine but I have refused to take it as I am worried about slide effects.i was hoping to get over that without altering my brains chemicals.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:

I understand your worries!

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I understand your concerns about Fluoxetine. However, these drugs restore the imbalance of chemicals as opposed to messing them up. If I were you, I would give it a reasonable try.

It's been up to two months with you out of work. Between, are there any major changes in your life that you feel could be responsible for your anxious/depressed mood? That may need to be addressed than looking elsewhere.

Propranolol in itself could cause fatigue symptoms as it slows down the heart and excitatory pathways of the body.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Ivo Ditah, Internal Medicine Specialist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (4 hours later)

I barely read the initial message before replying.pardon me.i am taking 40mg x2 of propranolol.i have been off work completely and home.I am working with a team to develop 400MW power project.i guess my anxiety grew when I did not seem to be improving physical in January and February. Now I am improving and I am trying to confront my fears.However the lingering lightheadness feeling in the head is a source of worry. Why do gh ink I should quit the Livolin. Is it normal that my blood sugar should hover in 5s even 1.5 hours after a meal?. I used to abuse energy drinks and sodas I wonder if it could be a factor. Thank you for your assurance on Fluoxetine. Should I quit Vitafol and replace with Milk thistles?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (36 hours later)

Brief Answer:

You should definitely try and relax!

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Relax and all will be fine. With the huge project you are working on, you need a great deal of composure to stay on top of your game.

With sugars constantly in the 50s there is need for you to incorporate snacks. However, that is strange and if that persists, you will need to be evaluated by an endocrinologist.

Well, I simply don't believe in Livolin as well as many other supplements. They sound flattery but ultimately do very little beyond serving as a placebo.

Go ahead and do what makes you feel better. Ultimately, recovery is a more gentle process than falling sick.

Sta positive, optimistic and report you sugars to me as well as the time of meals.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Ivo Ditah, Internal Medicine Specialist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar