Suggest Remedies For Bloating After Withdrawal From Alcohol

Posted on Tue, 9 Aug 2016

Question: Hello doctor,
I am an alcoholic and have quit alcohol cold turkey. Its been 8 days as if now and I am getting help from a fellowship to stay away from alcohol.. I have no major withdrawals other than mild anxiety and mood ups and downs ... I have a bit bloating hence i wanted to clean my gut with castor oil .. I dont know the condition of my stomach especially liver ... So wanted your help whether i can have castor oil before sleeping or not...

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please get your liver profile and start thiamine

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

Quitting alcohol cold turkey is ok but it should not be done without supplementation of thiamine. If you are not still taking please start at least 200 mg of thiamine per day in divided dosages. This is to prevent complications associated with alcohol withdrawal.

In addition presence of bloating can be indicative of liver damage so in my view please get an liver function test from nearby laboratory.

Rather than castor oil Lactulose is better alternative during alcohol withdrawal to clean your bowl. You can take 10 ml initially (bedtime) and 10 ml next day morning of lactulose.

I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (22 minutes later)

Thanks doctor ill get the supplements and lactulose too... But i dont have severe bloating its just a bit not much at all and digestion is also not as bad .. So is it ok if i dont get my liver profile done cause whenever i get good reports i start drinking again...

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
In that case it is ok

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

In that case it is ok to proceed for supplementas and lactulose.

Thanks again.

Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

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