Al-Anon Family Group

The material presented here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method to exchange information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal level.

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Hello all, questions and share
Post Info TOPIC: Hello all, questions and share
youfoundme


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 1221
Date:
Hello all, questions and share
Permalink  

There is an interesting thing going on when my bf drinks.  I am not sure what it is, but it has only been happening the last 7 weeks that he drinks to a certain point.  He suddenly gets really red in the face, anywhere that he ever had a scar turns deep red (even old bug bite spots), and he can't breathe well.  He also gets a tremendous headache.  The breathing thing scares me and him, but at that point he is in a black out and if I suggest he stop drinking or get some water he gets cranky about it all...I was wondering if anyone out there has any knowledge as to what this could be?  I have a problem with alcohol which is why I don't drink, when I have even one drink, I get very sick to my stomach, I get flushed, and get a headache, but I don't get all red and I don't have trouble breathing.  I know my issue is that I don't have the enzymes to digest alcohol (I am not Asian, but that is a typical genetic thing for people of Asian decent)...I am part Native American, English, Irish, Scottish, French, German and Polish...so I don't know where my issue is coming from.  Anyway, has anyone ever heard of someone having trouble breathing after drinking alot, and turning red?  I looked it up but couldn't really find an answer...

Now for the share:

Last night was not a good night for me.  For some reason my bf's drinking really bothered me yesterday.  I won't get into details, but it drove me up a wall.  He had to go to his DUI class, and when he finally left with his buddy from the class, I went to my meeting.  I got there late, but my alanon friend was there saving a seat for me.  When I came in, she smiled at me so warmly, I felt like, wow this person barely knows me, yet here she is, loving me anyway.  She gave me a hug, a smile and a pat on the back.  During the meeting (a new meeting for me) she showed me where to get some tea and a muffin, and gave me a Forum and the Alanon faces Alcoholism guide.  I spoke briefly at the meeting, but this meeting was huge!  The biggest I have ever been to.  It had about 35 people at it, and it is a 40 year old meeting :)  It was just awesome to hear all the shares and to have all these people come up to me after the meeting and so warmly welcome me there.  I was invited to come back, to come to a few other meetings this week, and I really was moved.  One lady I know from my other meeting was there and I told her and my friend about what happened at my house before the meeting.  They gave me some great suggestions, and I felt much better after.  The second lady also said that when they drink and its bothering us, we have to ask ourselves "what is my part in this?" and I didn't get it at first.  But then she explained it more.  That when someone is doing something that is bothering me, its bothering me because of something else, which is my part.  There was something else bothering me, and his drinking just pushed me over the edge to judgement and anger and resentment. 

So when someone else's stuff is bothering me, when I can take a step back and say "why, what is my part?" it gives me a better way to look at whats going on.  A different perspective.  I will keep going to real time meetings...I need to be there...It works when you work it!!  Thanks all....



__________________

-youfoundme

Let go and let God...Let it be... let it begin with me... 

 
Debilyn


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 3653
Date:
Permalink  

When a person drinks alcohol it does not get digested like other foods, beverages, it goes straight to the blood.

When it hits all the organs, including the brain it causes some nasty complications. Brain does not work so you can imagine that the other parts of the body are compromised. He is not getting enough oxygen to his brain, or anywhere else thus the flushing and headache.

This is part of the damage that happens to them in time.

There is a condition called blood sludging.  The red blood cell stick or clump together, then they block up blood vessels! This can actually kill cells!

Red eyes and blotchy skin is from the pressure of the red blood cell clumps that break the capillaries, causing the symptoms you described.

Can you imagine what this does to the stomach, liver, heart every part of the body?

I am often amazed how my AH can live thru all the stuff he has put in his body! Narcotis and other drugs go right through also and can do the same thing.

It sadly is part of the process of alcoholism that kills them. Serious stuff!

ugh. Makes me hurt for them! hugs hon,debilyn

 

 



__________________

Putting HP first, always  <(*@*)>

"It's not so much being loved for ourselves, but more for being loved in spite of ourselves."

       http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/meetings/meeting.html            Or call: 1-888-4alanon
youfoundme


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 1221
Date:
Permalink  

Oh wow, I will have to look into that Debilyn, thats nuts. He gets scared when its happening and the next day he is always saying "I wonder what that was all about..." So it may be just from the build up of alcohol then... it is crazy and scarey. :( Thanks!

__________________

-youfoundme

Let go and let God...Let it be... let it begin with me... 

 
Debilyn


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 3653
Date:
Permalink  

Not a build up of alcohol, it is damage from the abuse of alcohol on the body.



__________________

Putting HP first, always  <(*@*)>

"It's not so much being loved for ourselves, but more for being loved in spite of ourselves."

       http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/meetings/meeting.html            Or call: 1-888-4alanon
youfoundme


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 1221
Date:
Permalink  

Right, I get ya

__________________

-youfoundme

Let go and let God...Let it be... let it begin with me... 

 
tommyecat


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 1594
Date:
Permalink  

Debilyn, I learned a few new things today from your response, thank you.

YFM,  It sounds like you hit a rock star meeting.  I do so hope you are able to get to another one with your new friend.   It sounds like the people there were very gracious and welcoming.   I really enjoyed hearing what they shared with you in discovering what your part is.   It is an important part for me in my recovery when I got the idea that I am responsible for my attitudes, actions, and inner being.   Keep up sharing what you are discovering.  It is so insightful and helpful to all of us.

Thank You!

Tommye

 

 



__________________
nice4ever


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 12
Date:
Permalink  

You don't say what he was drinking. If he's changed brands there could be an another ingredient causing an allergic sort of reaction.
Wines have sulfites that cause redness and breathing problems in allergic people.

I'm not an expert, just a thought. seems odd that it would redden only old scars.

__________________

If you want things to be different, you have to do things differently.
Jerry F


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 13696
Date:
Permalink  

 

 

YFM...check into the AMA, NIH, NIAA and other medical and alcohol information sites and read up on the chemical and how it affects the human person.  The information is very useful and helps some with the understanding of how powerful a mind and mood altering drug alcohol is.  You will come to understand how it can and often does lead to insanity and death.   smile



__________________
youfoundme


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 1221
Date:
Permalink  

nice4ever: Some nights its vodka, some beer, some a combination... Thats the weird part, it was just beer at first, now its any booze he drinks will cause this after he has so much of it.  And yeah, its weird that its where old scars are...

Thank you Jerry for your post, and Tommyecat too! 

I am so glad to be here. 



-- Edited by youfoundme on Wednesday 15th of June 2011 07:49:11 AM

__________________

-youfoundme

Let go and let God...Let it be... let it begin with me... 

 
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Hello all, questions and share