s/he will probably want to rule out possible life-threatening causes like aneurysm or brain tumor (I had an MRI for that purpose)
this may or may not be what is appropriate/what works for you, but my doctor prescribed a very low dose of a beta blocker (1/2 the smallest pill they make). After taking that for a week to make sure I had the proper level in my blood, I gingerly resumed orgasm-producing activity, and the problem was completely gone.
Best of luck to you, Foie Gras. If I could give you any advice, it would be: try to address the underlying issues. Be they demons you have to battle on your own, or with your family, or with a counselor, or whatever. Just “drying out” isn’t going to work because whatever made you want to drink in the first place is going to make you want to drink again. And you’re at a point where stopping isn’t just an option or a good idea. You have to stop. Let us know how it goes.
For the most part, “migraine” headaches don’t respond to over the counter medications, and one way they are diagnosed is related to that. However, if they respond to tryptans, that’s diagnostic. Migraines are, however, vascular events in which the increased blood flow causes the vessels to swell and put pressure on the related nerves when they pulse, which happens when the pulse increases suddenly and powerfully, e.g. during sex. But, smoking and alcohol can also exacerbate the condition, and so can anxiety, including sexual performance anxiety. Bottom line is that sometimes, people get major headaches from sex. Some can be controlled, some can’t. I’ve had to forgo sex at times when I’ve already got the beginnings of a headache. And, I’ve also been willing to put up with one in order to get off. Life is brutish, nasty, and short. Take advantage when you can. xo, C.
I don’t know what makes me drink other than compulsion. I had a relatively happy childhood and all. I’m perfectly functional: I get up for work every morning at 5:45am, I only drink at night, I have a pretty decent relationship with my wife (although she does dislike my drinking), I have two beautiful sons that I love very much, my drinking doesn’t interfere with my financial situation, I never drink and drive (I only drink at home in the evenings, usually with my face plastered into a monitor!), etc.
I picked up binge drinking while I was in the Army, when I was 18. I was stationed in Germany and boy, was that an alcohol-soaked unit I went to in 1988!
It was considered a badge of honor to push yourself to the limits in every way: drink yourself silly until 3am, then be lined up and ready to run 5 miles at 6:00am, never puke or fall out of formation (lest you be mercilessly ridiculed), nurse your hangover like a man, etc.
Maybe I drink because I am a masochist!
But, as my OP alludes to, I am starting at the age of 39 to be quite concerned with my health. I’d like to live long enough to at least see my sons graduate from high school (they are 7 and 3), and I realize that I may not make it if I continue down this path.
As Fuzzy Dunlop already stated, 165 is REALLY HIGH. I’d seriously avoid any of the energy drinks until this is brought under control and you already know you’re going to the doctor.
As for me, I did the weekend binge drinking in my youth but stopped at 30 as did all my friends. Not sure why, we just did. At 50 I couldn’t binge drink if I wanted to (it wipes me out). Probably has something to do with the BP medicine I take. start thinking about subtituting NA beer between rounds.
And life starts with grandchildren so you need to live longer than graduation to get your money’s worth out of your kids.
You’re a rare breed. It doesn’t seem common, but I have an uncle who, like you, just seems to really really enjoy drinking. He started drinking heavily at 14 and has hardly stopped since then. When he was younger he liked to guzzle pitchers Man-Show style while standing on his head, etc. Like you referenced, I think there was a lot of machismo involved. He’s dried out a few times for jail terms and such, and once for almost a year he cut back to normal human amounts, but he just seems to enjoy everything about beer. NO ONE in the family thought he’d see 30, even himself, but he turned 48 this year and as far as I know he’s perfectly healthy. Best of luck to you, still, in cutting back or quiting. I honestly have no idea if your unique situation will make it harder or easier.
I don’t think I meant I fit quite in that esteemed company!
I only meant to weakly justify a habit that I know I need to give up for the general health of my body and family, and that by and large, I don’t have what an outsider would consider “a drinking problem” in the sense of the term.
Alcohol has certainly caused me some woe and grief…and the times when I drink now are a mere faint echo of the machismo of times past…when I had no attachments or responsibility like I do now.
I am an alcoholic by every definition of the term, if only in the sheer amount of it I drink daily.
Hemingway I’m not, but I like to pretend to myself that I am above the average alcoholic in terms of my capabilities to perform my job, parenting, paying my mortgage and other associated bills, etc.
But I’m not nearly as active as I used to be, I’ve put on weight that doesn’t belong on my body and I find myself alienating from my family at night while they’re still up. I suppose it’s a remnant of the “I worked 14 hours today, leave me alone, I deserve this!” mindset.
It’s time. I just need to do it. Everyone including me can see it, it’s just a matter of “where do I go from here”.
