LymeNet Flash: effects of alcohol

This is topic effects of alcohol in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/33112

Posted by brodius (Member # 6835) on :

I think I have finally accepted (it's about time) that until I am fully recovered (hopefully that will happen) there will be no more alcohol drinking involvement whatsoever?! Does everyone with Lyme completely decompensate after having a drink?

I have fallen to pieces - there were two events recently I felt well enough to go to and had drinks like a fool. I am a mess now.

Does everyone relate to this? Is it the sugar or the effects on the nervous system, immune system or what? Sometimes you get so sick of being sick, you just don't care -you just want to live your life. It has definately been two big steps back for me.

Will this always be the case?

Posted by JillF (Member # 5553) on :

I went to Ruth Chris (nice steakhouse over here) for a romantic dinner on my bday months ago.

Got a glass of wine.

It's just what I do when we go to this restaurant. We have the works - we go about 4 times a year (Christmas, both birthdays and anniversary) and have a great time each visit. I always get 2 glasses of Pinot Grigio.

After about 2 sips, I felt drunk as a skunk. The bad drunk feeling. I was nauseous, dizzy, sweating, couldn't walk straight, could barely make it to the bathroom.

Almost had to go home even before dinner.

Unfortunately, this didn't teach me a lesson.

Had it happen about three more times since.

Will not drink at all now - not worth it.

Have no idea why it causes this but I finally learned my lesson.

Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :

It's not the case for everybody. I had my sick of being sick phase pre-Lyme diagnosis. I partied pretty hard and drank a few times a week (2-4 drinks probably). I would only rarely get a real woozey feeling.

But I did notice I'd get drunk much faster off of wine. So maybe it's a sugar thing?

I cut way back when starting treatment and then stopped alcohol all together because my pancreatic enzymes became elevated. But I had a celebratory beer the other night and felt fine.

Posted by Lymied (Member # 6704) on :

This was one of the myriad of signs in the beginning that I was really sick before my diagnosis. I would take two sips of wine and the room would start spinning, I would get agitated and shakey, and then I would get mad that I couldn't even enjoy a glass of wine which was usually being enjoyed for a special occassion.

This went for caffeine too. I would drink a few sips and then my central nervous system would start buzzing - my entire body felt like it was plugged into an electrical socket or what I imagine it would feel like

As I have gotten better with abx treatment over the last 6 months I can drink a whole glass of wine once a month but it depends what kind I drink. I think many are loaded with more than just sugar and alcohol but sulfites and other junk.

As well, our poor livers are being attacked by the lyme as well as processing all the toxic by products of die off and the abx's.

I had a glass of wine last month and paid for it the next day so I think I have decided to just cut it out until I am better.

I know, just one more thing off the list. This illnes/disease stinks - not only do you feel crummy all the time but you can't have any vices either.

It is good in a way because as depressed as I got during my herxing I probably would have become an alcoholic.

I have been trying to detox as much as I can with Milk Thistle and L-Glutathione. You might want to talk to your doctor and see if this would be safe for you too.

Take care.

Posted by suki444 (Member # 18960) on :

Hi

Chronic Lymies have to avoid caffeine and alcohol - it's in Dr B's guidelines. He says treatment will fail if you smoke or drink.

I think I read somewhere alcohol causes the spirochetes to become more resistant?

I had a few sips of champagne & orange juice at xmas and felt brain fogged and woozy...the last time alcohol passes my lips!

I agree that our livers have quite enough to cope with!!

Emma

[This message has been edited by suki444 (edited 07 April 2005).]

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

quote:
Originally posted by suki444:
Hi
Chronic Lymies have to avoid caffeine and alcohol - it's in Dr B's guidelines. He says treatment will fail if you smoke or drink.

Absolutely I know one reason is that it overloads the liver, but there must be other reasons too since many react quickly.

I would think yeast plays a role in this too. Alcohol is full of carbs and/or sugar. Not good.

I've had Lyme since I was a child, and when I was in college I soon learned that drinking made me sick even if I had 1/2 a beer or a small amount of wine.

I had no idea why I reacted so violently to it. I would have a hangover no matter how much I drank. YUCK!

"NO GO" for me!

------------------
oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by lymeHerx001 (Member # 6215) on :

Since my lyme flared up 2-3 years ago I cant have even one beer.

Not one drink.

If I do I get a wicked hangover and the next day I am severelly suicidal and depressed.

Yes there is something in common. Friends dont understand,, no one does, only the people on this board.

Posted by JillF (Member # 5553) on :

I do not get a hang over (course I never have finished the drink after I start to feel ill).

Guess that is the one good side....

I also do not always react this way. I have had drinks that have affected me normally. But the bad ones don't make it worth taking the chance.

Posted by Lyme Wolf (Member # 5463) on :

Hello,

You are describing the most common reaction to alcohol if you have disseminated candidiasis.

Every Lyme patient will have this.

Good luck!

Keep on, keepin' on!

-Lyme Wolf

Posted by JRWagner (Member # 3229) on :

Curious...I find that if I have one or two bottles of wine before dinner, I forget to have dinner!

Has anyone else been through this? Boy, I guess I have to get rid of my wine cellar!

(I live in a Manhattan apartment building...)

Peace, Love and Wellness,
Joe Grape

Posted by lymeHerx001 (Member # 6215) on :

Can this be anything else other than candidia?

Posted by Nal (Member # 6801) on :

All I know is that whenever I have a drink or two, my stomach starts to hurt really bad, the room spins a lot easier and the next day I am in the worst mood known to man!! I was never like this before.

My LLMD told me that alcohol can definately have an effect on you and that effect becomes much more drastic when you are also taking any type of antibiotics-a big no no he tells me!

Nancy

Posted by brodius (Member # 6835) on :

I feel poisioned..thats the only close analogy I can make - I completely relate to everyone who said they feel hot, nauseaous and dizzy with horrible hangovers.

But, unfortunately for me I'm ok at first - it's later that night with palpitations and I wake up feeling weird - like my blood sugar is too low or maybe my bp is too low -something is...

I feel sick and eerie, it's awful - Then the worst part is I'm still set back - a week later -

Maybe it is candidia - but it also feels neurological - and I thought I had the yeasties down - but whatever it is it really messes me up!

Two bottles would definately make you forget dinner - along with a lot of other things (like where the bathroom is).

There is no escape and I guess coffee will be the next to go (already down to one cup) - Maybe those of you who are tolerating alcohol are nearer to recovery? I hope so for you!

Thanks so much everyone - misery loves company.

brodius

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

quote:
Originally posted by brodius:
Maybe it is candidia - but it also feels neurological - and I thought I had the yeasties down - but whatever it is it really messes me up!

Candida can cause neurological symptoms. But I don't think it's only candida that doesn't mix with alcohol.

Check the second link for candida symptoms.

Candida elimination: http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/021412.html
Lyme symptoms list compared with yeast symptoms http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/021202.html

------------------
oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by cmichaelo (Member # 5873) on :

I have a drink now and then.

For sure I don't get sick from it. On the contrary, some of my most annoying symptoms actually go away, most importantly the low on energy and foggyheadedness.

Unfortunately the relief only lasts a few hours.

I have no hangover effects.

Though I have more or less stopped drinking. Maybe one glass of wine every month.

Wrt coffee, I drink one cup every day. This has no effect on my.

Used to drink 4 cops per day. Now I just have one cup in the morning. Sometimes, only half a cup. Decaf rest of day.

So maybe I don't have Lyme. Yeeeehaaaaaaa!

Right!

Michael