A little bit of background: I've been in "remission" from chronic Lyme since September 2011 (when my test results started to become negative). I've since seen my LLMD twice and have tested negative twice.
My symptoms started to come back in February 2012 (mostly neurological), but my LLMD was hesitant to put me back on Biaxin unless my test results were positive. I'm supposed to go back in two weeks.
This past weekend, I had a little too much to drink (which is not at all common for me), and since then I feel like I'm going through a brutal herx reaction. Again, the most pronounced symptoms are neurological (anxiety, brain fog, memory issues, etc.).
Is is possible that the alcohol triggered this reaction?
And yeah, I know it was a dumb thing to do. But depression / anxiety can lead to some questionable choices.
Thanks, in advance, for any insight y'all might have.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
You know about test results, right? It was fallible test results that got me here. You may have knocked the cyst form out of hiding.
I vaguely remember Burrascano saying that alcohol causes treatment failure.
Posted by chastain (Member # 34236) on :
Hi there. I can tell you that I used to drink quite a bit before I got sick and that I can tolerate zero alcohol now. I made a stupid call myself earlier this year and drank for the first time in 2 years . I got incredibly drunk on beer and whiskey at a party for a friend and I was sick for DAYS after, with mainly neurological symptoms.
After that incident, I realized that I will never drink again, save for (perhaps) the occasional beer if and when I achieve remission. My personal experience tells me that alcohol and lyme DO NOT mix and that no hope of lasting recovery can be achieved with significant alcohol consumption. Others may disagree-thats just my two cents. Jess.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I do know that Dr B says the two main reasons people do not get well is 1. lack of rest 2. alcohol
..most lyme patients do not tolerate it
That said, I'd be willing to bet you have a candida/yeast infection.
Have you been continuing your probiotics even after treatment??
You may want to call your LLMD and ask if you might have candida.
The symptoms you listed CAN be from yeast.
PS.. which lab is being used? Western Blot??
Posted by KWS731 (Member # 17786) on :
@CatGirl: yes, I know that there are many "false negatives" as it were, but my symptoms really hadn't gotten to the point of becoming unmanageable until this week (until the drinking, really).
@chastain: you're right--abstinence is probably the best bet here. I find that even having one or two beers will cause me to feel quite drunk.
@Lymetoo: I'm still taking probiotic acidophilus in pill form, yes. I have been since stopping the antibiotics. If I have candida, what would I do to feel better in the interim, until my appointment?
RE the test: I was given both the Elisa and Western Blot tests. Tested negative in both.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
27 REASONS WHY A SERONEGATIVE TEST RESULT MIGHT OCCUR
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Liver?
As you are off of all antibiotics, etc. it's still important to consider if you might be taking other pharmaceuticals or OTC products that could interact with alcohol.
Also be aware that, even if one does reach a solid remission for a few months before testing the waters with a small glass of wine, the liver may not be able to tolerate it.
Lyme and other infections can cause permanent liver damage. So can many medications.
Liver support is vital all during treatment to try to prevent permanent damage but there is never any guarantee.
If the liver has been damaged, regardless of if a true, clear and solid remission from lyme has been achieved, alcohol may still be a dangerous thing.
And, a remission is just that. Any stress can trigger a relapse.
Sorry that this happened. I do hope you feel better soon and then can achieve a good strong and long lasting remission.
I hope you are continuing the same kind of top notch liver support that I hope went along with your treatment. If not, that should help you feel better soon. Good luck.
LIVER SUPPORT LINKS & and several HERXHEIMER support links, too.
Some KIDNEY support detail, too. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- P.S. Is your doctor ILADS-educated, in that he is familiar with all ILADS research and has attended or at least viewed /read the DVD/texts from all the past ILADS conferences?
Just wondering. All that repeat testing does not sound logical, given the nature of lyme.
Have you also been assessed for likely coinfections? -
Posted by KWS731 (Member # 17786) on :
Thanks, Keebler.
Could you please try re-sending that link? It's not working for me.
To be honest, I'd been able to drink quite a bit since being in remission. By quite a bit, I mean 3-4 drinks maximum, but I was feeling well enough that I barely even had a hangover.
My doctor regularly tested my liver function, and she did so during each visit.
I appreciate your kind words, too. I also hope for another extended period of good health. Even back-to-back days of good health, for that matter.
My doctor is actual a former president of ILADS, so I hope she's up to snuff
She also tests me for coinfections, every time. I've tested negative on each coinfection test.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Don't know why that link no longer connects and is not even searchable at Canada Lyme - don't have the energy to contact them about but a Google search of the title brings it from another link.
I hear that some doctors may be forced to do repeat testing to keep their licenses, even with tests that are not the best. And lyme just doesn't lend itself to repeat testing. It's just so unique. This does not have the text of the previous link but is the same list:
Diagnosing Lyme Disease (&/or whatever else is going on)
Other tick-borne infections and other chronic stealth infections - as well as certain conditions that can hold us back - are discussed here. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Alcohol intolerance can be a sign of having high porphyrins. This usually will not show for typical liver tests. Details:
Topic: what type of M.D. tests for PORPHYRIA -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Although it seems that the alcohol is to blame, one more thought anytime a herx sneaks up on us, it may not be a herx at all. Can't hurt to know this stuff:
Topic: FOOD POISONING ? Links -
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
KWS.. doesn't sound like Igenex testing if you're doing it that often. Makes a big difference.
in the meantime... go off all white foods, no sugar, no fruit, low carb except for vegetables. Try to limit corn, peas, or carrots for now.
limit dairy
double your probiotics or go to the health food store and get a high quality one
Posted by dal123 (Member # 6313) on :
My sister drank like a fish before and while she was on abx for a year due to Lyme. That was in 2006-2007, so far she has had no relapse, by the time she got on treatment she was pretty neuro & could hardly walk. still drinking though!!!!!
Posted by KWS731 (Member # 17786) on :
Thanks for your help, everyone. I'm going to read through all of this and hopefully get a better handle on some of this stuff.
I'll also ask my doctor about that Advanced Labs test.
This is turning into a sort of chicken-and-egg situation, though, when it comes to anxiety / depression. My therapist wants to medicate me with some Wellbutrin to try to help me out, but now she'll be working in conjunction with my LLMD. Should get interesting..
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
In my opinion, if you felt bad like relapsing after alcohol, it is because you were not in full remission.
I could not tolerate any alcohol during active lyme. Now that lyme is gone for more than 3 years, I can take alcohol when I want. I only take good alcohols (wine, beer), usually, but last week someone offered me a 50% grapa and I took it!!!
No relapse from alcohol. But with active lyme, I could be in hospital until today!!!
At least for me, when my lyme is fully dormant, it is not ONLY alcohol that can bring it up: it is a combination of factors, an infection, tired body, excessive exposure to EMFs, not exercising regularly, lack of sun exposure, bad eating, stress, then alcohol on top. Then yes, alcohol could trigger a relapse!
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