posted
I know popular advice says absolutely no alcohol with Lyme, but what about tequila? My understanding is alcohol is out because of the high sugar content and grain content - but tequila is sugar and grain free.
FWIW, prior to diagnosis, the only thing that sometimes made me feel better was an ounce of tequila. It seemed to slow down the reaction. But does it hurt long term for getting over Lyme?
Posts: 81 | From Southern Ontario | Registered: Jul 2016
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Keebler
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- Sadly, lyme can cause liver disease for various reasons. Sorry to say but all alcohol is to be avoided not just because the lyme-affected liver can't properly metabolize it and it turns to neruo-toxins as it can cause nerve fiber destruction
excess porphyrins might also be involved and can cause damage
and all alcohol, whether fermented or spirits, is, by its very nature when liquefied & concentrated processed "food" - a very simple carbohydrate / sugar even if there is no added sugar. It can make the pancreas go bonkers and spike blood glucose stabilization function.
There are other ways to explore to feel better. If you need a medicinal effect, consult a naturopathic doctor about some herb that might ease whatever symptoms you seek to relieve.
Herb Pharm Scullcap / Skullcap glycerine tincture (no alcohol) can be very nice to relieve stress, for instance.
Being low in magnesium can cause more stress and pain in the body so that's important to consider.
I know it's not the drink of choice but a little chlorella or spirulina powder in water - a green drink to be done quickly over the sink so as not to spill on clothes - makes me feel better. It's very refreshing and help the body in many ways.
Well, Chlorella tastes better than spirulina (which can taste like a barnyard) yet it's the after effect - the feeling of well-being from the chlorophyll that is refreshing. Start low and slow, though.
For "fun" some green tea - or intensely flavorful HIBISCUS tea, etc. -
[ 12-30-2016, 11:42 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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- A very festive drink, hot or cold, with good properties, too:
Advanced Topics in Lyme Disease (Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines for Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses
Dr. Burrascano's Treatment Guidelines (2008) - 37 pages
Page 27 Excerpts:
CERTAIN ABSOLUTE RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED IF LYME SYMPTOMS ARE TO BE PERMANENTLY CLEARED:
. . .
3. Absolutely no alcohol!
. . . . -
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Keebler
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- Whatever alternative beverages to consider - and plan in advance to have on hand when and where you want -
it's the ANTIOXIDANT component that matters most in making you feel better. Pomegranate juice, for instance, but be sure to have some STEVIA on hand, too, for the sweetness to counter the natural tartness of many festive beverages.
Go lightly with fizzy water as it can be a bit caustic to the stomach lining. -
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Keebler
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- Back up for references from my first post:
Jordana
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I've drunk alcohol while I knew I had Lyme. It's not the same thing as drinking when you're pregnant, for heaven's sake.
The liver is perfectly capable of transforming alcohol to acetylaldehyde, which is what it does with any fermented foodstuff and also with byproducts of our own bodies.
The issue to me is that antibiotics ( which are just as if not more damaging to the liver) and alcohol really don't mix. Some of them actually slow down liver processes and change the way you metabolize alcohol, making it more dangerous and sadly less fun.
I think if you're not treating and you can tolerate it, it's ok. This has nothing to do with gluten or sugar; white wine is gluten free and 3 carbs per glass, hardly a serious danger.
But if you're taking a bunch of other stuff, including herbal tinctures and supplements, you really could be poisoning yourself.
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sammy
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Jordana, you basically took the words out of my mouth friend!
Lymeandceliac, Please remember to take caution as Jordana explained in the post above if you are on antibiotics or herbs. Alcohol generally does not mix well with these and can be harmful to the body systems like pancreas and liver.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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When my symptoms were raging, I could't, just plain couldn't, drink alcohol. I drank one glass of white wine and felt dizzy and ready to pass out. So yeah, no alcohol there, absolutely not; no-brainer!
Now that my symptoms have subsided, I can drink again. I do try to limit it because no, it's not healthy for you, but quite honestly, currently, a can of diet pepsi wigs me out and alcohol doesn't.
So I avoid diet pepsi big time, and drink alcohol in moderation.
Last point is I think if I want to get rid of the yeast that came with my treatment, I think I need to abstain from alcohol 100%. Will do so after my ski trip. Interested to see what the hot tub will do to me tonight after skiing. I'll let ya all know.
Posts: 351 | From La Crosse, WI | Registered: Sep 2005
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Jordana
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Yeah -- wine was really helping me with a lot of my Lyme symptoms before I knew I had Lyme. But a couple months into treatment it made me feel so gross I couldn't go near it.
I stopped abx for one day so I could have a couple glasses on Christmas. When it's under those controlled circumstances it wasn't very satisfying anyway.
Posts: 2057 | From Florida | Registered: Feb 2015
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Try it and see how you do. I have had mixed reaction through my treatment. I am a brewer so I do try to drink whenever my situation allows. That being said, I have gone many months without a drink during times in treatment where I just could not handle it.
I believe it is important to try the best that we can to retain a sense of normalcy through LD treatment and not let it consume you. If that means having a shot of tequila, so be it. Our bodies have little problem dealing with moderate amounts of alcohol, even with lyme.
Posts: 184 | From CT | Registered: Aug 2006
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Jordana
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I agree Badtick. Life as usual can also be a therapy.
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Keebler
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- Science and physiology are vital factors to consider.
Hepatitis and Alcohol – Is it safe for me to have a drink?
March 4, 2015
Excerpt: . . . In a liver which has been compromised by hepatitis B or C infections,
[poster's interjection: or by ANY chronic infection . . . and keeping in mind that lyme can cause hepatisis, so can many of the Rx that patients take]
introducing further toxins by drinking alcohol becomes a somewhat risky proposition. . . One fact that is not debatable is that heavy alcohol use worsens hepatitis C and B infections. . . .
[poster's interjection: "heavy" use can be even one drink for someone with an infection, an impaired liver, damaged organs / systems.] -
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Keebler
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23 June 2014 -
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Keebler
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- Every person with lyme also needs to be concerned about "Fatty Liver Disease" - regardless of their weight - even if they do not consume alcohol but alcohol can turn this situation deadly.
. . . The danger of fatty liver is that it can contribute to localized inflammation, which can progress to serious liver damage.
This condition is called NASH, which stands for Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis. (If alcohol abuse is involved, the condition is termed “alcoholic steatohepatitis.”)
NASH can cause cirrhosis – scarring and hardening of the liver that increases risk of liver cancer and liver failure.
An organ transplant may be the only treatment option. Because of rising rates of obesity, NASH has become increasingly common. Some estimates suggest that one-third of adult Americans are affected . . . . -
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Keebler
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- Liver issues, specific to lyme also detailed in this book.
by Russell Farris & Per Marin, MD,PhD - December 7, 2012
You can look inside the book here and see readers' reviews, too.
They describe some intricate explanations of how "we got here" so to speak, & how all systems can go haywire from lyme . . . yet for even more detail and what to do about it, Zhang's work below is a good start to study. -
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Keebler
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- Continuing the exploration of the Science and physiology at hand, the real expert on the liver is Zhang. Much more detail to how the liver is affected by lyme / coinfection in his book.
posted
Honestly, the only thing that helps at all with symptoms is an ounce of tequila. The brain fog tends to lift a bit, I feel like the bacteria becomes less active, so I'd love the occasional drink! I doubt I've had more than three drinks the last two years over concerns of what it could do, but wow, if it's the only thing that provides relief, that hour or two of relief would go a very long ways to keeping my spirits up - which is a very major problem for me right now as I've declined tremendously in recent months while trying to get treatment started (which I have now).
Posts: 81 | From Southern Ontario | Registered: Jul 2016
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Hahha. I use everclear as a disinfectant mixed with water in equal parts. I heard this story from 2 OK ladies, liquor store told them about a guy in a wheelchair that bought a big gallon bottle of everclear saying his friend told him it would help him. Three months later he WALKED back into the same liquor store, a new person!
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Alcohol is a serious poison that can cause a lot of damage and you need to be careful with it. IT can damage your liver and many other organs. It can make you an addiction that will become a problem. IF you feel that you need help, you should ask for help at a rehabilitation center like www.lifeline.org.uk. A center like that can really help you. It is important that if you feel seek or alone to not solve this alone, don't be shy to ask for help, it's something normal.
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