Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Hello!
I have begun a new protocol that includes Flagyl on two days a week- Thursday and Friday.
Unfortunately, I am also on vacation with family, and tonight (Thursday) is the big family barbecue (which is always so much more fun with a little drink or two).
So, I know that the two DO NOT mix well, but my question is:
If I drink BEFORE taking the medication, does it have the same adverse effects as drinking AFTER taking the medication?
Any experiences or suggestions would be appreciated!
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Well, the half-life of flagyl is 8 hours. So, 5 half-lives or 40 hours should have it eliminated from your body.
So, you may be OK if you don't take your flagyl today and tomorrow.
The reaction is SO bad, however, that I would not take a chance. I don't like the risk.
If you do it, let us know what happens so we can all learn.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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lymeboy
Unregistered
posted
Drinking any alcohol at all will severely lessen your chances of getting well, Flagyl or not.
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- The fact that the liver in someone with lyme does not work properly (for, oh, so many reasons), the timing of anything's "half life" can be very tricky. I would not count on it at all. It can take much longer to clear certain drugs.
The liver with lyme already had damage. Even a couple drinks might just be enough to really clog it up and the effects could be longer lasting than we might expect (from memory of past times, before lyme).
Lyme, itself, can cause hepatitis (and that can lead to long term damage) so it's just really best to never ask the liver to process alcohol which it really just can't.
Give your liver a party by not asking it to be soaked with what to you might be a festive beverage but, to it, is a caustic fluid.
Nerve cells, and the myelin sheath can also take a hit from it. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- What about a nice Elderberry Extract in a festive glass? Just add water. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Ugh... I would not chance it. Who wants to be throwing up the whole time?
Hope you are having a good time on vacation, Mel!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Hmmm... not really the answers that I wanted to hear... However, I do so appreciate the information.
I guess I was really wondering about- if I had one drink say around 7pm, and took the flagyl around 11pm... if the alcohol in my system would have been dissipated (not quite the right term, but you know what I mean) enough to not get sick from the late dosage?
I did have issues last May with enlarged liver and spleen, however at my last appointment in November, that problem was resolved.
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
BTW- it is SO nice to come back to LymeNet and 'see' so many of my old friends here still. (I mean that in a good way of course) Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
Club soda and lime and pretend...
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I tried to send you a PM but your box is full.
Posts: 984 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
jkmom... I don't use the PM feature, but you are welcome to email me at [email protected]Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I would wait for at least 24 hours after the alcohol before taking a flagyl. 48 hours would be safer.
And, I would wait at least 3-4 days after my last flagyl before I took any alcohol.
The reaction is so awful, that is why I would wait for these lengths of time. It still might not be enough.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
This problem does not affect everyone. I can have a mixed drink every night while taking flagyl, and it doesn't bother me at all. An 8oz glass of wine will not cause me any problems either. I will usually wait at least an hour after I take my meds. Search the net, you will find that a lot of people can drink without any reaction.
-------------------- You're only a failure when you stop trying. Posts: 945 | From U.S | Registered: Oct 2004
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- There are things happening within the liver that we may not be able to see - or even gauge. This advice is not given to be mean or deprive people of pleasure.
There are many scientific and physiological reasons for the very important advice to avoid alcohol during treatment and / or when ill. There are chemical changes when medications are mixed with alcohol, too.
This advice to avoid is intended to improve the quality of life not just now for one's future, too.
Liver damage can take a while to show up but when it does, it can be very severe, and long lasting. With lyme, liver damage is a very strong likelihood, anyway, (and the basic tests do not show the whole picture) so very careful attention matters all the time.
TF posted this recently when someone asked the same question: #3 & # 6 (re: the very high glycemic index of alcohol)
Burrascano could not be more clear on the subject of drinking alcohol. Don't waste money and time on lyme treatment if you are going to drink.
See these quotes:
"There are three things that will predict treatment failure regardless of which regimen is chosen: Noncompliance, alcohol use, and sleep deprivation. Advise them to take a break when (or ideally before) the inevitable mid afternoon fatigue sets in (napping is encouraged)." (page 17)
"If treatment can be continued long term, then a remarkable degree of recovery is possible. However, attention must be paid to all treatment modalities for such a recovery- not only antibiotics, but rehab and exercise programs, nutritional supplements, enforced rest, low carbohydrate, high fiber diets, attention to food sensitivities, avoidance of stress, abstinence from caffeine and alcohol, and absolutely no immunosuppressants, even local doses of steroids (intra-articular injections, for example)." (page 20)
"CERTAIN ABSOLUTE RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED IF LYME SYMPTOMS ARE TO BE PERMANENTLY CLEARED: 1. Not allowed to get behind in sleep, or become overtired. 2. No caffeine or other stimulants that may affect depth or duration of sleep, or reduce or eliminate naps.
3. Absolutely no alcohol!
4. No smoking at all. 5. Aggressive exercises are required and should be initiated as soon as possible. 6. Diet must contain generous quantities of high quality protein and be high in fiber and low in fat and carbohydrates- no simple carbohydrates are allowed. Instead, use those with low glycemic index. 7. Certain key nutritional supplements should be added. 8. COMPLIANCE!" (page 27)
"DRINKS ALLOWED Water, seltzer, caffeine-free diet sodas, coffee and tea without sugar or caffeine, vegetable juices
NOT ALLOWED Fruit juices, regular sodas, and any drinks sweetened with sugars or syrups No Alcohol at all" (page 35)
(end TF post) -
[ 02-21-2015, 01:54 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Thanks so much to you each! I'm always very appreciative for the great advice found here.
I actually waited three days before drinking (2 beers) after my last dose of Flagyl. I did feel a little queasy after about an hour and had the worst sustained 'pouring sweat hot flash' for hours afterward. So, I'm not sure IF it was the medication/alcohol mix, but it sure was pretty miserable.
Even though I am officially on vacation, I have been pushing myself more than I normally would, so I suppose that could have played into feeling very run down today as well.
Anyway, I normally do not drink while home, so I won't repeat that lovely experience again. Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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