posted
so, the past 3-6 months I have suffered from pretty significant hangover symptoms from very little alcohol, much less than I may have consumed in the past.
I've never been a big drinker, but it used to take 5, 6, 7 drinks to get me real hungover, but it's happening to me w/ 2 or 3 drinks...and not hard liquor, just beer or wine.
The biggest symptom is MAJOR headache, that makes me feel nauseous, but I have had several hangovers w/ considerable vommitting.....
I've read on symptom lists that LD can cause increased effect of alcohol......wondering what other folks have noticed.....
I've also been diagnosed "possible MS" and wondering if the alcohol issue could be a symptom that distinguishes the 2 diagnoses....
Posts: 55 | From North Carolina | Registered: Dec 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- First: headache is a sign of brain dehydration. You might want to drink water now, with just a touch of Sea Salt and a squirt of fresh lemon or lime if you have that on hand. And Green Tea helps, too. But that is just a start.
My guess is that you don't have a LLMD and that you are not on treatment for lyme by a doctor who is ILADS-educated.
I'm sorry because nearly 100% of ILADS-educated LLMDs instruct their patients from the start to totally avoid alcohol. Totally.
You should fire your doctor for not telling you this at your first or second appointment - or for not giving you the literature to read explaining that. [Because if he had, surely, you would have followed instructions and not be suffering damage or putting your treatment in jeopardy.]
Yes, your intolerance is classic symptom for lyme patients. For hundreds (I can safely say) being clobbered by even a few sips of a drink they'd previously enjoyed was one of the first big neon signs puzzles. But who knew then ? Most of did not. Most stopped if it made them sicker but, for others, the crushing symptoms seemed to pull them closer to the beer, so to speak.
Some symptoms seemed easier to handle - or to bury and the brunt of the attack was just put off as a severe hangover.
You'll feel much better avoiding it and finding a LLMD to treat you. But treatment will only have a chance when alcohol is avoided. One of the biggest reasons for treatment failure is trying to bend that rule.
Alcohol - any - also entirely changes how both pharmaceutical medicines and herbal supplements work - it alters chemical properties to create something totally different - increasing risks while also diminishing effectiveness.
Several reasons -- one of which is that the liver is dealt a huge blow with lyme and damage can be severe. Add to that the need for medicine and that puts even more stress on the liver.
The lyme spirochete produces one of the most toxic substances known to man, similar to that of botulism. The liver is the primary organ to metabolize those toxins and get them out of th e body. That is no easy job.
Many (if not all, as at least one LLMD thinks) lyme patients have excess porphryrins - from the liver being overwhelmed. The porphyrins, in excess, can kill cells of all types but especially nerve cells. Alcohol uses the cytochrome P-450 liver detox pathway. Patients with the porphyria problems have that pathway damaged to varying degrees so the very best of self-care is vital.
As well, the brain cells don't do well with alcohol. Nor the lining of the stomach. Alcohol really does not mix well with any medicine.
And - remember that spirochetes don't recognize your best mates' birthdays, or holidays. Every day, we have this toxic infection to deal with and, every day matters. Liver damage from even one drink can happen and that damage might not be repairable.
Dr. Burrascano's Treatment Guidelines (2008) - 37 pages
Sections regarding self-care:
From page 27:
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!
. . . . [more details at link above.]
=====================================
Now, there are some supplements that can offer your body support as you make this transition. If you have a good LL ND (naturopathic doctor) or LL L.Ac. (licensed acupuncturist) near you, they will know exactly how to help you with this.
Certainly, B-vitamins are essential to help repair nerve damage (just be sure to take with a meal as they can really churn the stomach).
Regular massage can also be helpful as can a LOW HEAT far infrared sauna or warm (not hot) baths in Epson Salts.
Carrot Juice, with greens and ginger root) can be fabulous but a bit more festive when with friends, opt for POMEGRANTATE JUICE - no sugar added - and add a touch of STEVIA (from plants).
Good luck. -
[ 06-19-2010, 06:53 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- This explains that lyme is one of the most toxic infections known to man:
BIOCHEMISTRY OF LYME DISEASE: BORRELIA BURGDORFERI SPIROCHETE / CYST
by Prof. Robert W. Bradford and Henry W. Allen
EXCERPT:
. . . A discovery of great importance relating to a toxin produced by the causative agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, has been linked to a similar toxin produced by the organism Clostridium botulinum (botulism). . . .
. . . Individual variations in our cytochrome P450 enzymes help to demystify why there are so many variations in how we respond to drugs and herbs. . . .
Liver Protection: Laying the Foundation for Optimal Hepatic Health - By Kathy E. Acquistapace, DC, NHP, CNC -
[ 06-19-2010, 06:45 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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MDW005
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
One drink in the past would give me a "buzz, 2 would make me drunk and three would be me praying to the porcelain goddess. Never could hold my alcohol. I was a cheap drinker. I don't drink anymore.
-------------------- God's promises mean you always have something wonderful to look forward to. Posts: 2150 | From Georgia | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
Keebler.. I don't think she's been diagnosed with Lyme yet. She was wondering if the alcohol intolerance was perhaps an indication that it's Lyme she's dealing with.. not "MS."
Traci.. Just in case it's Lyme, please stop drinking!
Go to Seeking a Doctor here to find a Lyme specialist near you. ( I don't actually know of any good ones in NC... but let's try to find you one! )
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I don't know if this is an MS symptom, but it is a classic lyme symptom. See quotes below:
From list of lyme symptoms:
"Exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol" (p.11)
"There are three things that will predict treatment failure regardless of which regimen is chosen: Noncompliance, alcohol use, and sleep deprivation." (p.17)
So, if you have any chance of having lyme disease, do not drink. The only lyme treatment failure I know of is an alcoholic. He drank with lyme. Now, he is in a wheelchair with a personal assistant to feed him, etc.
It is really dangerous to try drinking alcohol with lyme disease.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Checking posting history - to be sure good medical care has been found:
tracisuzanne posted 07 August, 2009:
I've been diagnosed w/ lyme by a LLMD.
I've been diagnosed possible MS, MS, and thoracic outlet syndrome.
. . . did almost 8 months of antibiotic treatment per guidance of llmd.........didn't notice a change postitive or negatve. . . .
. . . since stopping, i haven't noticed anything significant postive or negative. . . .
(tracisuzanne)
=======================
tracisuzanne,
not able to read all your past posts to offer solutions, however . . .
Sometimes, it can take several years to reach remission. Did you have an ILADS-educated LLMD who tried different routes, rotations, etc. Were you able to stick to the self-care guidelines all during that 8 months? (A rhetorical question, of sorts. Just meaning it's a consideration but I could not think of how else to word it.)
Did your LLMD check you for other tick-borne infections, etc? Cpn is also very much connected to MS. ( www.cpnhelp.org )
But if alcohol is consumed during treatment for any infection, nothing will really work. -----------------------
In addition to the usual coinfections from ticks (such as babesia, bartonella, ehrlichia, RMSF, etc.), there are some other chronic stealth infections that an excellent LLMD should know about:
I would encourage EVERY person who has received a lyme diagnosis to get the following tests.
- at link. -
[ 06-19-2010, 07:32 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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MDW005
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
Sorry Traci, I misunderstood your questions. Like Lymetoo stated... Please don't drink.
-------------------- God's promises mean you always have something wonderful to look forward to. Posts: 2150 | From Georgia | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
Keeb.. you're thoroughness is to be complimented!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Many who are hypothyroid cannot tolerate alcohol
either. Just a thought as most Lyme pt.s endocrine
glands may work but because of the cell invaders
they may not work right...They like to call it
malabsorbtion...Alcohol just worsens it.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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Yep one of my 1st lyme symptoms before I knew I had it was alcohol intolerance. Along with medication and caffiene intolerance.
-------------------- My lyme disease blog: http://lymetimes3.blogspot.com/ One BIG Lyme family! I tested CDC + 10/08 My mom Igenex + 11/08 & My brother Igenex + 4/09, My 2 boys some + & IND bands, clinical diagnosis 3/09 (youngest has Aspergers too) Posts: 470 | From Painesville, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2009
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posted
It was one of my early markers too. I just about passed out at a wedding reception after drinking a small amount of alcohol. No one could understand why. Very weird when you have no idea there's an infection involved.
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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littlebit27
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posted
Before I started having any other major symptoms I use to get these horrible headaches drinking and I would feel like crap WAY before I use to. I use to go out with my friends more often before and would drive a ton before I was drunk.
But then last year-and maybe the year before-I just started to feel sick to my stomach and started getting the headaches after the first or second drink. I thought maybe I just had no tolerance anymore, but then I would think-well I don't feel drunk-just sick.
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