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MedHelp Member's Question

Occasional Acute alcohol reaction

by Rick, Dec 11, 2000 12:00AM
Over the last 2 years I have developed a condition where on rare occasions I have all the effects of excessive drinking after only 1 or 2 drinks.  I drink socially but not excessively (2-4 drinks over 3-4 hours maybe once a week) and usually have no major effects.  On these occasions I speak of (maybe 4 times in 2 years), all alcohol effects  seem exaggerated.  This happened last night while Christmas Caroling with some friends.  I had 3 small glasses of egg nog, we sang for about 30 minutes, I remember getting our photos taken before we went back inside but nothing after that.  My wife said I was acting really drunk, she got me home and into bed and I don't recall any of this.  On other occasions a single drink has affected my like 6-8.  We are trying to find a common denominator but haven't yet.  It's happened with wine, mixed drinks, and now egg nog so it doesn't appear to be one kind of alcohol.  The only thing my wife has noted on all occasions is a strong, almost kerosene smell on my breath.  This last time I had taken some Migraine medicine about 7 hours prior.  It made us wonder if this might be a trigger.  It's the only prescription drug I take.  I'm not sure how long these drugs stay in the system but I'm sure on previous occasions I didn't have a Migraine the same day but many a day or two prior is possible. I've checked your site but short of one entry on Zyban & alcohol reactions (which sounds similar) I didn't see anything.  Please advise and also if I were to go to a Dr. to get this checked further what kind of Dr. should I go to?  Thanks for the help...
Member Comments (9)

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Dec 11, 2000 12:00AM
This question comes up here once in a while and I don't think there has been a definative answer for the problem.  Some have suggested that the liver or pancreas might be the culprit.  Others have suggested a reaction to medications.  In all cases, complete abstinance from alcohol has been recommended.  



If you have a doctor, I would discuss this problem with him ASAP.  It's possible that some blood work might uncover the problem.  If not, he could refer you to the appropriate specialist for more testing.  



I have had some severe reactions after drinking on my diabetes medication.  Drinking while on Flagyl(an antibacterial)can make you extremely ill.  As far as your migraine med, call your pharmacist.  Good luck in your search and let us know what you find out!

by Brighty to Rick, Dec 11, 2000 12:00AM
I had a brother-in-law (no longer married into our family so I won't be able to get more info) who had what you describe. He told us that there is an enzyme that metabolizes alcohol and in some people it does not work properly, thus they get drunk quickly on even small amounts of alcohol. I can't recall, but it would make sense it's a liver enzyme. He went on to tell us that some people do not have this enzyme. He said this was a genetic factor in some races and nationalities who have reputations for lots of alcholics among their ranks. I have no clue if this is correct. I am only passing on something I once heard. As JB said, complete abstinence would be the answer even if you don't figure out what the problem is. Best wishes.

by barbara to pain and lortab, Dec 11, 2000 12:00AM


An entire thread about alcohol and withdrawal disappeared over night. what? Couldn't the ole Doctor allow people to see that even in big hospitals they can misdiagnose something as severe

as the Delirium Tremens and almost kill a patient because of the lack of knowledge of some of the lesser trained staff? Is he afraid to scare too many alcoholics into not wanting to quit.



Well the guy in the DT's who was being tied down finally did get the meds he needs after I

by barbara to pain and lortab, Dec 11, 2000 12:00AM


nagged the nurses to call his doctor to giver him Ativan for the DT's. They did not know what was wrong with him at the time. His brother became so scared while watching the seizures and DT's that he thanked me, admitted his own alcoholism and left for the states for in-patient detox.



So maybe some alcoholics need to know they should be scared when it comes to withdrawal especially when DUI can leave a person in jail long enough to trigger seizures and DT's.

by From Aunt Lindy to Mariah, Dec 11, 2000 12:00AM
Have you ever been checked for Diabetes?  Could you be having insulin reactions? My sister is /WAS a diabetic (AFTER 34 YEARS OF BEING A DIABETIC SHE JUST GOT A KIDNEY/PANCREAS TRANSPLANT 4 MONTHS AGO.  THEY TOLD MY SISTER THAT THE WAIT WOULD BE 3 YEARS OR MORE IF AT ALL BECAUSE OF NEEDING TWO ORGANS.  TWO WEEKS YES I SAID TWO WEEKS LATER HER BEEPER WENT OFF AND THE REST IS HISTORY.  CAN YOU BELIEVE SHE ONLY WAITED TWO WEEKS. GOT ME BACK INTO CHURCH TOO.) when her blood sugar would get so high she would seem drunk and then black out.  This is when she was 5 and up. She had not been drinking.  I will say too that some years back my sister was FALSELY arrested for DUI.  She tried to tell them she was a diabetic and that her insulin was in the car.  They would not let her get it and show the cops.  They kept her in jail all night long because they said that she was drunk and acting incoherant. She then became more out of it because her blood sugar was totally out of control they actually shackeled her to her bed.  Well one big lawsuit later that my sister won.  Everyone in the courtroom learned how a diabetic can produce the same similarities that someone that is drunk may display.

There I go being so long winded. Anyway, get your blood tested.  This sound just like symptoms of diabetes. You mentioned one of your drinks were EGGNOG that drink is VERY high in sugar and carbs.  That would have sent my sister flying if she would have had that in her diabetic days. Please get yourself check ASAP and Please keep us posted too.

Marcie!

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Dec 12, 2000 12:00AM
I have to agree with the diabetes angle.  Twice I have passed out while driving.  Luckily, both times I ended up out in the corn field.  Thank God I wasn't in town where I could have hurt somebody!  This was how I found out that I have diabetes.  Luckily, I can just take pills twice a day and just monitor my blood sugar level.  The test is pretty simple and inexpensive so maybe Rick should check into having it done.

by Brighty to Marcie, Dec 12, 2000 12:00AM
Good post !!! I'm happy that your sister won the lawsuit...after all the nightmare and the injustice!! She could have died. Too bad that law enforcement isn't better educated so that a person can go to the hospital and let the doctors decide if it's insulin related or not.

by From Aunt Lindy to Mariah, Dec 12, 2000 12:00AM
Thank You! I could tell you all kinds of things about that night.  She had to go through a god aweful body search. She was put in a cell with hookers all kinds of people.  They transferred her to a hospital where she was shackled to the bed.  The whole time she was telling them that she was a diabetic. They said yes sure that is what they all say!  She has been through so much.  When she was 25 she was the youngest person at our local hospital to undergo a QUADRUPLE BYPASS.  She is now 35 and doing great!  However, she does have an enormous amount of pills to take daily as a result of the transplants.  But she does not mind that one bit. I think of her as a walking miracle.  I will never forget that as she was getting ready to leave for the hospital my sister started to cry.  I asked her what was wrong.  She said I am sad because in order for me to live someone had to die.  That was really hard on her.  She is a good person and the thought of the grief that the family is going through upset her.  She wrote the family a letter.  She of course does not know who they are but the hospital forwards the letter and it is up to them whatever they want to do.  I dont know if she heard back from them.  All I know is that she sent them a wonderful, grateful letter of thanks.  Great to hear from you Brighty!

Sincerely,

Marcie.

by Rick, Dec 13, 2000 12:00AM
Thanks for all the replies.  I am going to get some bloodwork done.  You reminded me of ANOTHER change I've experienced over these last same 2 years probably also related to blood sugar levels.  Sometimes when I skip or delay a meal I start getting really shakey and kind of funny feeling or lightheaded.  Some food quickly calms everything down.  Though I've never had this happen for the 1st 45 years of my life, I realize our bodies are constantly changing.  Thanks again, I'll put a reply out when I get some results back from blood work.
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