Is this from drinking?

I am a 29 year old alcoholic, and have noticed for around 5 years that if I don't drink I have diarrhea and get chronic hives. The hives usually happen at night around bedtime, or when I sleep (even naps in the day), and are usually preceded by or coupled with sweats. However when I drink, around 3 to 4 beers, or 2 shots, these secede. They also go away when I take allegra/benadril/claratin. I suspect I may be narcoleptic as well. My dreams are lucid and I wake every 45 min to 1 hour, unless of course, I drink. Also, coupled with the poor nights sleep, I have EXTREME spells of sleepines, sometimes to the point of hallucination, during the day, around 3 or 4. On top of that I do suffer from sleep paralysis. (I'm a mess.)

Are all these issues caused by my alcoholism? I am especially curious about the hives and their reaction to alcohol/allergy medicine. I don't have insurance, so treatment or diagnosis is not an option. Thank you!

[boogieman]

hi there. it's likely that your symptoms are either caused or worsened by drinking, as you say you are an alcoholic. alcohol is a sedative that will cause extreme sleep disturbances, and the little you are getting is likely not doing your body and mind much good. sleep is an important restorative component to overall health, and lack of such could easily cause secondary conditions. these could also be manifestations of withdrawal----when a regularly sedated nervous system is deprived of depressing chemicals, it will rebound and essentially can wreak havoc in a lot of ways. are you trying to stop drinking? also, if you had a broken arm, would you go to a doctor or hospital? alcoholism results in broken minds, broken spirits, broken bodies and broken lives. there are resources available in many areas that will assist those without insurance (i know---i don't have any either) if you want some help. maybe ibizan could give you some local advice as you guys are both in ohio. but you have to want it. best wishes,   gm

[ibizan]

how long u been taking that benadryl?mixed with alcohol and prolonged use can cause an allergic reaction and possible skin hives.If u really want to stop drinking...contact ur county substance abuse outpatient clinic...they have funding to help those minus insurance...i work at one myself and many folks we serve r in the same boat u r in...u also don't identify for how many years u been drinking for and how much per episode.

[GodsTeeth]

I don't take benadril, but when this first started, I thought it might be an allergic reaction, so I tried it, and it worked for the hives, but it knocks me out for nearly 24 hours. So, since taking the benadril worked, I tried Claratin, which I dont have a prescription for, and it worked. Which makes me question weather this is from allergies, or a symptom of something else, like renal failure.

[boogieman]

hi. it's really hard to say with limited information. the best thing to do would be to get an assessment from a competent physician, and as ibizan stated there are economically feasible options for doing so. best wishes,       gm

[MGM155]

In my area (Asheboro, NC), there are 2 hospitals that offer free detox.  You check in through the ER.  You don't say where you live, but look around and see what's available.

I have sleep paralysis which I didn't have until I started anti-depressants, have been tried on many types, and they all cause the same reaction, i.e., sleep paralysis and very vivid dreams to the point of hallucinations.  Of course, I was drinking while taking these meds.  They didn't help anyway, so I weaned myself off of several prescribed for me over the years.  Also, I have diarrhea when not drinking.

The hives?  I have no idea what could be going on there.  

I hope you find some answers.  Best wishes to you.