Need help with infections ...

[Alacrity68]

I posted this on the experts forum without a reply, so maybe others can help?

I am a 47 year old male with a history of drinking and related digestive problems (diarrhea/malabsorption). Prior to my current symptoms, I had/have experienced frequent diarrhea, a lower back ache, and geographic tongue.  During the past 6 months I have significantly curtailed my drinking to only beer, and no more than a few beers a week.  I take Lipitor, BP meds, and Ambien.

For the last several months, I have been had the following symptoms: Daily sore throat ... worse at night, occasional eye discharge in the mornings, urethritis with frequent/incomplete urination( last 4 weeks), constant stomach "gurgling"', more painful tongue sores with white rings, occasional night sweats, fatigue after a being awake for about 12 hours. Right side lymph node in chin is pea sized, and slightly larger than the left side.  Bowel movements are considerably better with less drinking.  I have lost about 20 lbs, likely attributable to healthier eating/drinking.

I have been treated with Azithromycin, and I am currently in my 3rd week of Doxycycline, yet the symptoms are getting worse.  Blood counts/tests are are normal except slightly elevated liver function.  Hepatitis panel, HIV, and STD tests are all negative.  Gallbladder ultrasound and upper body CT scan negative.   I have been on a gluten free diet for about 4 -5 weeks.

PC, GI, and ENT don't seem to have any further suggestions.  I'd like to press for further testing, but don't know what to ask for.  Any thoughts on potential causes that I can investigate with my PC doctor.

Thank you.

[Alacrity68]

Thanks on the congrats.  I've had very little alcohol the last few months ... no more than a few gluten free rice beers in any given week.  While I have no doubt that my earlier drinking was a contributor to my issues, I really feel that my current symptoms are not tied to any recent alcohol intake.

The most disconcerting symptoms are the sore/swelling throat, urinary infection, and tongue sores.  These issues are better in the morning, and get progressively worse as the day wears on.  I can't tie them to anything food related, or environment related.

I have had some recent joint pain, and internet research might indicate bacterial arthritis (Reiter's) as a possible clause.  If that's the case, it sure would be nice to find/kill the causative bacteria, assuming it's still there.

Thanks again for your thoughts/support/suggestions.

[molleyc]

Congrats on your advance toward stopping drinking! I really think that quitting alcohol completely will clear up some of your issues, but have you had any allergy testing done? Different people have different allergy symptoms, and some of your symptoms sound like some I've heard of - especially since some only happen at night.  Maybe you're allergic to dust mites -- pressing your head into a dust mite-filled pillow all night can cause sore throat, coughs, eye discharge, night sweats, sometimes fatigue. Or it could be the detergent you wash your sheets in, any number of things.  The sores on the tongue and stomach issues could be related to some kind of food allergy...  Good luck!

[17mthssober275]

I think it's your drinking that's causing your problems. Sounds familiar to my days of drinking, bringing down your health. Talk to the doctor about your alcohol consumption and get advice on quitting. Elevated liver tests can be better only by total abstinence. AA meetings and quitting drinking saves your health.

[caregiver222]

Alcohol, even in small quantities deactivates antibiotics. Drinking and taking an antibiotic is an excellent method of developing a chronic incurable multi-drug resistant infection.