Any doc's here familiar with CMV? Need advice about alcohol consumption.

[ben parrish]

I had a nasty fight with CMV in my early thirties. When I say nasty, I mean VERY nasty; nearly fatal. Put me in the critical care ward of Emory for about ten days with the CDC involved on diagnosis. I dropped from 185 to 155 while there and it took over a year to really get my self back to normal. The docs told me to not drink alcohol for a while as my liver really took a beating.
Well, life moves on and I have had a normal life for the past 15 years....until this past weekend. Went hunting with some buddies and I apparently had too much to drink (but not really that much) on Saturday evening and paid the price kneeling on the bathroom floor for a while. Had a major/ epic hangover on Sunday and got sick again later in the day. I still feel nauseated today.
The thing is, I have only had a few major hangovers in my life but I can't shake this feeling and I am really tired.

Is there long term reduction in liver function with CMV? Could I be having a "flare up" of symptoms brought on by drinking?

[Cajundaddy]

Not a Doc but this is a pretty good resource to help answer your questions about a possible flare-up.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection Definition - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic

[Gogar]

OF COURSE: Check with your doc.

BUT:

As a casual observer, I noticed you say you have had "VERY FEW" hangovers, especially since your bout with CMV.


As, such, I offer the (slightly less exciting, and more realistic) suggestion that you are GETTING OLD.

Hangovers when you're 50 are WAAAAAAY, WAAAAAAAY different than when you're 21, or 35. They last 24 or 36 hours, instead of 12.

So, (IMO) it's possible you're experiencing the effects of being a normal guy. Of course, there's never any harm done in talking to your doc..

Good luck!!!

[Noah930]

I am not an infectious disease or liver expert, but in general the liver is one of the stoutest organs in the body. With enough injury, it can permanently scar (that's what cirrhosis is), but it's got a tremendous regenerative ability. And IIRC, all you need is for 20% of your liver to function to lead a normal lifestyle. So unless you've been told that you incurred some permanent liver damage back in your 30s (and you'd likely know because your PCP will have checked your liver function panel with your annual physical blood work), it's unlikely your extended hangover from a one-time event of debauchery is related to the CMV you fought off years ago. If you really want to check, get a liver function panel.

Hope you feel better soon.

* All legal disclaimers in effect.

[ben parrish]

No doubt about getting older and not bouncing back like I could in the past. I think I will go get a physical soon and have a liver function test performed.