hemochromatosis-feeling drunk/drugged?

Before I found out that I had Hemochromatosis, I was sick and taking a lot of Vitamin C, but usually felt worse, and that was a bad thing as it spiked my iron uptake and is what triggered the additional testing. I had really bad fatigue, joint pain, felt like I couldn't recharge my batteries no matter how much I slept. That's when I got scared and went to the doctor.

Too much of something can make things worse. If you suspect Hemochromatosis, get your primary care doctor to test your serum ferritin, serum iron, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC)...those should help clue you in if there is an issue with hemochromatosis or iron overloading.  There are genetic testing companies that can definately confirm if you do. I took a take-home test for $200 for peace of mind after my iron tests came back elevated.  If you've taken a genetic test for Hemochromatosis and are affected, you should not be supplementing with Vitamin C. B-12 helped me some, but I'm still low on others. I have an appointment with a Gastro specialist to discuss further. I don't supplement with anything on my own unless the doctor directs it.

If it's not iron issues, if you can't eat bread, you might want to get tested for Celiac's, gluten intolerance and allergies, maybe systemic Candida or yeast infection?...I've read that they can mimic the same symptoms as a hangover due to the toxins produced from yeasts... If you don't feel right, don't stop looking and testing until you get answers from your doctor, or if they aren't helping, get a second opinion.

I since read among all the research about HH that we with HH are prone to this problem.  We also can have the symptoms of diabetes without having diabetes.  I wish I could find that research again.  I was in such a hurry looking for something else that I did not bookmark it.

Grains and dairy are also inflammation forming and we usually suffer from that.  Some of us don't absorb Vit B12 via tablet form, so a blood test needs to be done to confirm and if so, injections are the only form of Vit B12 supplement which will work.  So far I have not found that other vitamin Bs are a problem via tablet.  Excess vitamin Bs generally leave your body if you take too much so don't seem to be a problem to take.

I do take a vit C supp last thing at night when hopefully I don't have any more food in my stomach, if not, I wake up with a sore throat leading to a cold because my immune system is fairly low.

Vit D is another important factor, I have found by experience.  I was tested low even though I had doubled up on my tablet form vit D.  My dr told me to buy a practitioners form of vit D3 drops forte (in my case, I buy Bio Ceuticals) and my D3 levels have increased dramatically.

Matts listed 3 parts of an Iron Studies test.  However, your transferrin saturation % is a telling marker with HH.  It is generally >50 (males) when you have HH and is an important indicator.  If you have a high ferritin iron but a low TS%, it is generally not Hereditary Haemochromatosis.

Get in contact with your country's HH association, and join a local support group (or form one - advertise in a free community newspaper, put up notices everywhere).  At your local library look for Iron Disorders Institute Guide to Hemochromatosis, and The Hemochromatosis Cookbook - not necessarily for the recipes but there is a lot of info regarding iron in foods and why it is ok to eat spinach and some red meat, etc.

It will also tell you that drinking tea/coffee, a small red wine (once per day unless your liver is shot), calcium products, etc with your meals to help reduce the uptake of iron.

Sorry I accidentally hit send. Everybody expects me to be on my toes all day at work and paying attention but I can't focus. They're getting mad at me and everything. I can't take it but I can't explain myself either. I've been saying that I'm "just tired" for too long, and I don't show any symptoms of a tired person. This is not physical, it's mental. Something is wrong with me and I'm not going to go though life denying it. I can be a zombie at work, but not wit my friendz amd family. I swear If i find wjats wrong with me I'll come back and let you folks know. I'm gonna try go to the doctor tomorrow cuz my boss said were only working 8 hours. I'm gonna show the doctor this forum. Hopefully he won't shrug it off like your doctors seem to be doing. Thanks folks for sharing your experiences it makes me feel better.

I'm actually 19 but keep forgetting. Sorry

I want to share a story with everyone in hopes that it might help someone out there.last year after a night of drinking my gf had a harsh night of crying.the next day felt like a normal hangover.days after she started having headaches light sensitivity dizzyness feeling drunk.this all started after that night.we were so confused as to what happened.after searching the internet i came across countless stories of people with similar symptoms and many went to neurologists ent had mri and nothing.this whole yr ive spent time reading doing research.i've discovered we all have this strange muscle called the sternocleidomastoid thats in the neck in form of a "V".this muscle can become strained and cause so many weird symptomslikecoughing sneezing blurry vision foggy feeling dizzy headaches.i was relieved to find this out since alot of those symptoms is what my gf was feeling but now i needed a connection of how crying could trigger or activate this muscle since that how our problem (i believe)started. so i kept researching for months with no further break throughs.finally after months i researched researched and came to find out that when people cry all sorts of muscles in the head/face/neck are pulled pressured and strained.not only that but our breathing becomes abnormal and our inhalation exhalation process for normal breathing speed up as our body demands for more air .and as this happens better known as "forced inspiration" a muscle called the STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID gets activated since it is an accessory muscles that Helps our lungs to pull more air in .whats weird is that my gf was also doing a diet and i think this weaken her whole system including her respiratory system.i also think its weird how when ppl eat or drink stuff it affects their head for some weird reason.im thinking maybe theres a connection between our stomach and respiratory aswell although i might be wrong.my theory is that the sternocleidomastoid is involved and the respiratory system.i also believe if ppl dont eat right or starve themselves they can affect this.or if they take part in activitities that trigger this muscle.i think the answer lies in the nerves in the back which makes the whole thing more complicated.its a spinal cord nerve thing.these are some things i found out and this is my theory.i think people should try saunas or massage beds with infrared heat that heal your spine .(:peace

Hi Josh,

did you ever get better or get a diagnoses? I myself went on a big night out in the summer, drank a lot of alcohol and since then I have been going through life day to day feeling as though I'm still drunk but not, like you explained. I have been this way over 6 months now, I have been diagnosed with haemochromtosis yet my doctor doesn't seem to think my brain fog is related? any comments/help Would be much appreciated!