If you are suffering from the condition called fibromyalgia, then you will not want to ever drink and drive. Even a small amount of alcohol can trigger a higher-than-normal BAC for those that are suffering from this condition and may cause you to be arrested even though you have not actually had too much to drink.
One news story discusses a man who had one glass of wine at a dinner outing, and was pulled over on the way home. Because he had only had a small amount to drink, the man submitted to a BAC test, and was shocked to see that he was over the legal limit. The man was arrested, and it wasn’t until later that his lawyer was able to show how his client’s medical condition misconstrued his blood and breath tests. Fibromyalgia is a fatigue syndrome that can mimic some of the symptoms of alcoholic intoxication.
Typically, Fibromyalgia results in long-term body wide pain and tenderness in all joints and muscles. Fibromyalgia has been linked with fatigue, headaches, depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. Those that have the illness may feel disoriented or dizzy because of their exhaustion and may also have to deal with hypothyroidism which is an underactive thyroid.
Fibromyalgia is often associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Rheumatoid Arthritis. While the exact cause of the illness is not known, research has shown that drinking alcohol can actually exacerbate the symptoms of this illness. Because Alcohol contains toxins, it can heighten the symptoms of fibromyalgia so that a person seems extremely sleepy as a result.
In addition to fibromyalgia, there are other common health conditions that can mimic the symptoms of alcohol intoxication and cause a person to register a false positive on a breath test. For example, consuming alcohol can cause a diabetic to suffer from hypoglycemia which will cause that person to mimic the responses of a drunk driver. Sometimes a person with hypoglycemia can even fall into a state called ketoacidosis. This is a condition which will cause the patient to produce levels of acetone in the mouth.
These can be then read as a compound in the methyl group and trigger a false positive on a DUI test. While there have not been concrete studies regarding this phenomenon in relation to fibromyalgia there are arguments to prove that this may happen in that sort of circumstance as well. This is because fibromyalgia patients can often suffer from hypoglycemia conditions and suffer low blood sugar. In some instances, a fibromyalgia patient doesn’t even need to drink any alcohol to registers a positive on a test because of the acetone that is present in the mouth.
In addition, a person who is suffering from fibromyalgia probably would not do an adequate job completing field sobriety tests. You are not required to complete these tests, which may be an important thing to keep in mind if you are not feeling good and are asked to perform a series of physical exercises during a DUI stop. If you do decide to complete the DUI field sobriety tests, then the police can use the evidence that you could not complete them as proof that you were intoxicated.
If you have been accused of a DUI and know that you only registered a positive BAC because of your medical condition, then you need a local lawyer to assist you in your defense. Oftentimes you will want professionals to vouch for you, and will need medical personnel to confirm that your condition did cause your BAC level to spike. If you need assistance, this directory may be able to help you locate a DUI attorney near you. With the right attorney on your side, you will be able to prove your case and may even be able to avoid punishment for your alleged crimes.