Fallout New Vegas: Skill level lowering by it self??????

[Nice Bike]

I was building up to a 50 REPAIR skill level so I could make repair
kits at a workbench. Finally I got to 50 and could make a few repair
kits.
Somehow during the game the REPAIR skill level is suddenly lowered to
48! How come? It now reads 48 (-)
I don't understand this minus (-) sign behind it.
Could I have done something bad that lowered my REPAIR skill level?
Does KARMA have influence on it?
I have search forums and Googled, but I haven't found an answer.
Does anybody now?

[Memnoch]

Have a look on the health screen of your Pip Boy. There is a section that
shows any effects, both positive and negative, that are active. Its probably a
food, water or radiation problem that has lower one of your SPECIAL
attributes. Or maybe alcohol addiction and you are going cold turkey.

[KCB]

?
"Nice Bike" <now...@alpha.net> wrote in message
news:66h3e6p57cdcrl3n3...@4ax.com...

Things you eat or drink might affect repair skills, among other things.

[Nice Bike]

Thanks allot, it turned out I was addicted to Mentats without knowing
it, Doc Mitchell cleaned me up. Now my REPAIR skill is back to its
original value. I guess I haven't figured out the finesse of the game
yet.