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Alcohol intolerance

Posted , 8 users are following.

flower78757
flower78757

I would like to know if any one with ME/CFS has what I would call an allergic reaction to alcohol? I mean I don't drink, (has put me off more) I have never been a big drinker but it's sometimes nice to have a celebration at Xmas etc, right? Very strange, I end up feeling doubled fatigued and a blocked up nose,not being able to taste anything! Just wondered if I'm alone in this?

Many Thanks

Tasha

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • lori93950
    lori93950 flower78757

    Posted

    i normally have a glass of wine at night just to relax ..i notice if i drink more than that i feel even worse than i normally do but no real allergic reaction

  • AndyC77
    AndyC77 flower78757

    Posted

    Some say most people with ME suffer but i can drink well enough. Not had many problems unless i have too many. I generaly have a few beers and some strong pain killers so i dont consume much. Not advisable though, obviously.

  • eleanor12697
    eleanor12697 flower78757

    Posted

    when i was at my worst, alcohol would trigger my worst fatigue crashes, sometimes lasting several days or longer than a week. i felt constantly dehydrated, stiff and achy after drinking and also suffered a lower tolerance to alcohol, meaning i got drunker quicker... i would say i was alcohol intolerant for nearly a year.. there is a definite connection.

    • AndyC77
      AndyC77 eleanor12697

      Posted

      There absolutley a connection i am just lucky enough at the moment to have many bad experiences.

  • DiannaO
    DiannaO flower78757

    Posted

    I am so sensitive that even a small amount of alcohol or caffeine would increase my symptoms so badly I would feel absolutely horrible. I don't go near either one now!

  • elaine62759
    elaine62759 flower78757

    Posted

    I used to be able to drink the odd glass of wine but felt awful the next day. I also used to feel like my nose was blocked up when drinking it which I now think was due to the sulfite in it which is a common allergen. I now am unable to drink at all after a bad reaction to alcohol in a mouthwash where my face went swollen up so have been told to avoid it. I now drink sparkling apple juice instead which is a much healthier alternative!

  • flower78757
    flower78757

    Posted

    Definitely find that alcohol and caffeine makes symptoms alot worse, luckily I don't like tea or coffee, people can never understand when you say you can't go near caffeine, for example energy drinks. And yes if I were to drink some alcohol I definitely feel more achy and the fatigue is something else!! I still find it strange how my mind will just go, like I can't remember how to spell words or work an equation out, or remember what I'm saying in conversations, it's like it doesn't always come out properly, I'm searching for words, odd isn't it, anyone else get this? And it's never an on going thing is it, just creeps up if you're particularly suffering badly!

    Thanks

    Tasha

    • Beverley_01
      Beverley_01 flower78757

      Posted

      Are you meaning those symptoms without alcohol as to me they're stand alone cfs/me symptoms.

      recently spoke with a nutritionist who explained how yeast/gluten can be the trigger in drinks not necessarily the alcohol.

      Beverley

    • flower78757
      flower78757 Beverley_01

      Posted

      It's more of an allergic reaction, blocked nose can't taste food etc never had this before and was wondering if anyone has had the same? I never had these before I was diagnosed. Very interesting about the yeast/gluten.

    • Beverley_01
      Beverley_01 flower78757

      Posted

      Hi Flower,

      I never had the symptoms before cfs/me either but, I get the allergic reaction stuff not just from alcohol and often see it as a reaction to just doing too much rather than an internal reaction to something if that makes sense? I used to think I was ok with drink but now find I'm even more sensitive to something in it. one thing that I used to get as drinking would be my red hot cheek and ear that would appear and then go but, I would get it at other times and thought maybe it was more likely something in the pub like cleaning materials? joss sticks give me the red hot ear and ill feeling too as do ghastly air fresheners where I haven't had a drink. I also think that drinking alcohol, for me, includes socialising. Something that is getting harder for me to do. I forget how much energy it takes and how ill I will feel afterwards. This is again without alcohol involved also. It's Christmas so I have seen more people and this leaves me housebound afterwards to recover.

      So, in my opinion and experience, the allergy type reaction could be to alcohol, the type of alcohol or something else in the environment where you are even, doing too much previously or maybe a combination perhaps.

      Beverley

  • flower78757
    flower78757

    Posted

    The symptoms are some what different to a hangover effect, I have had ME/CFS for 4 and a half years and I can distinguish the difference. So unfortunately not in this case!

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