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Methotrexate and alcohol

Posted , 104 users are following.

kirknap
kirknap

Hi there,

I've only yesterday started on my methotrexate tablets and have just started reading the online forums and have became very worried! The number of people who are losing their hair seems incredible, is this a common side effect?

I'm 23 years old and drinking and work in a bar while i'm studying at University. Drinking and going out is a massive part of my life and I was just wondering if anyone could tell me if it's still possible to carry this on at all? I usually go out roughly twice a week and can drink up to 3 nights. I know of course I will be cutting down massively, but can I still do it at all?

I can only find negative forums on here about the drug and it's making me feel like the side effects aren't worth the risk... Does anyone feel like they can still live their lifes on this drug and it is worth taking?

Thanks for any advice you can give! A bit worried here...

7 likes, 107 replies

107 Replies

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  • j.capes
    j.capes

    Posted

    Hi Kirsty,

    Glad your feeling better about the whole thing. I'm not really a big drinker but around 3 /4 pints a week on average. If you take your meds on Wednesday you should be absolutely fine by the weekend but for the first few take it easy to see how you go. It's also really good news that they have diagnosed and started you on meds quickly so like me the outlook is very good. If there's anything you need to know or want an opinion on at any point just drop me a message on here and I'll do my best to help smile

  • daisymae01
    daisymae01 kirknap

    Posted

    Thank you so much for asking this question.  I just started taking Methotrexate for severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (15mg).  Since this conversation occured about 4 months ago, could you give me an update as to how you are doing and what side effects you are having, especially when you drink, if you have any.  Also, is there anything thing I should be on the look-out for?

    Thank you again,

    Daisy

    • kirknap
      kirknap daisymae01

      Posted

      Hi there,

      I've been taking methotrexate for almost 5 months now and if I'm being honest, I've been drinking quite a lot too.. I probably have 2/3 proper nights out a week which is much more than 10 units but I had my bi weekly tests done and everything has always been ok.. Now on monthly tests but everything still good. I will say though it makes you much less tolerant. I get drunker quicker and I get really bad hangovers. I've found that not mixing drinks too much and having berocca and plenty of sleep helps a lot! If not the hangovers are really bad. Any other questions just let ask smile happy to help with this coz it was quite a big deal for me when I started. My meds are also working perfectly smile x

    • Bababoyd
      Bababoyd daisymae01

      Posted

      Hi girls.  I start methotrexate tomorrow 7.5 mil.  I have been on steroids for 14 months for my Polymyalgia. I have to go back up on the steroids and they say in order to keep them low I need this Metho.  I  too do drink a lot, but the idea of never a glass of wine or drink every so often is not much fun. Dr told me NO alcohol at all. Have your Drs said why you should not drink?  The losing hair is also disturbing to me.  I am just getting it back from the steroids.
    • Babyhog2
      Babyhog2 Bababoyd

      Posted

      I give myself a shot of methotrexate once a week & have been doing this for 5 years! My dr said a social drink every now & then! I have a very small glass of wine like once every 6 weeks are so! It's not so much how you feel when you have a drink, I feel no different! But my dr said it is the long term effect it will have on your liver! So be careful drinking to much. Good luck, it's no fun being on the Meds but sure helps my psoriasis! 😬

    • tina1014
      tina1014 daisymae01

      Posted

      How have you been doing on Methotrexate for the last year? I have psoriasis & psoriatic arthritis. I stared Met 5 weeks ago. No results yet. I am afraid to drink anything but it is affecting my social life. They say people with PA should really not drink. It's more risky than other diseases. Are you having any drinks? How's your liver function?

    • richard_89931
      richard_89931 tina1014

      Posted

      I guess the American line on methotrexate and alcohol differs greatly to what our specialist doctors in the uk say !

      We're told to stay within limits which means about 1 pint of beer a day etc , and no excessive drinking if possible and basically drink sensibly . My blood tests show my liver , kidney and everything else to be normal and I now take 17.5 once a week for psoriatic arthritis.

      I love craft beer and drink about 4 days a week ( only a couple but it can be quite strong ! ) I don't feel any effects from the alcohol tbh, apart from joints aching a little if I drink too much but nothing serious . Since my dose got to 15 mg i started to see good results , now I'm on 17.5 things are improving a lot . I also take etoricoxib ( 90 mg ) every day which along with the methotrexate seems to be the right combination for me .

      I'd say don't worry too much about drinking as your blood tests would quickly show if it was causing a problem , have a drink it will probably do you good 😊

    • tricia1982
      tricia1982 tina1014

      Posted

      Hi I'm the exact same I have psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. I start mtx today and I have read a lot of horror stories and has scared me so much about all the side effects. I too like to have a drink but I'm petrified .

  • Lockie92
    Lockie92 kirknap

    Posted

    Hey there,

    I'm also about to start taking methotrexate for Crohns Disease and was pretty turned off about the no drinking side of it as I am also at university and its a pretty regular occurence. You've answered most of my questions but I was just wondering how much you were taking a week? And did you have to take it easy the first few weeks?

    My doctor also told me that if I knew I was going to have a big weekened I could just not take it that week and I'd feel ok. Do you ever do this?

    Thankyou!

    Lachlan

     

    • kirknap
      kirknap Lockie92

      Posted

      Hi there

      I take 15mg a week, did the doctor really say that? I'm just about to go on a trip round Europe and been worrying about the hangovers loads so that could be great.. I wasn't told anything about it though I'm afraid. As long as you keep up with getting blood tests and make sure your liver is coping they said I'm allowed to drink.

      Hope that helps?

      Kirsty 

  • steve2407
    steve2407 kirknap

    Posted

    Hi, just thought I would add my experience of Methatrexate; likewise I've read a lot of negative accounts, however I have been taking 22.5mg weekly for at least 5 years probably longer and take it on a Tuesday to give a decent time gap before the weekend. Generally I don't drink much if at all during the week but at the weekend socialise normally just like I always did so for example last night 3 glasses champagne, 2 glasses of red wine, 1 brandy, 1 whiskey and just felt a bit thick headed today. I tolerate the drug and have never experienced sickness, but as said previously, if you do overdo it on the booze your hangovers will wipe you out the following day!

    otherwise no other side affects that I'm aware of!

    Just go easy to begin with and I wish you good luck with your treatment!

  • virginia93217
    virginia93217 kirknap

    Posted

    Hello,

    I've never been on a discussion board, but I'm looking for anwers so I'll give it a shot.

    I was diagnosed about a year ago with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, then rediagnosed as Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, and just this week was changed to Psoriadic Arthritis. I have been on methotextrate for about 8 months. I am about to start my freshman year for college. My main concern, as horrible as this may be to say, is that I won't be able to have the "true" freshman experience and be able to drink in college. My doctor told me I could have 3 drinks a week, but I'm not sure how realistic this is.

    That being said, I guess my question really is how to find that happy balance with alcohol and this medication? I want to be able to have fun in college, but I also want to play it safe. Is drinking on this medication really as dangerous as these websites say?

    Any comments/thoughts would be helpful smile 

    • missamandabats
      missamandabats virginia93217

      Posted

      Hello!

      I have had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since I was 1 and a half, and I'm now 27 years old. I fought getting on this medication for 2 years due to the horror stories, but after recently getting a second opinion, I broke down and decided to try it out. I had my first dose on Sunday. I felt really neuseaous for the first 48 hours. After that I've been ok, but my second dose is in 2 days. I was told I can't drink on this medication, which is how I came across this site because man oh man could I use a glass of wine after the week I've had! Haha so I was happy to read all of you feedback! I think I'll try a glass of wine after I've had a few doses. 

      Thank you all! smile

    • kirknap
      kirknap virginia93217

      Posted

      Hi there,

      I think it really is different for everyone, but I've been on my medication for 6 months and now and was just told by my doctor that he was releasing me from the clinic as everything is going perfectly including my health and the effect of the medication and I still have 2/3 nights out a week. Saying that, like I said, it definitely does take it out of you when you do drink and make sure to take your dose as far apart as you can from your drinking. I'd never drink the same day or even the day after mostly. 

      I don't want to say it's fine, but for me anyway, as long as you take it easy and stay healthy otherwise I still have carried on drinking and I've been alright!

      Hope that helps at all?

    • kirknap
      kirknap missamandabats

      Posted

      Accidentally replied to you in the one below! Ha sorry, have a look anyways if you get a chance smile
    • tina66839
      tina66839 virginia93217

      Posted

      Hi!

      I have really no advice for you but i am in a similar situation. I am 20 years old and have had JRA since i was 13. When i was diagnoised i was put on methotrexate and the only side affect was feeling nauseous the day after. I was on it for about 2 years but fought the doctor to get off of it. Just last year i was percribed this medication again but fought taking it for the same reasons as you. Now a year later my knee is still inflamed and ive deciced to just take it. Im turning 21 in a month and hate to admit it but am worried about missing out on the college experience as well. I find it interesting that everyone is posting about their doctors allowing them to have a few drinks, becuase mine told me i wasnt allowed any alcohol at all. After reading this discussion I figure i can get by with drinking maybe a few times a month. Hope everythings going well with you! 

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