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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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  • xlncvishal
    xlncvishal kirknap

    Posted

    I have been diagnosed with psoriasis Artheritus and started taking methotrexate 20MG a week 3 months back. It does make me sick a little bit on the day i take the med but it gets better post that, the only issue is that it does not take the pain away for all seven days, the pain in one of my joints comes back on 6th day and stays till day 2 when the drug effect kicks in again. Anyone else facing this problem?
  • Cs100
    Cs100 kirknap

    Posted

    Hi!  I have been on methotrexate for a few years now, on a relatively lowish dose.  I have had my ups and downs on it, and often wavered about whether to continue.  I started because I was in pain, and was persuaded that the drug could prevent early onset arthritis causing future damage to joints.  It has always felt wierd to take a drug like this mostly preventatively.  Very gradually however almost all my pain has gone, and joints have not further deteriorated.  I cant prove it was the drug, and that it would not have gone into remission anyway, but I am very grateful anyway.  The horrible side effects have also got more and more manageable, that is once my dose had been adjusted.  I did manage even when they were bad, to hold down my job, and normal life, with very few days off work, and now barely notice them.  I am maybe lucky that I dont drink anyway, but I yes do have a normal social life etc.  If all my symptoms stay in remission stably - ie say at least 18 months, I am hoping to come off the drug, and then if all goes well hope it stays stable.  I suppose I have found methotrexate better than a previous drug which I had an allergic reaction to, but it does seem to affect some people much worse than me.  My guess is they are the people more likely to write on this site?
  • karen43476
    karen43476 kirknap

    Posted

    Hi there,

    I am 49 years old and was diagnosed with RA about 2 years ago and then a year ago in Oct. with a rare auto immune disease Birdshot Retinochoridopahty  of the eyes. I have been on Prednisone for a year. Dr's are trying to get me off of the steroid and find something that will treat both diseases. I just started Methotrexate 2 mo. ago and have been nervous also of all the side affects because I to am a drinker. I have slowed down a lot but we entertain a lot and everything we do seems to revolve around drinking. It has been very difficult for me. I have noticed when I do drink it does catch up with me quicker than I am use to and hits hard when it hits so be careful. The Dr. also told me NO alchol at all. So I am trying hard to limit my intake and need strength to do so even though I know the harm I could be causing my body.  I am experiancing some hair lose and fear that it gets worse. I just found this site today and it is very helpful and interesting to see everyones experiances. I have to continue this medicine for years to come so I do not go blind. I guess I am just going to have to come up with some hobbies to keep me busy but I feel like that will be alone because everyone else is doing what they all do, socializing a lot at our age and drinking. Sad but true!!!!

    • bridgetti41814
      bridgetti41814 karen43476

      Posted

      Hello there. I know how you feel while taking mexthotrexate . I'm too a social drinker. I've been in the pill for two weeks now. I'm 32 years old and I feel my social life is limited. Just last night my friend 56 came over who also has medical issues such as fibromyalgia and more. But she tends to try to still enjoy life even if she's hurting but she's not on methotrexate . We had some drinks . I made her mixed drinks but I just had wine which I figure is better then hard vodka I guess. Your 100% right tho the drinking catches up with you quicker. I hate to be limited on life! I was told while taking these meds not to be around people that has colds especially the elderly and children. My sister feels as if I'm pushing her away or something and not really understanding why I don't want company the day of taking the pill which is on a Friday . Family really had to start listening and doing research on your condition to understand why you feel like you feel. I take my pills on Friday because I go back to work on Sunday so that's why I had a drink last night( Thursday) . I made a mistake when I first started and had a drink on the day I took the methotrexate which was a bad ideal. I felt major joint pain the next morning. So it's better if your going to have a drink have it the day before your pill intake. I feel like sh*t this morning from the side effects but I guess it's either these pills or death for us right? Lol . I try to keep humor 😁. It's hard tho to just change what you've been use to so long as in having a nice drink even if the doctor said not to but I slowed down as well and stick to wine. Haven't experienced the hair thing yet. I'm taking folic acid which was given by my doctor to stop the hair from coming out. Are you taking folic acid as well?. I hope your day today is good. Good to find people like this on here that can relate to you.
    • roxxxy1988
      roxxxy1988 karen43476

      Posted

      Yes I no the feeling and since starting methotrexate I have no social life at all. All me get together were drink orientated but Iv managed to be t total since March. I'm having a couple over Xmas which I agree with you I feel like I'm drinking 3 times the amount I am actually drinking.
  • mr_todd
    mr_todd kirknap

    Posted

    Hello there.

    i have been on MTX for a couple of months now for PSA. I certianly wish you well takeing this medication. i take 17.5 mg's a week. and I am on of the rare ones who has no side effects. i take the folic acid religiously. dont drink or smoke. i fear that if i were state anything in this thread against drinking alcohol that it would be negative. i am not against drinking as i used to drink i just dont anymore.

    I would encourage anyone i knew who endevours into this medication to PLEASE thoroughly read the multi, i mean multi, page leaflet of warnings and side effects of this drug. it can potentially damage the liver and so can alcohol. it seems to me that this is a case a this+that=what? how does my body handle MTX and liquor? I dont know. i dont think theres a formula out there. perhaps weighing factual studies would better help. theres a lot to be said about alcohol and the liver and MTX and the liver. good luck, sincerely 

  • roxxxy1988
    roxxxy1988 kirknap

    Posted

    I have been on methotrexate about a year I'm on 10 tablets a week I have server eczema and if i stop them my skin flares so bad. I like you used to enjoy social drinking but have had to stop completely due to the medication I'm on. It's hard enough living with this horrible disease let alone not being able to escape reality now and again. But it Christmas and iv decided to have a few drinks. I take methotrexate on a Monday and have a few on Sunday. I have been experiencing strange hangovers where all my muscles ache it may not be related but thought I'd let you know. My advice would be to not drink at all but thats easier said than done. Like I said iv managed to not drink all year but I'm having a few over Xmas

  • ann17573
    ann17573 kirknap

    Posted

    I have been reading all of these posts and I wanted to ask. I have Crohns Disease, Osteoarthristis and have been diagnosed with RA, which is why I am no on the Methotrexate. I feel a little out of sorts the day I take the meds (Sunday), but Monday/Tuesday I am exhausted and although I work...getting thru the day to end is difficult. My body aches from head to toe...is this normal and will these symptoms go a way? My Dr. told me to take Biotin and the Folic Acid, which I do religiously. Are all of you experiencing hair loss and other symptoms? I must say if the treatment is this bad, it seems the cure may be as bad as the disease.
  • fred75517
    fred75517 kirknap

    Posted

    Second attempt Kirknap. Lost my first reply. Been on MTX for about 8 years. Painful feet led me to see my GP who referred me to a  consultant. (I used company medical insurance) hence the quick appointment. My R.A was caught at an early stage. I began with perhaps 6 MTX, but am now on 10 tablets. All is well. I've read some scarey reviews about MTX. When asked about drinking, I said ''about 2 bottles of wine a week''. I was told that sounds ok and I've had no problems. I dont fancy takieng 10 tablets and will asked if I can reduce the quantity on my next appointment. I also take 1 Hydrochloriquin (wrong spelling)  once a day to back up the MTX. Although I initially went sick with my feet, the consultant only checks my fingers. (odd).
  • timothy11402
    timothy11402 kirknap

    Posted

    Hi kirknap:

    I am closing in on 70 years old and in really good health with the exception of my RA which I contracted 14 years ago. That makes me a "long term user" of mtx. I started off with 12 mtx pills per week while we were trying to get a handle on moderating the disease (along with plaquenil). So 12 pills is 30 mg per week. My doctor's nurse asked me a few months ago if I use alcohol and I said yes. She then said not to drink a few days before my monthly blood test, presumably to see what the enzyme levels are without alcohol. My intake of alcohol is probably around 5 drinks a week.

    Over the years, I have started using turmeric in capsule form, about 2 grams per day, which has really been beneficial to me for reducing inflammation. Along with that, I reduced my mtx intake, very gradually over three years, to 10 mg per day with no ill affect. My doctor is very open to this regime and has adjusted my Rx accordingly. My goal is to reduce it further and am really watching what I eat to help me along. My point is that an RA patient can, and should, experiment under their doctor's guidance with some natural approaches to managing the disease and so reducing the use of mtx.

    The newer biologics scare me a little because I don't think the traditional testing has been as thorough as in the past. 

  • Cimmonak
    Cimmonak kirknap

    Posted

    METHOTREXATE and alcohol together takes a very big toll on your liver. I personally drank 2 olympic swimming pools worth of beer (I'm 66) and I decided to stop drinking entirely. The first week is the most difficult. But one has the choice turn right or turn left... STOP DRINKING!

  • Delila
    Delila kirknap

    Posted

    Hi Kirknap I have been on methotrexate 15 mg for at least 8 months now....for chronic Urticaria..funny you should say about the hair loss..I didn't even give it a thought until now as I have just moved house and noticed the amount of hair I was hoovering up this old carpet is mauve and I have dark hair so very noticeable...for me I have had no problems gave me my life back. But I went to see my dermotology Dr yesterday and he said my liver enzimes had slightly raised...he said had I been drinking? it's only the last 7 weeks since I moved that I have been out with the girls about 3 times...but I'm not a weekly drinker. ..so I will keep you posted. Need to sort another blood test. God I hope I don't have to come off this drug..

  • lynda33393
    lynda33393 kirknap

    Posted

    I was on Methotrexate for 10+ years and was always told by my rheumatologist NO alcohol. The reason is the the risk of kidney disease.  You will be required to have regular blood labs to check for liver toxicity from the drug. Do not drink and take the chance of ruinng your liver. The party isn't worth it.  You'll need your kidneys for a long time.

  • DURANGO
    DURANGO kirknap

    Posted

    I am 26 and trying methotrexate for the second time. The first time I was 21, and responded to it poorly; I felt tired, groggy, out of focus, and couldn't keep food down the entire time I was on it. 

    This time I am taking 10 mg a week, and also an Enbrel injection once a week. I haven't felt any side effects this time, which is a relief. I have tried to drastically cut down my drinking though, as I was reccomended to do. I've been having 1-3 drinks per week instead of, honestly, what was before more like 7+ drinks per week. 

    This week I cheated a bit and ended up having a glass of wine, a small glass of beer, along with a tiny, tiny does of edible THC. (I live in Colorado where this is legal btw. Despite not being drunk when I went to sleep, when I woke up in the middle of the night to get a glass of water, I got dizzy, almost throw up, grew very disoriented, and then FAINTED! I hit my head on my dresser and now have a big scrape on my face. This was pretty scary, and this is the SECOND time since starting methotrexate I've fainted after combining small amounts of alcohol and pot. 

    Has anyone else had this experience? It sucks! I would like to be able to have 1-2 drinks without being afraid that I'm going to faint and hit my head.

  • Nekosavy
    Nekosavy kirknap

    Posted

    Hi, I was diagnosed with RA about 17 months ago.  I now take 12.5mg via injection and folic acid daily except the mx day.  After starting on tablets my Dr changed me to Metojet as I had very bad nausea which has now gone.  I initially had great improvement but lately I am getting bad pains again in my hands, knees and I am constantly very cold.  I live in Spain where having a drink is a huge part of the social scene.  My Dr. said drinking is fine in moderation "you shouldn´t be getting blind drunk"  All my blood tests are fine and I do have a drink on nearly a daily basis.  In the prospectus in the box it clearly tells you not to take Metotraxate if you are an alcoholic (no mixing words) and it strongly recommends not to drink but so far I am OK.  Not sure if the increased pains are due to winter weather or it is time to up the dosage?   Definately worth it though as before taking it I would get pain attacks in the joints severe enough for me not to able to move and, touch wood, so far so good.

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