alcohol

[georgemichael-]

my husband does not seem to see the seriousness of alcohol and AF, he has loads of other illness and isvon a medley of drugs

[Uttled00]

There are loads of resources on the web. Below is a link to a brief synopsis by Bupa.

bupa.co.uk/individuals/heal...

Hope it helps, good luck with your husband.

[Hidden]

A lot of people have no idea. I've just been to a conference where I had to tell someone 'alcohol doesn't go very well with my drugs' in order to stop them pressing me to have a drink. We live in a society where there's a lot of alcohol around... I guess we just have to grit our teeth and be the sensible ones (and always the driver!).

Lis

[Raven345 in reply to Hidden]

Hi if you are teetotal then that's your aswere. Politely suggest that you prefer to purchase your own fruit juices or water saying you feeel awkward and obliged to return the favour. Say that you don't drink that much anyway. They should then recognise with respect, that you will be basically be overextending your hospitality efforts, in an expensive manner,

[excalibur]

Hi George Michael.

You didn't say what conditions and drugs he is on, but having AF doesn't mean no alcohol necessarily. Certainly he should try to keep within guidelines - generally 3 units/day and ideally 1 or 2 alcohol free days a week unless there are reasons that he shouldn't due to drug interactions - these are in the drug leaflets. And of course there also the calories to worry about.

So don't be too hard on him!

Lance

[makeawish]

everything in moderation! I know personally that alcohol and my medication do not like each other at all,while it may be harsh maybe you should ask your hubby which is more important?

goodluck

[CDreamer]

It is distressing to see someone you care about not looking after themselves, and it is always a personal choice, you cannot make someone else do something they don't want to do.

You don't say how much alcohol? Does he have a drink problem ie he HAS to drink everyday or are you worrying about an occasional, social drink? Eatsalottie is right it is very hard to be a non drinker in our society unless you are very committed as it is just not understood by others and therefor the pressure to be 'normal' is often a big factor,

I guess all you can do is be around to pick up the pieces. As a matter of interest - do you take a drink? If so, what about suggesting the you don't drink either and so have none in the house?

I stopped drinking at home 5 years ago so my husband doesn't either but we both enjoy the occasional drink when socializing, but getting my family, all what I would describe as heavy drinkers, to stop buying us bottles of whiskey is impossible.

[Raven345 in reply to CDreamer]

You are so right, adults have choices, good or bad. No one respects the feeling of them being controlled by another's belief or choices. There has to be a happy medium in an adult relationship. I f an intolerable or unhappy continuous behaviour problem is continued within a relationship, there is no relationship, it's a one way street and you have 2 choices go along with the situation or walk the other way.

[fuzzflyer]

Sometimes circumstances cause some to do things differently. I,m still unconvinced about cocktails.

[jedimasterlincoln]

I drastically reduced my caffeine and gave up alcohol totally after my 3rd bout of AF in 3 months. I've never been a heavy drinker, maybe 1 or 2 units a week, but I deemed it not worth the risk of kicking it off again.

[lingooz]

I am with jedimaster ( thats not to say we are right ) but my first attack followed wine , A & E doctor told me wine is one of the worse triggers so not touched it since tried couple vodkas on my birthday and although I did not have a attack I felt unwell all nexr day !! .note I dont take anything other than warfarin , I also only now drink decafe tea and coffee as it made my heart faster , I have eptopics but no full AF since april , g, maybe if he read this it may help convince him , good luck

[Raven345 in reply to lingooz]

Good suggestion, he may be able to relate better. You both can empathise due to shared experiences. A partner on feeling their advice is being ignored, is commonplaces. You have to be in the same position to recognise how an illness can physically and mentally affect/ change another's view in life. Poor choices are often made by the victim of illness relentless advice being given, is often misconstrued as nagging and controlling

[Jason1971]

Since finding out I have AF, I have spoken to / met with several people who have AF and alcohol does tend to come up in conversation. I had dinner with a guy last week who has had AF for 14 years. By choice he has not drunk for two years. He gave up the drink to see if this would have any effect on his AF. He told me he did used to drink quite a bit. He's a successful business (Recently retired) and used to entertain quite a bit. He feels a whole lot better since quitting the booze, but it made no difference to his AF. He still has episodes and last year had an ablation that worked for 7 months. His EP even suggested he should have a couple of beers (Everything in moderation), however he feels a couple of beers will lead to a couple more and so on.

I have so many triggers at the moment if I was to give them up I would simply curl up and pop off. As many people have already stated, everything in moderation.

[Rellim296]

Perhaps your husband may well see the seriousness of his state of health but may be drinking in order to try to escape from such an unwelcome reality. It isn't easy to face the challenges that AF can bring and with other health issues, the prospect may seem bleaker than it may in fact be. I've certainly felt I had no good way forward and trying to get on top of AF and all its implications has been a real nettle to grasp.

[Raven345 in reply to Rellim296]

Best wishes for the future.

[GolfMyrtleBeach]

As I was just about to have my first cardioversion, my Cardiologist looked down and said " remember those lifestyle changes we were talking about, J.T.?" Well - I certainly got the message and gave up drinking alcohol for almost 3 years. It really had no affect on my AF - still plenty of episodes and 3 more cardioversions before my 2 unsuccessful ablations. Now - my philosophy ( and valid for me only) is have a night out once in a while. The relaxation factor is worth more to my general well being than the benefits of tea-totalling.

JT

PS: I will admit cold beer ( or any cold beverage) can be a trigger for me as can the bloating that occurs if I drink to quickly. Still---- another pint please.

[Raven345]

Hi, at times people suffering long term illness, truly find the realities of their position, beyond their capabilities. To feel the constant pressure of , feeling they are a failure in many ways at being unable to be "just Normal", and be able to partake of all the commonplace , jobs, duties that their peers have the luxury of doing. These feelings can be so overwhelming that they choose to partake of substances in various forms. For one it can temporarily numb their feelings of perhaps feeling inadequate, a burden, and a let down, to their loved ones. Many person's who have been diagnosed, suffering , from an illness that inhibits their lifestyle choices and the long term prognosis of, further degeneration often find themselves devastated, unable to accept it. To be forced to accept the reality of their present and predicted future is beyond them. Being robbed of choices then often leads to a sort of mental defiance, it's not uncommon that a social activity, indulging in alcohol etc, becomes a regular part of their excistance.to theirs and others detriment. Having to live with obviously unwanted illness and feeling trapped within themselves, the loss of whom you believed you were and were capable, is in many ways akin to a death a massive loss, only the loss etc, is of the person they saw themselves as. Saying your lucky to be alive, a cure may come along, is meaningless to persons in that position. Viewed as meaningless platitudes that let the sufferer realise that the spokesperson who are trying to be kind, haven't a clue in regards to the sufferers reality or how they view their outlook. Using alcohol etc, is something that they have the choice of, just because it's their choice!, it can block out the feelings and stress they don't want to feel or think about, a crutch. Should their personality change for the worse towards you and your family and affects you negativity that your Heath is affected, then you have to be the strong one and make your feelings heard loud and clear. You didn't create the problem, you care enough to support their original illness, But will not be dragged down by the others , choices. Sometimes we don't have the answers and can't fix our problem's or others. It's to easy to become the victim to someone else's hurt and anger and selfish foolishment. Good luck and look after yourself along the way.