COPD asthma and booze.

[Gazza01]

Ok guys and gals, a little tongue in cheek maybe.

But have any of you poor sufferering souls found that the demon drink actually serves you well?

I should I guess point out that I am slightly well oiled as I type, but in a nice fun smiley happy and friendly way.

I put this phenomenon to my GP recently and she said "The alcohol obviously relaxes you, so you must be stressed and this is causing at least some of your breathing issues". I will agree with that up to a point.

However, don't you think it could also be relaxing the smooth muscles in the airways?

A few beers for me knocks the spiriva muscarinic effect for six on the relaxed muscles front as far as I can see. Whoohoo!!

Is permanently drunk the way through this?

Should we be given free alcohol coupons?

I did read a while back in some very boring long winded medical journal that Spirometry tests were actually found to be slightly more positive after alcohol.

So answers on a post card. What do you personally think. It may or may not help you that's certainly true of course.

But many of us are anxious over our breathing and rightly so, and maybe focusing maybe a little too much on things sometimes. Some are not and I get that too.

But if a blockage is a blockage is a blockage then surely, if there is any relief to be felt with just a little tipple, well then it's got to be time for free booze on the NHS. (UK only of course) that's you out Red Sox.

I'm sure as many of us were smokers we probably liked a drink back then too?

And although we have to look after ourselveves nowadays, we're not all T total. So come on, have you noticed the difference. And if so it could genuinely be of some importance one day. I can see the headline now.

"Abusive drunken fool in ditch gives vital clue to police for cure of killer lung disease"

Well, anything's possible.

Nighty night.

[sassy59]

Everything in moderation Gazza. Xxx 😘

[Gazza01 in reply to sassy59]

Lovely.

[Hidden]

ditto sassy, but would you take any notice any way if you were told there are risks, probably not.

[Eddie1973]

I love a drink like I loved a cig, fortunately cigs are gone now 😊

I’m also trying to restrict my drinking as I’ve noticed (and I’m diagnosed mild) when I drink my chest gets tighter.

My chest feels best after exercise, so does my head xx

[Caspiana]

Hmmm.....drink makes my breathing far, far worse. Alcohol actually kills the oxygen-carrying red blood cells, which in the long run can lead to anaemia. For me even A little alcohol makes sees me breathing so much faster. So although I don't want to be a wet blanket, I'd echo what Carole has said. Everything in moderation. The long term effects of alcohol are too numerous to list here. But for us with chronic illness it's probably best to "steady on". 😊 xx

[skischool]

A life without risk is hardly worth living and my idea of total boredom,but like with all risks you have to calculate your odds and bet accordingly,alcohol can bring pleasure but also complications and i do imbibe on a regular basis but not to an extent that it affects my health and certainly not my breathing but we are all totally different and one man's meat is another man's poison as they say.

Still sober ski's and a cat that doesn't drink

[Roessner541]

Gave up booze before I gave up cigs. But seems to me it gave me more trouble then it was worth.

[Ergendl in reply to Roessner541]

Me too.

[Skatergirl1]

Hi Gazza01, I enjoyed reading your post and it made me smile...the thought of free booze on the NHS... (Champagne for me all the way!!). Alas, for me..drinking to the point beyond a few glasses of wine makes me breathless ( nothing to do with the fact that I am now dancing on the table), but each to their own. If you feel more relaxed...enjoy xx

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to Skatergirl1]

I'm still waiting for the NHS to start prescribing chocolate.

Take 2 squares of chocolate twice a day, or up to 4 times as required.

I can't wait to see what the rescue pack would look like 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍪

[Skatergirl1 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Lol....I would have to add that too, to my list of meds (if only) xx

[beech]

I can’t deny I enjoy a glass or two of wine, especially with a meal (and yes, in the old days it used to be with a cig, or several!).

But I find the sulphites in the wine make me breathless, and the dehydration later doesn’t help either. So a little moderation is somewhat necessary in order not to pay the price with my breathing. 🙄

[katieoxo60]

Good Morning, hope you don't have an hangover. Drink does make a difference to Asthma i.e red wine makes breathing worse. But Red wine is good for the heart & moral. Your post made me smile so thats good too. Wiskeys good for pain so I guess there is something to be said for alchohol in moderation. I know many doctors suggest a small night cap to go to bed with . So if it works for you why not.

[SparkySW123]

Hi Gazza01 - great post! I used to enjoy a glass a wine or more each evening but have had to stop for a number of reasons. However, I have recently discovered that having a small tipple every now and then actually raises my oxygen levels which pleases me no end and they seem to stay raised for quite a while. A little bit of what you fancy does you god and why not! There are lots of things I'm sure we'd all like to do but can't so enjoy what you can! x

[dorfy]

What a great idea anything is worth trying

[Hidden]

What ever u fancy does u good I was always told my mum had copd was a drinker and smoker I remember my brother said mum if u give up drinking and smoking your have another 5 yrs my mum with ciggie in one hand whiskey in the other said if I give up drinking and smoking I don't want another 5 yrs so their u go if it helps why not 😊

[soulboy118]

I like a drink now and again in moderation but your right about certain beneficial aspects of booze , I do find a benefit ( although time limited) on let's say getting mellow, it gives you confidence, relieves stress and makes you feel good .The central nervous system doesnt like it much but if it helps you to cope with our lung diseases then go for it

Booze will make you snooze and

Whiskey will make you frisky ,

Brandy will make you randy

But gin will make you sin

Just thought I'd add that little limeric I remember from my early teens

[Jollj]

Loved your post mate, one thing I have learnt from the good people on here is there is no " one size fits all ", what suits one doesn't suit another, I have never smoked but like a tipple, unfortunately my breathing gets worse the more I drink, if it is ok for you then go for it in moderation as we are told,I will have a few tonight as my weekly treat, cheers !!!

[Arch74 in reply to Jollj]

You're right Jollj, each to their own. 🌺

[Aingeful]

Doctors used to prescribe a tipple in the old days,keeps your arteries open or something??😁 I have a whiskey at bedtime every night and have done for years.I am also partial to craft beers and go out a couple of nights a week to sample them.To my mind, this is more effective and a darn sight safer than half the drugs prescribed! I don't take anything for my IPF (apart from the odd cough sweet!) 😁

[music]

I always have a few wines before evening meal sometimes have a beer has well if i feel good and at the moment it dont seem to be doing me any harm

If i do a lot of swimming or walking during the day i seem to enjoy it and dont feel bad with my self

Music

[MoyB]

I love your theory! xx Moy

[garibaldon]

Cheers to that, Hic

[Arch74]

I have 2 glasses of wine at night, it helps my breathing and helps me sleep. So you are so correct. 💯

[KC1313]

Loved your post Gazza. I loved both, a drop of whatever and a ciggie - can't do either now but I still miss em. If it works for you and takes the focus away - them good on you x

[Schmicter]

You are right...it helps. Has to be liquor though as wine and beers have too many other compounds known to cause reactions, like tannins, and yeasts

[Hidden]

I’ll join you in a couple Havana Clubs (white Rum) tonight (and last night) Gazza

[janno]

Cleverly written. I find a drink to be relaxing and I have no issues with either wine or vodka.

[pete45]

Love it..........probably more noticeable benefit then the damn inhalers.

[Spring1]

Best argument for booze I’ve heard in ages Gaza, cheered me up no end, must admit to wine with dinner every night but only the one !

[mike012j]

That was so amusing I had to reply to you. Personally I have been suffering with copd for the last 15 years. I have got to the point being an ex publican drink does help me at night. It seems daft but my breathing does get better. I say cheers to you and keep living. God bless

[Gazza01]

Sorry Red Sox. I've read so much stuff and don't keep much at all, if anything. but you should definitely be able to search and find it. It was basically saying spirometry was showing a slight uplift I think it was fev1. Nothing major, but it was there all the same. I have to say though, there was reason behind this post. I am trying to sift through a lot of stereotypes in asthma and COPD as there are so many variables that I personally feel there are probably many more types of asthma and COPD and we seem to be generally lumped together or told there are only a few variations of these diseases and that much of this is down to severity etc. For me, the variety of symptoms are way too vast for this to be correct. It just doesn't sit right with me. Just my theory but hey. Anyway you will find it, I'm sure given your previous job. All the best to you.

[shouty]

Used to be a prescribed night time tipple for patients on hospital wards. Those days are long gone

[Hidden]

Well, I like a whiskey a few times a week when I go to bed, I can't really remember if it helps lol 😂. To be honest, I think it does though.

[Gazza01]

Hahaha. Top man.

[Hacienda]

I have just had a Lung Test (again) & a 6 min Walk (again again & again) at 1.30pm Then straight to the Pub for Large Vino...OMG I feel so much Better... Chuckle. xxxx