alcohol use and cerebellar ataxia

[Sushibot]

What has been your experience (both personal and advice from your neurologist) regarding moderate (1-7 drinks per week with no more than 2 a day) alcohol consumption? Thank you.

[PatsyIpswich]

I've never been advised but I have small glass of wine with main meal and the odd drink in the evening. I don't find it makes any difference other than stimhlating the Bladder x

[Telegraphist]

A physio once said to me, with your genetic predisposition to falling over , why would you drink alcohol to add to the risk.....) so I only (occasionally) drink sitting down.

[Jenandbeth in reply to Telegraphist]

LOL this is brilliant! Physio obviously doesn't drink for pleasure or understand risk benefits!

[SRUE]

My husband has MSA-C, he decided to give up alcohol (didn't drink much anyway to be honest) a couple of years ago. He said he didn't need anything else to make him wobbly.He has the no alcohol beer versions, sadly we haven't found a good red wine alternative.

[Jellybean75]

I was officially diagnosed with late onset CA 2 years ago probably bought about by too many glasses of wine over too many decades (consultants words - not mine), didn't matter that my dad had same condition. Have been total non-drinker since but ataxia still progresses

[Tallguy101]

Hi I was diagnosed with sca 48 in 2006, the last time I was properly drunk was 2012. Nowadays I have a bottle of beer while I'm watching the football, but just the one. Too much alcohol impairs the cerebellum in normal folk, so for us it's not worth it. Even going to the loo can be tricky, so I just don't bother. I really don't miss it at all. When I see the affect drinking has on my family it puts me off anyway.

[paul456]

As Tallguy mentioned alcohol effects the cerebellum and enhances the effect of being drunk even after a small amount I stopped drinking about 4 years ago after having two pints and could hardly walk as I was so dizzy and balance was really bad luckily I was at home.

So end of booze for me 😐

Take care and stay strong my friend 🥸

[wobblybee]

🤔It is a fact that for some people..alcohol has been found to be the cause of their Acquired Ataxia. I’ve seen posts from people who have this diagnosis and refuse to accept this is possible.

It seems that longterm excessive consumption is a direct cause..but in some cases the person has been unlucky with a small amount of alcohol.

’In my youth’….like many other people I did experiment with alcohol, and I did eventually learn when enough was enough 🙂

If this is given as a diagnosis, Neurologists advise to stop drinking alcohol …in the hope that in doing so ataxia doesn’t worsen. It can be ‘the luck of the draw’…but far better to ‘err on the side of caution’.

Last Christmas, I ‘overindulged’…paid the price ..and have been ‘on the wagon’ since.

[pinjem]

I drink alcohol infrequently but find my ability to stay focussed and upright is not made worse at all. In fact, it really isn't that much different? Lots of practice?

[penelope2]

As many have said alcohol effects the cerebellum, and the cerebellum is the balance centre of the brain. Police say walk in a straight line heel to toe for a reason. Alcoholics might get cerebellum damage, but am not sure if one drink every day is alcohol abuse, it depends on the individual. I like many with ataxia cannot tolerate even one glass. Half a glass and only at home is best what suits me and that is only perhaps once a month as I get a headache the next day. Why not try alcohol free for a month, note the difference and there is your answer.Acquired ataxias are probably in the minority, you would be the first I have heard of to say alcohol caused my ataxia. Why does your neurologist say this? Ask questions.

[Driven1]

More importantly, my cardiologist advised having one alcohol free day after 3 days. Proven research this simple rule reduces heart issues by 90%

[7151]

Hi i ve found i just dont like thé tast of alcool A bit of champagne i enjoy that just a small glass .lots of things i dont like anymore not even a cup of tea very strange