Alcohol

[Attwood]

Most of us enjoy a drink from time to time. I enjoy a whiskey early evening but have had conflicting opinions as to whether this is a bad idea? I've also heard that beer and ale aren't advisable but I enjoy the occasional Guinness which ,although a 'stout', I assume comes under the same group as beers and ales? Can anyone offer any advice or information .

[cmcginily]

Hi Attwood

Personally I avoid alcohol unless it is a special occasion or a holiday. Regular alcohol consumption usually overloads your poor kidneys. Alcohol increases your chances of developing high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a common complication of Polycystic Kidney Disease, it is absolutely the leading cause of damage to your kidneys . Alcohol may interfere with the medications that you are taking and make it harder to control your blood pressure.

So consultants usually advise to stop or limit drinking alcohol.

Stay well best wishes Christine.

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[Attwood in reply to cmcginily]

Thanks for your excellent information which is a great help.

[Hidden]

Much depends on your kidney function, for those on dialysis alcoholic drinks tend to be high in potassium, and phosphates which the kidneys would normally process out in the urine etc

For those who are transplanted there can 'sometimes' be interaction with drugs, depending on what they are.

Spirits are generally lower in potassium. You should get confirmed info from your doc or dietician.

[Attwood]

Interesting to read your email - many thanks.

[rabbit01]

I really don't think that the odd whisky or occasional Guinness will do you any harm. I do the same and the renal doctor has not told me it is a problem and I am very late stage 4. I would never great drunk or knock back several pints but a couple of drinks wont harm you. Enjoy.

[Grankids3]

Yes, I,m like you, I only drink on special a occasions or on holiday which is once a year,I see my liver surgeon every 6mnths, and get an MRI every 4 mths, I do tell him I,ve had a drink, not a lot though, I don't go daft, I,m in remission 3 yrs from Bowel Cancer and they fought to save me afterwords, I would not abuse my chance of life, it's not worth it for a drink, I only have wine and soda, on holiday sometimes I have a couple of cocktails but not every night, I lost my daughter to breast cancer the day before my operation, I would not put my sons through anymore pain, sorry for rambling on, but drinking is not worth the damage, my cirrhosis is by my Diabeties, I don't want to ruin what the docs are fighting for, keeping me alive, thanks for listening. Hope life is better for you, xx