Alcohol?!

[saville75]

Hello everybody, I've been meaning to ask you guys a question for ages, so here I am!

Right. Ever since my TBI, whenever I drink any alcohol at all, I feel hot. Very hot, especially around my face and neck. No matter how much I drink and what type of alcohol.

This happened last night, and I nearly went to spend the night in our spare room, with the fan on full blast to make it more comfortable.

I discussed this with my husband once we were in bad. I think it's because of my TBI. He disagrees. He thinks it's to do with the pills I have needed to take since my TBI and the combination of them. I take paracetamol, GABApentin, duloxetine, omeprazole and levetiracetam. These are needed for back pain, sciatica, depression, epilepsy and stomach protection.

So. I was wondering if anyone else out there has had the same thing happen to them? This would really help if you wouldn't mind telling me. It sucks!

[pinkvision]

Hi, I tried alcohol about 18 months post injury, about half a pint of standard real ale, I had visions and felt awful for 4 days and never drank again. If alcohol is causing you issues no matter how it ties in with other factors like medication maybe it's an idea to just stop drinking. The good thing other than feeling better is that it saves money and gives you the time to do other things.

[cat3]

I suspect your husband may be correct Lucy. The SSRi plus an anticonvulsant and alcohol might be the issue. I do know that a combination of duloxetine and levetiracetam can cause drowsiness and loss of concentration and, most certainly, that any SSRi and alcohol can be a bad mix.

A family member was poorly with dizziness and confusion whilst taking Keppra and an SSRi. The symptoms abated when her meds were adjusted after she read the NICE report on contra-indications.

And my relationship with alcohol ended after a small sherry at my brother's house whilst delivering Xmas presents. I'd had a similar 'collapse' earlier that year at a friend's barbeque but only grasped the connection with SSRi and alcohol when I woke in my brother's spare room on Xmas day !

Maybe have a serious meds review m'love, and avoid alcohol for a while to eliminate it as a factor... 🤔

Take care, Cat x

[gr33nmind]

no, but if you are taking any of those meds, mixing then with alcohol is not a good idea. In fact drinking with a TBI isn’t a good idea, whether or not you take meds. Alcohol is an oxidant. After a TBI most of our problems do not come from the damaged neurons, but instead from the oxidants that form around these neurons. They block signals to the still healthy neurons. Alcohol creates even more, and blocks even more signals.

[Pedal2]

I see alcohol as a difficult subject because I undoubtedly cannot handle it the same post accident and my increasing age probably plays it part too (which is normal for everybody l believe) but I still drink it. I set myself a limit, never more than 2 or 3 beers in one session (light lager 3-4% only, mental aren't I?) I am not taking any medication at all or I wouldnt drink because I'm a delicate biological system these days, as you are but I don't believe I get any temperature increase when I drink so perhaps that is the reason why you do. In the early days post accident I stopped drinking on occasion for months or in one case a year through fear that it was bad for me. And on that subject, I know many people say you shouldn't drink after a brain injury but in moderation I believe I can (never underestimate the power of denial). Plus I'll be honest, the accident I had has done nothing but take things away from me (standard fare for everybody) so maybe I am just being stubborn. It's not taking everything, now and again I want a relaxing beer.

[moo196]

Levetiracetam and alcohol don't mix well I was told.Also possible menopausal issue?

I just hardly even have a glass of wine these days 😏

[I-love-music]

Good morning. This doesn’t happen to me but I don’t take any meds. I only really drink on a weekend

[Teazymaid]

I can’t say alcohol make me feel hot just the menapause for me 🥴 .. but I do have a red ish face often but not found a reason for this as it’s not to do with hot flushes as they seem to be disappearing in the last 12 months or so .. could be the meds reacting to to alcohol ?? … Sue x

[Stubble]

Sorry to have to say this but alcohol really should be a hard nope with any brain related issues.

We all have to learn the hard way I guess, but after a fairly typical drinking life for many years, I simply can't tolerate alcohol any more. The impacts on the brain are just too severe.

Have a listen to Huberman's podcast on alcohol for a detailed analysis of the effects.

[Leaf100]

Hi SavilleThe local bi society I go to recommends no alcohol or caffeine.

Acohol majorly interferes with your healing and also some don't tolerate it well anymore and can get blind drunk on a small amount, which may also lead to further injury.

A lot of medications also don't mix with alcohol and that is something you can discuss with a trusted pharmacist.

It can be hard if it is part of your social scene, or if you are trying to relax and that's how you used to do it.

For your general healing progress it's not the best choice for yourself.

There is non alcoholic beer if you just like the taste or you want to feel more part of a group.

If you were using alcohol to self medicate - say to help you sleep or to relax - ask the pharmacist if there is a thing over the counter that can help without interfering with your other medications.

We have to make a lot of lifestyle changes and they aren't always welcome or easy.

Leaf

[Catx1978]

I stopped drinking after my accident. I hadn't had a drink because of being in a coma and wasn't anywhere that I could have alcohol through being in the hospital but I asked my consultants l neurologist as he said it is best to avoid alcohol.l as it can increase the risk of seizures and vertigo and one of my therapists said that it impaires cognitive function and mine is impaired from the injury. It could be the medication you're on but I would suggest to stop drinking until you have spoken to your doctor to get a clear idea about it.

[catrabb1t]

hi Saville, I overheat a lot so I cannot say that alcohol causes it, but I do feel hot when drinking a small amount of alcohol.and alcohol. I can only tolerate half a glass of wine and I do that infrequently, no more than once a month. It makes me feel very thirsty and tired. Given that you have a tbi and have a lot of medications, I guess the alcohol will affect you somehow to a negative degree.

I also drink caffeine free hot drinks. If i do have a normal tea then I feel very thirsty and overheat. I have cut coffee out, even decaf, I am lucky that coffee was never my thing.

Hormones are massive consideration for body heat. I take HRT for perimenopause but I have noticed that I overheat when I use my brain more or when I do movements that were affected by brain surgery so I know the overheating is most definitely ABI. The HRT has helped remove my hormonal body heat issue quite a bit IMO.

I used to be pale but I am rosy cheeked now and often in a tshirt only all year round!