I m on methotrexate for 6 weeks and haven't touched any alcohol ! can I have couple of drinks on Saturday nights. How many

[barty105]

What is the best drink to have ?

[LavendarLady]

I was told everything in moderation with MTX as it affects the liver and any alchohol will put an additional strain on the liver. Having said that, the odd glass of wine/champagne/beer should be ok according to my doctors. I allow myself one glass of wine if we are out at a dinner or if there are to be a number of toasts, 2 glasses but I don't usually drink it all. Hope that helps. The bulk of the time I do avoid alchohol but find Elderflower Presse (sparkling) is just as good, and there is no alchohol but it looks like a glass of champagne! LavendarLady x

[barty105 in reply to LavendarLady]

Thank you lavender lady !

[dtech in reply to LavendarLady]

I'm on it too and abstained for a few months. But the rhuemy told me that so long as I don't binge (as if!) I would be ok to have a couple of drinks a week.

[barty105 in reply to dtech]

That makes me feel better ! Thank you

[RafiMan in reply to LavendarLady]

thats right ! They stop me Hiumira becouse of drinkng ( but heavy drinking )

[Hidden]

Hi Barty

I stayed off alcohol for the first few months, then introduced it and found the level my liver and I could handle .....too much and it was seriously not worth it...promise, so as with everything , moderation is the key

Katie

[summer32]

one or two is usually ok x

[earthwitch]

Over the years I have been on a number of meds where I've had to be very careful with alcohol. Usually I would just try one small drink first, when I was at home, just to see how it affected me before I had anything when I was out. I've also got into the habit of being a "one-drink" person anyway. I do things like have a single shot of spirits in a long glass with lots of mixer, or wine spritzer, and that helps spin out the alcohol. Also, if you think about it in advance, plan to choose the drinks that have the lowest alcohol content.

[Rosie_rabbit]

Morning, I'm due to start mtx in about 10 days when I come back from holiday.

It was one of the questions I asked my consultant when he prescribed it and his response was 'some say you shouldn't drink alcohol when taking mtx. I think that's wrong and provided you stay within recommended limits of 2 units per day that would be fine'. He didn't even say I have to abstain at the beginning although I think I will, certainly until I've had some bloods back as this seems sensible.

So as everyone else on here seems to think, everything in moderation and yes days of getting a bit tiddly are gone I fear ... I now plan to spend my hols tiddled before I start the mtx ha ha!! Rx

[jeanjack]

I limit myself to a glass of red wine once or twice a week and that seems to be okay. I also drink Cobra non alcoholic lager which is very nice and just gives me the taste of alcohol without the effect on my liver and helps to make a Saturday night feel normal again. Jean

[Neonkitty]

Yes, I concur the two glasses a week max. That's what I was told by my rheumy. I rarely do but on special occasions I like to have a tipple!

[Hidden]

I was told in moderation but I don't drink a lot now either

[Scottishlad]

6 weeks is early days, be very careful until you find out how your liver bloodtests are going. When I was on 25mg of MTX I did not drink at all and my LFT was always fine. Some people react badly to MTX and have come off it and have an alcohol ban until their livers recover!

If it is special occasion allow yourself a small glass of wine. Binge drinking is definitely off the menu if you are on MTX. If LFT is okay in a few months you can have one or two drinks a week just keep an eye on the units you drink.

[abannister]

In the last year and a half I have had 3 gin and tonics, all at special occasions, most of the time I drink Becks Blue zero alcohol beer or Moctails from Tesco or similar. I have learned to live without alcohol as it really effects me while on mtx, sulpha and hydroxy and tramadol. When on just mtx I was told max of 2 per week as you have already been told. But just mtx was not enough for me. I don't miss it or feel out of place not drinking. Just listen to your own body, it will tell you if 2 at the weekend is too much.

Ps. This was the first question I asked last year when I was just diagnosed.

[barty105 in reply to abannister]

Thanks for this ! I've been drinking becks blue for the last couple of weeks not heard if those moctails ! I will get some today and try them. Thanks again

[abannister in reply to barty105]

They also do strawberry daiquiri, peach Bellini and mojitos. Usually at the mixers. tesco.com/groceries/Product...

[barty105 in reply to abannister]

Brill ! I've also read that chia seeds from health shop are very benificial ! Not the small seeds the larger the better - maybe worth googling it ! You just sprinkle them on whatever food your eating - tasteless and odourless ! I am on my way to tesco now ! Thanks for info

[abannister in reply to barty105]

I also use alcoholfree.co.uk/ great selection of wines and other goodies

[barty105 in reply to abannister]

Thanks again !

[barty105]

Thanks all of you for you responses to my question ! You have all been honest and helpful I appreciate all your advise and taken it on board

[Kittykatxxxxx]

I never got told don't drink on it my consultant said something about the odd glass of wine being ok. I prob won't drink for a while at all though.