Shandy? :-?

Hi

Recently I took a liking to Diet shandy. I'm taking leflunomide and Hydroxychloroquinne.

Is shandy safe to drink whilst on DMARDS?:-S

[allanah]

Hi ! I had this conversation with my Rheumy! I'm on mtx leflunomide and Rituximab infusions. He said technically no as in some people it can cause liver problems alongside the drugs. but he said in real life a small amount irregularly should be ok , stressing the should!

I like red wine and have two glasses a week and my liver function tests have been fine. Others tho on here on this site have said its not been at all good for them and caused problems.

Why don't you discuss it with your Rheumy or GP for advice, the nurses will tell you, if in your case , what their opinion is. You might already have high lover tests then it would be no I think! Lol just seen my typo .... High liver tests , 😂 might be lover after the shandy !!

I do in between have no alcohol lagers , Blue can't remember the Brewer is very nice especially with lemonade !

So get some more medical opinion !

[Hidden in reply to allanah]

Thanks for this. I know it's a bit naughty, I don't drink alcohol at all other than a 2litre bottle of diet shandy. Once I open it I can't stop myself. Normally I'm clean living - I'm a veggie. Don't smoke. I should mention it next time I go to the hospital. Not seen my consultant for over a year and not had bloods checked either . Xxxxx

[allanah in reply to Hidden]

you seem well if he sees you yearly! great stuff!

[earthwitch in reply to Hidden]

If you are drinking a 2 litre bottle of shandy, then that actually does add up to more alcohol than you might think. The big danger with alcohol is that in combination with the DMARDs it will easily damage your liver. If you really want to drink, then you need to watch your liver function tests extremely carefully, and at the slightest sign of a downward change in liver function, be prepared to stop it completely. In the meantime though, you might be better off having a single can of low alcohol beer than not being able to stop until you have polished off 2 litres of shandy. Check the number of units in whatever you are drinking. More than one unit in a day is probably too much for your liver.

[Hidden in reply to earthwitch]

Thanks for your reply. This shandy was on the pop Isle. It's low can. I don't do it all the time, but once it's opened its too nice.

[allanah]

Drugs.com has a section on it about hydroxy , saying it can cause blurred vision and dizziness made worse if taken with alcohol and you know mtx can cause problems with alcohol . !!

[medway-lady]

I take Leflunomide but not Hydro, I drink a lot of Radlers and its made not a jot of difference to me. I like half ginger beer half ginger ale and a dash of lime with a few drops od Angostura bitters. Its lush! and low alcohol cider is nice too.

[ThyroidThora]

Hi Chuck,

I'm sorry I don't know the answer to your question. How are you doing today?

TT

[Hidden in reply to ThyroidThora]

Not been good for a while. Surprise suprise I got my appointment thru for RA clinic. As u know I'm not a fan of hospital visits, doctor visits. I prefer to spend my time doing useful things. But this appointment will be welcomed as I'm suffering again. X

[ThyroidThora in reply to Hidden]

Hiya,

Which hospital are you attending? Is it Rotherham? If it's not on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday I can come with you. I was at Rotherham this time last year and I didn't have a good experience. I suggest you need someone with you because I went on my own and the specialist wasn't very nice and discharged me without even listening to why I'd been referred to her department.

TT x

[Hidden in reply to ThyroidThora]

Ho my goodness.  u have only just seen this post. What you like xxxxxxx   haven't been to Rotherham chucks. I'm at the H! Xxxxxxxxx

[Downtime]

Hi I have taken MXT since diagnosis in July 2015. I have to say it hasn't been that successful in relieving symptoms and I'm seeing my rheumy in 2 weeks. I do, however, drink bottle and half of red wine a week and have never had a bad blood result, I am seronegative. My rheumy said he has some patients on MXT who drink quite heavily seemingly without problems. He said in moderation it's fine.

[nomoreheels]

I think much depends on how your liver copes & how it affects your results as we all react differently. I don't drink, it doesn't like me but I lost count of the times my Consultant told me to be aware of how much I was drinking! That was on both HCQ & MTX but I also think that any other meds, pain relief etc which are metabolized by the liver have a part to play.

[caron6056]

I'm on mtx and hydroxy, and I have a drink and have never had a problem, but it varies from person to person. I have monthly blood tests and my liver function has always been fine, I was told moderate alcohol ok, but if the blood tests showed a problem I would have to stop. If you are going to have a drink or two, make sure your liver function is being montord first x

[caron6056 in reply to caron6056]

"monitored"... and I haven been drinking tonight , honest!

[anne999]

I take MTX and hydroxy, was told i can have up to 10 units of alcohol a week.

[JEM95]

I take hydroxy and MXT - I liked a couple of drinks a week and all was fine. Then my LFTs showed my liver was struggling, so I have had to give up alcohol 😟 I'm now back on 4-weekly blood tests, hopefully it will settle again soon.

This RA malarkey is no fun!