Alcohol intolerance

[Cat-E]

Has anyone developed an intolerance to alcohol after being on meds for RA? I don't know if the 2 are related but I was diagnosed last November and started on mtx which so far has worked well. The last 3 months or so everytime I have any alcohol I get a severely flushed face and neck. I'm talking small amounts of alcohol, a glass of wine or today, 2 cans of 3.4% cider. I have googled but the only thing I can see is some genetic inability to process alcohol which causes flushed face and I dont think it can be that as I have been fine all my life 🤷‍♀️

[KittyJ]

maybe not drinking alcohol when you first started mtx and then reintroducing it has lowered your tolerance. When I first started mtx I was told no alcohol but times have changed and now It seems they say within limits ( once you’ve abstained to make sure your liver can cope) and I have found that I can’t drink anywhere near as much as I used to before feeling the effects.

[Haz58]

Found this...As a result, acetaldehyde builds up in the body after alcohol consumption, which causes the characteristic flushing of the face.I was told I could drink but no more than 14 units a week and not to drink every day but to have a day or 2 break. I rarely drink now. RA drugs can mess with your liver as can other meds, so adding alcohol can cause more liver problems. I tend to stick to a small glass of red wine maybe once a week, or not even that and the odd small whisky plus zero alcohol lager and prosecco.

[Flinda]

Just one drink is my limit and even then I'm totally fit for nothing the next day.

I put it down to a reaction with the methotrexate.

So, my head tries to avoid it as much as possible but my heart is weak!

[Fra22-57]

I was told not to drink alcohol on methotrexate but saying that I was only on that medication for couple of years.But I can’t tolerate more than One and a half glasses of wine or cider on the meds I have been on since then which has been another ten years

[Cat-E]

Thanks all, I dont find I'm getting more drunk, or getting any sort of hangover, just a very red face! I don't drink huge amounts and never actually abstained when starting on mtx (it was just before Christmas!) As the advice I was given was stay within 14 unit limits and don't drink every day which was what I did but it seems now I can't even do that. Just had my bloods done and liver seems to be doing fine so 🤷‍♀️

[Julia311]

I’ve stopped drinking alcohol as I find that I can’t sleep after having even a small amount - it’s as though I’ve had a couple of espresso coffees - still wide awake at 3am. I’ve been on MTX for 8 years and adalimumab for 5 years for Psoriatic Arthritis. My bloods are always ok so liver is fine. TBH the benefits of the medication make not being able to have a drink more bearable ie I have no inflammation, no pain and can play tennis x2 a week but it’s still frustrating at times when everyone else is enjoying a glass of wine!

[Cat-E in reply to Julia311]

Oh gosh yes, given the choice of being able to drink or not being in pain I go the painfree route everytime, it's frustrating though as Im getting married next year and as even 1 glass turns me bright red its not a good look for wedding pics!!

[fred42]

I suffer from the red face almost when I just look at a glass of wine!I took Methotrexate for some years but now just take my biologic Cymzia which keeps me well.

Alcohol just doesn't go well anymore, the few times I have had more than 1 glass my legs give up very quickly.

We all know that alcohol is not good for us but sometimes it's hard not to be able to.join in the party.

So yes I have noticed a difference, could be RA or just old age for me.

[Tealblue2]

I couldn’t drink on methotrexate. I stopped drinking completely for months. I am off methotrexate now and am on other meds and so I do have a couple of drinks a week. But still can’t tolerate much

[Poshcards]

My rheumy told me to give up alcohol all together when I went on Methotrexate, and taking so many other drugs too, I totally agreed x

[wilbertjellyfish]

Initially my alcohol tolerance went through the roof. I was able to drink loads and no hangover. Then something changed and the hangovers were awful. Now I'm drinking a lot less, more because of fatigue and not having the energy or motivation to drink or socialise.Sorry can't help more. Guess we are just all different.

[KASHMIRI1]

I was told to not drink at all with mthx

[Cat-E in reply to KASHMIRI1]

Advice has changed lots in the last few years, they now say no issue with drinking small to moderate amounts as long as liver is coping well, but if it wasn't you'd be taken off MTX or at least have does reduced.

[KASHMIRI1 in reply to Cat-E]

Thanks Cat, I was given the info fairly recently. So stick to it as I think my liver has enough to cope with due to all the drugs that seem to have arrived with this condition

[Cat-E in reply to KASHMIRI1]

I guess each professional has their own ideas and it's not very often any would advocate drinking! I have very much cut down and even more so with the red face thing, our bodies have a way of letting us know that something isn't quite right. I have just had my bloods done and was convinced something would come back as raised but no, all fine so far 🤷‍♀️

[Blackberrywine]

I'm very intolerant of alcohol. I can't remember if drugs caused intolerance though. I'm no longer taking arthritis drugs, but still can't drink. Quite annoying really, as I'd love a glass of wine from time to time.

[welsh12]

Hi I drink in moderation a odd glass of larger or wine I take methotrexate a few months ago I had this flushing face after wine I looked into it not sure it was totally alcohol think cortisol levels it passed after a few weeks

[Cat-E in reply to welsh12]

Oh, thats good to hear, I'll keep testing it! I am pretty sure it's alcohol because over the last couple of weeks I've been taking note and even after a small amount within half an hour I'm bright red!

[welsh12]

Yes I was too my bloods were ok at the time maybe slight raised but not liver function I think I was a little under the weather after sinus and cold. it was a little embarrassing in company too keep an eye hopefully will pass.