PD and alcohol!?: My neuro dr. told me the... - Cure Parkinson's

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PD and alcohol!?

ion_ion profile image
14 Replies

My neuro dr. told me the alcohol speed up the PD progression and reduces the levodoba absorption ( he also said the proteins and levodoba are ok, contrary to what almost everyone says).

I'm talking about decent amount like two beers or two glasses of wine. I noticed this amount of alcohol calms down my tremor and I feel good.

Anyhow, based on your experience and knowledge, is the alcohol ok for PWP?

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ion_ion profile image
ion_ion
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14 Replies
Ewcia profile image
Ewcia

I am not a drinker, but heard that alcohol in moderation is good for P D.

Xenos profile image
Xenos

Next time, ask him the reference of the medical publication(s) he bases his advice on...

Religious books do not count.

aspergerian profile image
aspergerian in reply to Xenos

This may be helpful.

Http://progressrecorderapp.com/news/alcohol-and-its-effects-on-parkinsons-disease/

Xenos profile image
Xenos in reply to aspergerian

Very interesting, as always with your posts, Aspergerian.

Allow me to post the summary :

- Moderate alcoholism has a preventive role in PD.

- Low to moderate beer consumption may be associated with lower PD risk.

- Heavy liquor consumption is associated with higher PD risk.

- Acute alcohol intoxication and withdrawal may provoke transient Parkinsonian movements.

- Motor symptoms of PD mimic the side effects of alcohol.

Nothing really surprising, but now that is evidence-based.

silvestrov profile image
silvestrov

"Since levodopa competes with certain amino acids for transport across the gut wall, the absorption of levodopa may be impaired in some patients on a high protein diet."

iodine.com/drug/carbidopa-l...

I just don't know how a Dr could say proteins do not negatively effect the effectiveness of levodopa.

Protein consists of chains of amino acids and they competitively interfere with the conversion of levodopa into dopamine.

Related, PwP suffer from gastroparesis - slow intestional motility, and frequently have constipation. Eating red meat can only make constipation worse and further impairing the intestional absorption of levodopa.

m-h1 profile image
m-h1

Alcohol in moderation is fine I find.

But a full session say 6 to 8 pints has devAstating results on my P D . I'm trembling like whipped dog .

people in the pub get scared and make plans to get me home. Or even call an ambulance.

Also I feel that it negates the benifits of my meds .

Answer . I don't hardly drink anymore.

What is PD gonna take off me next.

m-h1

NRyan profile image
NRyan in reply to m-h1

lol! 6-8 pints? I would have to be carried out of the pub on a stretcher. You must have a hollow leg, my friend! I have limited myself to organic red wine only at this point. I try to keep it to 2-3 glasses a week. I do miss beer! Although it gets easier as the cravings do fade over time. I found in the last 5 years that hard liquor gives me RLS and resulting insomnia when I consume it...especially tequila. My world is getting really small! lol!

m-h1 profile image
m-h1 in reply to NRyan

I was normally carried out on to farmer johns tractor and trailer and delivered home Like bale of hay..

Happy days!,

though those days are past like my sixties hair cut and my bell bottom Levis.

Now where's my Levadopa. Yummy. m-h1

m-h1 profile image
m-h1 in reply to m-h1

Weatherspoons ought to be in the NHS.

Jlloy5 profile image
Jlloy5

Alcohol calms my tremors and relaxes my tight muscles. Overall, it makes me feel better. I often drink anywhere from 2 to 6 beers. I've never had a problem with levadopa absorption with alcohol. Sometimes it even calms my tremors the next day.

Henry1244 profile image
Henry1244

I have given alcohol up for good as it wasn’t helping my moods or my balance and general pd

Jeansm profile image
Jeansm

I find English bitter (beer) helps with constipation and also think a G & T works for stress relief.

alexask profile image
alexask in reply to Jeansm

Some of the remaining hops might help and also beer raises uric acid levels. G & T is good - quinine is a muscle relaxant - though you would have to have had quite a few to have a noticable effect.

october61 profile image
october61

I had an operation in a NHS Hospital in 1983, one of the patients in the ward had been involved in a terrible accident and had suffered terrible injuries. He had been recovering for many months, part of his therapy was that he was allowed 2 bottles of beer. It helped him to relax and feel better, he was allowed to smoke too but, outside of the hospital building.

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