Can I enjoy a glass of wine ?

[meandmypbc]

I have only just been diagnosed ... and have all the info in the post...brilliant !! I have read it all and it is really helpful...my only question out there is ...can I enjoy a glass of wine now and then ????? I can see nothing about this anywhere....

[Hidden]

Hello meandmypbc.

I've actually never found much about consuming alcohol in PBC. I think a case of common sense has to prevail here.

I started itching early 2010 and by Dec 2010 I had diagnose of PBC. I was never much of a drinker. From my first abnormal LFT March 2010 I haven't had any alcohol since. I don't miss it due to never bothering previously. I have the 'problem' that others seem to not understand the words that you do not want an alcoholic drink and the words, One's not going to do anything' and similar comments just annoy me these days as I really do not want to spell it out to anyone that I have PBC now. (I've not told any close friends. Family members don't seem to really 'get it'.)

My way of thinking is that the odd glass of wine perhaps wouldn't be a tragedy but if the time is near for the LFTs to be taken then I do think that they could rise slightly due to partaking of alcohol. The GGT is also one that can rise slightly.

I think it all depends on yourself. Also you might feel different having a glass of wine for eg now that you have PBC but you'd have to see. I have read on this site that some feel awful even drinking a glass of alcohol after PBC diagnose but seems to vary.

[donna30]

Hiya,

Yeah you can, dont worry just dont go mad...am sure alot of people just give up alcohol but i have looked into this so much and spoken to my specialist and its not the problem. I am 30 and was diagnosed 5 weeks ago ish and i still drink just not like i use to i was a party animal to say the least. I can go weeks sometimes months without a drink (i have always been like this) but if i want a few i have it. On nights out i will have 3 or 4 although not been out since i have been diagnosed but i am going to ireland and manchester with the girls so no doubt drink will be involved although i will be no longer participating in shots just steady drinks haha I am seeing a clinical nutritionalist soon so i will ask her more on it. Dont stop living your life and enjoy a glass of wine or two if you want. I have spoken to many people about this i think if you are anything like me you would go mad without a tipple or two. I just dont drink during the week anymore, i drink on special occasion or if i fancy it. Dont go mad listen to your body, eat healthy, drink plenty of water and then the odd tipple wont harm......dont let this control your life you control it xxx

[mumofthree]

My consultant advised me that having the occasional drink would do no harm. I have personally chosen not to drink at all, but I was never been a big drinker before diagnosis anyway. Its been easy for me because I have never had the need to have a drink in order to enjoy myself. I always offer to drive when we go out so I use that excuse if anyone was to try and force a drink on me, so much easier than having to explain PBC.

[meandmypbc]

Thanks so much for your replies girls...still getting my head around it all ...I was never much of a drinker anyway...just want to enjoy one when I fancy it !! And thanks donna...still getting used to the idea of having pbc !! Still early days..but just like anything else...you do have to control it !! But you also cant forget you have it ...if that makes sense c

[Anne123_45 in reply to meandmypbc]

My hepatologist says it's OK to drink in moderation..

[meandmypbc]

Its really nice to know im not alone x

[Puddles]

I have cut back but still have a glass of wine if I feel like one, my hepatologist said that was fine too

[sharon7716]

Hi, I was told the odd tipple would be ok, which is fine for some of us but I found that for me 1 drink means 24 hours later all I do is itch and sleep. It's all trial and error. I had the same reaction to 1 type of antibiotic but am fine on others. You soon learn what food and drink sets off the symptoms.

all the best.

[Waxxy99]

Drinking to moderation won't make your condition worse. But I've found even relatively small amounts make me feel terrible afterwards and it just doesn't seem worth it.

[judyt]

Me too. I never drank much because I felt so bad afterwards. The last drink I had was in 2003 and that landed me in hospital the next day. I was then diagnosed with Scleroderma and soon after that advised not to touch alcohol or caaffeine. PBC diagnosis came in 2012 but I had deranged LFT's since 2003 anyway.

[Hidden]

Oh god, I still enjoy a glass of wine and it doesn't seem to have any effect on how I feel or on my PBC, but it is a very personal thing and you have to do what feels right for you and your body.

As I have replied before I stopped drinking completely for quite a time before I was diagnosed and it had little or no effect on my blood results, once I was put on urso, they have remained near normal and stable for 3 years. I do try to eat a healthy diet, limit the amount of processed food and artificial sweeteners etc and exercise regularly as I believe your liver can struggle just as much with poor diet and lack of exercise as with other things.

Lets hope we all keep well and sane with ths frustrating condition

Lou

[Lexi_Img]

I was told no drinks.

[Julez1961]

Everything in moderation, including alcohol. You will actually not feel like a drink when your liver gets worse! Well I should say I don't, I have this horrible metallic taste in my mouth and the wine tastes weird!