Alcohol and pbc

[Megkym]

Can you drink alcohol with pbc

[ninjagirlwebb]

Think this would be different for each person depending on the pbc stage and what your doctor recommends. My liver doctor says I can have a drink every now and then.

[Nellies47]

I would agree with ninjagirl. Everyone individual, and their Dr. recommendations. I personally find that I can't drink now, get nausea and hangover from hell with even one drink. Hope this helps. Nelly

[Jennyhadenough]

My dr said never. I don’t drink so I’m not missing anything.

[Waterbabe3174]

My consultant said it’s okay within normal guidelines.

[iagra]

I didn't consult with my doctor on this. But, I read about it. My choice is to enjoy a drink (one shot of hard liquor or a glass of wine) now and then. On average, I don't have more than one drink a week. But, if it makes you feel physically unwell, then of course, best, not to drink.

[M0n1]

I am at a very early stage. My hepatologist said it would be OK to have an occasional drink. However, I decided to kiss alcohol good-bye. Instead of a glass of wine, if I am in a social situation, I ask for sparking water or ice tea.

[dbroos]

My doctor said 2-3 times per month would be ok. And I have the occasional drink, but I have found that it matters 'what' I drink; wine seems to be the worst for me. So now, I just have a small drink of other people's wine and that is enough!

[PBC_41_M]

42 M, Stage 1 PBC diagnosed 1 year ago incidentally and URSO responder. I stopped drinking on diagnosis and would have been an average drinker with the odd binge drinking session (weddings, stag dos, nights out with friends etc). Have begun having occasional drinks again due to staging (no liver damage), confirmation of Urso response, normalised LFTs and a significant improvement in my diet (almost strictly Mediterranean, low cholesterol, no red meat) and exercise regime to keep the rest of me as healthy as possible.

I haven't had more then 3/4 drinks in an evening (about once a month) but in a past life would have easily drunk up to 10 drinks with ease (don't judge me, I was a rugby player!).

IMO I think a balance needs to be struck, there is no right answer here but it helps to try to weigh up "fun" with physical wellbeing. It might take a while to find the right place for you personally.

This is actually my first post here, there are not many with with my profile (i.e. male/early 40s), and it seems you are searching for answers. I hope you find them and find peace with your diagnosis. Best wishes.

[roseter]

My specialist says drinking will not make any difference to my pbc as it's not the cause. So he said to enjoy a normal balanced life. I have had pbc for 15 years and have carried on as normal. My pbc has not got worse. Still stage 2 with no symptoms. I'm sure if I had deteriorated I may have a different approach. Good luck 🤗

[Kakey]

Sorry to say that PBC is unaffected by what we do, apart from taking Urso etc if we are lucky enough to respond to the medication. But lifestyle does affect liver health, in a more general sense. So it really depends on your own circumstances. I have the very occasional glass of wine, literally a couple of times a year.

[Megkym in reply to Kakey]

Thank you all for your replies

[Ballymahon2]

My hep told me i could have 3 small glasses of wine a week but i dont.stage one.i do have the occasional glass of wine maybe one or two a month

[boneytoys]

I was diagnosed nearly 14 years ago and was shocked into not drinking for four years. I was a mod- heavy social drinker . Gradually I have started drinking again because my specialist said it was ok to drink but not to go mad. I’m posting here because the attitude and specialist advice has moderated . We were initially told to stop I think- now alcohol in moderation, if you’re physically ok with it Is not a no no. My liver aches if I go over my own limit . We are, with good advices here, in charge of our own alcohol intake it seems . Spirits I don’t touch!

[Pat_H]

No. The Michael Mosley programme on British Television did some research on a group of volunteers who had no apparent liver problems (all fairly young) under the guidance of two liver specialists. I don't remember all the details, but the research took place over a specified time scale, with data taken at the beginning and end on the state of each person's liver. At the end, the specialists were horrified to see that even the amounts of alcohol that are suggested by the British Health Officials as not being harmful, were much too high and did cause problems. So, as far as I am concerned, I think that, for those of us who do have liver problems, it is easier not to compound our problems by drinking alcohol.