Alcohol

[WendyMarie]

My Dr. told me to abstain completely from any alcohol. I live in the U.S. & however, I have read on other sites, that in other countries, doctors have said it is ok, as long as you drink in moderation. I would like to know if your doctor says it's ok, then how much beer or wine is considered moderation for a female? Thanks.

[Singsing]

I live in France and have been told by my GP, Liver consultant and dietician strictly no alcohol.

[Lisa30]

I live in the UK and i am continually told live my life as normal and everything in moderation. Whether this is because since taking urso my lives results are all now within normal ranges, so i have glasses of wine when i feel like it probably every month.

[posh]

I also live in uk and was told minimal alcohol, ie wine and soda.

[boneytoys]

i live in nz...my doctor says no alcohol but then my liver specialist said one or two drinks a week wont hurt you.I didnt drink for years but now If I drink I have a glass of champagne....

its an individual choice based on wellness and liver results which are normal. But its good to get it out there in discussion because bottom line we know we shouldnt eh?

[marky123]

hi, i live in UK and have been told by my consultant that drinking normal government recommended daily units is fine.

[WendyMarie in reply to marky123]

Hi Marky..how much is normal gov. units per day...I live in the U.S....so I don't know.

Thanks.

[marky123 in reply to WendyMarie]

hi, Men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, no more than four units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week.

Women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, no more than three units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week.

[marky123 in reply to marky123]

One unit of alcohol is about equal to:

half a pint of ordinary strength beer, lager or cider (3-4% alcohol by volume); or

a small pub measure (25 ml) of spirits (40% alcohol by volume); or

a standard pub measure (50 ml) of fortified wine such as sherry or port (20% alcohol by volume).

There are one and a half units of alcohol in:

a small glass (125 ml) of ordinary strength wine (12% alcohol by volume); or

a standard pub measure (35 ml) of spirits (40% alcohol by volume).

[WendyMarie in reply to marky123]

Marky, Thank you for the information....very interesting.

[Mrsfancypants in reply to WendyMarie]

I was told 14 units. I.e. 2 bottles of wine a week ( gov guidelines ) not all at once. I was surprised but I prob won't that much. Just occasionally. I was diagnosed 4 days ago and shit scared x

[mrspiggy]

My liver specialist said ok for special occasions only. At a wedding a glass or 2 of bubbly wouldn't do any harm as long as special occasions weren't every weekend! I think it is a personal choice but I think if the bile ducts are part of the liver then we need to do what we can to protect the liver from toxins whether they be from alcohol or other any source. Easier said than done ! :-). I have decided to cut booze out completely with the help of a website called Soberistas and a book called - Kick the drink easily by Jason Vale.

Mel x

[SC49]

I am in Ireland and was told at the start no alcohol. I've not asked recently. To be honest I haven't felt well enough anyway and even if I did, I think I wouldn't bother.

[boggyeyes]

hi ,in uk my consultant said it was fine to drink within healthy guidelines.i have 1 or 2 drinks on special occasions but iam happy not drinking most of the time.

[Hidden]

I've never been informed NOT to partake of any alcohol since PBC diagnose. I did get asked several times prior by doctors how much alcohol I had been drinking. I said I was only an infrequent drinker as in special occasions, I rarely went out as in 'night on the tiles' and I ceased having even the odd glass of alcohol after my first abnormal LFT. It doesn't bother me not having any alcohol tho' I have to admit at times it can get frustrating being in certain situations (family gatherings, there is always someone who will say, "one won't hurt" if they know).

I think with alcohol it is one of the common sense things if you have PBC. Tho' I just ceased completely and it doesn't bother me at all (my husband can have 2 pints when we go for a walk and stop off at a pub), I would say that if one was to go out and just have perhaps the one glass of wine it probably wouldn't really do much tho' I do expect one might feel the effects of it later on (fatigued a bit more if you have that), I'd say personally a short drink (ie vodka, rum, etc) are a no-no.

Thinking further if one is having say one glass of wine and was having a meal then I'd say that would perhaps 'soak up' the alcohol.

[Val02]

Hi - it will vary according to how advanced your PBC is. Initially on diagnosis i gave up drinking all together but Ive now been diagnosed 4 years and Ive changed my mind a bit (after all life is for living) and just drink if we go out for a meal, celebrations etc.

[Hidden]

Before I was diagnosed I had a high liver function test after having blood tests done at my gps, I had wanted my cholesterol checked... So over the next four months I virtually stopped drinking, it made very little difference to the test results when they were redone. Consequently I went off to see the consultant at Barts in London, who straight away said PBC, which was confirmed at the next appt.

I must admit I drink within the normal limits, I don't smoke, try to exercise and eat a reasonably healthy diet. So far, taking 750mg of urso my blood counts are stable and I feel well.

I feel and this is only my opinion! That had the initial results shown a dramatic fall from not drinking and if my current results were worse as a result of drinking now, I would stop. I understand that others feel differently.

Wishing everyone a healthy 2013

Lou

[Axl888]

Hi, I live in the UK and my consultant said I could have a drink occasionally. I have got used to non alcoholic wines and lagers as I like to feel like I am having a drink when out socially. Over Christmas I have had a few glasses of sherry and port and a couple of brandy coffees. That will be it now for a while. I probably have a pint of lager once every 4-6 weeks.

[Philippastcarin]

My specialist told me that at this stage he saw no reason why I should change my drinking habits. Common sense should prevail, British guidelines are a good place to start but they must be seen as a maximum. I suppose its always good to remember alcohol is not good for you. A doctor once said to me it did'nt start the pbc so doesn't have much bearing on the illness. I'll raise a glass to you later.

[WendyMarie in reply to Philippastcarin]

LOL....Thanks for your reply Phillip. I do love beer & only drink on weekends mostly, beause it's high in calories. Of course, whenever you mention alcohol to U.S. doctors, they act like it's SO taboo, yet, you see them out & about drinking merrily. LOL. So yes, I will continue to use common sense, as I've always done, before this PBC thing came about.

[Philippastcarin]

Watch out they don't start that prohibition thing again. Its the only thing GB has got right.

cheers.

[WendyMarie in reply to Philippastcarin]

Too funny....LOL

[gizocsi]

I have not very bad result, but also better from time I gave up 100 gramms of red vine occasionally. In Dec after longlong break a very little whisky made me so ill for a whole day, and just not much after I've had blood test, a nd it was much worse, and also my liver was strongly complayning. So I think everybody can test herself, but be careful with strong alcohols, it's s o much extra work for the poor liver.

Of course there is the thing, this one life is for living