😩 I ve had a bad enough chest infection for around two weeks now, waking up at night with palpatitions in my heart think it’s the chest infection. Anyway I have GCA since November 2017 also started injections in early February Actemra. All was going well until I went down to 8 Mg steroids it was freaky very emotional etc anyway, due to reading on this site I went back to 9 mg I have been much better mentally? And doing well apart from my chest infection got a pup so doing a lot of walking this last week and half🤔 any way the doctor told me to drink lots of fluids when he gave me antibiotics so I went and got 6 Large bottles of water (which I drink lots of anyway) and also seen a lovely Merlot which I got 🙃 it was lovely I feel great and ready for a lovely nights sleep!! My question is now ant I wrong to drink the wine instead of the water 😒 or will it be ok if I dont do it often.
Chest infection: 😩 I ve had a bad enough chest... - PMRGCAuk
Chest infection
Oh poor you Lucylooloo you are going through a heck of a time. As long as Actemra and your antibiotics are ok with wine then go for it, but for the sake of your poor head and liver have plenty of water too. You’ve got your pup to consider.😂
Lol. Thank you no guilt now x
Isn't the wine the medical dose for sanity?
Works for me. What does MB say we are sanely challenged?
Doctors have always told me not to drink alcohol with antibiotics because it undoes the effect of the antibiotics. But once you're off the antibiotics and your chest infection is cleared up then there's no reason to not have a little tipple - I only just started drinking a couple of glasses of wine again after two to three years of gca - usually with a meal. And it is verrrry nice I must say lol 
I think that may be half a story:
"doxycycline – this is known to interact with alcohol, and the effectiveness of doxycycline may be reduced in people with a history of chronic alcohol consumption; it should not be taken by people with liver problems"
The NHS link I gave below mentions that in particular - but not for anything else.
Hi,
As Brantuk says not usually recommended to drunk wine with antibiotics, but with Pred most people find it okay, although a red may be a “heavy” for some.
Think you’re probably feeling down because of the antibiotics, chest infection, and reduction of Pred (once you get below 10mg it’s a bit more tricky) rather than the wine! So don’t beat yourself up about it!
As we’re always saying, “a little of what you fancy does you good!”
Yes I think I needed it, had a good nights sleep 😌 I also have weeding next month and my weight has flown up last month (why did it take so long for this to happen). Anyway scales say 13 st never that in my life so you are right loads of stuff going on. Also cutting down from 9mg seems to be a struggle back again at 8mg now since Tuesday so I see how the emotions are going this time. I would love to find an alcohol free red wine 🍷 . Anyway another day another start thanks and enjoy your day 🙏 Maureen
To be honest since Pred one glass of red wine gives me a bad headache so I either abstain or drink Prossecco as that’s just fizzy pop really. Everything in moderation is usually ok but I would wait till the antibiotics had finished. Parker likes the odd glass of red but won’t have one if the glasses are a pair or set?🤪
I am assuming you are USA located.
You wrote 'palpatations in my heart think it’s the chest infection'. I would be seeking medical advice. I don't want to worry you but I think you should read this:
drugs.com/sfx/actemra-side-...
All drugs come with side effects and in the UK the most commonest ones are listed on a separate paper that comes with your prescription. Read and learn and now with the internet you can always look up and see the rarer ones.............just in case or 'belts and braces'.
Very interesting I will read into it more later on this evening thanks a million for this. I am from Ireland 🙏
No idea with Actemra but I have continued drinking wine with pred - it is my only vice and a valued pleasure.
But I can't imagine a glass will hurt - and drink plenty of water.
The NHS seems to think it is generally OK and specifies where it isn't:
nhs.uk/chq/Pages/871.aspx?C...
By the way - are you leaving the Actemra during the infection? With other immunosuppressant steroid-sparers you stop taking them if you get an infection.
No knowledge of that I am continuing it once a week as was not told otherwise 🤔 I am the same as you there is just something about relaxing with a glass of red, and this last while it’s my only pleasure I get excited about especially in this lovely weather 😎👌
No - rarely drink red now, just the local very light ones, and in lovely weather it HAS to be rose. What is nice is that we have a choice of pinks in the local supermarket that are lower alcohol - one is only 9% and still tastes delightful in the heat. In fact, I think it is a frizzante so lightly sparkling as well - even better
Have to try that one sounds as it might be nice thank you 🙏
Think it's all been said so far except you wouldn't normally attribute palpitations to a chest infection, you should get that checked out...look forward to the wine once antis finished. Also statistics say that around 7.5mg it is not uncommon for your emotions to get 'freaky' and you will probably need to adopt the dead slow nearly stop (dsns) method of reduction to get you through, I can only reduce by .5mg and we are all different, thought it worth mentioning. ATB.
Thanks very much 🙏
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