ALCOHOL & PRED: Is it wise to avoid alcohol... - PMRGCAuk

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ALCOHOL & PRED

WHL67 profile image
57 Replies

Is it wise to avoid alcohol altogether whilst on Pred, currently on 60 mg a day or do people enjoy their fav tipple now and again ??

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WHL67 profile image
WHL67
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57 Replies
PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

It probably is wise to avoid alcohol at the high doses of pred - not least because it is not going to help with the weight gain many experience with pred. Lots of carbs in some alcohol!

On the other hand, I think many of us still have the occasional drink - in my case it is more often but very small amounts. A bottle of wine lasts me all week! Many people find they lose the taste for alcohol though.

WHL67 profile image
WHL67 in reply toPMRpro

Thanks for that advice, gonna give it a go tonight first time since starting Pred 4wks ago .. just a glass or two !!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toWHL67

i'dstick with a glass, rather than the two! Like DL, even before pred I found there were wines, mostly red, I couldn't get on with at all, And not as much as before either. Which is probably a good thing!

WHL67 profile image
WHL67 in reply toPMRpro

Thanks PMRPro, I don't touch red wine just the white of which I've just had a glass, went down well 😊

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toWHL67

I loved red - only the light local ones here and not too much. Very partial to an Austrian rose!!!

Bridge31 profile image
Bridge31 in reply toPMRpro

Isn’t that funny, I used to love red but went off it completely after taking Pred. I wonder why. I still drink white or Prosecco and can’t say I feel any different on the rare days I don’t drink alcohol.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toBridge31

My aversion started long before pred - so I can't blame it! I think it may be something to do with the tannins but I already avoided them because of what is probably an allergy to something in red wine!

in reply toPMRpro

Tannins in red wine and tea both of which are my favourite tipples do aggravate my joints if too much is enjoyed. I switch to rosè and earl grey which seem less of an irritation.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to

Oh no - NOT Earl Grey!!!! Tea doesn't have the same effect thank goodness!!!!

in reply toPMRpro

I know, it’s a shame as I’m a real fan of builders tea

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to

Me too - though apparently builders complain at the description! Tea is made in a pot here, left to stew for at least half an hour. But I get 5 decent strength mugs out of one Tetley's round t-bag when I'm alone at home - use more t-bags a day when I have visitors than I use in a week. Thank goodness for microwaves ...

Koalajane profile image
Koalajane in reply toPMRpro

I love green tea

And red wine

Kiwisufferer2019 profile image
Kiwisufferer2019 in reply toKoalajane

Me too, green tea, and red wine! All things in moderation of course!!!!

Koalajane profile image
Koalajane in reply toKiwisufferer2019

Well I probably drink too much! Of the green tes

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toPMRpro

Sorry have to disagree on that one!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toDorsetLady

Which one?

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toPMRpro

EG tea ☕️

Boss302Fan profile image
Boss302Fan in reply toWHL67

How many ounces is your glass of wine?😂

WHL67 profile image
WHL67 in reply toBoss302Fan

Usually too many 🥴

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toBoss302Fan

I used to have a glass that held a bottle ...

WHL67 profile image
WHL67 in reply toPMRpro

Nice my type of glass !!

Boss302Fan profile image
Boss302Fan in reply toPMRpro

😂😂😂

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toPMRpro

That would be my kind of glass🤣

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

I stopped for first 6months -combination of high doses -2weeks@ 80mg then 8 weeks @ 60mg and sight loss -so head was not in a good place…so thought it sensible.

But did return after that, occasionally not regularly -and certainly couldn’t take red wine any more… still can’t 6 years after ending Pred.

Can’t say I noticed any discernible difference on the evenings I had a drink to those I didn’t.

piglette profile image
piglette

I think a small drink now and then probably helps to keep you sane!

WHL67 profile image
WHL67 in reply topiglette

🥃🥃🥃🥃🥂🥃🥃🥃🥃🍺

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toWHL67

That looks like one small drink!!!

WHL67 profile image
WHL67 in reply topiglette

Just a little tester first 🙂

Yogiwendy profile image
Yogiwendy in reply topiglette

I agree a small now and again really helps. I tend to drink a low alcohol gin & tonic which makes me feel I’m still a party girl. I only now drink Rooiboch tea, no caffeine. And earl grey I’m afraid. I also drink Green tea with Tummeric anti inflammatory I’m told.

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toYogiwendy

Nothing low alcohol for me and I like loads of caffeine! Perhaps that is why I am falling to pieces.

Yogiwendy profile image
Yogiwendy in reply topiglette

I wish I could believe me! I do treat myself to one expresso a day😀

Kiwisufferer2019 profile image
Kiwisufferer2019 in reply topiglette

Definitely does

Rosina1871 profile image
Rosina1871

Never had a problem with alcohol and pred. Read on the net you can drink with prednisolone but not prednisone. Don’t know why

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toRosina1871

Prednisone is processed by the liver to become prednisolone which is the active form. I use a form of prednisone - still drink though! No-one has said not to ...

KASHMIRI1 profile image
KASHMIRI1

I would never touch alcohol while taking drugs like pred or having such a serious health condition. Just not worth it for me.

PMRnewbie2017 profile image
PMRnewbie2017

I think a lot of demonising of alcohol goes on in medical circles. There are a few drugs where there is an absolute reaction with alcohol, so it must be avoided. However it is very common for patients to be told not to drink either because of their illness or their treatment. I'm pretty sure personal or religious aversions to drinking alcohol influences what patients are told. Personally I do drink, have done throughout and some weeks consume more units than is recommended. I find it a great relaxant and have not found it affects PMR. Infact if my shoulders and neck become tight and I wonder if a flare is brewing, a couple of glasses relaxes the muscles and mind and I realise it's not PMR but life's demands. I'm not advocating irresponsible drinking or alcoholism but I hate it when Drs ask if you drink, how much and then almost imply that drink is the reason I still take Pred.

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails in reply toPMRnewbie2017

My GP (in my previous practice) blamed Pred for everything until l developed a breast lump, which he said was fine but it had to be checked out. It turned out to be Breast Cancer so it was the HRT that got the blame this time - until my histology came back TNBC -(Triple Negative Breast Cancer)

Nothing to do with HRT…….

They always ‘need’ to blame something!….

Uke1 profile image
Uke1 in reply toPMRnewbie2017

I totally agree! I’ve never stopped my glass or two of wine most (not every) night with my meal. No doctor has told me not to, I’ve read the information sheets where there is no mention of it and, if we enjoy it in moderation, I don’t see it will harm us. Life is short!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toPMRnewbie2017

Particularly since it is known that they assume you are lying - and at least double what you say you drink! My GP is one of the "all alcohol is evil" genre.

Exflex profile image
Exflex in reply toPMRpro

Then goes home after a day in surgery and knocks back half a bottle… 😂

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toExflex

I don't think so. Quite a lot of people here don't drink alcohol and certainly not the way the British do. Wine or beer with a meal maybe.

in reply toPMRnewbie2017

Here here 👏

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toPMRnewbie2017

Good or bad for me, I do like a couple of glasses of wine. Responsible drinking is key.

Seacat30 profile image
Seacat30

I drink one glass, white wine or G&T, very occasionally and usually on a social occasion. Otherwise I have cut right back. I don't miss it.

Harrywogan profile image
Harrywogan

Well Whl67 , I have my tipple twice a week and have never had a problem, enjoy. HARRY x

WHL67 profile image
WHL67 in reply toHarrywogan

Thanks Harry will do 🍺

ZatMas profile image
ZatMas

My former cardiologist told me daily recipe for a healthy heart is oatmeal,an apple,water,couple of squares of dark chocolate and a couple of glasses of the best red wine you can afford with a meal. I guess his best red and mine are miles apart.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toZatMas

I guess his best red and mine are miles apart.

More than likely -and whilst red’s not for me -I’ll go for rose or sparkling white - I do agree on the dark chocolate.

montebello profile image
montebello

I'm in the same boat as you. I drink 8 oz red wine with dinner each evening. Its a highlight if each day. No problems at all

Southmead profile image
Southmead

I don't know if its coincidence or something more significant. I'm tapering down from a flare, and decided to try giving up my nightly glass of whiskey, and a couple glasses of wine. I'm finding by not drinking the whiskey nightcap, and no red wine, just a bottle of beer. My feeling of well being has improved immensely. I stick to no more that 2 glasses of white wine. My taper is going well, I don't know if cutting out most of the alcohol is part of that or not. Before the flare I was at 5mm of Pred, and went up to 10mm to get it under control, now at 7mm. I miss my nightcap, but I feel so much better, who knows..

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toSouthmead

Could be the beer:

medscape.com/viewarticle/97...

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS

Canada has just come out with new guidelines for drinking alcohol which very much lower the amount deemed safe for anybody. Doesn't affect me as I drink a beer maybe six times a year, but for those who previously thought a dozen drinks a week were fine, it's going to come as a shock. Drinking alcohol has now been shown to shorten lifespan, and the previously perceived heart-healthy qualities of red wine appear not to exist. Of course no one is being told what or whether to drink, but they are thinking of putting warning labels on containers. I think the message over all, and apparently it is one already given in other countries like the UK and Australia, is people need to decide whether the drink they are about to have is worth the five minutes of life they will give up (the five minutes eventually can add up to several months). I suspect many of us would say the pleasure of a drink in the moment is worth more than the possibility of a few more days at the end of life....

theconversation.com/canadas...

Bridge31 profile image
Bridge31 in reply toHeronNS

“I suspect many of us would say the pleasure of a drink in the moment is worth more than the possibility of a few more days at the end of life”… reminds me of the Billy Connolly “white bread, brown bread “ routine. In short …it’s not the extra fortnight when you are 18 and loving life, it’s the extra fortnight in the old folks home.

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply toBridge31

On the other hand, there are ongoing health concerns connected to "too much" alcohol, and the point of the new guidelines is that the "safe" amount is now deemed to be much lower than it used to be. I wonder, though, how much our increased susceptibility to developing cancer, etc., is also caused by exposure to many other toxic chemicals in our environment? Maybe a tolerance for alcohol is actually lower now because we are, for example, breathing in artificial fragrances all the time? Who knows?

Bridge31 profile image
Bridge31 in reply toHeronNS

Who knows indeed. 😌

Coco63 profile image
Coco63

I have to confess I drink a couple of glasses of Prosecco every day with food. I can’t cope with G&T’s/any spirits or even straight white wine anymore which I used to love. I’m probably shortening my life quite a bit with the bubbles but I find it’s something I look forward to at the end of the day and haven’t noticed any adverse reaction with the 7/6.5 (slow taper ) I’m currently on. So good luck and cheers 🥂

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toCoco63

Hear hear, Coco63.👍

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