alcohol as a diagnostic tool

[Avadip12]

I have posted many times regarding daily morning fatigue and weakness , this has happened every time i enter reduction below 6 mgs. The Synatchen and morning cortisol test done at 4 mgs have both denied me the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency by being normal .

however I have come to notice ever time I have a good drink at a party or function instead of waking up with a hangover I am amazed to be feeling much better than normal . Yesterday was a Terrible day , when I woke up feeling like I was fighting my way out of an anaesthetic , and had to return to bed as my legs were very weak .this has been going on since I dropped to 4.5 mgs a few weeks ago Last night we had friends over for dinner and I had a good drink and this morning I woke feeling alert and so so much better that the past few weeks .

therefore I done a little research into the effects of alcohol on the adrenal glands , and amazingly found that it stimulates them , and overnight I had produced more cortisol and woke feeling better. Of course I realise I can’t be drinking every night , but what it answered is that my feeling ill in the mornings is most liked related to my adrenal production being insufficient for me.

It will be interesting to hear your thoughts on this .

[powerwalk]

We are all so different!! I have been diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency and if i even look at a drink i feel like hell. Weird isnt it?? At least you can look forward to a glass or two, i'd love that!!

[Avadip12 in reply to powerwalk]

Thanks for replying, can I ask what dose of steroids were you on when you were diagnosed with insufficiency, and what did they do to help you. .

[powerwalk in reply to Avadip12]

I was on 4.5, i had been lower and was barely functioning. I was put on hydrocortisone for a week and then had a synacten test and pretty much no adrenal function. I was then just put on 5 mg pred. I have tried to get lower but it just doesnt work. Id love to be off them!!! Wishful thinking in my case i think.

[SnazzyD]

I wonder if it is nothing to do with adrenal glands at all but it is making you sleep better both as a sedative and you go to bed with a more relaxed mind. You might be getting enough hours but you might not be deep enough. You could try another type of sedative to see if it has the same effect. I go through phases where I don’t get off to sleep quickly enough and stay in a light state too long, so I awake feeling hung over. To break this I used Phenergan for a few days to a week. This is an antihistamine used for sleep regulation, motion sickness and as an antihistamine. I used the liquid because the tablets are too high a dose and knock me out cold and make me groggy next day. I’m easily knocked out by relatively little alcohol too.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Not to mention the vasodilatory effect! Before pred, I felt best after my evening glass of wine ...

[pmr_nikola in reply to PMRpro]

works for me with or without pred

[Broseley in reply to SnazzyD]

Interesting. I've just Googled Phenergan and it is also in Night Nurse. I used that as a last resort once when I had a tickly cough every time I laid down. The more I coughed the more it irritated my throat making me cough even more. GP prescribed pholcodine (sp?) which had no effect. After 3 weeks of no sleep someone suggested Night Nurse. It worked like a dream. It broke the coughing cycle by basically knocking me out!

[SnazzyD in reply to Broseley]

Ah! That will explain why I hallucinated and then couldn’t wake up after my first foray with NightNurse years ago. I didn’t realise about Promethazine then. I use the liquid and 5ml does the job. Night Nurse has 20mg. My friend who travels a lot across time zones is quite ok on 25mg capsules. Just goes to show….

[Merryfield]

this is quite an amazing story!

[SheffieldJane]

I have PMR and was diagnosed with Adrenal Insufficiency by an Endocrinologist at 5 mgs. His preferred treatment was 20 mgs of Hydrocortisone a day. I was also supplied with an emergency hydrocortisone injection kit in case of an Adrenal Crisis. Shortly after this I was diagnosed with GCA and put on 40 mgs Pred by my Rheumatologist . So the problem has been shelved until now - back on 5 mgs. I can’t drink because of Diverticulitis but I feel so much better for getting out and doing something social - we need that.

[2013mayo]

how amazing, I used to drink a glass or 3 and I agree, maybe 3 times a week , I used to have a good nights sleep and get on with all my housework, in fact even if I had a glass of wine I could get on with my housework and make the house look sparkling. I don’t drink at all now, just went off the taste. House doesn’t look the same .

[Broseley]

I have a fitbit and monitor my sleep. When I've had a drink or 3 I definitely sleep better. Alcohol is supposed to reduce your REM sleep, but it doesn't with me. I get more deep sleep. I too, awake with no hangover and full of beans.

[Golf-1]

I would be very interested to know the do's and dont's of alcohol; related to PMR, Prednisolone and Methotrexate and of course Adrenals.

Are there any rules in this regard or must we use common sense and let our bodies tell us what is good or bad?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Golf-1]

Depends on the doctor and their views. Alcohol is often forbidden entirely with MTX - other doctors allow a couple of units a week. I don't think there are any for PMR itself though what is interesting is that many patients find their tastes change - I can't drink the heavyish reds I loved so much nor the really dry whites. My preference is pink or bubbles - not champers though. Some of our local reds are very light and I still enjoy those. Some sources say no alcohol with pred - others never mention it. I have never found any difference in the PMR when abstaining for any reason. Carbs probably have more of an effect and quite a few report flare-type symptoms after Christmas or Easter excesses!

I would say common sense in general - but HONEST common, not the denial variety!

[Golf-1 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro - I will try to be honest - Australian Shiraz for me and the occassional home made Sloe Gin