Ibs and alcohol🙈

[Pink_Lover]

This is a very random question but I thought here would be the best place to ask it as I got lots of responses on my last post so hopefully someone can help. I only drink alcohol on social occasions and since being told I have ibs I haven’t been out anywhere where I would be drinking. However my work Christmas party is this weekend and I’ve read online that alcohol can trigger ibs so I’m wondering if anyone finds any alcoholic drink that doesn’t affect ibs too much? TIA

[Andervalcha]

In my experience all alcoholic drinks affect my IBS, however, clear spirits affect me slightly less and also drinking as little as possible also helps. Personally I've gave up drinking, although I do make an exception for my birthday and Xmas. I only have one drink, e.g one small glass of wine or a shot of tequila or whisky and that is it, generally I've been fine with that.

I hope that helps

[Luisa22]

All I can say about alcohol and IBS is -it depends.

It depends on whether that happens to be a trigger.

It depends on what type of drink.

It depends how much.

For many people with IBS, it's just unhealthy and going to cause irritation. You can usually tell, by trying one drink and see what effect it has on the gut. If there's a bad effect, leave it out. The body will usually let you know.

But I for instance, can happily drink some vodka, but no other alcoholic drink at all. I also have a neighbour whose wife has IBS, and vodka is also the only drink she can have.

Amount is also important. A large amount is going to upset the tummy. It does that even with people without IBS. One or two drinks (if you're sure you can definitely be OK on that, and it's not a big trigger for you) would probably be fine, and choose a particular drink that you know suits you.

I sometimes find a very small drink sipped slowly can even relieve my tummy if it starts to get a bit upset, or if I ever get the feeling of discomfort low down on the left a few hours after dinner.

I really think the secret is firstly knowing whether it's a trigger for you or okay, and if it doesn't appear to cause issues, keep to small amounts.

Beware of mixers too. Some if not all of them will have artificial sweeteners which can play havoc with IBS.

[Equilibrated]

I usually don’t have any problems with my IBS drinking alcohol, until the next day. So I would say enjoy your Christmas party and be prepared to pay for it the next day. “A tomorrow problem as they say.”

[Oxygen_guy]

With my job that involves driving I don't really drink much. If or when I go out for a drink like a Christmas get together I drink a few pints of Cider or a couple of glasses of my favourite German wine. I don't really find the drink upsets the stomach but perhaps the food might if I have a big feast.

[CockeyMoor]

I can’t drink anything fizzy without upsetting my tummy. Prosecco makes me poorly. I have Champagne occasionally because I don’t like missing out and I love it on the rare occasions I have had it. I will never have more than one glass.

I drink Benedictine safely without getting IBS. It can be diluted with hot water and is called Benny & hot. Benedictine Is a weird and wonderful liqueur so beware it’s strength , made from 27 herbs and aids digestion. I also drink it neat. It is an acquired taste.

I also find whisky and Stones ginger wine( not fizzy) is good. I can manage a ginger beer too with a whisky. Ginger helps my tummy.

Mohito is the only cocktail I can drink. Can’t touch much citrus and only a little lime juice seems fine. Orange juice cripples me.

Wine basically just one glass of the less acidic ones . White wine seems better than red.

You definitely learn along the way but don’t cut alcohol out completely because it relaxes us too which is good for IBS sufferers.

Soda water as a mixer seems okay if I let it go a bit flat .

[Andann in reply to CockeyMoor]

ditto to most of that. Too much alcohol and I'll have diarrhea the next day - not painful if I am at home..... but better not to abuse my various organs so just 2-3 glasses of wine and a couple of gin seems to be ok when having a reason to celebrate or commiserate, Yes a GP told me it relaxes one and could be OK for that purpose if you dont have other methods.

[Misspomfrey]

I gave up alcohol 21 years ago, it was irritating my guts even before I started with IBS, never touched a drop since and thankful for it. Id hate to have to deal with it now on top of everything else. In spite of my gut issues, I've been far healthier in general.

[Penneystar]

Just to say I can drink white wine but if I have a white spirit drink with a mixer it has to be Fevertree. They have no artificial sugars in there products . All of the others do if you look. Another real big problem is Lemonade, Pepsi , Coke etc, they are full of artificial sweeteners and they can give you the most awful gut problems with IBS .

[ForViolet in reply to Penneystar]

Same here. I found that mixers with agave bring on an attack. And, at one time, I thought it was healthier than sugar.... Not for me! And I can have 1 or 2 ounces of Malbec with no problem.

[Linley]

Luisa22 has summed it up well. Me personally no fizzy drinks at all, but a glass red or rose does settle my tum. Merry Christmas!

[Boxroad]

I can’t tolerate any alcohol at all, alcohol was my first trigger

[Campoverde]

A couple of glasses of white wine or a gin and tonic is fine for me.

[StrugglingAirHostess]

All alcohol bothers me if I drink a lot although not always since being on medication. We're talking anything more than 3 glasses of wine but it's always the next day so not an instant reaction however I will say that what I've noticed.. if I eat a substantial meal (like a decent tuck in) alcohol doesn't tend to bother me as much. No idea why but if I know I'm going to be drinking a lot I eat a hearty meal and it seems to help my stomach the next day 😊

[villages2]

I drink Chardonnay and for me I always have some water in a glass that I drink inbetween . Worth a try maybe

[Edgar77]

I NEVER drink its just not worth it. I don't feel good I feel ill. Go to the party but don't feel pressured to drink.

[StarNanna]

Yes it affects me. I can usually cope with 1 or 2 glasses of alcohol if I am eating but I more often than not find I suffer the following day. Wine is worse. I find vodka is better but I have to be careful what mixers I have it with

[Laxmik]

hi. Maybe you can try wine. But acohol is know to destroy gut bacteria. Which can be trigger for some people with IBS. My advice would be to avoid drinking if you can. I don’t drink not all Maybe once a year. Hope this helps. And hope you enjoy your work Christmas party.

[XDjames]

This may not be helpful but maybe the party organisers might have a sense of responsibility and provide low/alcohol-free variants. Happily for folk who can't drink (for whatever reason) there's more out there these days. But alas, the wine that is available (to me) tastes ghastly. That leaves quite a few possibilities other than apple juice and coke. I think fizzy drinks are not great for IBS -I avoid, and beer is sort of OK.

I'm not trying to sound preachy but think of the benefits of saying goodbye to alcohol:

No hangovers

No risk from drink driving of hurting someone or getting done for being over the limit

No more making an idiot of yourself

Less money spent

Less time wasted wandering the aisles trying to work out which wine to buy

Fewer visits to the tip with crates of empties

And when I do have a drink of wine/port on Xmas day (I'm allowed) I ask myself: is it really that good?

[bungi1961]

Well I gave up the booze 8/9 years ago as when I did it was lager or Bacardi & Diet coke so after a nasty hangover in my mid 50's I thought no more of that thank you then in 2018 got Breast Cancer lost all taste in my mouth after 6 Chemo's & 15 Radio's having 2 shield throughout 2020 COVID then had blood in poop FIT tests early 2021 two colonoscopies polyps removed both times told I had IBS/Divert Disease thought antibiotics and all would be OK still having prob's early this year another colon scan followed by a scan like they do for when you are having a baby ( unlikely not aged 62 ) well I suppose they had 2 check for other things well 2 cut a long story short I don't drink it anymore as I am still finding my way around what teas or other beverages that I can drink hot or cold well take care and keep well x