alcohol and FM
Patsfan - Feb 25th, 2008 4:59 PM
[ Original Post ]

Does anyone know the physiology behind the effects of alcohol on FM? I drink wine and most of the time it is for relief of really tight muscles. I know it dehydrates you which is bad for muscles. Everywhere I look they say no alcohol for FM. I drink about a bottle a week but sometimes a glass of wine is the only thing that helps. I try to stretch, deep breath, hot tub...before I try the wine.
Thanks!

Comment


 

dalanna - Feb 26th, 2008 1:19 AM

I have noticed that if I drink, more than 2 drinks, I feel it in the morning! I get those "wonderful" body aches similar to having the flu, joint/muscle pain and big time fatigue! A gleass of wine doesn't seem to effect me, but everyone is different. Do you feel different on mornings that you've had a glass or two of wine vs. none at all?


Patsfan - Feb 26th, 2008 11:02 AM

I just started a diary for my sleep habits and wine etc. I am going to look for a pattern and see what makes things worse or better. I had 4 glasses ( unusual ) the other night and felt super achy the next day!


ngh - Jun 18th, 2009 9:10 AM

I find one glass of white wine helps me to relax when I´m really stiff. But I prefer to not drink because of the meds I´m on (mainly Amitryptiline). I feel awful the day after if I drink more than 2 glasses


cooped - Jul 29th, 2009 11:23 AM

From what I have read, alcohol is avoided as it effects the blood flow through the brain, and effects the Central Nervous System, both of which are major contributors to fibro pain. It may be a chicken\egg thing about most of the treatment drugs being effected by alcohol, but as alcohol can effect the toxicity of narcotic pain medications, it may increase risk of overdose.

Personally, I still have a beer every now and then, but find that it adversely effects my sleep. So I have to have it early enough so i can still take Lunesta.



Sonja44 - Nov 18th, 2009 11:37 PM

Drinking Alcohol Is like Russian Roulette for me. First, I'm a very cheap drunk...usually a half of a wine cooler does me in...literally...but sometimes alcohol causes severe muscle cramps...chest, arms, stomach, legs...it's horrible and lasts for 20 minutes or more.

An RN friend of mine says that she thinks I'm allergic to alcohol. So, I stay away from it...as much as I'd like to have one now and again.


Canada17 - Nov 19th, 2009 9:55 AM

One item on the list of foods my doctor gave me to avoid is grapes, another is alcohol. I find that I can tolerate a glass of white wine, but even one sip of red wine and I get heart burn from hell!

I think the reason we're told to stay away is partly due to the fact that our body processes the things we ingest differently, and not just in the stomach but also in the liver. This makes us more sensitive to the side effects of alcohol. In addition, many FM patients use prescriptions that have side effects that can be increased when alcohol is ingested or can be a dangerous mix together.

Also, many FM patients also suffer from depression and as alcohol is a depressant, this can exacerbate the problem.

It is also addictive.

I think if you know your limit and you are responsible ( ie. no binge drinking or getting drunk) you should be ok, try talking to your doctor about it, maybe there is something less harmful to your system you could be using to relax than alcohol.


Fantod - Nov 19th, 2009 10:17 AM

I don't drink largely because of the amount of medication that I must take. Even an occassional sip of champagne during the holidays makes me feel terrible the next day. It is just not worth it to me.


Canada17 - Nov 19th, 2009 10:47 AM

Champagne gives me a migraine, always has (unless I drink the expensive stuff) that is common in my family though, happens with my mom and both my sisters too.