Alcohol may be Beneficial to Crohn's!

Well, I could really use a margarita. I wonder what kinds are absolutely forbidden?

I'd really like to know how it could possibly be beneficial.

Anyway, I imagine straight shots of just about any hard liquor would be forbidden. The last time I attempted to drink vodka, it burned so crazy bad that I couldn't drink any more. And beer is just as bad, drinking a lot of beer tends to cause D the next day anyhow, combine that with Crohn's Disease complications and a hangover, and you'll be in bed crying all day, curled up in the fetal position.

lol. That's probably just me, though.

I wonder which brewery paid money to this doctor or donated to his cliical trials. It must have been a large amount of money because you would think that the alcohol connection would have been one that would have been discovered years ago since many crohnies turn to it due to depression. Of course, many stop drinking very quickly due to the fact that they end up in more pain and personal issues develop without numbing the emotional pain. I am sorry if I sound negative but I reallly do not agree at all with this. How in the world can something that kills your liver(I know about methotrexate and 6 mp), causes bloating(beer belly due to yeast ), and hurt your brain cells do anything good or benefitial for Crohn's disease. Honestly, I am not a drinker but I am friends with many that have stomach problems due to long term drinking. I know people that have huge beer bellies and are not raging alcoholics but have a couple beers when they get home at night. How can something like that be beneficial? O have a heroin addicted relative that will not touch alcohol due to the stomach ulcers that heavy drinking as a bartender for many years caused him. Think about that, he will stick a needle in his vein full of heroin or smoke meth, but put a beer or drink in front of him and he says no way.(it shocked me too and I laughed at first but he is dead serious)
Sometimes I start to wonder if people try to justify what a person says just because they have a MD by their name. I am not at all trying to put this on the person that put the story on here, but more to the person that published what this doctor was trying to get their name famous with. If this is true, I would like my crow with rice and a beer but I really think it is another one of those people trying to make a name for themselves. I can understand them saying that it may not hurt a person with mild or remissioned crohn's disease worse than it would any normal person, but to go to the extent that it would be beneficial for us makes me second guess them. I have become somewhat sceptical to miracle cures, juices, and natural rememdies. I do believe that there is a cure to be found one day but I don't feel like it is going to be found in a silver can or from a tap. Remember, tabacco and cocaine were once thought to enhance our minds and treat many illnessses. Of course, it could also be said that many of the medications we are on cause just as much damage but my cimzia has not got me a DUI yet. I will take my chances with being dry.

ROFL! Alcohol is the one constant trigger for me. Even in remission, I always have D the day after drinking (even just one drink).

No conspiracy theories here and never called everyone that drinks an alcoholic, but to suggest that alcohol is a beneficial item is not a moral issue.  If someone wants to have their drink with their dinner or whatever, good for them. As for a person having crohn's benefiting from it, I think that it is a far stretch. Even the wine theory has been disproven and you can get the same benefits from regular grapejuice. The harmful effects of alcohol far outwiegh those of any benefits that it may provide. Alcohol is terroble for you gut in any form and that is well known. NSAIDS are ok in moderation for the common person but for a person with crohn's to take them is very risky. You may get away with using them a few times without having any noticable effects but regular use will lead to major damage. The same goes with alcohol, a person with crohn's may get away with drink when their disease is mild or once in a while, but it is going to lead to problems. Alcoholism is another factor that does need to be taken into account. As I have seen firsthand with people very close to me, when it numbs the pain many do not have the self control to keep it at a few drinks. Mix all of this with the depression and emotional stress that does come with this disease and there is a good chance that you are playing with fire. Just as cigarette smoking may call the receptors in the stomach causing and bowels causing some momentarily relief, the risk of cancer in the esophagus, lungs, throat and other negatives far outweigh the short benefit. I am sure that if I were to do some drugs I may feel good for a little while and may not get addicted the first time but it does not outweigh the risk that I am taking.
I respect your opinion and agree to disagree. I personally will choose not to drink or smoke because of the research and education that I have been taught through my whole life. Not just on moral grounds but actually because of the chemicals in them. I do not judge anyone that chooses to drink or smoke but I have yet to see one convincing scientific agrument that showed me any health benefit. Just like drinking cola(which I love) settles the stomach, I still know that the sugars and other chemicals are harmful to my gut. We all have free agency in beliefs and ways of treating our disease and if it works for you great but I am skeptical of a doctor that says that alcohol is good in any form. No conspiracy theories but you would think that a person that knew all of the dangers of alcohol would never advocate treating your disease with it.

Post Edited By Moderator (MMMNAVY) : 9/9/2009 7:43:15 PM (GMT-6)

There can be health benefits to some alcohol (in moderation of course) that's been proven time and time again especially with red wine (for the heart, and other things I believe), alcohol is not poison unless you drink too much and give yourself alcohol poisoning...alcohol does kill infection too so think beyond the fact that it can cause alcoholisim cuz alcohol when used properly does have it's benefits.

I've also heard that alcohol is hard on the colon, but again, moderation is likely key as well, and it may also depend on exactly how and what you're drinking, highballs with pop in it, well, the pop certainly could be the culprit in upsetting ones gut, same with bloody mary, the tomatoe juice could be the culprit with gut upset as well.

Do tread with caution though, drinking at all while on any type of antibiotics does not mix (with flagyl a simple glass of white wine can make you thrw up) but not just the fact that it can make you vomit, it lessens the effect of antibiotics in general.


:)

Rider Fan said...
No thanks, I need my liver.

Then don't overindulge...

Certain hard liquor gives me no problems. Trial and error really.

I've actually noticed that when I drink vodka, or rum that my stomach feels better. Beer is a huge NO NO, too many bubbles and it just doesn't sit well with me. Whether it be the alcohol numbing my sense or it being beneficial I don't know. Ive never had D while drinking.  I can't drink at all right now however because of some of the medications I'm on, and I'm sure thats the case for many Crohnies.

I have had Crohn's for about 22 years now. I never met a G.I doctor that said alcohol was ok for this disease. Actually every G.I  I had said to avoid all types of alcohol that it can trigger flares, make you feel worse.

I guess I was some what lucky. Was diagnosed at age 12 yrs old. So I never had the chance to start drinking. Growing up, I just observed how stupid my friends acted drunk, lol and said it was good for me to stay sober.

Alcohol is a mycotoxin. That being said, I do enjoy a glass of wine from time to time. Oh well.........

crohnielass said...
Hi,when i was in hospital and very aneamic my surgeon recommended guiness or stout as it contains iron so there i was drinking a bottle of guiness a day and the hospital allowed me to have it in there! i did ask if it could be added to my prescription but they drew the line at that!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bev xx

if you can get Weihenstephaner Korbinian, youd actually have a beer that has all the benefits of Guiness PLUS actual flavor..............................

General Colon Bowel