alcohol

Hi all, I was wondering (and this may be a stupid/obvious question) if alcohol makes your symptoms worse, like during a flare? Last night I went out and had probably 4 beers. That number is not really a lot in my view, and this morning I wake up with a swollen eye and swollen hands-- I couldn't get my rings off!! I haven't been dx'ed yet, but I am pretty familiar with Lupus being that my father has it. 

I've been in the worst moods lately and being in college none of my friends understand.  The weekend it is just assumed everyone will go out and have a few drinks, but most times I just don't want to; I just want to sleep. I feel like a hypochondriac all the time because it seems like all the time there is SOMETHING wrong, and it never matches just one kind of thing. The swollen fingers, ankles, eye, canker and mouth sores up the wazoo, complaining of the cold, and being just plain tired all of the time.

I'm sorry, I just wanted to write all of that out there...I'd rather complain online than to the people I live with

Dana

Hi Dana, This is a great topic and we discuss it every now and then. You are very brave to be so honest. I don't have a really good medical answer to your questions . . . but 4 beers IS a lot for anyone. We've just become accustomed to people drinking, drinking, drinking. Alcohol is processed by the liver and I think it also affects kidney function. Basically, your body has to clear or flush all that poison. If your body is already stressed with a chronic illness, even one drink is too many. Add meds and it can be really dangerous, depending on the meds. The fact that you are swelling after drinking is a really good indication that your body is not processing the alcholol very well. More than one beer will (in my State) put you over the legal limit to drive too. So, a person would need to wait over an hour after one drink. As you add drinks, that time has to be multiplied. If your body isn't processing the alcohol (as indicated by the swelling) you may be driving impaired w/o realizing it. I know that you don't need a lecture, but we really try to be very honest with each other here. I'm SO sorry that you are so young and having to deal with all of this. I hope this helps. Blessings!

HI Dana,

For a college girl 4 beers is nothing but if its making you sicker could be something! This is a question I have asked all of my doctor's I have seen about my AI issue's since I became sick and last count that was about 26 doctor's ( in Canada we don't pay though). So here is the feedback I have received most say that alcohol is not good for you or even a healthy person in excess but the occasional drink should be fine. Now I am not on prednisone or any heavy medications that it might contradict with just plaquenil . By some peoples standards I  would drink alot of wine I likely have a glass with dinner a couple nights a week and maybe 3 or 4 glasses on a Saturday night with friends and have never had a reaction I get my labs done all the time and my kidneys and liver are fine. And obviously don't drive not that that was part of your topic and/or question.  That being said if I even look at beer or dark hard alcohol it will make me sicker then a dog yet wine and vodka are okay. Could be what you are drinking beer is very yeasty and maybe your body has a problem with that .  So I would say your body will be your best guide if you find yourself in a social setting where you might want a drink try wine or something other then beer.  I would suggest you talk to your doctor though about this and ensure your medication does not react with alcohol.

thanks so much guys! Personally, I have no real desire to drink, I guess I just do it because it loosens me up for social situations, but it doesn't happen very often. I think I'm just going to have to stay away from alcohol period, and that doesn't really bother me. Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it!

same for me, with most of the news meds after the transplant, alot of them says not to consume alchol while taking them and i am on oxycontin so there is definately no alcohol with it. When i was in college and even before (sorry just being truthful) i really didnt have problems with alcohol, just if i drank to much and the lupus affects my kidneys. but now i dont drink because 1) i cant with the meds 2) i just never feel the urge, i was never a big drinker and i think i got it all out of my system by the time was older. (something about not getting in trouble if i got caught) but it does sound like alcohol is not agreeing with you and your med probs, if people try to get you to drink just tell them your the DD and most people wont push after that. good luck.