Alcohol/crohns advice

[Jack85]

Hi there

Hope your all enjoying your weekend so far. Just have a quick question probably a silly one at that. I'm currently tapering on prednisolone im started on 7 5mg tablets a day and now I'm down to 5 a day and starting on 4 a day from Monday. I'm feeling so much better. Normal bowl movements very little cramps (touch wood it continues) hear in lines my question

I was diognosed with crohns about a month ago before that I haven't touched a drop of alcohol in 3 months( I'm a social drinker maybe a few beers 1-2 times a month) as it made me feel really bad and made my symptoms a lot worse(dioreah cramps ect). Basically there's a friends party coming up and I'm wondering is it ok to have a few beers or not? I'm fairly scared of the outcome if I do and will it throw me back into how I was before? Any advice wouls be great thanks and sorry if I haven't explained it very well the written word is not my strong point

 

[shamrock15]

The only way you will know is to try. Each of us react differently and you will likely see that in responses you get. Beer for me is iffy - sometimes it works, sometimes it creates lots of gas/diarrhea. Rum and vodka both seem OK and in larger quantities. For me the issue seems to be how alcohol affects the bacteria in my system and how the sugar content allows the remainders to grow. If things get upset it normally takes a couple days for things to settle down again. When in an actual flare though I can't say that I really feel that much like having any booze. Overdoing it in any case I would recommend against. I always thought it was too important to know the reason I may feel nauseous or vomit.

 

[Daytripper]

Hi! I was diagnosed nearly ten years ago and I used to drink more than my fair share of alcohol at that point, I found on most nights that at the start of drinking I would have to rush to the loo once then I'd be fine for the rest of the night. But then the next day I'd have really bad crohns symptoms and just be exhausted for quite a few days afterwards. At the time it was worth it because I used to love going out with my friends drinking! And the alcohol didn't seem to cause a flare up, it just used to knock me off my feet for a few days, however now I find I pretty much avoid alcohol altogether- mainly because I find it hard enough to stay well, without contending with drink too! My advice would be if it's worth it, then go for it! If you have an issue then you know to avoid it in the future. That's my little story anyway. Hope it's been in some way helpful. Have fun

 

[EvieBaby]

For me, if I had a few vodka and tonics I was fine, but if I had anything like beer it would make me bloated and would be in the toilet all night.

I like going to my local pub for a few drinks and some food with my friends and as long as I choose carefully its no problem. Unfortunately its just a case of trial and error!

 

[kms0387]

Generally I can have a beer or two and be fine. But if I have a crazy night with liquor or a lot of wine, my stomach becomes very upset. My hangovers have always been nausea because my stomach lining is pretty sensitive. As far as my Crohn's' and UC, the dehydration of the alcohol really does me in. Usually diarrhea first thing when I wake. No fun.
Overall, moderation is your best friend. A few beers are probably ok (unless you have issues with hoppes or wheat beers), I would stay away from any of the harder stuff.
Hope this helps!

 

[birdonastick]

If it's been three months, I'd go super slow. You'll be tempted to have a few. Have one or a half of one and make it last. You'll feel included, less deprived overall, but your body will have less to have to do. You can always try two then three later on.

I also do much better on wine/a gin and tonic/bourbon press than beer. Cider is often a good option if I'm in a 23902930 microbrews on tap kind of place.

 

[ronroush7]

Hi! I was diagnosed nearly ten years ago and I used to drink more than my fair share of alcohol at that point, I found on most nights that at the start of drinking I would have to rush to the loo once then I'd be fine for the rest of the night. But then the next day I'd have really bad crohns symptoms and just be exhausted for quite a few days afterwards. At the time it was worth it because I used to love going out with my friends drinking! And the alcohol didn't seem to cause a flare up, it just used to knock me off my feet for a few days, however now I find I pretty much avoid alcohol altogether- mainly because I find it hard enough to stay well, without contending with drink too! My advice would be if it's worth it, then go for it! If you have an issue then you know to avoid it in the future. That's my little story anyway. Hope it's been in some way helpful. Have fun

I would be cautious.

2

 

[teeny5]

Beer lately has been giving me issues. You could have one and have water or something in between to lessen the chance of getting drunk. I seem to be good with Vodka, ciders, rum. But, all in moderation. Last time I had a hangover I swear it lasted 3 days.

 

[Lady Organic]

You say: ''I was diognosed with crohns about a month ago before that I haven't touched a drop of alcohol in 3 months( I'm a social drinker maybe a few beers 1-2 times a month) as it made me feel really bad and made my symptoms a lot worse(dioreah cramps ect). ''

im not sure I understand correctly your statement. But if you noticed that alcohol triggered or increased your symptoms, my opinion is to forget about it.
As you may have been told by your gastro-enterologist, Crohn's disease is a chronic illness with flares (disease activity) and remissions (disease turned off). If you notice some food or substances trigger symptoms, its is best to avoid them to diminish the risk of flaring again. wishing you well.

 

[ronroush7]

You say: ''I was diognosed with crohns about a month ago before that I haven't touched a drop of alcohol in 3 months( I'm a social drinker maybe a few beers 1-2 times a month) as it made me feel really bad and made my symptoms a lot worse(dioreah cramps ect). ''

im not sure I understand correctly your statement. But if you noticed that alcohol triggered or increased your symptoms, my opinion is to forget about it.
As you may have been told by your gastro-enterologist, Crohn's disease is a chronic illness with flares (disease activity) and remissions (disease turned off). If you notice some food or substances trigger symptoms, its is best to avoid them. wishing you well.

Amen

 

[Jack85]

You say: ''I was diognosed with crohns about a month ago before that I haven't touched a drop of alcohol in 3 months( I'm a social drinker maybe a few beers 1-2 times a month) as it made me feel really bad and made my symptoms a lot worse(dioreah cramps ect). ''

im not sure I understand correctly your statement. But if you noticed that alcohol triggered or increased your symptoms, my opinion is to forget about it.
As you may have been told by your gastro-enterologist, Crohn's disease is a chronic illness with flares (disease activity) and remissions (disease turned off). If you notice some food or substances trigger symptoms, its is best to avoid them to diminish the risk of flaring again. wishing you well.

Hi. Before I knew I had crohns in the months leading up to my diagnosis when I was suffering a lot of symptoms alcohol made it much much worse for me. I cut it out of my diet completely then. Hopefully that makes more sense! Writing is not my strong point ha

So just a quick update I went out for the first time Friday night with a friend. I avoided beer completely well minus 1 good bye pint as I know beer would create more issue for me than it's worth. I decided to go for gin with white lemonade which was very nice. I had didn't go OTT with it although I God a little drunk I won't lie(that stuff is strong) thankfully most of my symptoms were not exasibated no dioreah no cramps the only issue I had is joint pain which Im no stranger to in the last few months. All in all it went good. I know drinking is going to be a rare occasion for me going forward and I'm happy with that. It's good to know that I won't suffer excessively when it do decide to. Thanks for all the advice it's much appreciated! I'm still getting to grips with having crohns and taking granulated pentasa haha onwards and upwards

 

[DEmberton]

I've never had a problem with it. In fact I used to think some Guinness would actually help.

But when things were bad the last thing I could face was alcohol. I ended up drinking hardly anything for the best part of a year as a result.

 

[Daytripper]

I'm glad it worked out alright for you! Sometimes it's nice to have a little tipple. It's great that it's only going to be on rare occasions, but it's nice to know you can have a one off drink when you fancy it keep well

 

[cnt]

For me, as long as I am not in a serious flare up, I really have not had a problem with alcohol. Actually, I used to joke that I felt Alcohol and Pot were the miracle cure for Crohn's! I was diagnosed in between my sophomore and Junior years of high school. My 4 years of college was definitely my best 4 years with Crohn's from time I was diagnosed up till right now! You could say I was "a bit" of a party guy through college! HA!

 

[kms0387]

Another thing I just thought of as I am reading the replies. Water water water!! I almost went to the ER when I realized I just wasn't drinking any water. Serious kidney pain for almost a week!
Another thing to avoid is a lot of caffeine. Mostly energy drinks. They are the devil. So bad for your insides

Feel better!!