Is it really THAT bad!?

[Drummer]

Hey Guys - I just wanted to pop in real quick and see what your opinion was on drinking alcohol/getting wasted with Crohn's. I'm still rather new to having this disease (was diagnosed 6 months ago) and being that I'm in my mid 20's I still love to go out, party, and have a good time.

I've gotten rather drunk the last few weekends ( I don't drink at all during the week) and I haven't had any real issues in terms of pain or other bad symptoms. One of the only things I notice occasionally is diarrhea the morning after, but then it goes away as the day goes on.

So my main question here is, does drinking have a long term negative effect on people with CD? Do any of you still go out and party and feel fine afterwards? Is it ok to get drunk once in a while or on weekends?

I know drinking isn't healthy to do in general but is it specifically bad for us Chronies even if it doesn't cause any bad symptoms? Also, I'm currently taking Remicade and a very low dose of Prednisone, but I wasn't told that I couldn't drink with those meds.

I appreciate your insight...thanks in advance!

 

[Manzyb]

hey there! I don't really know long term negative effects with Crohn's. I use to drink and have a good time, but over the years its been harder and harder for me to do. I can hardly even have a drink now. I take one sip and my damn stomach feels like its on fire!

I don't think it would be bad to occasionally do. Like I said, I use to do it and would be completely fine. I'm not sure what has changed though! I quit drinking when I was about 22, so its only been 4 years, but man, I make myself sound way older lol

I hope you are having a good time and be safe when/if you do drink!

 

[user 80684]

My doc told me on my diagnosis day that drinking is a no no!
Especially if you are on steroids.

 

[Katiepede]

Hello Drummer...

I like to have the occasional drink (never been a massive drinker, but I like to go out with my friends)! I cannot tolerate as much as most people (a.k.a. lightweight) so tend to be a bit careful, but I do like to get a bit merry now and then. I do find that I get a bit more diarrhoea in the morning... but if I only drink now and then I can cope (as long as I don't have to go out immediately the next day)!

However, I have discovered that on steroids I am ALWAYS sick.... :-(

I was a bridesmaid a few weeks ago, and just a little bit of wine from the speeches meant that a bit later on I had to sneak back to my room and be sick :-( (by being stealth nobody was any the wiser)!

Katiepede x

 

[vonfunk]

I just get wicked hangovers. I have gotten hangover while still being sober the night before.

 

[Jennifer]

Generally we try to stay away from foods/drinks that cause diarrhea because it can make your symptoms worse. Not everyone gets diarrhea though from the same foods/drinks so one can't really say, "never drink alcohol." If you find that your symptoms get worse, then it would be best to cut out that particular item (some people here can eat lettuce and nuts with no problem but for me it makes me sick but I'm not gonna go around and tell every to stop eating rabbit food). Keep in mind though that moderation is best with alcohol because it is a diuretic, which means that it causes you to lose water and dehydrates your body in large amounts. We need to stay as healthy as we can be which is why you'll hear people say to cut out smoking and drinking.

As for alcohol and Prednisone, the drug facts say to not drink alcohol while on Prednisone but it doesn't say why. The reason I found is because both of them are hard on your liver so your liver is getting a double whammy which isn't a good thing. You really want to keep your liver healthy.

As for alcohol and Remicade, also found on your drug facts (don't just listen to the doctor, you gotta do research or ask questions yourself), it says that Remicade may cause dizziness and that alcohol may intensify this side effect.

 

[Astra]

Hi Drummer

I've always been a party animal, but I chose to quit back in Jan after having the **** scared outa me when I was told they nearly lost me in A&E! I feel ok about not drinking.
But if I do drink, I do have a lot of D and belly ache, always have in the past too. My vice is smoking, far worse for a Crohnie I think, but it's hard to quit! I'm a fool, I know!
I believe everything in moderation, you're young, you need to party, but just be sensible with it and safe, you'll be ok.
Dunno about the drinking and steroids tho, doc never told me not to, only metronidazole has severe warnings.

 

[Dras]

When I was diagnosed my GI also just said to keep drinking to a minimum not to quit it completely. As long as you can cope with your side effects it's all good, for now!
Me, I get a hectic belly ache and D from drinking, so I limit myself to a glass of wine every once in a blue moon and i'm ok.

Good luck

 

[seaofdreams]

I think it's just going to be a matter of knowing what your own limitations are. Alcohol has always made me violently ill so I gave up drinking 3 years ago (in saying that, I still have the very rare cocktail with friends if I go out )

I still go out and have fun without drinking (I know, such a cliche haha) I don't miss it at all.

 

[robbo87]

I'm 23 and in the same situation. I've found that when i've not been showing any symptoms and been in remission that i've coped fine with drinking at the weekend. and when i drink.... i don't hold back! There is the odd occasion however where i may feel a bit ill and just know my own limitations on whether i can cope with going out for a drink or not.

I don't think in the long term drinking with crohn's is any worse than drinking heavily if you didnt have it in the first place.

I drank whilst i was on prednisolone and didn't notice any change

 

[Jennifer]

I don't think in the long term drinking with crohn's is any worse than drinking heavily if you didnt have it in the first place.

Except for when you're on medication (not to mention avoiding items that trigger your symptoms). The medication we take already does damage to our bodies over time and so does alcohol so combining the two will help destroy your liver/body even faster. You won't notice immediate affects.

I'm not saying do it or don't do it but just be aware of what its doing.

 

[Zalanicht]

I have no signs of Crohn's since my surgery so I'm going out on weekends drinking with friends till symptoms return then I'll stop. We're all going to have this disease for the rest of our lives so why not live life and have the most fun as long as you can while you're healthy. I'm in a point in my life where I don't care if drinking brings back my crohn's faster then if I didn't drink.

But to answer you OP I wouldn't drink while on steroids. My friends on Remicade for UC and alcohol doesn't effect him differently too.

 

[rygon]

Ive found I get bloating a D if drinking beer. Whisky and Bourbon makes me sick as well
so now I only drink cider, wine and vodka (normally with coke..although im not too keen on it) and ive had no probs (cept the hangovers)

 

[crohndee]

hey i feel the same - mid 20's, enjoy going out having the occasional drink etc.
i've found that when im in remission i can drink on weekends and come out of it fine..
however, when i do have a flare or am not as well.. alcohol tends to leave me feeling pretty **** symptom wise the next day..

i alwys wonder whether or not a flare returns because i start to let loose again and eat 'forbidden' foods and drink alcohol etc... but yeah, i guess i also think going out and having fun, even if the occasional drink is involved, is just as important for staying happy and healthy..

 

[Guest9283]

I never see any tummy ache, but just a bit of next day D sometimes. Alchol is in a sense a diuretic, and especially for crohnies. That is why they say you cure a hangover by replenishing through water intake. For me it pulls such a lot of water out of my body, the next morning, I could easily weigh 4-5lbs less than my normal. So you will feel fatigued the next day. It also messes your metabolism up for the next 24 hours. Nowdays even at the age of 25 I will never get wasted anymore. I might have my favorite Johnnie Walker black on the rocks, but all in moderation.

 

[Guest9283]

When I was diagnosed my GI also just said to keep drinking to a minimum not to quit it completely. As long as you can cope with your side effects it's all good, for now!
Me, I get a hectic belly ache and D from drinking, so I limit myself to a glass of wine every once in a blue moon and i'm ok.

Good luck

Oh wow, a fellow South African!

Hoe gaan dit met jou? lol, I think I got that right - been awhile.

 

[Dras]

WOW!!!!!! I thought I was the only lonely S.A sheep on here!

Dit gaan goed dankie en met jou??

 

[Guest9283]

WOW!!!!!! I thought I was the only lonely S.A sheep on here!

Dit gaan goed dankie en met jou??

Ek is goed.

Geez, I was wondering how many years it would take for another South African to make it on here! lol. Good to make the acquaintance =)

 

[tmgread]

My daughter is in college. There was one medication that the doctor prescribed that she could NEVER drink while taking it, but I can't remember what it was. Since she's not on that medication now, it's okay to drink on occasion.

 

[effdee]

All of my GI's have said alcohol is ok in moderation. I know someone with Crohn's who doesn't handle liquor well but can drink beer. I was ok going to parties and drinking a good bit as long as I was in remission, but I still wouldn't do it too often.

 

[danpearson87]

drinking larger is a no no for me and its all i used to drink, i have cut down my drinking qiuite abit because of crohns but when i do drink i get drunk! lol cider and vodka all the way for me now

 

[braveheart]

I drink almost once a week with no problems.
Avoid Beer.
Red wine and aged rum are ok.
Fly to quality and you will be fine.