Alcohol and Medication

sharmaine

A friend of ours is on lots of meds for arthritis but continues to drink.
He goes to the pub every lunch time; every evening then comes home and drinks wine!

I said to him that he shouldn't mix his medication with booze - but he says he's fine. What is really worrying is that he has to drive the next day. I think he's playing a dangerous game not only with his own health and safety but other people on the road.

On the very rare occasions I have a glass of wine then I stop taking my meds for the day.


Sharmaine

lindalegs

Hi Sharmaine,

I think it all depends on what meds he's on and what he's been told either by his GP and Rheumy.

I'm on Mtx (low dose) and I told my Rheumy that I drink at the weekend and asked if I should stop/cut down and he said no and that I should carrying on as I've been and if my bloods showed changes then we'd talk again.

Is your friend being monitored?

It does sound as though he drinks alot anyway, with or without arthritis and could have a dependency on alcohol and the problem there is that he's got to want to stop/cut down himself - no amount of chidding or well meaning advice will help him.

It is a difficult one and so easy to be sensible if you don't rely on it yourself......but I agree he's drinking too much to be driving :shock:

Luv Legs

elnafinn

Hi Sharmaine

I really think this friend of yours is drinking too much.... full stop. Drinking like that 7 days a week cannot be good, can it? Driving the next day after heavy alcohol the night before is worrying too plus the fact that he is on meds. I don't know that anything can be done about it as it has to come from him to wish to change his ways and it would appear that he does not believe it is a problem.

I must say, Sharmaine, I take my hat off to you, not taking your meds for the day if you have a drink.

Luv
Elna x

sharmaine

He and his wife are good friends . He is on amitryptiline at night; co-drydamol and other meds for his blood pressure. He always reeks of booze - but is very laid back/easy going. My husband says I shouldn't say anything. Like you said giving up the drink is a decision he has to make on his own.

I should really ask my GP if I can have the odd glass of wine without stopping my meds but she's on holiday for a month - so will be cautious until then.

Sharmaine

PS You asked if he was being monitored - I think he sees his GP regularly.

elnafinn

Hi Sharmaine

You made me smile when say "he is very laid back/easy going" I would be too, drinking that amount daily but I would also be falling asleep all over the place too.

Good idea, to ask your gp regarding your meds and the odd glass of wine. I repeat, you are extremely strong willed to not drink when taking your meds and I am impessed.

Luv
Elna x

angel1

I had a client several months ago, who had been drinking quite heavily at a party until two in the morning.

She got a taxi home, went to bed until ten the following morning. She felt fine when she got up, so went to her local supermarket for the Sunday papers.

You`re ahead of me! Yes, she was involved in an accident, was breathalysed, and was over the limit.

woodbon

Hi, I can just imagine what a tricky subject this is for you to discuss.
I don't feel that you can just bring it up in a conversation, as you would most things. If you your friend mentions is drinking or the subect is being discussed in general, then maybe you could carefully turn the conversation to his drinking. Whatever you do you risk a row developing. He either knows he drinks too much, but can't or wont do anything or hes in denial and dosn't think what he does is wrong or harmful. Personally I'd try and wait for the time to be right, but maybe thats the cowards way out and it would never come. You care, maybe thats all you can do. Love Sue

lindalegs

sharmaine wrote:

Sharmaine

PS You asked if he was being monitored - I think he sees his GP regularly.

I really meant was he having his blood monitored regularly because that would surely show damage to his liver. If he's not on Dmards i.e. Mtx or Sulpha. then he probably isn't - what a pity then his GP would be aware of his problem. He shouldn't be drinking with his Codeine based drug or if he is only the odd glass occasionally. He does have a problem :shock:

The trouble is any well meaning words from you, I agree with Sue, and he'll shoot the messenger because he won't be wanting to hear them:roll:

Luv Legs

sharmaine

Hi Elna
I don't think I've ever seen him sober.
I'm careful because I have to weigh up the consequences - pain or a couple of glasses of wine? I tend to veer towards being sensible and taking my meds instead! Don't get me wrong I really enjoy a glass of white wine - but it's more of a treat these days.

Sharmaine

sharmaine

Hi

I don't know if that side of things is being monitored. I'll ask next time I see him. I won't risk saying anything other than what I've said already and that was he shouldn't be mixing booze and meds.

He's got a lovely family and I would hate to see them involved in an accident because of this. His wife comments on it all the time but he just laughs it off.

I often wonder if his GP notices that he smells of booze.... .

Sharmaine

handsy

before i was diagnosed with RA i drank on occation and after i started on mtx tramadol mst etc! i have had a couple of pints and been ill every time. so now i don't drink and thats another thing i used to do crossed off my list. not many to go now till i can do s*d all. anyway mus'nt grumble hahaha

sharmaine

Hi Handsy

I know what you mean. I dreamt last night that I was skipping along the beach and bending down to pick up pretty shells................. if only!

We have to keep our spirits up or we would end up depressed.

I live in hope that one day I'll be off these meds (as long as OA doesn' t set up residence in my back) and with 2 new knees I'll be able to dance, climb a ladder, bend, run, etc.

Sharmaine