No Alcohol?

First of all, bug man....DON'T PANIC!!!  Here's the scoop; Meth is hard on your liver, that's why you are getting sent in every few weeks for that lovely blood test.  Alcohol can likewise be hard on your liver, so the concern is combining the two COULD be problematic. 

Now, that said, different docs have varying views on alcohol.  Some really DO say none at all.  Many, including mine, suggest that a couple or so a week is just fine.  Just so long as that "or so" isn't excessive.  Getting wasted would NOT be condoned by any of them.  Still, your doc probably did a baseline liver function test for you prior to starting this trek into pharmaceuticals.  If they are really saying "none at all", you may want to inquire if that is their stock answer or if there was something indicated on that baseline that is cause for concern. 

Now me personally, I would recommend that a meth newbie abstain entirely, at least until you get a couple of good blood test under your belt.  The meth effects people differently and it may not be a bad idea to find out how angry it makes your liver without any outside assistance.  Mine seems to be just fine, but I still have changed my consumption significantly cuz I worry about potentially limiting my drug options should I develop liver problems in the future.  Meth has worked wonders for me and I would really HATE to give it up.  I still do partake on very rare occasion and then do limit myself to just one.  No more nightly cerveza while watching Dr. Who....which frankly is really the best way to watch Dr. Who. *sigh*  Still....beats the hell out of being in pain all the time, ja know?

Sorry bout that, should say bug Woo-man!  Seriously just got my eyes dialated and it totally sucks.  Still my daughter is going to be super geeked when she finds out my new glasses are PINK!!  I may have to post an updated pic to show off my juvenile new look!

When you have RA, in order to feel better, function in our lives and enable us to attend family gatherings, weddings and the like, we often have to take a myriad of serious medications with equally serious possible side effects. It can place restrictions on your life, but because the medication enable us to lead that life, we take the bad with the good. And when you're on methotrexate, staying away from alcohol is a good idea. According to an RA website I found (www.rheumatology.org), consuming alcohol while on methotrexate greatly increases the risk of liver damage and they recommend eliminating alcohol consumption or minimizing it to maximum two drinks per month.

Only you can decide what risks you're willing to take. This is a consideration when deciding to take medication - e.g., when I decided to take Humira, I did it knowing that I now have an increased risk of developing certain cancers. However, the benefits outweigh that risk. Likewise, when you're on a medication that suppresses your immune system, you may request that family and friends stay away from you (whenever possible) when ill with a contagious disease, like the flu, a cold, strep throat, etc. If the occasion is important enough, you may choose to expose yourself to a contagion, hoping that the consequences of possibly catching the illness won't be too dire. You'll weigh the risks with the benefits and likewise, you have to weigh the risks of having a drink at a family gathering. It would probably be a good idea for you to discuss this in more detail with your doctor, so you can get an idea of how big that risk is, what the possible consequences are and whether these consequences are reversible. This way, you'll have all information you need to make that decision.

I can't tell you what to do, but I can tell you that I haven't had alcohol for years - although that worked for me when I was on methotrexate, I initially stopped drinking alcohol because it gave me headaches. Although every now and again I miss a glass of nice wine, it didn't take long before I got so used to it, I don't even notice it anymore. I have as much fun without it and there's the added benefit of remaining sober enough to laugh at others who've had a glass too many and are tipsily holding forth on some topic fascinating only to them.

     I have been wondering the same thing too.  I have been taking Methotrexate for 3.5 months now.  My first two blood tests came back normal.  My third blood test came back with "trace levels" showing abnormal liver function.  I stopped drinking completely when I started taking the Meth., although I was not a big drinker, I enjoyed going out with my friends and family and drinking on occasion. 

     I am glad that I stopped drinking alcoholic beverages until I see how my liver is doing with the Meth.  If I'd been drinking socially and taking the Meth., I would have wondered if it was the alcohol that was causing the abnormal blood test results.

     I must admit, that I sure miss having a couple around the camp fire!!!  Its prime camping season here in Idaho, and my friends and family are not that hip on me not drinking.  I haven't had this kind of peer pressure since highschool!  Its outragous!!! 

     As the earlier comments stated,...Wait until you get a few normal blood tests before having a couple!!!  I'm in the same boat with ya "Bugs"!!!  Now I am just waiting for the forth blood test (Oct. 5) to see how I'm doing.  Good Luck to You, You Can Do It!!! 

Hey bugs, I have been on metho for four years now and I have never had a bad liver blood test. Few things I will tell you, first, I had blood work the day after my office christmas party, at which I had a few malibu bay breezes, not a good idea. liver function did not come back that well, so I explained to her she said nothing to drink for two weeks and then do it again, presto , perfect.  My doc recommends you keep to a minimium and she knows I like to have a glass of wine with my dinner, but I don't do it often.  You may notice that you will feel a lot better with no alcohol.  it increases my swelling.  It also makes me feel like crap the next day, just a drink (not wine, ) so experiment, and as everyone else said if you have a healthy liver  thats a great start.  

Be Well