ok I have taken mtx for a year and a half now and it has done wonders,I feel about 80% pain free however I would like to get my life back to as normal as possible. I miss drinking the occasional beer at a bbq and a margarita with the girls after along night, my doctor insists zero alcohol but I miss those few drinks I used to allow myself, of course MY HEALTH is the most important thing to me I just feel like I am 30 and should be allowed to have maragrita after a long week, is there other drugs that are not so bad with alcohol? does anyone drink with mtx?
1/ 9/10 1:12am
Hi Steph,
I take Arava instead of MTX, but it is down the same path. I asked my Rhuemy about drinking as I like an occasional beer. He told me "purists would say no, but I see no problem with an occasional drink". So I have probably 3-4 beers a week, my numbers have been steady and no issues. Of course that is just me, it may affect your differently.
Brad
1/ 9/10 12:32am
Hi Steph,
I'm 32 and also on Methotrexate, 20mg once per week. Christmas was very hard for me! In Australia christmas is always hot and we always celebrate with BBQs. My family were very understanding when I placed my one cold beer on the table and had it as a celebratory drink! I did leave it at one....sadly! When I started methotrexate I found I was so tired and groggy that alcohol just made me feel awful. My specialist has said that its okay to drink in small amounts, but that it was up to me. I stopped because I felt the risks just didn't outweigh the benefits. Australians drink ALOT it is really part of our culture, and maybe thats why my specialist gave different advice. Or maybe I am on a lower dosage to you. Anyway, talk to your doctor and see what they think..as a young female - without kids - like you I want to have fun sometimes...what is life for??
All the best )
1/ 9/10 9:55am
The difference with arava thought is that it does not the amount of damage to the liver that meth does. That is why there should be no drinking while on meth. My rhuemy was very specific while I was on meth and said no drinking. When I started arava he said I could have the occasional glass of wine. i drink any ways so it does not matter. I would just make sure you keep up with you bi weekly liver function tests it you insist on drinking. My father had a friend you didn't do the blood work because it cut into to his time he ended up dying suddenly of liver failer.
1/10/10 9:22pm
When on methotrexate, it's very important you don't drink alcohol and you should not rely on what other people's doctors have told them. I would recommend you speak to your rheumatologist about this before deciding to order that margerita. It's possible that the occasional drink may be OK, but you should discuss the pros and cons with your doctor first.
In the meantime, order your drink without alcohol - it'll look the same and taste almost the same. And the good thing about going out for drinks with your girlfriends is that woemn don't really need the alcohol to open up. 
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By steph— Last Modified: 11/03/10, First Published: 01/08/10
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Thanks for the imput it is nice to know that I am not the only one who struggles with this.