Alcohol Question
#73446 - 05/25/04 06:52 PM
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abby82
Reged: 03/08/04
Posts: 335
Loc: Nevada
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Ok Ive been feeling a lot better for the past month or so and have not drank ANY alcohol since last June. Ive seen a couple posts about people being able to drink a little if they eat a soluble fiber based meal before they go out, but my question is: If you did end up getting sick from the alcohol is it something that could throw everything off and start another long phase of BAD IBS symptoms or is it something that will just hang around for a few days afterwards. I turned 21 last June and its almost like I am JUST NOW starting to feel normal again. Ive really wanted to drink since then but dont dare.....any thoughts or suggestions.....or even drink suggestions....I know I should stay away from it completely but its gettin really hard!
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Have you not drunk before? I'd be extra careful if not.
The problem with answering your question is that everyone's different when it comes to tolerating triggers. And different drinks affect everyone differently. I'm okay with a glass of wine with dinner and can even tolerate beer sometimes (though it makes me bloated), but before Christmas I was in hospital having tried a different type of beer!
How about trying half a glass of wine after a safe dinner? Afraid you've just got to work out your tolerances yourself though.
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Yes I used to drink ALL the time. The last time I did was my 21st birthday and I got really sick. I drank every drink they had in that bar though so I definitely didnt do good on that part! I think I might try a small drink after eating lots of soluble fiber and see how it goes. I used to drink beer and beer only so Im not sure what I'll try. Thanks for your reply!
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Beer is particularly gassy, so be careful. If you have GERDs avoid white wine.
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Abby,
My last really bad time with IBS was triggered partially through drinking. I think it also had some to do with allowing myself to eat too much chocolate and raw vegetables too. But about a month of one to two nights a week of drinking also played its role. I'm just starting to stabalize again after about three or four weeks of being quite sick. This is not to say you need to go cold turkey. It is to say be careful and drink in moderation. As Linz said, I would also stay away from beer. Little liquor drinks (like martinis that you can sip at) were okay for me or a glass or two of wine. Also - DO NOT drink on an empty stomuch and if your doc has put you on any meds for IBS (or other things for that matter) check the interactions with alcohol for any precautions you should have in mind there. Most of all, be sensative to your body - let yourself see gradually where your limit is. Hope this is helpful.
Min
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I find Beer really bothers me. I had a night of Rye whiskey and Coke and didn't feel good afterwards... but that might also have been the Coke's fault). The last time I had a number of drinks, red wine was teh drink of choice with a couple shots of hard liqour and I was actually fine, so it's tough to say.
For me personally, I'll only drink if I know that I don't have anything important to do the next day as there is a good chance I won't feel up to doing anything.
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What kind of wine do you guys drink? I know there is tons out there - are there any kinds to stay away from? Ive never drank wine so I would love brand names or types. Also what kind of martinis/drinks do you guys drink?
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I drink sour apple martinis. I'm a sucker for the really sweet drinks! (And who can resist the neon-green look)! I also can't stand the taste of gin, so I go with the vodka martinis. One I would suggest staying away from is the chocolate martini. There are also some martinis with cranberry juice or orange juice in them and I know that's not a dandy one for many people as well - so just take your pick while knowing what's in the martini you're ordering - that would be my advice. 
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Abby, I found out the hard way that any alcohol makes my IBS attacks more frequent and harder to control. I thought it was okay but I was fooling myself and finally had to admit it.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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I've always found that red wine hurts more than white wine, but even white can be tough, especially on an empty stomach. When I go out, I usually drink vodka martinis, dirty (lots of olive juice and olives, salty and yummy). I can't stand more than one or two sweet drinks. Stay away from anything with soda (even tonic). My favorite was always a Long Island Iced Tea, but after about 2 of those I am on the floor, and I NEVER feel good the next day. I'm usually okay with as many as 4 beers, but anything more than that and I'm sick all the next day. Just experiment a little and figure out what works best for you.
Always have a full meal before you start drinking, and try to drink some water between every drink or two.
Also, be extremely careful during the last couple of days before your period, and the first 3 days of it. Not only do you get drunk faster because of blood/fluid levels and hormones, but your tummy is also extra tender.
Enjoy!
AP
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Amanda
I live in the Big Apple, but I don't eat the skin
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Abby, I'm an old broad. Been around a long time. I've always been fond of Jack Daniels and "partaken" on many, MANY occasions. He's gotten me through many difficult times in my life. Unfortunately, I've also paid the price.
I can tell you that it really is one of the 7 deadly sins. You want to just give it up if you can. I have found that I can have one JD -- just ONE -- and do as you mentioned (have the soluble fiber beforehand, maybe a half roll WITH my drink and maybe even another half after), and I'm fine. Actually, sometimes the booze even calms my tummy down, and I feel like my old self again (how nice!). It's especially nice to be able to celebrate certain occasions with my hubby -- if I can have ONLY ONE JD with him.
The problem is this: whoever heard of only ONE Jack? That's impossible. When the ice melts, it waters down the good stuff. That's when you need to "top it off." And THAT'S where the problem comes in. "Topping off" is a no-no. Remember, only ONE drink.
I've topped off too many times, and suffered as a result. Even with the soluble fiber, I pay the price. As a result, I seldom drink; it's not worth it. As much as I love it, I just don't want to pay that high price.
Now if you can truly, TRULY limit yourself to only ONE Jack (and don't mix it with anything but ice! -- no bubbly stuff!), then give it a try. But whatever you do, don't "top it off!"
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Bev- that's strange you said that it can calm your tummy down sometimes- I found that alchohol can make me feel better when I have been having problems. I'm not sure why, since it is supposed to be a trigger. My only theory is that maybe it calms my overactive nerves and anxiety down which in turn calm down my tummy, I have been known to have attacks soley based on stress and being upset!
Adding to the alcohol choice convo- I seem okay with vodka and cranberry juice, but I can feel alittle funny after two or three, but I usually won't get past much more anyways! I tolerate beer, but only if I don't mind feeling bloated and fat the next day. And weird BM. Not D, just more than normal at an abnormal consistency. If that seems to make any sense. Stay away from those sugary drinks like Mikes' Hard LEmonade at all costs!
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-Sheri
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I used to drink hard liquor (eons ago), one or two drinks before dinner. My parents always did it and I just got into the habit. After so many years when tummy problems slowly started creeping up on me I tried cutting things out as I didn't know what was wrong with me. Switched from hard liquor to white wine and was better for a while then it started in again. I thought it might be the sugar or that from so many years of drinking before dinner maybe I ruined the lining of my intestines somehow, really didnt' know, but hated to give it up because this was my way of relaxing after a job I didn't care for. Cut out all alcohol but of course still had problems (although not as often) but my IBS was in full force by this time and din't know what foods were hurting me. Off and on during this last year I might occasionally try a glass of wine. If I drank a glass one night I'd be fine. If I had a glass a few nights a week I'd have problems again. I finally just decided it wasn't worth it. I did notice though that it bothered me more on an empty stomach. I find that in social situations I really don't miss the alchol anymore and everyone else that is drinking a bit too much just seem pretty dumb to me. I do miss the food they are eating though, big time. So now I need to find new ways to relax so that is one reason I'm trying the hypno tape. Fingers crossed.
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Ok, you heard the basics from everyone else, don't drink on empty tummy, soluble fiber first, everyone is different, blah, blah, blah 
I love seven and sevens, but the carbonation in the seven up is hard on me, makes me bloaty and gassey. I do better with white wine, I like the sweeter wines like the Zinfindals (SP??) I do ok with a couple glasses of wine but if I get DRUNK thats when I have problems.
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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I am good with just beer. Wine really messes me up. I had a couple of glasses of wine as a nightcap at someone's apt last week. i paid the price the next day. Beer for some reason actually calms my stomach down if I am having an attack. I don't know why, but it does. I think it's going to be trial and error for you.
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Wow! Thank you all so much for all your input! Ive always drank beer in the past but I always felt pretty gross the next day. I REALLY want to be able to drink on special occasions - I miss it soooo bad! My best friend is turning 21 in 3 weeks and I want to go out with everyone. I know you dont have to drink to have fun but when everyone else is drunk it makes you want to even more! Anyways I think Ill stay away from beer and try some white wine or some crazy martini! =) Thanks again for all your advice and help - I get so excited when I see so many replies to one of my posts! 
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Isn't having IBS sad:( I wish I could go out with my friends, have a good time, eat pizza and drink beer, party and dance , then not have to worry about anything the next day except a silly hangover. I hate IBS.
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