is it true that i can only have 1 drink per week while on metho? i know it is bad for the liver and also the metho is. but what if i went out once a month and had 4 beers at one time? do others have a few when on this med?My doc told me that a few drinks a week are okay...but only one or two in a day. No binges...no going out and "tying one on"....so sorry...of course I forgot that I had taken a pain pill one weekend and then drank a beer....and woo hoo....I had to go eat and drink some tea. Gotta be careful there!I LOVE drinking and I've looked into this quite a lot. Here's the deal
with methotrexate (mtx) as explained to me in laymen's terms by a
student pharmacologist. 90% of your dose of mtx is processed through
your liver in the first 48 hours after you take it, but if you stopped
taking it it would take up to 3 months for your body to become mtx
free. In his opinion it would be okay to have a moderate amount of
alcohol consumption daily except on the day you take the mtx and the
day after. I've been on MTX for over 4 years now...........I drink several glasses of wine a week; but hardly ever drink to a drunk. It's very, very rare. My doctor keeps a regular check on my blood work and the liver is part of those test. It's not something someone would recommend....but it's not something everyone will have a problem with either. You have to weigh your odds I guess and make a personal choice. I'd never recommend it to anyone; but I have often shared my experience if for no other reason than so that folks new on this medication won't totally freak out because of the warnings. I've heard of some folks that wouldn't take MTX because they wanted their occational cocktail. For those I'd say; have your cocktail and keep up with your blood test. Do not discount this medication just because of that alone. It's not that risky. Be moderate in your drinking and keep up the bloodwork even if you never drink!!! gimpy-a-gogo looks to have a good handle on it
My rheumatologist never asked me about my past alcohol use when she
prescribed me mtx (20 mg/wk) and told me it was okay to drink a bit
(1-2 units a day). She didn't mention anything about not taking it on
mtx day. When I asked her at a later date she said in regards to
alcohol and mtx there were many different opinions, but she believes
little bit of alcohol is good for your overall health. I told her I was
drinking 4 or 5 units a week over 4 days and she said that was a safe
level. I do not drink the day before, the day of, or the day after I
take mtx.
The problem with mtx and alcohol is that both are harsh on your liver,
so doctors will always recommend no alcohol because it's not necessary
to living and their focus is completely on your clinical health.
However, as an individual you have to decide what things your going to
bend on a bit because for you quality of life is also a consideration.
You have to weigh the possible consequences against the personal
pleasure or gain. For me, I wouldn't enjoy life as much if I couldn't
have a glass of wine with dinner at least half the time.
There are many different and conflicting opinions about the use of
alcohol while taking mtx, many conflicting studies, and many unknown
factors (including how healthy a liver you have to begin with). In the
end you can only get as informed as you can before making a personal
decision, and always keep up with your blood tests.
Smokin'!Now I don't feel so guilty.
Thanks Gimpy!I wonder if drinking while on Avara and Enbrel is ok then.. I think it is like the same as the mxt... but I can't do without a drink or two a week,
My liver tests are ok but little lower white count. I feel smashingly great after a little bit of wine although, the arthritis does get a tiny bit irritating for a day or two after but I think the relaxation of the wine far outways this. I take Avara evey other day and I take shot once a week and I take the wine on a non medication day as well. Drs. said one or two drinks once a month was fine but I tend to go twice or three times a month instead. Its just my choice and I look forward to it believe me. This disease and medication thing really depressing and it helps. Makes me feel like some kind of alcoholic or something but just is something about having something taking away from me that I just don't like. We got to have some fun too.
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