How many of you have a couple of drinks a week while on methotrexate?
I don't drink every week but I do drink occasionally & have been on MTX for years. People may disagree but I personally think a few drinks in moderation are ok. Guess everyone's different but I've never had any liver problems show up in routine tests and always make sure I drink lots and lots of water before bed if I have had a drink. If I do drink it's usually a few glasses of wine but this, like i say, is usually followed by a period of weeks or months where I don't touch alcohol at all. Each to their own but so far I don't think this hasn't had any detrimental effect on my general health. Maybe I'm deluded I dunno!
I also have the occasional drink of wine and have taken mtx for years. I've never had problems with my liver either.
My drinking habit seems to be very similar to yours, Tinder. I may have 2-3 glasses of wine one day, but then not have anything for a few weeks or months.
Me too. I drink wine on a fairly regular basis. No problems as of yet; and my doctor says it's ok in moderation.Guilty of just a glass but then more then that too. Liver function tests are fine so I dont have to worry. I am now trying to loose weight so am drinking diet coke or water My doctor told me an occasional drink or two is OK, but he recommends no alcohol at all for four days after taking MTX. I take my MTX on Friday night before I go to bed, which means the coast is clear on Wednesday and Thursday. I even have an occasional beer on Friday, as long as it's at least 5 or 6 hours before I take my MTX. I never have more than one drink (usually beer) on any given day, and have never had a problem with my liver tests. my rheumy says a drink or two a week is OK. I have a glass or two of wine maybe every couple of weeks. I've never had a problem with liver counts.I was taken off of Mtx because I was drinking a few drinks a week. My doctor didn't want to risk it. I think as long as you don't overdo it and your liver is monitored, you should be OK.Hi,
I am on MTX plus infliximab (remicade). All the advice I've had is that a couple of drinks per week is fine. I usually have a couple of glasses of wine once or twice a week but some weeks have nothing at all. I think it's just important to keep up with your blood tests to make sure your liver isn't having a problem!
KT
I have a few drinks a week and always felt soooo guilty about it. I'm a big wine drinker too. I figured as long as my tests remained OK I'd be fine. I have to admit I've "tied one on" on occasion as well.I don't drink ANY alcohol under ANY circumstances. I am saving my liver for MTX.
Without the MTX /Remicaide combo I might as well be bedridden. Because I am protecting my liver I dont take any HDL meds either. and even with all that, occasionally my liver enzymes are a little high.
I used to rather enjoy a drink occasionally. I miss it.. But it isn't worth it. And to be honest a well made virgin frozen daquiri or margarita is great, and a virgin Tom Collins can be wonderful.
I'm with you Kathy.....I don't drink for ANY reason. I figured I'm not going this this h*ll for nothing...I'm not going to increase my chances for liver problems with alcohol.
The sad part is, someone could easily have liver damage and not know it for awhile, then....is it the alcohol or the MTX?
Lori
It can just as easily be from something other than alcohol. The ones I know that have had liver problems never drank at all.
I'm in no way saying that drinking is so important to me that I'd rather do that than take the medication that works best for me; if it came down to choosing I'd choose MTX. BUT luckily for me I haven't had to make that choice.
I think it's all going to depend on your body and how your body processes all of it.
I was on mtx untill 2 weeks ago. I also take 50mg embrel. I have been on mtx for over a year and have not had improvements. I have arthritis in more joints than when I started. I am going to try just embrel and see how I feel. I figure the mtx makes me feel like crap so why take it if I'm not feeling better. My Dr does not know I'm not taking it though. I am experimenting right now. I was told a glass of wine was fine but not the day before and not day after. I was only on 8mg though a week.
I think it all boils down to what works for you. We are all different and process meds, foods, alcohol, etc. differently. If it works for you, then I say go for it. I just choose not to, for many reasons, but taking MTX is one of the reasons I choose not to drink.
Lori
My rheumatologist told me one to two glasses of wine a day is fine. She didn't say anything about not on the day you have mtx or any of that. I have 5 glasses a week (or the equivalent alcohol units). I don't drink on the day of or the day after mtx.