Author Topic: drinking alcohol with meds (Read 5668 times)

koi1 · « **on:** December 25, 2006, 10:21:12 am »

I have been reading a lot of members posting that they drink, some regularly. All the info. I have read says this should be avoided, that it encourages aids progression. Is it possible to live with AIDS and have a drink or two per night and not cause more damage?

rob

sdcabincrew74 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 25, 2006, 04:03:05 pm »

Hey Rob,

I wash my meds down with dinner every night. What usually washes them down is a cold glass of beer. The key is moderation in all things. My doc says as long as I stay under three drinks per day, I am fine. The alcohol has no effect on the meds but of course, works the liver a bit. But, then again, I already have "AIDS" since I have had PCP and cd4 of 22, so the idea of "AIDS" does not really bother me. I am healthy now and a life half lived is not a life worth living. Moderation hon, in ALL things. Take care and Merry Christmas and all that jazz!

J.R.E. · « **Reply #2 on:** December 25, 2006, 08:08:14 pm »

I quit drinking around 1998-99. Had to , I am an alchoholic !!

If I never became HIV positive, the alcohol would have eventuually done me in. !!

I will still have a few drinks around the holidays, but overall, it just doesn't mix with my meds very well !

Moderation.... Don't get so drunk that you forget to take your meds....

Ray

koi1 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 25, 2006, 10:58:07 pm »

Yeah,
That's what those drinking and HIV studies say is a big problem. People drink and don't take their meds like they should. Which is disastrous, and frustrating for the doctors who are trying to help. I cut down my drinking even before knowing my HIV status. It made me sick at night with diarrhea and imsomnia. Now I will cut it down even further. Maybe a few on my birthday to celebrate that I am still alive.

rob

Longislander · « **Reply #4 on:** December 25, 2006, 11:00:24 pm »

someone here ( I think it's Blondebeauty, but I'm not sure), was able to switch to taking theirAtripla in the mornings. That would definitely help someone who wants to have a few at night.

Dachshund · « **Reply #5 on:** December 25, 2006, 11:18:07 pm »

Quote from: koi1 on December 25, 2006, 10:58:07 pm

Yeah,
That's what those drinking and HIV studies say is a big problem. People drink and don't take their meds like they should. Which is disastrous, and frustrating for the doctors who are trying to help. I cut down my drinking even before knowing my HIV status. It made me sick at night with diarrhea and imsomnia. Now I will cut it down even further. Maybe a few on my birthday to celebrate that I am still alive.

rob

If you were drinking to the point of diarrhea and insomnia...well, then you most likely should not be drinking. If you are drinking to the point you forget to take your meds...well, then you most likely should not be drinking. In moderation, there should not be any problems. Cheers!

koi1 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 26, 2006, 12:11:04 am »

Actually,

I was not drinking a lot. Just one or two drinks would do a number on my digestive system, and disturb my sleep. I am sure it had to do with my tcell count being 97. So no, I was not a raving drunk. I have not touched a drop since I tested positive over a month ago. Just don't crave it. It must be the depression. If the craving doesn't come back I won't be too disappointed.

rob

DanielMark · « **Reply #7 on:** December 26, 2006, 05:22:34 am »

As a recovering alcoholic since 1987 I normally abstain from all forms of drinking, but I hereby do publicly confess that I did imbibe to a great degree the other night at the boyfriend's. I knew it was risky, I knew it was wrong, and yet ...

When I woke up (came to) I was still sitting upright on the sofa, and he was snoring away in the bedroom.

So lynch me. It’s my birthday.

Daniel

Eldon · « **Reply #8 on:** December 26, 2006, 05:36:00 am »

Yes, I AM Supporting You!

Hey Koi1...

It is your decision and you may want to consider the quantity consumed that is involved. Also, you will want to check and see if there are any warning labels on your meds.

I have not experienced drinking on meds. My Doctor advised me that I shouldn't.

Don't You Dare Give Up, Don't You Dare Give In...Because It Is ALL Within YOU to WIN!

koi1 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 26, 2006, 08:15:18 pm »

Go figure, to each his own.
Anyway with such dismal liver function numbers I got today, drinking is the last thing I will do.

rob

Eldon · « **Reply #10 on:** December 27, 2006, 03:45:28 am »

Yes, I AM Supporting You!

Hey Robert...

With your numbers for your liver that you got today, it does sound like it may be a good idea. There are other ways you can adjust to this change as well.

Thanks for chiming in and sharing with the group.

Don't You Dare Give Up... Don't You Dare Give In...

Because It Is ALL Within YOU to WIN!!!

poet · « **Reply #11 on:** December 27, 2006, 08:53:35 am »

Rob, I have posted before that I use what my liver feels like as my guide. It doesn't feel happy when I drink, so I don't try to make it unhappy. I never worried that a drink or two was going to affect my hiv levels or the actions of hiv meds. Sort of like the smoker who hacks after a puff? When your body seems to be telling you something, you try to hear what it is saying. Best, Win

Nico · « **Reply #12 on:** December 29, 2006, 09:14:24 pm »

Rob,
Your liver function numbers tell the truth -well almost. Yes, I still have a drink, but I pay attention to my body and how I feel (thanks Poet). Beside my liver function numbers, I always read my meds warnings. In the end, I always ask my doc it is OK to have a drink after each lab review visit. Guess what...for me red wine on occasion due to my triglycerides is OK, but no other hard drinks or beer. Not due to my liver, but the affect of the meds on my blood. So just listen to you doc and ask many of questions.

Cheers.
Roger

Eldon · « **Reply #13 on:** December 30, 2006, 03:37:06 am »

Yes, I AM Supporting You!

Hey Robert...

Poet and Nico are correct on this one. Your body will tell you when to backoff so that it can do its own thing to maintain you. From my very own experience, this is true. Your liver is a filter and you may want to do what you can in order to keep it working at its optimal level.

Take care of YOU!

Don't You Dare Give Up... Don't You Dare Give In...

BECAUSE It IS ALL Within YOU to WIN!!!

koi1 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2006, 09:38:04 am »

Yes, my liver might be telling me some "truth", ,but we don't know what it is. My liver function was in the normal range until I went into the hospital with a bactrim allergy. The only thing is that it has gotten worse since getting out of the hospital, and I have not been drinking for nearly six weeks.

pozguy75 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 30, 2006, 02:57:43 pm »

I will tell you this...if I have more than a couple of drinks, my stomach feels like I have been punched in the gut...it just hurts...so, no more than maybe one or two at the very most. That's just me...but I don't like the way it feels...

Christine · « **Reply #16 on:** January 02, 2007, 10:00:21 am »

I was ill in 2001, and my liver and kidneys were not working well during that month in the hospital. After that event, the Doctor said no alcohol...so no drinking for me. Plus some of my meds say no alcohol.

Ask your doctor about it. He/she will be able to tell you what the risks (if any) are based on your health and medications.

Christine

ACinKC · « **Reply #17 on:** January 02, 2007, 10:54:47 am »

I refer you to my Signature line......

Just dont OVER do it and that slide will be at 80 years old instead of 60 years old!

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Author Topic: drinking alcohol with meds (Read 5668 times)