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Original poster

Cannot tolerate alcohol anymore

56 replies

What2do2 · 26/10/2020 16:19

Has this happened to anyone else?I’m not a huge drinker but definitely enjoy a glass of wine or two with food or on a Friday. We have just moved into dream house and I had only two small glasses of Prosecco, lots of food and water before bed, wasn’t remotely drunk , completely sober going to bed as it was at around 6pm. Next day I felt groggy and awful , low energy . Two small glasses would have been absolutely fine a few years ago ..
This has happened everytime I’ve had anymore than 1 drink in the last few months. I’m 35 so is this a part of peri-menopause? It’s obviously not a big problem, just a pity as really enjoy the odd glass of wine but it clearly isn’t worth it, it’s the same though with beer etc...

OP posts:
80sShoulderPads · 27/10/2020 06:38

Just to buck the trend, this happened to me - at age 17 (ok don't judge me).

I discovered wine at age 15 and started getting regularly drunk in secret with my friends, hanging around with all kinds of reprobates and having a thoroughly good time, much to my DMs middle class horror. At 17 I could binge drink an unusually large amount, although I had sickened myself of white wine (from the bottle through a straw) and moved on to vodka.

One weekend I was knocking back the vodka - but instead of the usual pleasant haze, I just felt ill. The next weekend was the same. Whatever I tried, alcohol just wasn't having the same effect and instead of getting nicely pissed and having a lovely time, I felt horrible and went home early and miserable multiple times. On my 18th birthday, my friends had spirits lined up for me in the pub and were stunned that I couldn't drink them.

I havent had any alcohol since my 18th, and that was 30 years ago. Well, I've been known to drink half a glass of a rose spritzer, but even that makes me lose all sensation in my joints, especially my collar bone.

Never found out why. I'd quite like to have a social drink but I just can't - I think sometimes our bodies just say, no more.

I wish it would do it with cake...

joystir59 · 27/10/2020 06:42

I'm post menopause and can drink a glass or two of Prosecco now, or a drop of Jack Daniels.

TinySongstress · 27/10/2020 06:42

I'm 39 and the last few times I've had even the smallest sip of alcohol (spirits or wine) I've come up in a blotchy red, itchy rash all up my neck and face. It's really unpleasant. Sad to think I might not be able to drink again!
I've no idea why this has started happening 🙁

Interested in this thread?

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Menopause Women's health
Hemlock2013 · 27/10/2020 06:49

Yes, I’m 39 and it’s happening to me also....

It’s probably no bad thing as I’ve abused alcohol for too many years.

emwantsbiscuits · 27/10/2020 06:53

Early thirties and since January I haven’t been able to have a shot of spirits or a sip of wine without feeling awful the next day (1 day hangover). Yet another gift from 2020.

Dontforgetyourbrolly · 27/10/2020 06:57

The same , I'm 45. I went tee total in June , I dont miss it , and I lost 9lbs !

MellowMelly · 27/10/2020 07:02

I am also pretty much tee total now. I can’t stand it anymore. It had actually got to the point where I was being physically sick after two drinks with certain alcohol. It makes me tired and groggy and gives me a headache whilst I drink and the next day is a write off.

I stopped almost altogether really about 3 years ago and it coincided all with a hormonal upheaval that was the start of peri menopause for me so that’s quite an interesting theory that’s been mentioned by previous posters.

There is only one drink now that I’m truly okay with. I have it occasionally and it’s Vodka and Cranberry. No idea why I’m okay with that one specific drink!

Iamtooknackeredtorun · 27/10/2020 07:04

Similar situation at 48. I find white wine to be the worst followed by rose. Red seems much better. White spirits also ok generally. I have been a career drinker and loved it. Now it can feel a bit of a chore.

LittleLapwing · 27/10/2020 07:11

I’m the same, it started in my late 20s and I’ve felt like some sort of freak. Nice to see I’m not alone.
I’m tee total now, one small glass makes me feel sick, upset stomach and headache. Just not worth it :(

I find people tend to look at me like I’ve got two heads though when I say I don’t drink.

Bingowin · 27/10/2020 07:16

I'm 43 and barely drink. It started after I had kids,they're 12 and 10.

I just couldn't bear a hangover and looking after little children!

Gin and tonic is the least toxic for me,or one diluted whiskey. Wine is 🤮 to me,it seems very strong.

AlsDiner · 27/10/2020 07:27

I'm 48 and can confirm it just gets worse. If I drink, besides the next-day hangover, I can also feel under the weather for a week - low mood, energyless, hungry - it even affects my breathing and makes my heart rate higher for several days.

I'm pretty much teetotal now because I hate feeling so crap for so long.

dancingbadger · 27/10/2020 07:29

Your not alone I stopped a year and a half ago (42). I just found the sleepless nights and anxiety terrible after a couple of glasses really not worth ruining the next day for one evening out these days!

Delatron · 27/10/2020 08:10

My Mum appears to be fine though! So I’m wondering if it is all completely hormonal and once we’re through the menopause we’ll be fine...
Just another 10 or so more years to go.

GinJeanie · 27/10/2020 08:31

Have you tried organic wine? I was the same but think it's the sulfites in wine which were making me feel poorly. I still don't drink much but this makes a massive difference. My sister has switched too and says the same...

Krook · 27/10/2020 08:48

Yes this happened to me in mid forties, with white wine/prosecco being the worst. Had to give it up and now can only tolerate one very weak G&T or small glass of red.

vizlsapup · 27/10/2020 08:58

I only drink about 3-4 times a year now, probably about once a seasom to ring the changes, pimms in summer, glass of red in winter etc. Follow or precede it with a soft drink. If I am offered I only have a third of a glass.

The other tip if you had too many is milk thistle. Loads of doctors use it for hangover prevention.

billy1966 · 27/10/2020 09:01

It really is very common during the whole menopause window, but I can report there are those of us that come out the other side and can enjoy wine again.

Delatron · 27/10/2020 10:57

Thanks for the words of hope @billy1966

I don’t want to drink loads but it’s frustrating not to be even able to enjoy just a couple of glasses of wine! It’s one of life’s pleasures.

billy1966 · 27/10/2020 11:39

Exactly.

I love a glass of red wine but for a couple of years my face flamed up.
It was very distressing 🤣.

Fortunately as I have finished with the 8 year menopause 🙄......all appears ok again.
I don't overdue it.

I think for some people, red wine and alcohol heats our blood, which is already warmed with menopausal symptoms.

Hang in there 👍Flowers

Zaphodsotherhead · 27/10/2020 12:23

I'm now nearly 60, and for the past 5(? not quite sure) years I started getting random vomiting attacks and headaches after drinking. Not every time, but it was becoming more frequent. After having one such attack after drinking one tiny Prosecco (one of those 'one glass' bottles), where I was throwing up all night so violently that I feared I may suffocate, I sought advice and was told it was probably alcohol triggered migraines.

So I've stopped drinking alcohol. It wasn't worth the Russian Roulette of 'will this be the one that triggers the migraine'. I'd wake up, having gone to bed sober after one glass, boiling hot, then get the crushing headache, and then vomit myself inside out for the rest of the night.

Never again. And this is from someone who regularly enjoyed half a bottle of wine or a few glasses of gin. I think it's an age thing...

Bmidreams · 27/10/2020 12:31

It's the fast heart rate that puts me off now: 120 when lying down after 2 beers. It's just not fair!!

Atomsaway · 27/10/2020 12:37

Me too. I have pretty much stopped drinking because of the awful headache I get after a few sips. It ruins an evening.
Lots of people can’t understand this and think it’s psychological. It could be but I’d rather just stay away from the booze these days.
I thought I was the only one with this issue!

onemouseplace · 27/10/2020 12:42

I'm 43 and I've increasingly had awful hangovers after 2/3 small glasses - really migrainy ones where I feel really sick and have to lie down. I've also had horrible indigestion the next day when I never normally get it.

Original poster
What2do2 · 27/10/2020 12:46

It really isn’t great timing 😂 All my kids are now sleeping and youngest is 4 so past that exhausting stage....
I’ve talked about it with friends who are also 35 but a lot of them are still drinking and out like we were in our 20’s. Now a lot of them are ttc or thinking of it so don’t like hearing me going on about possible menopause etc..

OP posts:
kiwiblue · 27/10/2020 12:49

Oh wow this has happened to me too! I'm 36. Recently had two large glasses of wine for our 10 year wedding anniversary (one sparkling and one red) and was hungover for nearly 2 days. And I just find I don't feel like alcohol much of the time. I can tolerate a gin and tonic but rarely feel like that now. So disappointing! Is it really a menopausal thing?? I thought 35 was a bit young for that Shock