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Original poster

Ageing and alcohol

54 replies

OneFrenchEgg · 22/10/2023 16:45

The other week j had three glasses of wine over a few hours and spent the night throwing up and the next day was a write off. Since January I've stopped drinking at home and mainly just socially had a glass etc.
Last night I had half a large glass, couldn't finish the rest, and I'm still with a migraine and feeling sick now.
Am 51, in menopause. Do you think this is it for me and alcohol? Never been a problem drinker, never worried about my liver health, but decided for cost and general health to socially drink after dry January this year.

OP posts:
SallyWD · 22/10/2023 16:55

I think a lot of us can relate to this. Yep, listen to your body. Your body doesn't want alcohol.

MaraScottie · 22/10/2023 17:05

Yes I get you OP. I've essentially stopped drinking age 43. The odd mid week glass of wine and any type of home drinking has been culled. It is just not worth the crap nights sleep, sluggishness and bad mood the next day.

That said I will still have a few glasses when I'm on a rare night out as I do enjoy a drink, but I'm a lot more selective as to when and how much.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 22/10/2023 17:05

Is it a thing? I knew that there was kind of a suggestion that it could become unpleasant, but all the women I know who are my age still drink alcohol, no concerns mentioned.

OP posts:

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MaraScottie · 22/10/2023 17:08

Your liver doesnt produce as many enzymes to break down alcohol as you get older, AFAIK.

McIntire · 22/10/2023 17:13

I haven’t been affected by this and of anything, my tolerance has got better and I never get hangovers.

I took a decision to limit my intake because the ‘drunken woman look’, doesn’t improve with age.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 22/10/2023 17:40

McIntire · 22/10/2023 17:13

I haven’t been affected by this and of anything, my tolerance has got better and I never get hangovers.

I took a decision to limit my intake because the ‘drunken woman look’, doesn’t improve with age.

I'm envious! I love a glass of wine but I'm shocked at the impact now - sickness, migraine. Last night I fell asleep while drinking it 😳 which never happens. It's like an intolerance, it's so bad. I wonder if HRT isn't helping.

OP posts:
SallyWD · 22/10/2023 17:52

I used to drink loads now I have to stop at two glasses (and if they're large glasses I'll feel pretty rough the next day).
I actually see this as a good thing. It's much healthier for me.

Nannyfannybanny · 22/10/2023 17:55

I've never drunk much,so no difference now,2 glasses used to be my max, now it's one,no hangovers,I'm 72.

Musiclover234 · 22/10/2023 18:04

Im 44. I can manage a couple of wines but that’s my limit so it’s a treat and not very often. I drink vodka if I go on a bigger night out which seems to still be ok. Luckily I’ve only really been a social drinker once a week or two so it’s easy to minimise my intake anyway.

Shame cos I do like a glass of wine in a pub but I’m so conscious of how it may make me feel crap it’s not always as enjoyable. I guess it’s not a bad thing health wise.

My sister still can drink what she wants and is 51 . She’s on HRT.

adriftabroad · 22/10/2023 18:07

Always been a huge fan of wine.

Earlyish menopase at 45. Only vodka ever since.
Wine makes me sick.

I saw on RHONY it is actally a thing... you need to switch to "clear liquor" in menopause. 😁

OliviaBean · 22/10/2023 18:08

Same. I'm 43 and my hangovers are getting worse. As a result I drink less and I guess my tolerance for alcohol is then lower, it's like I'm out of practice!

I don't bother with the one glass of wine at home anymore, it just bothers my sleep too much. So I either don't bother at all or have a good few every so often.

It's a pity, I like wine.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 22/10/2023 18:10

For a few years now I’ve not got properly drunk, but only because the friends I go out with have 2-3 drinks max now. It’s probably far better for me as I hated the beer fear the next day and gorging on carbs.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 22/10/2023 18:12

In fact the last time I got properly drunk with cocktails was in August at a 50th birthday party in a bar, I ensured I ate a good carby meal beforehand and had lots of water and we had a nice healthy snack when we got home and surprisingly I wasn’t that hungover.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 22/10/2023 18:17

I was so shocked that I was throwing up, dodgy tummy, hungover and my friend the same age was fine! We'd deliberately not drunk loads because we wanted to enjoy the day.

OP posts:
Strokethefurrywall · 22/10/2023 18:48

I quit drinking altogether in May this year because of this. Although I didn't get raging hangovers or get sick, my body just said "no more".
The hangxiety and depression for two days after was so counter productive to what I wanted to do that I realised the trade off wasn't worth it.
Don't miss it at all, and I've not had a minute of anxiety since.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 22/10/2023 18:51

I started getting headaches after a couple of glasses, then I started getting HEADACHES after a couple of glasses, and then, about four years ago I started getting alcohol related migraines after one very small glass of wine. Prostrate on the bathroom floor, unable to move, turn head, vomiting so hard I worried I would choke. So I stopped drinking alcohol.

Have now started getting headaches after eating dark chocolate. Had some dark chocolate brownies a few weeks ago and was prostrate on bathroom floor etc etc, so it looks as though chocolate is now also out.

If I start to not be able to each cheese too, life won't be worth living...

Essenceofpetunia · 22/10/2023 18:58

This has happened to me too OP. I’m now essentially teetotal the vast majority of the time. I now only drink if I’m away on holiday or at a gig (so just a small handful of occasions a year) and I can only drink beer or cider, no wine or spirits. My body just really doesn’t like it, nor does my mental health.

AllWeWantToDo · 22/10/2023 19:01

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 22/10/2023 18:51

I started getting headaches after a couple of glasses, then I started getting HEADACHES after a couple of glasses, and then, about four years ago I started getting alcohol related migraines after one very small glass of wine. Prostrate on the bathroom floor, unable to move, turn head, vomiting so hard I worried I would choke. So I stopped drinking alcohol.

Have now started getting headaches after eating dark chocolate. Had some dark chocolate brownies a few weeks ago and was prostrate on bathroom floor etc etc, so it looks as though chocolate is now also out.

If I start to not be able to each cheese too, life won't be worth living...

Don't say that, not the cheese !

sleepD3pr1ived · 22/10/2023 19:13

Peri menopause equalled no tolerance to alcohol - barely drink now and when I do I can only have one or two and not beer, red wine or dark spirits. 🙁

JamSandle · 22/10/2023 19:21

Alcohol is a poison to the body at any age. But with time the body finds it harder to metabolise.

Lottapianos · 22/10/2023 19:21

I don't get on great with alcohol any more. It's absolutely gutting because I really enjoy it. I'm a moderate drinker these days and have no interest in getting drunk, but would like to be able to have 2-3 drinks and not feel it the next day! Sick of having a shit night's sleep and feeling exhausted and groggy the next day. I'm nearly 44, no peri symptoms so far

Has anyone had success with using milk thistle supplements or similar before and after drinking?

TinyRebel · 22/10/2023 19:39

I’m 44 and quit drinking for a while since May, ostensibly because I was on a very low calorie diet and drinking when in ketosis can be dangerous.
Feel so much better. No longer have the 2am racing heart and (if been out) wondering what I’ve done/said!
Skin looks really good and am just generally more cheerful - have noticed that it was really affecting mood.
Have had several nights out and quite happy to drive (as are my friends) and at this moment in time am not sure I’ll actually bother starting again.

Lillygolightly · 22/10/2023 19:46

I can’t drink wine anymore, just one glass can see me feeling awful. Funnily enough I can manage a couple of glasses of Prosecco just fine, and vodka with a mixer is ok. I don’t really drink much at all either, never did really but since turning 40 I’ve noticed that if I have more than 2/3 drinks I end up feeling out of sorts for the next 24 hours and it’s just not worth it.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 22/10/2023 19:57

This is kind of depressing/reassuring. Actually I don't think lager has had that effect on me, maybe I could have a shandy instead? I don't need to drink it's the thought of not being able to!
Not tried milk thistle, can't answer that.
I am vegan now - I wonder if partly that's driven by my body reacting as well as ethical concerns. I found dairy to be not appealing, and I really relate to the chocolate thing.

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