Alcohol when poorly

[Choice4567]

Fairly lighthearted! I've come down with something this Christmas! Started last night with a bad headache. Today has been a bit hot/cold with a cough and sore throat

To be honest it's reduced my appetite (because my throat is so sore!) and I'm also really not fancying beer or anything!

We're staying at my mums, and she seems quite insulted by my lack of drinking! Apparently I should drink my way through the illness!

But alcohol makes me feel tired at the best of times. Really seems like it'll make be feel worse if I have anything!

Anyone else go off alcohol with a cold (or whatever this is!)?

The only time I drink whiskey is when I'm coming down with a cold/sore throat.I normally can't even stand the smell, let alone the taste but, slightly warm with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and the lurgy seems to be stopped in its tracks.

I do can’t drink when ill, I even go off coffee. I always know when I’m on the way down with something when I reach for teabags in the morning. It does make sense though, alchohol is a toxin you don’t want to stress your liver when it’s dealing with other things.

Usually makes me feel better but when I had a very bad virus once it tasted weird (as did quite a lot of things) and didn't help. Plus, if you are taking lots of meds best not drink.

Thanks. I mean I know I can choose whether to or not, I'm a grown up. She just seems so upset that I don't want beer and I should plough on through!

To be honest she's a bit like this whenever we stay. She loves a couple of beers and then a bottle of wine with dinner. Apparently turning it down (for any reason) makes her think I'm secretly judging her and implying she also shouldn't drink anything.

As with so many things with my mother, I'm learning it's actually a her thing and she's projecting!

Alcohol is the last thing you need when ill.If you drink till boozy then you may not feel so ill
Once that alcohol wears off you're going to feel a whole lot worse.

Yes, I think most sensible people do. Dh does not. Will just carry on and drink even when ill. And he’s been ill, non-stop since the beginning of October. He actually said today has been the first day he hasn’t felt ill since before a certain event he went to (the first weekend of October). 🙄

I don’t drink, ever (I’m sober). I have yet to be sick once since maybe the summer, and I’m immunocompromised due to cancer treatment. I do take a lot of care of my health and my immune system, but the alcohol, I think, plays a big part, along with other things like good quality sleep and a good diet (which also aren’t great if you’re drinking).

As a recovering alcoholic though, I find people who get a bit twitchy, like your mum, unfortunately are the ones struggling with alcohol the most.

I reckon you would be better with lemsips as well as hot drinks like Ribena/orange squash. I don't think alcohol is a good idea personally. Hoping you feel better soon. There are loads of people who are ill this time of year.I am sure it is more than usual from what I have been told.

Yeah I've been having lemsips and water. I couldn't imagine fancy

Fancying beer or wine but my mum was making me feel weird for not wanting it!

I'm not a big fan of this illness'! Been awake since 4 and can't get back to sleep. It's spoiled Christmas and it's my 40th on Sunday and now it's going to spoil that too!

Feeling very sorry for myself!

It’s definitely your mothers problem. Encouraging others to drink/ keep them company drinking is a bit of a red flag for dependency. I speak as someone who did the same for years. I’m now sober. Look after yourself. Hope you feel better soon.

Best to stay away from the booze when you're ill and sugar/sweet stuff ... it causes inflammation and will impair your immune system. Really hope you feel much better soon, there are lots of horrible viruses around right now.

Your mom might think that having a little alcohol while sick will help you feel warmer, but in reality, when you're ill, you should take medicine and get plenty of rest. Drinking alcohol often makes things worse.

I came down with similar on Christmas Eve, drank alcohol on Christmas Day and felt awful yesterday. I wouldn’t

Thanks for your kind replies all! Having my first lemsip of the day and hoping I feel better soon!

Hopefully you're better by Sunday and can do something nice for the big four o.
Happy birthday wishes for Sunday 🎉.

It's best to just drink plain water and avoid anything that might irritate your stomach.

I know someone (not too far away lol) who has been ill with chest inf and that bloody long lasting lurgy for weeks now.

He finished the steroids and anti b on Christmas Eve but no mood for alcohol. Still wonky Boxing Day. Last night he made a massive hot whisky into which, wait for it, he put a 500mg sachet of Lemsip.

Folks he is now better and has the hoover out and is humming.

Should I be worried 😂