Has anyone else had this issue ?

[bert3400]

Posting in AIBU for traffic.
I have suddenly started getting excruciating headache due to wine, rose is the worst but red and white seem to cause issues. Never had a problem with it before then suddenly 3 weeks ago, can't touch a drop.
Now, I think I had Covid about 5 weeks ago, all better now but I'm wondering if this is a wonderful lasting reaction that it's left behind?
I'm on HRT but that hasn't changed for a year and I'm very settled with my dose and happy.
Cava (I live in Spain so easily accessible) doesn't cause any issues. Prosecco causes a small niggle of pain.
So what's in the bloody wine causing these horrible headaches?

Any wise woman experience this and find the answers?
I obviously will give it up...but it's definitely my social drink, me and DH enjoy wine tasting and exploring different regions etc so this development is a bit of a blow ....I have also booked a wine tasting in South Africa for a big birthday....now dreading it 😩

Thank you for any advice 😁

Sounds like my problem - incapacitating headache within half an hour of half a glass of wine and randomly at other times. I self diagnosed as sulphite intolerance after much research online. Basically sulphite is toxic but body has enzyme which should convert it to sulphate which is safe. if you are not producing enough enzyme you get massive headaches. Sulphites not only in wine but added to foods such as mince, those bright orange apricots and sausages. Also naturally in some foods such as Broccoli and grapes. It is possible the Covid has damaged you enzyme production. I can take small amounts of foods with sulphites but not too much close together. I am not a doctor and have not had any tests but have been avoiding wine for years now😥 Headaches can last 2-3 days just not worth it. Metabisulphite is used as a steriliser and to stop fermentation but is not used in the champagne method hence cava usually ok. You could look for a low sulphite wine. Best wishes. Hope your enzyme production improves. Mine hasn’t but probably age related with me

I developed an alcohol allergy in peri. My face goes bright red and itchy if I have even one sip of Prosecco, so I gave it up. I believe it’s sulphates.

@helibirdcomp thank you so much, yes I had definitely thought it could be the sulphate issue as in previous years some 'cheaper pub' wines had caused the same issue ...but nothing on the scale I'm facing now, yes seems dramatic but I really love sharing a bottle of wine with the husband or a friend...is kind of a ceremony (if you get my drift) with cheese etc...I just feel a bit 😔...but in the scheme of things it's first world problems 😂

@PersephoneParlormaid yes definitely sounds like those damn sulfates. Have you tried sulfate free wine ?

I’ve also stopped drinking wine as I noticed my lower legs were very itchy after having a couple of glasses of red. I’m post menopausal. If I fancy a drink now I’ll have a glass or two of cider which doesn’t seem to cause any problems.

Covid can leave high levels of histamine in the body and/or a sensitivity to histamine.

Alcohol also is high in histamine and can trigger headaches.

Btw I am not a medical professional.

No, I just gave up alcohol. At the end of the day it’s poison, so I thought that maybe my body was telling me not to.
I’ve read that some people go onto gin or vodka, but I’m just not that bothered enough about drinking to try it.

People here are getting their sulphates and sulphites muddled up. It is sulphites in wine that are toxic sulphates are safe. There is no such thing as sulphite free wine. It could be low sulphite but as grapes have naturally occurring sulphites it is never going to be sulphite free

I'm fine with wine but Gin gives me terrible insomnia where I wake up after a couple of hours and can't get back to sleep, and a banging headache the next day.

I haven’t been able to drink from several weeks after getting covid. I’ve tried a few times over the years to see if it’s improved as I would like a drink now and then. You are only a few weeks past your infection, so there may be hope for you (if it’s covid related).