How Long Did U Wait To Drink Alcohol Again

[Moongirl]

Not that I drink daily by any means, but since my dx in Dec 05, i have been to several parties and its so depressing and annoying, on some peoples end, not to be able to drink.

Sorry im about to vent, but i was always the fun party girl and now im the depressed girl sitting and moping. and its worse when every 5 mins someone comes and asks you why ur not drinking, following that question, R U ok!?! Like why cant someone not drink just because.....gets on my last nerve.

Im kinda scared to drink at this point cause I dont know how my body will react.... How long did u wait after ur Dx to drink?

[Guest schmenge]

Why is it that you feel you cannot drink? There are certainly alcoholic beverages with gluten (i.e. beer), but others are OK (i.e. wine is usually fine).

BTW, you don't have to drink to have a good time.

[kbtoyssni]

I waited about three months to start drinking again. I read somewhere that alcohol is hard on your intestines if you're still healing so it's good to avoid it. I haven't had any problems since I started drinking again, although I went to a wedding the other week, I think I got glutened by my dinner and the combo of gluten and a glass of wine made me throw up.

You could always sip a glass of coke or drink 7Up from a wine glass so people won't bug you about why you're not drinking. Or tell them you're the DD.

[Felidae]

I didn't wait to drink since going gluten-free. Were we supposed to wait? Oops.

[Guest nini]

I had quit drinking several years before my dx, because everytime I drank even just a sip of wine, my body reacted in crazy ways... The last alcohol I had was Godiva Chocolate liquor ON ICECREAM and I was literally drunk for several days off of it...

I'm scared to even try to drink again, because I don't know if my reactions were due to undiagnosed celiac or another intolerance.

[WGibs]

I don't think you have to stop drinking, but you might want to until your symptoms come under control (if they aren't already), so that you'll know if your system is reacting poorly to alcohol.

That said, I have gone for long periods without drinking before and found that, for both my spirits and the attitude of others, it helped if I had a "fun drink" too. It can be juice, or even a mix of juices, with selzter if you want and a lime or orange slice -- looks just like sex on the beach if you use cran & orange! I would also have shirley temples -- ginger ale and grenadine (some regions use 7-up, but I like the less-sweet version with ginger ale). For me, having something that looked and tasted different than just a soda worked well.

If you have always been more of a tough drinker, rather than a fruity one, you can do tonic with lime.

For at home, you can get wonderful fruit sparklers that subsititute for champagne and Navarro Vineyards in Northern California makes lovely grape juices that substitute for wine (and cost almost as much!)

For casual occasions, I would drink IBC root beer, since it comes in a bottle like beer (there are others too), but is root beer gluten-free? I'm not sure...I haven't had it since.

I hope this helps!

[teankerbell]

I am not going to drink, probably for the rest of my life. Alcohol will aggravate an already sensitive intestines. It is like adding fuel to the fire, pardon the pun.

[Felidae]

I had quit drinking several years before my dx, because everytime I drank even just a sip of wine, my body reacted in crazy ways... The last alcohol I had was Godiva Chocolate liquor ON ICECREAM and I was literally drunk for several days off of it...

I'm scared to even try to drink again, because I don't know if my reactions were due to undiagnosed celiac or another intolerance.

My alcohol tolerance completely changed since going gluten-free. I can handle much larger amounts of alcohol than before. Not to say that I do this often. Before gluten-free I would drink and be out of control and sick for days. Now I am very in control and barely get a hangover.

[Guest Pixi]

My alcohol tolerance completely changed since going gluten-free. I can handle much larger amounts of alcohol than before. Not to say that I do this often. Before gluten-free I would drink and be out of control and sick for days. Now I am very in control and barely get a hangover.

Wow same here! I used to get so disgustingly ill, I didn't even want to drink anymore. I've gotten hungover because I do go way overboard, but I don't get horribly ill for days like I used to. Thank God!!

I didn't wait any specific time to drink again. I just had gluten-free drinks like wine and vodka when the situation to drink came up.

[Moongirl]

The only reason I asked is because there were a few people that had said its a good idea to wait while ur intestines are healing cause the alcohol can cause a lot of irritation etc...

But its good to hear some of you were ok and didnt have to wait....I guess I can try one drink at a time.

[cgilsing]

I didn't wait. Lord, after giving up so many things, I needed a drink!

Strangely enough though, after I started the gluten-free diet I couldn't handle as much alcohol. I used to be able to drink a lot more without feeling the effects or having a hangover. I just attributed it to the alcohol going right through me, but who know...

[ravenwoodglass]

I had quit drinking several years before my dx, because everytime I drank even just a sip of wine, my body reacted in crazy ways... The last alcohol I had was Godiva Chocolate liquor ON ICECREAM and I was literally drunk for several days off of it...

I'm scared to even try to drink again, because I don't know if my reactions were due to undiagnosed celiac or another intolerance.

I used to get drunk on NA beer, and even a little vodka would send me to lala land. I now have a glass or two of wine or some potato vodka with orange juice with no problems. I don't even get a hangover anymore, although I don't drink a lot, either now or before being gluten-free, before even two beers would make me sick for a couple days. If you do decide to try a glass of wine with dinner just take it slow. Of course we can certainly live without any alcohol but to at least be able to join in for a cocktail with dinner is sometimes nice.

[aikiducky]

Funny how some people seem to be able to tolerate alcohol better, and other worse, after going gluten-free? I don't really like to drink more than about two glasses of wine nowadays.

I guess there must be some kind of a cultural difference here... I have never had remarks about drinking juice, or tea for that matter, lol, at parties. After training we sometimes go to a pub with a group, and it's quite normal for some people to have wine or beer and others to have a coffee, and for me to have nothing (I don't trust that cafe, but it's the only one in the neighborhood).

Oh, btw, when I don't feel like cooking AGAIN I find that a little port while I'm cooking is very motivating.

Pauliina

[Lollie]

I typically have a glass of re wine with supper or at night. I agree with an earlier post that said after giving so much up.....

It doesn't affect me adversly......so I figure a glass a night is supposed to be good for you anyway!

Lollie

[MallysMama]

I'm not quite sure why I'm replying to these posts - because I don't drink and never have had any alcohol before. Before starting work in a restaurant, 6 months ago, I had no idea beer even had gluten in it! I find it interesting that someone mentioned having difficulty not drinking at social get-togethers or after work, etc.... that people looked at you different or asked if you were okay just because you weren't drinking. I guess I grew up in a completely different setting - so I don't quite understand that pressure. I always hear the people I work with talking about going to get a drink after work. They don't ask me to come along because they know I don't believe in drinking for other reasons - not because I have celiac (which they dont' know)...but they don't seem to judge me because I don't drink - and I'm grateful. Anyway - I guess I just wanted to say that it's okay to go to a party or get-together and not drink (like other's said - just have a glass of juice or something if you feel the need to hold a drink) - maybe you're just not thirsty! You know your body better than anyone else - I'm sure you'll be okay and will make the right decision for what's best for you.

[jerseyangel]

Ha--I'm 9 months gluten-free and I haven't tried yet! I was never a big drinker, only wine occasionaly. I'm thinking when I get to a year, I may try some.

[Guest BERNESES]

I didn't wait- because I didn't hear you were supposed to (like lactose!). Oops! I was never a HUGE drinker but I definitely enjoyed a few cosmopolitans and beers (not together ) every now and then. Now I wish I had waited because I think it may have delayed my healing. But that's just my experience. My gastroenterologist also thinks I should not drink (so I don't much anymore).

You could try one drink and see what happens. I used to have 4 day hangovers from 2 beers (go figure) so by the time I found out I was gluten-intolerant I had switched to vodka. much better. Try something mellow like a glass of wine or a Cider Jack. When I want a festive drink but don't really want much alcohol I usually drink Chambord, tonic water and a lime. It kind of tastes like a lime rickey. Yum!!!!

[Moongirl]

I didn't wait- because I didn't hear you were supposed to (like lactose!). Oops! I was never a HUGE drinker but I definitely enjoyed a few cosmopolitans and beers (not together ) every now and then. Now I wish I had waited because I think it may have delayed my healing. But that's just my experience. My gastroenterologist also thinks I should not drink (so I don't much anymore).

You could try one drink and see what happens. I used to have 4 day hangovers from 2 beers (go figure) so by the time I found out I was gluten-intolerant I had switched to vodka. much better. Try something mellow like a glass of wine or a Cider Jack. When I want a festive drink but don't really want much alcohol I usually drink Chambord, tonic water and a lime. It kind of tastes like a lime rickey. Yum!!!!

Thanks for the advise...

Its not that I am pressured at all to drink by anyone, for me its just a social thing. I like it, like everyone liked going out to have that slice of pizza, and its just hard to see everyone eating/drinking....

I was never a big beer drinker anyways, i like my hard liquor and mixed drinks.

DO you still drink cosmos? I thought we have to be careful of drinks like that cause of the juices or flavorings?

[ebrbetty]

I still enjoy a glass or two of wine some nights

[happygirl]

I definitely did not wait I was just careful about what I drank!

[Canadian Karen]

Former party animal here.

Back in my heyday (we won't mention when those were though, I will start feeling too old.......) I used to party every weekend, and usually a couple of times through the week as well. I worked for a nuclear engineering firm that was based in Switzerland, and all us secretaries used to go out partying with the engineers all the time. Had a total blast. This was of course before any diagnosis. I used to be able to drink till the cows came home and it had little effect on me. (It must have been part of my body's constitution.....)

My point is, I used to be able to tolerate alcohol, actually thoroughly enjoyed alcohol. Now, I can't even have a glass of wine without my intestines feeling like they are being put through one of those old washing machine wringers for the next few days.

I have resigned myself to the fact that I will never be a party animal again!

Oh well, who can be a party animal with four kids to take care of, right?

Hugs!

Karen

[bluejeangirl]

Not that I drink daily by any means, but since my dx in Dec 05, i have been to several parties and its so depressing and annoying, on some peoples end, not to be able to drink.

Sorry im about to vent, but i was always the fun party girl and now im the depressed girl sitting and moping. and its worse when every 5 mins someone comes and asks you why ur not drinking, following that question, R U ok!?! Like why cant someone not drink just because.....gets on my last nerve.

Im kinda scared to drink at this point cause I dont know how my body will react.... How long did u wait after ur Dx to drink?

I drink about 5 oz of red wine with my evening meal. Its one of the little perks I look forward to since most of my diet has been excluded, my most favorite being italian. I don't drink any more than that and I don't drink to get drunk or party. So I really don't know what to advise you. Alcohol is hard on the lining of the stomach and intestines when drinking alone. If I were you I'd have a weak "gluten free" alcoholic drink with alittle snack food and be the fun and fantastic person you are. No need to explain anything to anyone. Just sip and take this time to enjoy people and make that your priority. I really feel like your going to turn this into something positive.

[floridanative]

I didn't have anything to drink for three weeks post dx. We went to dinner for val. day and that's when I tried some white wine. It was lovely and since I have wine when out or home and somtimes cosmos or appletinis at home (all with gluten-free mixes). I'm not giving up my wine or vodka unless under doctors orders. Gosh...I agree with the other posters...we already gave up so much. Plus red wine is very good for your arteries and heart!

[Guest BERNESES]

I do still drink cosmos- only now I personally have Smirnoff (9because it's made from corn) or a potato vodka (like Chopin- expensive but YUMMY!). I find that I haven't run into any problems with cranberry juice, tonic water. One thing I've run into a problem with is frozen mixed drinks. many bars use Island oasis drink mixes for frozen drinks. I reacted to a margarita made with their mix once and when I called the bar Island Oasis had listed natural flavors in their ingredients (this was about a year ago-before the new labeling laws).

I've emailed the company- no response. When I was in Turks and Caicos I read a container of Island Oasis and it still listed "natural flavors" so i still avoid it. Most bartenders will let you read the bottle if you tell them you have allergies or an intolerance.

[Lisa]

Former party animal here.

Back in my heyday (we won't mention when those were though, I will start feeling too old.......) I used to party every weekend, and usually a couple of times through the week as well. I worked for a nuclear engineering firm that was based in Switzerland, and all us secretaries used to go out partying with the engineers all the time. Had a total blast. This was of course before any diagnosis. I used to be able to drink till the cows came home and it had little effect on me. (It must have been part of my body's constitution.....)

My point is, I used to be able to tolerate alcohol, actually thoroughly enjoyed alcohol. Now, I can't even have a glass of wine without my intestines feeling like they are being put through one of those old washing machine wringers for the next few days.

I have resigned myself to the fact that I will never be a party animal again!

Oh well, who can be a party animal with four kids to take care of, right?

Hugs!

Karen

I take objections that Canadian Karen will never be a party girl again. You are the live wire amongst us, and for that we thank you. You are a "spirited force" that keeps us going.