Booze = bad. Sorry. If you're on meds? Bad. I fyou're using it for anxiety? Bad. No matter what the situation, alcohol has yet to help it, and I don't say that because I'm some snotty tee-totaler. Alcohol impairs liver function (you need that if you're on meds!) and depresses the central nervous system (which makes it a great pain-dampener but also affects medications). It also lowers inhibitions and your moods go haywire.

Furthermore, and I did this in a controll laboratory study I ran, thanks, alcohol is broken down in the body into *toxins*. You have heard about formaldehyde for embalming, right? A close relative of it is what your body makes out of ethyl alcohol (that's what we drink). Aldehydes are used to produce commecially... resins, plasticizing agents, and fragrances, and detergents. So that's what alcohol breaks down to in your body... part of a class of organic chemicals that can do all that. And, of course, as I mentioned, formaldehyde is for embalming.

ETHANOL (drinking booze) breaks down into a fun compound known as "acetaldehyde". It's a carcinogen, and is used as a precurose in chemical reactions to make adhesives. While your body can break that down further into harmless compounds.... your liver has to produce the enzymes in sufficient quantity to do that, and if it can't? Well, you get stuck with a toxin floating around in there.

Now, granted, that's a case where you're drinking quite a bit, but everyone has varied tolerance, and mor eot the point, if you are on any medications, alcohol will impair the medication's effect or possibly amplify it. Either way, you're playing a hell of a dice game if you're on meds.

Consult your medical doctor.

I can't speak to the effects personally. I've studied them, but addictionruns in my family and I don't drink. What I don't start, I don't have to stop. Nor worry about consequences.

BLessings and good luck.

Leo, thank you so much for your response. It makes sense . You're an amazing support to all of us and are very much appreciated.
Hope you are having a good Monday !! Blessings !!

Sometimes I want to drink more but I fight the impulse. Sometimes I just want to get away from life and pain and alcohol at least helps me get away from the pain a little while, but then it probably makes it worse later. Every now and then I'll take a day off from life and drink a small bottle of wine and eat whatever I want, but I only do that once every six weeks or so. I don't like to drink in excess in social situations because I've done that a lot in the past and I don't want to lose control of myself and situations. I just want you to know I know how you feel.

wvgirl82, thank you for your response and understanding ! It's helpful to know I'm not alone in my struggles. Blessings to you !

I have been sober a while now will have 5 years in december. Anxiety and PTSD is what got me started then any stress made me more, had 4 1/2 years sober when my husband died and now almost 5 years. Its not worth it to drink and to drink on meds is a huge no way. I am lucky to be here with the meds i mixed it with and will never drink again. I hope it helps to know you are not alone

I wish I could drink... but anymore than a few sips of wine and a feel like crap. Headache, nausea, sluggish, swampy. yuck.

Drinking with Fibromyalgia generally makes people feel much worse afterward. Mixing alcohol with medication is foolhardy at best. I was a strictly social drinker way back in the day. Don't touch it now. Not worth the after effects or risk.

I'm sorry you are struggling with this issue. Self medicating is really not the answer. I hope that you can get a better handle on your pain issues. Take care.

In my opinion, done in moderation, alcohol consumption might not be so bad. It affects everyone differently. People weighed in here looking at the downside. I drink a beer with dinner with no ill effects. Sometimes more among friends. If it relaxes one a bit and makes one feel a little more normal...why not?

I do like to drink some and, on occasion, drink to much??. Going through this hip rehab, I didn't drink anything for about 12 weeks but, after quitting my pain meds, have started some again. I agree that it tends to make us fibro folk feel worse waking up (and certainly don't do it if it doesn't play well with your meds) BUT it is a nice escape from time to time...to actually feel just a little better for awhile and take the edge off of this constant anxiety for even a short time. We all pretty much feel like crap all the time anyway so, in moderation, I think it's worth it.

I understand. I took anti anxiety medication, and in the long run, my anxiety grew worse. If anxiety is a problem, there are breathing exercises and meditations. There are ways to work with your thoughts and tolerate feelings. Maybe you could talk with your doctor, therapist, someone you trust.