Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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oceans11 11/25/2013

With the holidays fast approaching I'm wondering how many of, especially those on MTX have a hard to explaining to friends & family that you really can't drink anymore now that you're on MTX??

I've never been a big drinker, social mostly or after work on Friday, I would put on my favorite headphones & just get lost in my music collection & have a few glasses of wine.

Although my doc said it was okay once a week to have a few drinks I just stopped altogether after hearing some of the horror stories. But what I found interesting is trying to explain how toxic drinking can be ONTOP of the MTX to friends & family. I guess they think I'm just trying to be a killjoy but I honestly just don't want to have to stand in line for a LIVER!

Any of you have this issue?

deleted_user 11/25/2013

You know, I've never really understood the whole drinking thing. I drank some in college, but never really got what the big deal was. I know some people like to drink and I'm fine with that, but for some reason there are just some drinkers who aren't happy unless you're right there with them, drink for drink. Is it because they feel bad about it, but misery loves company? Do they think we non-drinkers are showing off and we need to be taken down a peg or two? Personally, I think that whatever your reason for drinking or not drinking it's nobody's damn business but your own!

depotblue 11/25/2013

maybe its generational or situational

Sunvalleygal 11/25/2013

I'm with coaltrain on this one.... we're not in high school. If ppl don't get it, then it's their problem.

Dreamchaser-Linda 11/26/2013

My rhuemy let's me have one drink a week. usually I have wine or Mojito every other week. At parties I have a glass, and sip the one glass all evening, so when they say do you need more, I show my glass and say, I just got more, thanks.
It's so much easier to at least hold a glass and sip, than keep saying I'm on Meds I can't.

On very special occasions, like my son's wedding, my rhuemy let me skip mtx that week, so I could have fun. I had 2 whole drinks lol but I felt happy to be part of the fun.

Lin=)

tootsiesmom 11/26/2013

I usually tell them that my meds are having their own kind of party on my liver and don't need any additional help.

I've been fortunate that my hubby is supportive and has let his good German drinking family know that I just don't anymore and they have been pretty good about leaving me alone about it.

deleted_user 11/26/2013

I wouldn't risk it, I never liked the taste of alcoholic drinks though i'd rather have a milk shake :-)

nancyfoco 11/26/2013

I drink when I want to. I don't drink when I don't want to. Usually in a social situation there are plenty of non-alcoholic alternatives. There are so many people who don't drink alcohol for one reason or another, it's really not a big deal around here.

Nancy

nonightshades 11/26/2013

there is a good way to get them to not pressure you to join in the worship of Bachus (sp?). cell phone video's of them on youtube, they'll never pressure you again.

FieryPrincess 11/27/2013

If you want to try shock value just state the alcohol and cancer meds don't mix well.

Once they recover enough to listen you can educate them a little.

(It's the teacher in me: get their attention, teach the lesson, application!!)

annettearizona 11/27/2013

Guess a person could be gross about it...say that if you drink you will start puking all over-even if it isn't true-they might leave you alone :)

Thewino 11/27/2013

I'm 100% Irish and I gave up drinking almost a year ago.

I know: those two items don't belong together. I love the taste of Guiness and really, really enjoyed a good Scotch or a Bushmill's.

I could care less what others think about me not drinking but I do like Fiery's suggestion that this is the perfect time for a teaching moment.

Thanks Fiery: I will use your great idea to spread the word!!

Be well all,
TheWino

Sunvalleygal 11/28/2013

I will sometimes request a virgin of my favorite drink. If i take off my shirt and dance on the table... they don't know the difference. Plz know that i am just joking....

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