Does anyone else on T have an intolerance to alcohol?

[Elijah3291]

SO I feel like I didn't always have this problem.  Almost every time I drink I have a strange reaction, It usually only happens with strong mixed drinks (so liquor) but it has happened with beer, I don't think it has happened with wine. Anyway, after a drink or sometimes 2 drinks, I start to get really hot, then I get these muscle pains, they are very hard to describe, its usually in my arms chest and back, and it feels like I am being squeezed. It doesn't sound that bad really but when its happening I try to calm down and relax but I cant, and it just feels like it hurts so bad, I usually have to lie down, go for a walk in the cold, or drink a lot of water, it lasts between 10 - 30 mins usually.

Does anyone else know what this could be? My bf thinks its panic attacks, or an allergy to alcohol or something in the alcohol

and please don't bother to respond, don't drink. I'm not an alcoholic and sometimes I would like to go out and have fun with friends without having to go home after one drink.

[Laura_7]

Well the stuff seems to be not nice to your system.
You might try to stick to the very light stuff...
maybe cider, and light wines...

well in sweet drinks usually its difficult to tell how much alcohol is inside... often a lot 

And the combination of sugar and further ingredients might add to an effect...

by the way fruit juice like grape juice also has an amount of alcohol...
so you might try that, too...

[Dena]

I have been a non drinker all my life so I can't speak from what I know but the body treats alcohol like a sugar. The question would be do you have a reaction like that when consuming extremely sweet drinks? It's possible you have eliminated so much sugar from your diet that you aren't aware of your response to that much sugar.

A glucose tolerance test may be in your future.

[Tysilio]

I know a couple of people who are allergic to alcohol -- symptoms vary, but it makes them sick in one way or another, and has nothing to do with how much (or how little) they drink.  It's possible you've developed such an allergy, and it may or may not have anything to do with going on T.

[jlaframboise]

I don't drink. But I don't think it's anything related to T. Some people can't hold alcohol the best. You might look into the glucose test like dena mentioned.


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[Tristyn]

Is it really "ok" to drink while on T at all? I'm not trying to say it isn't. But I have read that its often suggested by the endocrinologist to avoid alcoholic beverages while being on T. I like to drink occasionally and not really sure I would want to keep doing that if what I read about alcohol and T stands true.

~Nixy~

[FTMax]

Is it really "ok" to drink while on T at all? I'm not trying to say it isn't. But I have read that its often suggested by the endocrinologist to avoid alcoholic beverages while being on T. I like to drink occasionally and not really sure I would want to keep doing that if what I read about alcohol and T stands true.

My doctor said nothing about drinking and T. Obviously the usual risks to the liver and kidneys would be increased if you're doubling down regularly. But I've never heard of T causing any kind of reactions in combination with alcohol. I would imagine OP's issue is independent of T.

If a cisgender guy can drink in moderation, I'd see no reason why you couldn't as long as you're being dosed at the correct level.

[Bimmer Guy]

Well, did it start happening when you first started T over 5 years ago?  That should tell you if it is due to the T or not.

[Elijah3291]

well 5 years ago I was 19 so I didn't really drink so I can't know if its related to T or not.

My doctor said nothing about drinking and T. Obviously the usual risks to the liver and kidneys would be increased if you're doubling down regularly. But I've never heard of T causing any kind of reactions in combination with alcohol. I would imagine OP's issue is independent of T.

If a cisgender guy can drink in moderation, I'd see no reason why you couldn't as long as you're being dosed at the correct level.

Yeah, my doctors have never mentioned anything about it either, and neither have any other doctors I have been to who have known I take T, and have asked about alcohol consumption. I think it would be a little absurd for trans men to have to stop drinking for the rest of their life if they want to take T

I have been a non drinker all my life so I can't speak from what I know but the body treats alcohol like a sugar. The question would be do you have a reaction like that when consuming extremely sweet drinks? It's possible you have eliminated so much sugar from your diet that you aren't aware of your response to that much sugar.

A glucose tolerance test may be in your future.

I will look into that when I check with a doctor, but I am not sure if its the sugar because my body is very used to sugar haha

[janetcgtv]

I don't know about t as I would have rather been born with E instead of T
Anyways I would drink only at office Christmas parties as it was free.
I had 8 Harvey wallbangers (Voka, Galleyonno, and orange juice)

one second I was sitting in a chair the next second I was sitting on the floor.
Said to myself no more for me (25+ years ago)
Just diet cokes instead.

[Tristyn]

If a cisgender guy can drink in moderation, I'd see no reason why you couldn't as long as you're being dosed at the correct level.

Yeah, this never crossed my mind when I read about the possibilities of side-effects from T and alcohol interacting with each other. I honestly don't see how T could amplify whatever damage alcohol could do or whatever, especially when you put it this way. Makes alot of sense. I think I actually heard or read it from a book about an FTM who states he drinks even though he is aware of the damage alcohol can do to his organs in conjunction with T. Something like that. So I just assumed maybe his endo told him that or something. Other than this instance, I haven't heard any qualms about drinking while on T.


~Nixy~

well 5 years ago I was 19 so I didn't really drink so I can't know if its related to T or not.
Yeah, my doctors have never mentioned anything about it either, and neither have any other doctors I have been to who have known I take T, and have asked about alcohol consumption. I think it would be a little absurd for trans men to have to stop drinking for the rest of their life if they want to take T

I have to agree..totally! >.< I'm no alcoholic or anything, but going the rest of my life without a single drop is like kinda cruel. Even though my pops is super controlling, I find ways to get a drink at least once a month, depending on my mood and timing. I mean, he doesn't actually want me drinking at all I think even outside of his home. I suppose he wouldn't have to worry too much about me doing that some where else cause he knows I have no social life so I would have no where to go to do that. But I just think even that is cruel; for him to insinuate his beliefs over my adulthood right to consume alcohol even responsibly!

Uh, ok. Sorry about that last bit. Got kinda ranty.

~Nixy~

[Arch]

When I drink, I inconsistently get mild aching in my large muscles, chiefly my thighs. Since I sometimes get actual muscle cramps when I'm dehydrated, I figured that the alcoholic aching might be caused by dehydration. I've never experimented to confirm.

Alcohol makes a lot of people flushed, and I have read that people who are hung over can get nasty muscle aches. Perhaps the body is just trying to process the booze and goes through a chemical reaction whose main side effect is muscle aches. But I get the aches shortly after I start drinking.

Your situation sounds a bit different, though.

[Tristyn]

When I drink, I inconsistently get mild aching in my large muscles, chiefly my thighs. Since I sometimes get actual muscle cramps when I'm dehydrated, I figured that the alcoholic aching might be caused by dehydration. I've never experimented to confirm.

Alcohol makes a lot of people flushed, and I have read that people who are hung over can get nasty muscle aches. Perhaps the body is just trying to process the booze and goes through a chemical reaction whose main side effect is muscle aches. But I get the aches shortly after I start drinking.

Your situation sounds a bit different, though.

This is a bit off topic, but when you mentioned having muscle cramps in your thighs, I immediately thought: "charlie horse." I like, still cannot find the cause to this type of cramp. Online, I read that the cause is not actually known scientifically either. Not sure these charlie horse nocturnal cramps, the ones you experience and the ones Elijah talks about are even related at all, but I do wonder...I have charlie horses almost every single night just as I am either falling asleep or waking up. Like the most terrible pain comes from those predominantly in both of my calf muscles. I noticed this pain increased intensity after beginning working out and engaging in deeper, more numerous reps of squats and other various leg strengthening and sculpting exercises. And when I reported this to a dialysis tech, she said that I am probably developing more muscle mass in my legs as a result of that and eating better. Which is awesome to hear, in a way, but that doesn't solve the horrible night time leg cramping dilemma I suffer almost every night.

My bro, like always for when a health concern arises within me, was the first to recommend me to take herbs that help with blood flow. I have no qualms with this, but money is the issue with that. >.> Online I found that using ice at night is helpful. And indeed it is. But its uncomfortable to sleep with shivering, coldness like that.>.< And to top it off, I feel very dependent on it to the point where I would feel too paranoid to sleep peacefully without it now unless I am "dog-tired." But it definitely beats the shear, lightning bolt-pain of charlie horses stampeding through both of my calves simultaneously every night.

I think it would be worthy to note that I am a dialysis patient, so having leg cramps in my case is only to be expected anyway. As I am on a fluid restriction and do not ingest the "normal" recommended amount of fluid as say someone who is not suffering from kidney/renal disease or failure.






Hey, Elijah. If you haven't done so already, I would consider herbs. I can tell you from experience, that herbs have helped me achieve much of the good health I am presently in right now. Yes, its plenty of room for improvement, but man, I sure have come a long way thanks to herbs!^^

~Nixy~

[Laura_7]

Concerning cramping in legs you might look if temperature plays a role.
Its possible if kept warm cramping is less.
Like wearing some sort of light socks or a pair of comfortable trousers...


hugs

[Tristyn]

Concerning cramping in legs you might look if temperature plays a role.
Its possible if kept warm cramping is less.
Like wearing some sort of light socks or a pair of comfortable trousers...


hugs

Well, the socks I wear at night, must not be warm enough. And the trousers I sometimes wear at night must not be comfortable enough. Cause without any ice, I am doomed to cramp, in spite of taking those precautions. In my case, I believe dialysis and kidney failure are the culprits, but even that tech told me I shouldn't be cramping much now that I am taking a multivitamin designed to relieve many symptoms such as this that's caused from renal difficulties. And I'm not sure if the multivitamin is kicking in now or the ice is numbing my legs up so much that they aren't able to cramp.

Thanks for that advice anyways.

~Nixy~

[Alexthecat]

Charlie horses happen when you do not have enough potassium. Eat a banana.

[Laura_7]

Charlie horses happen when you do not have enough potassium. Eat a banana.

Here are some more hints:
http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Cramped-Muscle

All at your own risk and please talk it through with your doc/assistant...

[Dena]

Dialysis is the problem and be very careful about the potassium intake because as you know it can be deadly in your case. Talk to the people handling your care and see if they can do anything to minimize the cramping. I have seen where a couple of aspirin can reduce the cramping but talk with your doctor before trying it. This was and issue my roommates son constantly had while on Dialysis,

[Kylo]

I'm not on T yet but I get the "heat" problem when I drink, as well as a mild migraine. It also tends to screw up my sinuses as I have sensitive ones. Alcohol does dilate the blood vessels which is what causes the feeling hot, flushing, etc. Tolerance decreases with age; we all know when we're teens we can shrug off hangovers much easier.

These days I find these sensations to be enough to put me off drinking at all most of the time. When I do drink, I often drink so slowly or dilute it so much it's barely noticeable. Can't offer much advice, but I've not heard there's a specific link with T.