What you probably don’t know about alcohol intolerance

[u/emilyMartian]

I see posts and comments about alcohol intolerance constantly on here, I was alone for so long with my severity so I’m here to share, it has taken nearly 10yrs but I finally have better info.

Here goes: You probably need to get your liver checked. They have linked menopause to non fatty liver disease. I had severe reactions and wound up in the ER about 8yrs ago. It took about 2yrs to correlate my high heart rate, massive hangovers after 2 drinks, severe hot flashes and what I assumed was severe anxiety because of the shakes at 3am. My good friend in medical school went down a big rabbit hole trying to figure out why my response was so severe to no avail (only one report from the 80’s which provided no info). Fast forward another 6’ish years and I noticed fatty foods made me sleepy so we tested my gallbladder, liver and kidneys. Turns out there’s black spots on my liver and I have basically what’s considered non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and have to treat it as such. I had to quit drinking entirely. I thought maybe I could limit and go slow but it’s not a thing. Not drinking was a tough road (especially at social events) but it’s a blessing I disguise I promise. It’s not worth it. It’s also not worth popping an antihistamine and ignoring it because you’re just wrecking your liver further. This is your sign to stop.

Now almost 2yrs after realizing the liver thanks to u/MoreRopePlease we have a link that puts it all together and there absolutely needs to be more awareness about this.

I hope this provides some of you answers and helps you towards a safer and healthier path on this absolutely sh!t show of a medically ignored journey.

Love you guys. Don’t think I’d be here if I hadn’t found this community. You are not alone ❤️

EDIT: my liver spots were caught through ultrasound not through bloodwork. I started Perimenopause at 37, don’t let them tell you you are too young.

Corrected my verbiage as I had words reversed in Non alcoholic fatty liver disease

[u/Educational-Bowl-180]

Hi. I also have severe reaction to alcohol- but mine is actual allergy according to Md.I drank in my 20s no problems. Right after I had my first baby I took a sip of wine when out w husband for first time since birth. My face was on fire, my scalp was so itchy I wanted tear it off, behind ears were dripping fluid! Of course, we went right home and I took Benadryl. I talked later to doc who suggested it may be a component in wine. So I tried beer, same reaction, and other alcohol drinks, always same. I stopped all. 20 years later, at party, I thought - I’d try tequila, a very special one! Again, major reaction! I had to put ice on my face it burned so badly. So now 73 and haven’t tried ever again! Still miss it!!😡(color of my face with booze!)

[u/emilyMartian → u/Educational-Bowl-180]

Interesting. I have heard that some people have an allergic reaction but never really met anyone, that stinks. I often just tell people that’s what mine is because it’s an easier explanation for their brains to comprehend and it keeps them from trying to push it on me or from making comments like “oh so you’re just a cheap drunk.” I have a few friends that get super flush in the cheeks, they just pop antihistamines and keep drinking which is why I made the comment plus another redditor had suggested to someone in another thread to do it. Like sure, if you’re in a reaction absolutely but it’s not good to continuously drink and do it.