Alcohol and Kidney disease

[ScrapheapHuman]

This might be a daft question, but can you drink when you have kidney disease? I don't mean the odd glass of wine or beer here and there, but I mean going out for the night?

I am not a massive drinker, even when I do go out for the night out, I usually alternate an alcoholic drink with a water or other soft drink. I just get to panicked about drinking and worry it will make my kidney worse, am I worrying too much? Sometimes I go out, and start to enjoy myself then I get a little niggle that stops me and I usually end the night pretty much sober, not that I want to get blind drunk of cours, but it would be nice to 'relax' sometimes.

[Tibbs]

Alcohol has never been forbidden to me.

I'm very open with my doctors about my habits and as a rugby player I was a very big drinker in my playing days. The only risk they identified was getting drunk and forgetting to take your tablets.

I had to limit my drinking before transplant as I was on a low potassium diet and many drinks are high in Potassium. I could drink white spirits and lager ok, but I used to limit myself to 2 drinks a week as I was tired all the time and booze didn't help.

Post-transplant, I've definitely noticed a worse hangover after drinking, as I seem to be much more sensitive to dehydration, for obvious reasons. My doctor specifically told me that beer counted towards my fluid intake for the day! Some alcohol gives me bad headaches. Things with lots of tanins and whisky can get to me.

I had a 3 day bender over the last bank holiday and whilst I felt like the floor of a taxi cab for a couple of days after, no damage was done. Aside from my self respect of course!

[rheaybou]

As you move towards renal failure then you need to be careful with fluid restrictions, fluid is fluid.

Post transplant I was asked not to drink any alcohol as the anesthetic and rejection medication drop your liver function for a period and it takes a while to recover. However since transplant I have enjoyed many nights out and a few very good nights out. As the liver does all the hard work with alcohol you are only at risk of dehydration (alcohol being a diuretic, so I always have a glass or two of water before bed and a few drinks though the night.

The two main concerns post TX are forgetting to take meds as Tibbs pointed out (I always have friends remind me) and also being sick just after taking meds at night or in the morning.

None of my Dr's have a problem with my occasional night out and my liver function is just fine, I want to live a long life.....but not such a boring one

[jstuartrobson]

Same story really as above. Never been told to not drink. Something I get asked a lot is am I allowed to drink. I try to stick to weekends only. My job however means I'm living out of a suitcase all the time, so it's difficult not to have a drink with dinner!

I only have a drinking bender on the odd occasion generally special ones!

[ScrapheapHuman]

Thank you, it's good to know... sort of LOL! My Mother-in-law likes a good party and whenever we go out she is always trying to get me to have another drink, and my excuse is always 'I have to be careful because of my kidneys' it's a great excuse beacuse then she leaves me a lone LOL! I don't actually like the feeling of being drunk anyway, but obviously there are occasions where you do have one too many, I have only been 'drunk' once so far this year but it's good to know that it is not damaging my kidneys anymore.

[bigbuzzard]

I might be repeating what someone else has said, but a good rule of thumb (assuming you're not on a fluid restriction) is to match any alcohol with water, to avoid getting dehydrated. And another big glass before going to bed.

[Dotty]

I am so glad this question has been posted.
I have never actually my asked Dr about alcohol I just assumed it would be a No no and have not had a drink in over a year and boy do I miss it.

Shall as we are having a BBQ this weekend I think I shall treat myself to a Gin and tonic, with loads of ice and a slice of lime...oh yummy!!

Dotty

[chrisb]

I was never told to reduce or stop drinking but during the final 18 months before dialysis I just did not fancy it not even a glass of red with a meal or my all time favourite whiskey and coke. I couple of weeks into dialysis I went to a friend's for sunday lunch and she offered me a glass of red. I automatically declined but immediately started to think I quite fancy that. I accepted about 1/3rd of a glass which ended up being a whole large one. no illeffects whatsoever so my mind turned to the old favourite w&c which I am happy to report I drink happily again

[Tibbs]

Coke is very high is phosphates. If your levels are fine, then it's not an issue, but bear it in mind.

You should just drink the whisky imo

[MandyV]

I now work for a very well known wine and spirit merchant and have just been stocking up for the guests staying this weekend. I was selecting a gin and asking our in house expert about it when he mentioned the 3 fruits our house one contains - I asked which ones and discovered that it has grapefruit peel in it. Given that I don't know where the flavin or whatever reacts badly with tacro is stored I certainly will not be drinking gin as I don't know what gins contain grapefruit extract etc (they are not required to disclose and many have 'secret' ingredients) and so will stick to rum

[Tibbs]

The current fashion is to use grapfruit rather than lemon or lime in gin as well - I have to keep it old school with lime, much to the chagrin of some barmen in places I frequent...

[codyedwardwilliams]

Alcohol can cause changes in the function of the kidneys and make them less able to filter your blood. Limiting alcohol can help you to fast track kidney health!

[Tibbs]

Alcohol can cause changes in the function of the kidneys and make them less able to filter your blood. Limiting alcohol can help you to fast track kidney health!

Could you post a link to this please?

I've had lots of conversations about alcohol and renal health with my consultants and, aside from staying within the Government recommendations of 3-4 units per day I've never been told to restrict my consumption.

My alcohol intake was limited when I was at ESRF, but that was because of the potassium in the drinks, rather than the alcohol.

[Chris Wright]

Coke is very high is phosphates. If your levels are fine, then it's not an issue, but bear it in mind.

Is it???????

I must stop sniffing it off hookers stomachs......

Sorry, must have written that whilst dreaming, back in the room now.

I drink "generously", did before getting renal failure, and have in the 33 years since.

Bit of care, bit of water, and remember your meds. Enjoy

C

[bratt]

Alcohol by itself probably does not cause significant dehydration. Alcohol initially suppresses the antidiuretic hormone, which results in excreting more urine, but as soon you start to lean toward the mild dehydration, this effects stops. In one experiment they even compared if beer is good to relieve dehydration. Plain water was better but beer was still effective in relieving dehydration.