Alcohol

November 17, 2001

Kathi,

I go backwards really good when I've been drinking!

Seriously, I usually only have one, and sip on it over

a period of an hour or two, so it doesn't affect me at

all. After sitting for an hour or two without drinking, I

am slow and spastic when I first start out. With a

drink, it's the same. I haven't tried to go beyond the

1-2 drinks in an evening. I wouldn't want to embarrass

myself. (And, Rita & Ronnie, no comments, please)

Good luck, and don't drink and drive!

Laurel

alcohol

> Hi friends,

>

> I'm wondering if you find that having a drink helps with walking, or makes

it

> harder. I find that even one drink makes it a little trickier, and 2 or

more

> make it very tricky.

>

> Since my balance is already off a little, alcohol has a big effect on me.

> However, I've heard from some people at the HSP site that alcohol actually

> helps them - it helps loosen stiff legs. Perhaps the effect has to do

with

> whether our main problem is spasticity, weakness, or balance.

>

> I bring it up because we often hear of reports about the benefits of light

or

> moderate alcohol use.

>

> Here's a new report on the benefits of alcohol from the American Heart

> Association. It says, " Light to moderate alcohol intake may slow

age-related

> stiffening of the arteries, according to research presented at the

American

> Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2001 conference. "

>

> Here's the link to that:

> http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8059/8011/339732.html

>

> best,

> kathi

>

November 17, 2001

plus I didn't even get the "good feeling" as in the old days.

Ya, the older I get, the more I wonder just what I enjoyed about drinking in my young days, LOL. Doesn't seem to be quite as worth it as it used to...

kathi

November 17, 2001

When I picture a drunk, I see a person stumbling and

slurring their words. We do that already :-) I do

drink red wine occasionally, but limit it to one glass

and always have something to eat with it.

Before I started using my cane I heard enough remarks

that 'I'd obviously had too much to drink' to leave a

lasting impression. Since I have to be careful

walking, drinking just seems to be an " accident

waiting to happen " . And as said, alcohol and

most meds don't mix.

=====

Thomson, Solana Beach, CA

www.geocities.com/mdmfoo/pls.html

__________________________________________________

November 17, 2001

Ah yes. It used to be that if I drank a beer they said I had a six-pack.

If I drank a six-pack they said I had a case. If I drank a case they said

I was drunk...

I hardly drink at all anymore, as others have said people already assume we

are drunk. It really isn't very good to go into a bar when you can hardly

walk or talk and ask for a beer. When people ask me about it now, I tend

to decline saying that I already have enough problems walking. Sometimes

when I'm sure I won't be driving, I'll have a beer or something with

dinner, but I'm not at all the party animal I used to be. I don't feel it

improves or harms my situation much, I just miss the taste. :^(

Galen Hekhuis NpD, JFR, GWA ghekhuis@...

Illiterate? Write for free help

November 17, 2001

My Grandson said " I dance when I walk " .

Rita

Luv & Hugs!

*************************************

Some people succeed in spite of their handicap. Others succeed because

of them.

November 18, 2001

Ken and others

I also find the effects of the alcohol linger into the next day, even when I

haven't had that much to drink.

I know it lingers a while in " normal " people, too, but I think with my neuro

disorder, it just amplifies it.

I was never a big drinker to begin with, even in college days, but I find it

best to just have a drink or 2 at home instead of out is best.

regards,

kathi

November 18, 2001

I still get the relaxed high feeling, but like and , all the bad things happen too including increased spasticity, diminished balance, strange looks - so I have reduced my consumption to 1.5 glasses of wine or one mixed drink and 1/2 glass of wine mostly limited to social outings. The next day or two after drinking any more than that, and my all round performance is so bad it is not worth the good time from the night before. Ken Auer

Re: alcohol

Kathi, et.al., I think about every med I take (not that many) says not to drink alcohol while taking this med; so I don't. But, when I did, it made me even slower and speech thicker which I thought impossible plus I didn't even get the "good feeling" as in the old days. Gentner Fremont, CA

November 21, 2001

Hi Beth,

With anti-spastiscity meds like Baclofen/Zanaflex, you can expect your balance to get worse( I mean really bad) and with out the meds, in my case both legs became stiff like 2x4 pieces of wood.

Now at least you will have one persons experiences. Ken Auer

Re: alcohol

Hi Everyone!I've often wondered what effect alcohol would have on my walking. Since I alreadyweave and stagger I've always thought that the alcohol just would make me walk more drunk. But - I've also wondered if the alcohol would loosen me up some & Iwouldn't be so stiff. But - almost all of my meds say to not mix with alcohol so....I guess I'll never know. Beth

November 28, 2001

Beth,

Here goes. I have tried Baklofen and Zanaflex. For me Zanaflex works better. Baklofen at 10m mg/ day really made me woozy and off balance. Perhaps I did not stay with it long enough, but I had used Zanaflex first with better results and fewer side effects, so I went back to it. That does not mean I would not try a Baklofen pump because in that situation the meds by pass the brain and go directly to the spinal column.I have been experimenting with Zanaflex dosages for over a year and think the best is to take it five times per day: 6mg in a.m. when I get up then 5mg four hours later, 4mg four hours later, 4mg four hours later and 8 mg at bedtime. That's 27 mg per day - - 3mg over clinical trials max. My neuro told me not to go any higher for now. Zanaflex has a short life, so you need to take it at closer intervals to keep the level up. I was taking 8mg three times per day, but I think this is better. Mark Weber does the same.I do not combine Zanaflex with Baklofen, but some folks do. That's all the Rx stuff I take for the spasticity. I have been on an mao inhibitor anti-depressant for 12 yrs., but not for PLS and I take an occasional PLS related part Valium tablet for insomnia and Vioxx 25 for arthritis or PLS pain and that's it.

The rest of the stuff is supplements: 400mg -E, 200mg- Selenium, and 25 - 50 mg of some compounded stuff called Amino pyridine -4 for energy. This an old MS supplement that does the same thing as NADH or CQ-10,with fewer side effects. When I take it I do not stumble as much or catch my toes on uneven surfaces.

I want to take Creatine for muscle strength,but have to do more research on it because I read where it allegedly increases testosterone /androgen production . Alright for most, but potentially fatal for me. You might look into it.

I am back into my diet, stretching and exercise program again after over a year lay-off and personally, after three weeks of partial program, I think the benefits are equal to the relief you get from the meds treatment.

Hope this helps, Ken

Re: alcohol

Hi Ken, Thanks for your reply! I'm sure that without the meds my legs would be like 2 pieces of wood. I know that people think with all the meds I take then I should be able to walk normally. But this is as normal as I'm going to get!!!Do you take Baclofen and Zanaflex? What doses? What other meds? Beth

November 29, 2001

Hi Ken,

Thanks so much for your reply. And your help!!! I've taken Zanaflex for a

long time. I think right after it came on the market. What year that was I

don't know. I take 24 mg. total. I've heard that 30 is the max but my

neuro. doesn't think increasing it will help any. I had taken 8 mg. 3x a day

for years. Torture at work to stay awake after those doses in the morning

and the afternoon. It wasn't until this year that

new neuro. suggested spreading the doses out. DUH. Wish someone would have

told me that years ago. Would have saved a lot of wear and tear on my

husband's nerves!!!

I also take a lot of supplements. The usual ones - Calcium, B12,

Acidophilus, beta-carotene, multi-vitamin, CO-Q10, Fiber Supplement,Lecithin.

I also exercise on a Health Rider 5x a week. Has helped the strength in my

legs a lot.

Thanks again for your reply! Keep in touch. Beth

December 3, 2001

Beth:

You won't believe this, but until now I've only been able to tolerate 5mg Baclofen with 1mg Zanaflex (2X a day) and a night dosage of 10 mg Baclofen with 2 mg of Zanaflex. If I go any higher on dosage during the day, I can't stay awake. However, I now find that I can take the 5 & 1 (3X a day) and 10 & 2 at night with success. It really doesn't totally take care of my spasticity but it helps.

I don't think I could keep up with 5 doses a day but may have to try that. Do you have anything else to suggest? Does anyone else?

in Texas

December 6, 2001

The short answer is that Zanaflex and Baclofen combat spasticity in different ways and therefore there can be some measure of sense in taking them both. More technical stuff is beyond me. You have to ask your neurologist or pharmacist.

-----Original Message-----From: Ken & Auer Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2001 7:38 PMTo: PLS-FRIENDS Subject: Re: alcohol

Beth and ,and anyone else who cares to comment,

Please educate me. I have now read on the website about several PLSers who take Zanaflex and Baklofen in combination. I am confused, since both are designed to do the same thing, what do you gain by not sticking with just one or the other and toughing out the sleep issue until your body can handle the dosage level or just building up the dosage more slowly? Ken Auer

Re: alcohol

Beth: You won't believe this, but until now I've only been able to tolerate 5mg Baclofen with 1mg Zanaflex (2X a day) and a night dosage of 10 mg Baclofen with 2 mg of Zanaflex. If I go any higher on dosage during the day, I can't stay awake. However, I now find that I can take the 5 & 1 (3X a day) and 10 & 2 at night with success. It really doesn't totally take care of my spasticity but it helps. I don't think I could keep up with 5 doses a day but may have to try that. Do you have anything else to suggest? Does anyone else? in Texas

December 7, 2001

Jeff,

Thanks for the feed-back on Zanaflex and Baklofen combined, I'll ask my neurologist. Anything that will help spasticity I am in favor of. Ken Auer

Re: alcohol

Beth: You won't believe this, but until now I've only been able to tolerate 5mg Baclofen with 1mg Zanaflex (2X a day) and a night dosage of 10 mg Baclofen with 2 mg of Zanaflex. If I go any higher on dosage during the day, I can't stay awake. However, I now find that I can take the 5 & 1 (3X a day) and 10 & 2 at night with success. It really doesn't totally take care of my spasticity but it helps. I don't think I could keep up with 5 doses a day but may have to try that. Do you have anything else to suggest? Does anyone else? in Texas

December 9, 2001

Hi back Beth,

I have only tried Baclofen alone. When I tried to increase the dosage at all from 5 mg 3X a day I got very sleepy. Then, my Dr. had me try Baclofen with Zanoflex. So far the dosages I mentioned earlier are working pretty well. Not perfect, but better.

This is a little off the subject, but when I exercise in the pool 3X a week my spasticity, attitude, and overall well-being are much, much better. The times that I get too busy to go to the pool regularly, I'm a mess.

What is your best secret for feeling good?

in Texas

December 9, 2001

Ken,

I had wanted to respond earlier, but my son got a new computer game and

I have not been able to get on and read my messages. I have been taking

20 mg of baclofen 3X/day and 4 mg of Zanaflex 4X/day since Zanaflex first

came on the market. I did have to battle the tired feeling for a long time

and occasionally still do. That mostly occurs when I overdo it anyway.

I have tolerated both very well and have been able to walk around the house

and office without any aids. I can push a cart in the store without my

walker, but I need my walker to get to and from parking lot to work building

or stores. Usually, I just carry it, but it's there if I need it. I have

now found out if I miss a dose of either, it is noticeable within two hours

and takes me at least 8 hours to recover. My experience with both has been

very good. My progression is very slow and I consider myself one of the

luckier ones in this group.

Mike Gray Logansport IN

Ken & Auer wrote:

Jeff, Thanks

for the feed-back on Zanaflex and Baklofen combined, I'll ask my neurologist.

Anything that will help spasticity I am in favor of. Ken Auer

Re: alcohol

Beth:

You won't believe this, but

until now I've only been able to tolerate 5mg Baclofen with 1mg Zanaflex

(2X a day) and a night dosage of 10 mg Baclofen with 2 mg of Zanaflex.

If I go any higher on dosage during the day, I can't stay awake. However,

I now find that I can take the 5 & 1 (3X a day) and 10 & 2 at night

with success. It really doesn't totally take care of my spasticity but

it helps.

I don't think I could keep

up with 5 doses a day but may have to try that. Do you have anything else

to suggest? Does anyone else?

in Texas

December 12, 2001

I agree with you Mike. We are so lucky! Take care. Beth

December 12, 2001

Hi ,

I had a major problem taking Baclofen and Zanaflex at the same time. But

from what Mike says happened to him I'm thinking that I didn't give them

enough of a chance. I really scared my husband tho so I don't know if he'll

let me try them both again.

I ride a Health Rider for 5 days a week for 30 min. I was using a treadmill

but I was falling too much on it so I had to quit it. Too much foot drop for

that!! What do you do to feel really good? Take care. Beth

December 12, 2001

Dear Beth,

I have a printed sheet of information about calcium for you. Will you send

me your postal address? For confidentiality, you may send it to me at

d.carron@... I will not share it with anyone. You have my

word.

Dolores Carron

Re: alcohol

> Hi ,

> I had a major problem taking Baclofen and Zanaflex at the same time. But

> from what Mike says happened to him I'm thinking that I didn't give them

> enough of a chance. I really scared my husband tho so I don't know if

he'll

> let me try them both again.

> I ride a Health Rider for 5 days a week for 30 min. I was using a

treadmill

> but I was falling too much on it so I had to quit it. Too much foot drop

for

> that!! What do you do to feel really good? Take care. Beth

>

December 14, 2001

Thanks so much Dolores!!! It was so nice of you to do this for me!! Take

care. Beth

January 30, 2003

What does alcohol do to a diabetic? A friend of mine wants to take me

out for a few drinks. Shnops and i's mostly

What will that do to me?

Reply from >

Alcohol makes my BG bottom out. If it don't do it the same night it will

do it with-in 3 days of drinking. It will take all the stored glucose in your

liver and dump it. This means when you need it to kick out sugar (like when you

dont eat on time) it wont. This has proven very true for me.(many times) I am

not a heavy drinker by any means! I can even eat right before bed and it still

happens. I use to be able to really put it away and not have any problems. The

last few times I have woke up sicker than a dog and vomiting... Its not worth it

anymore! I would say a glass of wine or one drink even.....This would be enough

if you dont want to cause more problems than it is worth.

January 30, 2003

What does alcohol do to a diabetic? A friend of mine wants to take me

out for a few drinks. Shnops and i's mostly

What will that do to me?

January 30, 2003

Hard alcohol actually lowers your bg's. When mixing drinks, choose diet mixer

(not clamato or regular pop). Try not to drink on an empty stomach - it might

lead to the hypos (which for many people has the same symptoms as drunkenness -

slurred speach, confusion, loss of coordination - which is dangerous for obvious

reasons). A drink or two will probably be fine (we all differ - so take it easy

& nurse one & see how it goes for you). About twice a week I have a glass of JD

& diet coke in the evening & it doesn't affect my bg's either way.

Enjoy your night out! )

Deanna

What does alcohol do to a diabetic? A friend of mine wants to take me

out for a few drinks. Shnops and i's mostly

What will that do to me?

January 30, 2003

I have had high's lately....maybe the lows will do me some good. j/k

She wants me to try 10 shots of Shnops, Tequilia and i drinks.

(ten total) I have been drunk once but that was before diabetes. I

was 14 with that. *blushes* I don't know how I would be now. I tried

peach shnops recently. Tasted sweet. We'll see what happens

> Hard alcohol actually lowers your bg's. When mixing drinks, choose

diet mixer (not clamato or regular pop). Try not to drink on an

empty stomach - it might lead to the hypos (which for many people has

the same symptoms as drunkenness - slurred speach, confusion, loss of

coordination - which is dangerous for obvious reasons). A drink or

two will probably be fine (we all differ - so take it easy & nurse

one & see how it goes for you). About twice a week I have a glass of

JD & diet coke in the evening & it doesn't affect my bg's either way.

>

> Enjoy your night out! )

>

> Deanna

>

> What does alcohol do to a diabetic? A friend of mine wants to

take me

> out for a few drinks. Shnops and i's mostly

> What will that do to me?

>

January 30, 2003

Well, I'm not a drinker, so maybe my opinion doesn't count. But I USED to be a

drinker, so I know a little about its dangers. Alcohol can have all sorts of

effects on the medications that we take. Most of them say not to drink alcohol

while taking the medication. If you have as many as 10 shots of anything - but

particularly, I would say, with Tequila in there, your level of consciousness is

likely to be altered, if nothing else, and so you might do/eat/drink something

you should not or more than you should.

Bottom line is - WHY risk it????

Carol in NC

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Re: Alcohol