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Over the last few months I've noticed that I get a worsening headache from drinking alcohol, even from just small amounts. I notice my shoulders and neck tense up and it seems to spread to my head.
I'd like to give up and be teetotal but I think social pressure is leading to me keep on drinking. I play for a pub pool team and the drinking culture is easy to get sucked into. Because of the headaches I find myself drinking excessively just to forget about them.
Has anyone else experienced these kinds of headaches? I think they may be migraine related, as alcohol apparently dilates blood vessels. By the way it isn't due to dehydration. I suffer from chronic headaches anyway, but alcohol makes them worse.
I think going teetotal is the only option now I have identified that alcohol, even small amounts, make my headaches worse, but it's quite hard to do this when alcohol seems to accompany so many social activities.
I'd like to give up and be teetotal but I think social pressure is leading to me keep on drinking. I play for a pub pool team and the drinking culture is easy to get sucked into. Because of the headaches I find myself drinking excessively just to forget about them.
Has anyone else experienced these kinds of headaches? I think they may be migraine related, as alcohol apparently dilates blood vessels. By the way it isn't due to dehydration. I suffer from chronic headaches anyway, but alcohol makes them worse.
I think going teetotal is the only option now I have identified that alcohol, even small amounts, make my headaches worse, but it's quite hard to do this when alcohol seems to accompany so many social activities.
In reply to outtathaway:
Wine does that to me, as little as half a standard glass is excruciating. Fortunately beer and rum don't affect me so as long as I stay off wine, port, sherry and brandy I am ok. My problem is migraine related though, have you spoken to a doc about your headaches?
Wine does that to me, as little as half a standard glass is excruciating. Fortunately beer and rum don't affect me so as long as I stay off wine, port, sherry and brandy I am ok. My problem is migraine related though, have you spoken to a doc about your headaches?
In reply to outtathaway:
Is it the same for all brands/varieties of drink?
I'm not a big drinker but I do have the occasional beer. I have found just one beer of some brands give me an instant headache while others are fine, e.g. Miller = bad, Beck's = fine. Also, I reckon my iffy sinuses have something to do with it so perhaps an allergy to something in the beers.
Is it the same for all brands/varieties of drink?
I'm not a big drinker but I do have the occasional beer. I have found just one beer of some brands give me an instant headache while others are fine, e.g. Miller = bad, Beck's = fine. Also, I reckon my iffy sinuses have something to do with it so perhaps an allergy to something in the beers.
Post edited at 06:23
In reply to outtathaway:
Have you had your blood pressure checked lately ?? I did, and mine was slightly higher than it should be. Could be that.
Two bottles of Bud 66 can give me a steaming headache. White wine does the same, which is a shame because I've got a small cellar at home with a "few" bottles in it. I tend to stick to bottled Ale now, still get the headache, but not quite so bad.
Have you had your blood pressure checked lately ?? I did, and mine was slightly higher than it should be. Could be that.
Two bottles of Bud 66 can give me a steaming headache. White wine does the same, which is a shame because I've got a small cellar at home with a "few" bottles in it. I tend to stick to bottled Ale now, still get the headache, but not quite so bad.
In reply to outtathaway:
Take a look at this
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-32798569 Quite enlightening.
Take a look at this
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-32798569 Quite enlightening.
In reply to JLS:
Maybe stick to German beers (like Becks). I think they have a law against weird additives in beers.
Maybe stick to German beers (like Becks). I think they have a law against weird additives in beers.
In reply to outtathaway:
Hello, I am a red wine drinker and if I drink Italian red or French red I'll be ok but if I drink South African or New Zealand I experience the same feeling as you! I spoken about it to a mate of mine who is a trainee doctor and he said it was due to the tannins in the wine! I am also asthmatic and some wine can make me tightly chested! Hope this helps.
Hello, I am a red wine drinker and if I drink Italian red or French red I'll be ok but if I drink South African or New Zealand I experience the same feeling as you! I spoken about it to a mate of mine who is a trainee doctor and he said it was due to the tannins in the wine! I am also asthmatic and some wine can make me tightly chested! Hope this helps.
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Just go teetotal - it is easy so long as everyone else keeps drinking
In reply to outtathaway:
Funny, i get exactly the same, i thought it must just be me !
I have all but give up with beer and wine now, whiskey is fine, happy to stick to that.
Funny, i get exactly the same, i thought it must just be me !
I have all but give up with beer and wine now, whiskey is fine, happy to stick to that.
In reply to outtathaway:
Took a while to work it out, but it turns out I'm allergic to Budweiser. We had a case of it in over Christmas one year and I was getting migraines. It wasn't until I stuck exclusivelying to bud one day that I made the correlation.
Are you trying different drinks to see if any affect you differently? I'm also a little bit allergic to cider, but all it does is give me an upset stomach.
Took a while to work it out, but it turns out I'm allergic to Budweiser. We had a case of it in over Christmas one year and I was getting migraines. It wasn't until I stuck exclusivelying to bud one day that I made the correlation.
Are you trying different drinks to see if any affect you differently? I'm also a little bit allergic to cider, but all it does is give me an upset stomach.
In reply to JLS:
Hi, thanks for the reply, it's the same no matter what the drink. I think it's to do with alcohol dilating blood vessels, so like a migraine reaction. So no matter what the drink I get the same thing.
Hi, thanks for the reply, it's the same no matter what the drink. I think it's to do with alcohol dilating blood vessels, so like a migraine reaction. So no matter what the drink I get the same thing.
In reply to outtathaway:
Thanks everyone, maybe I'll try whiskey or vodka but I have a feeling it will be the same result. I don't think it's an allergy or an additive problem, but more to do with alcohol being a vasodilator.
Thanks everyone, maybe I'll try whiskey or vodka but I have a feeling it will be the same result. I don't think it's an allergy or an additive problem, but more to do with alcohol being a vasodilator.
In reply to outtathaway:
I get a lot of headaches, and can guarantee one from drinking anything other than vodka.
I get a lot of headaches, and can guarantee one from drinking anything other than vodka.
In reply to outtathaway:
Anyone suggested Alcohol free beer?
I'm TT myself, (and I don't care for the taste of beer, alcohol free or not) , so I just socialise with a coke , Ginger beer , orange juice and the like, the "Have a drink " brigade should soon give up trying to convert you back to the dark side.
Anyone suggested Alcohol free beer?
I'm TT myself, (and I don't care for the taste of beer, alcohol free or not) , so I just socialise with a coke , Ginger beer , orange juice and the like, the "Have a drink " brigade should soon give up trying to convert you back to the dark side.
Post edited at 12:16
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In reply to outtathaway:
How stressed is that making you, particularly in anticipation of the events? If there's a pattern of stress emerging, that could be contributing. Making and sticking to a decision either way could help there?
I've noticed that if I go on a night out and stick to the soft drinks, I often end up feeling grotchety and with a headache. Lots of loud noise, to many people, hot/stale air and the like. Also, matching beer drinkers with soft drinks puts a lot of crap into your body if you don't choose the drinks wisely, and that doesn't help.
> ... I think social pressure ...
How stressed is that making you, particularly in anticipation of the events? If there's a pattern of stress emerging, that could be contributing. Making and sticking to a decision either way could help there?
I've noticed that if I go on a night out and stick to the soft drinks, I often end up feeling grotchety and with a headache. Lots of loud noise, to many people, hot/stale air and the like. Also, matching beer drinkers with soft drinks puts a lot of crap into your body if you don't choose the drinks wisely, and that doesn't help.
Post edited at 12:54
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In reply to outtathaway:
age/gene-related reduced production of alcohol dehydrogenases (and maybe aldehyde dehydrogenase(s) too I can't remember). Can't metabolise the alcohol properly.
If alcohol gives you pain in lymph nodes of collarbone area you need to see a Dr as can be a sign of blood disorder
age/gene-related reduced production of alcohol dehydrogenases (and maybe aldehyde dehydrogenase(s) too I can't remember). Can't metabolise the alcohol properly.
If alcohol gives you pain in lymph nodes of collarbone area you need to see a Dr as can be a sign of blood disorder
In reply to outtathaway:
Simple solution to your problem. Stop drinking small amounts of alcohol and get bladdered EVERY time.
You will still probably get the headaches but the other hangover symptoms will help take your mind off a headache!
Simple solution to your problem. Stop drinking small amounts of alcohol and get bladdered EVERY time.
You will still probably get the headaches but the other hangover symptoms will help take your mind off a headache!
2
In reply to outtathaway:
I find it easy enough being teetotal after working out alcohol can make me glum, and it complicates being type 1 diabetic, too.
To do with social pressure...the people who mind don't matter, and the people who matter don't mind.
I find it easy enough being teetotal after working out alcohol can make me glum, and it complicates being type 1 diabetic, too.
To do with social pressure...the people who mind don't matter, and the people who matter don't mind.
Post edited at 20:55
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In reply to outtathaway:
The social thing is mostly just habit. I was playing in a pub pool team when I decided to go tee total a few years back... didn't take long before it seemed normal to order a soda water and blackcurrant instead of beer, or for everyone else to get used to the idea and stop the "take a drink" patter. As well as feeling better for it I saved a lot of money, and had just as much fun at the matches. I did find the lack of a "loosener" increased the tension in my arm on pressure shots, but I was always a bit of a black ball bottler anyway.
When you're in company who don't know you so well, you sometimes get a bit of peer pressure, especially if someone's celebrating something, but "Thanks, but I've given up for health reasons" usually puts an end to it.
The social thing is mostly just habit. I was playing in a pub pool team when I decided to go tee total a few years back... didn't take long before it seemed normal to order a soda water and blackcurrant instead of beer, or for everyone else to get used to the idea and stop the "take a drink" patter. As well as feeling better for it I saved a lot of money, and had just as much fun at the matches. I did find the lack of a "loosener" increased the tension in my arm on pressure shots, but I was always a bit of a black ball bottler anyway.
When you're in company who don't know you so well, you sometimes get a bit of peer pressure, especially if someone's celebrating something, but "Thanks, but I've given up for health reasons" usually puts an end to it.
In reply to outtathaway:
For the folks who have a reaction to one thing but not the other (especially with wine), another possible cause could be sulphites (used as a preservative).
According to something I just read dried apricots contain a relatively large amount of sulphur dioxide, so if you get a similar reaction from eating them that could indicate that it's the sulphites upsetting you and not necessarily the alcohol.
For the folks who have a reaction to one thing but not the other (especially with wine), another possible cause could be sulphites (used as a preservative).
According to something I just read dried apricots contain a relatively large amount of sulphur dioxide, so if you get a similar reaction from eating them that could indicate that it's the sulphites upsetting you and not necessarily the alcohol.
In reply to Dark-Cloud:
exactly the same, i'm on wisky as well, just about everything else gives me a heedache, even in small quantities. I thought i had just used up my tolerance, as i have imbibed a fair amount over the years. Pity, because i like a drink.
exactly the same, i'm on wisky as well, just about everything else gives me a heedache, even in small quantities. I thought i had just used up my tolerance, as i have imbibed a fair amount over the years. Pity, because i like a drink.
In reply to Seocan:
I like a beer too but its just not worth it, I can be a total mess of sweaty headache off three pints, generally after an hour or two of having them and if not then the next morning, makes me congested and snotty too, its obviously an intolerance/allergy thing..........
I like a beer too but its just not worth it, I can be a total mess of sweaty headache off three pints, generally after an hour or two of having them and if not then the next morning, makes me congested and snotty too, its obviously an intolerance/allergy thing..........
In reply to outtathaway:
Do you have hay fever?
Alcohol can bring on hay fever.
Looking at your profile, if your 29 years old, it could be hay fever developing. It is quite common for non sufferers to develop hay fever when they hit 30.
Do you have hay fever?
Alcohol can bring on hay fever.
Looking at your profile, if your 29 years old, it could be hay fever developing. It is quite common for non sufferers to develop hay fever when they hit 30.
In reply to outtathaway: About 50% of people of Northeast Asian descent have a dominant mutation in their acetaldehyde dehydrogenase gene, making this enzyme less effective. A similar mutation is found in about 5–10% of blond-haired blue-eyed people of Northern European descent. In these people, acetaldehyde accumulates after drinking alcohol, leading to symptoms of acetaldehyde poisoning(...) Source: Wikipedia (Acetaldehyde dehydrogenases)
In reply to outtathaway:
I had something similar. Always a drinker, within reasonable levels, suddenly I started to get headaches after even small amounts. Tried changing drinks. Tried giving myself a week off. Same thing.
For me, it was a combination of things:
1. General poor level of fitness/condition. I found that by starting to exercise, my alcohol tolerance improved and the headaches went away
2. I gave myself 10 months off the booze. I think perhaps my body was telling me to give my liver a break
3. I changed jobs. Felt less stressed. Enjoyed life more and got fewer headaches.
4. I stopped drinking so much yeasty real ale. No idea why, mind you.
Good luck. Listen to your body.
I had something similar. Always a drinker, within reasonable levels, suddenly I started to get headaches after even small amounts. Tried changing drinks. Tried giving myself a week off. Same thing.
For me, it was a combination of things:
1. General poor level of fitness/condition. I found that by starting to exercise, my alcohol tolerance improved and the headaches went away
2. I gave myself 10 months off the booze. I think perhaps my body was telling me to give my liver a break
3. I changed jobs. Felt less stressed. Enjoyed life more and got fewer headaches.
4. I stopped drinking so much yeasty real ale. No idea why, mind you.
Good luck. Listen to your body.
In reply to outtathaway:
lots in the above that is along the lines I would have said explaining that different drinks effect people in different ways. Vodka is usually a good one to try first if you're narrowing it down.
Time off and fitness could help.
If you're going to stop, some advice, learned from time off the booze and recent cutting down a lot -
1/ alcohol free beer ain't bad. (ok a few are) and are getting more commonly offered too. Ok it'snot as good as the real thing but if like me you don't want to be drinking gallons of coke it's well worth trying. (and it's normally quite a bit cheaper than the alcoholic ones)
2/ drive everywhere! It will prevent some of the peer pressure and set you a hard limit of "I CAN;T be weak because I'm driving.
3/ don't be apologetic or embarrassed about not drinking! lots of people are and that's a bit reason people push you to drink, because they can see you want to and they want you to have a good time. Stand by your decision and if necessary explain exactly why you're not drinking and they'll step down. If htey're still being tw*ts about it then decide if you can stand it or whether you should be avoiding them.
lots in the above that is along the lines I would have said explaining that different drinks effect people in different ways. Vodka is usually a good one to try first if you're narrowing it down.
Time off and fitness could help.
If you're going to stop, some advice, learned from time off the booze and recent cutting down a lot -
1/ alcohol free beer ain't bad. (ok a few are) and are getting more commonly offered too. Ok it'snot as good as the real thing but if like me you don't want to be drinking gallons of coke it's well worth trying. (and it's normally quite a bit cheaper than the alcoholic ones)
2/ drive everywhere! It will prevent some of the peer pressure and set you a hard limit of "I CAN;T be weak because I'm driving.
3/ don't be apologetic or embarrassed about not drinking! lots of people are and that's a bit reason people push you to drink, because they can see you want to and they want you to have a good time. Stand by your decision and if necessary explain exactly why you're not drinking and they'll step down. If htey're still being tw*ts about it then decide if you can stand it or whether you should be avoiding them.
In reply to outtathaway:
This week's Horizon has a title involving binge drinking, but features all sorts and has some chap who gets headaches after drinking the smallest amounts of alcohol. The headaches are a sign of damage being done to your brain.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05wdfhk
This week's Horizon has a title involving binge drinking, but features all sorts and has some chap who gets headaches after drinking the smallest amounts of alcohol. The headaches are a sign of damage being done to your brain.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05wdfhk
1
In reply to Dark-Cloud:
same here, and plays havoc with my sleep. If you find out whats up with you please pass on the info.
same here, and plays havoc with my sleep. If you find out whats up with you please pass on the info.
In reply to outtathaway:
Some people are shandy drinking lightweights, others have the constitution of an ox, and are born to the stuff!
That's where our parallel universe may end.
Good luck
Some people are shandy drinking lightweights, others have the constitution of an ox, and are born to the stuff!
That's where our parallel universe may end.
Good luck
In reply to outtathaway:
What's the problem with going teetotal? It's your choice if you want to pay a load of money at the pub to give yourself migraines or not. If anyone else has a problem with you not drinking, that's their issue. I've never had a problem going to a pub and not drinking alcohol with my friends. They don't care if I'm drinking alcohol or not, just that we're having a good time. I too got sick of the migraines so reduced my alcohol intake significantly.
Your pool game may improve if you don't have a drink too
What's the problem with going teetotal? It's your choice if you want to pay a load of money at the pub to give yourself migraines or not. If anyone else has a problem with you not drinking, that's their issue. I've never had a problem going to a pub and not drinking alcohol with my friends. They don't care if I'm drinking alcohol or not, just that we're having a good time. I too got sick of the migraines so reduced my alcohol intake significantly.
Your pool game may improve if you don't have a drink too
Post edited at 17:26
In reply to RockAngel:
Thanks for the advice, I think I'm probably too worried about what others think. There's no reason why I should drink if I know it's going to give me a headache. Yes, I know it will help my pool game, as the headaches affect that a lot.
Thanks for the advice, I think I'm probably too worried about what others think. There's no reason why I should drink if I know it's going to give me a headache. Yes, I know it will help my pool game, as the headaches affect that a lot.
In reply to outtathaway:
Just go enjoy yourself! Try having one alcoholic drink followed by a soft drink to ease your way into it. You may just enjoy the alcoholic drink more (and figure out which one is causing the headaches so you can avoid it in future) by drinking to enjoy the beverage rather than drinking because everyone else is drinking.
Just go enjoy yourself! Try having one alcoholic drink followed by a soft drink to ease your way into it. You may just enjoy the alcoholic drink more (and figure out which one is causing the headaches so you can avoid it in future) by drinking to enjoy the beverage rather than drinking because everyone else is drinking.
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