Is it ok to have a glass of wine every now and then?

[flamenca]

I have started taking Met three weeks ago, I am now on 2200 mg, next week I'll up to 2500 which is where I am supposed to be.

I just got back from vacation, and I got the prescription the day before I left. It said "no alcohol" on the little instructin sheet in the box, but I wonder how strict this is? I have run into a diabetic gentleman who is on Met as well, and who happily drinks a couple of beers a day (not kidding). I don't normally drink, maybe once in two months, but when I go out for a nice dinner, I like a glass of wine with it. Usually Í don't drink more than that, since I get drunk right away anyway, lol.

It was kind of difficult to go to Southern Spain for 2 weeks, be in the city that produces Sherry, being offered Sherry for free at almost every event - and having to turn it down every time.

So I wonder: How strict is the "NO ALCOHOL WITH MET" clause? Does anybody know? Have I had my last glass of wine ever and I didn't even know?

Tina

[kimal1]

flemenca~~When I started met I too was told no booze,which is fine with me,because I don't really care for alcohol,I'll drink it socially,but 1 glass lasts me the whole evening...Anyways I went to kareoke one night with some friends 1 is a nurse and 1 is a pharmacist,And the pharmacist said I could have 1 drink to see how I would react..Well I had 1 drink ( a screwdriver)and I thought I was fine,,,Then I had to go potty..I stood up...And I felt like my knees dissappeared...My friend told me,that the met interacts with the sugars in alcohol and the alcohol gets into your blood stream faster,So you could overdrink in a small amount of time and not realize it..which can be dangerous...And having to pee all the time sucked too!!The moral of my story is...1 glass of wine once in a while should be ok,But DON'T plan on driving until you know how it reacts with your chemistry...bottoms up..Kim

[oohmercyme]

I don't think a glass now and then will do much harm, but bear in mind that on met, the alcohol can hit you a lot harder than without.

I am not a small girl, but one drink and I am under the table, this was not the case before I was on met.

Definately agree on the "don't plan to drive" until you know whats what statement!

[flamenca]

Thanks guys - I don't drink and drive ever, either my dbf or I am the desgnated driver, so that won't be an issue. I think I will try a small glass of wine tonight over dinner at home (safe environment ...) and see how my body reacts. I'll keep you posted!

Tina

[cemomster]

Yes, its because of how it breaks down the sugars in the alcohol and its metabolized in the liver, same place as alcohol.

[a-mac]

Hey flamenca,
I called my pharmacy on this one a while back. They said that it probably wouldn't be a problem if I drank in moderation. One of the reasons that they say no alcohol is because drinking alcohol can cause lactic acidosis, in a very few cases. Metformin can also cause lactic acidosis in a very few cases. When you put them together the incidence of that side effects is greater, but its not something you really have to worry about unless you are going to drink a lot or regularly.

[hersheyskiss71]

I do not care for alcohol very much. This week I asked my DH to make me a drink b/c I was having difficulty falling asleep (I'm defending my doctoral dissertation soon... yikes!). I had the worst stomach cramps and diarrhea - it may have something to do with Met and how it metabolizes the sugars. So beware....

[hugsjrwantsbaby]

I have a drink every now and again and it has never bothered me.

[jenpalmer71]

I go out and have some beers maybe once every couple of months. I used to drink liquor drinks before being diagnosed and being on Met. Now I will only drink beer. After half a beer, I am drunk!! But then when that buzz fades, I can have 2 or 3 more and not get any drunker. I havent had more than 4 since being on Met. It definetly hits you alot faster and harder.

[flamenca]

Thanks guys - this helps a lot. I haven't had a drink yet (I felt too nauseous to try this weekend), and I probably won't any time soon. Heck, I got drunk on one glass of wine even BEFORE I was on Met! I will probably fall from my chair after two sips now, LOL.

Tina