Becoming tea total!!

We got into some bad alcohol habits after retiring and meeting new boozy friends. We have seriously cut down on our intake and I can't drink any New World wines at all, even a small glass, without getting a migraine. A G&T still goes down well but we are careful to use a proper measure. Out with friends I drink slimline tonics and let them think I'm on the gin.

Also Loobs, if your blood pressure medication is beta blockers and you're used to taking them first thing in the morning, it could be that the beta blocker (which controls heart rate) is wearing off around that time in the morning and so all the things are coming together and with the additional effect of alcohol is resulting in those night time problems. You may be able to change what time you take your medication so it covers you overnight better, therefore still allowing you a drink in the evening.

I too have found that even one glass of wine gives me a tipsy feeling and heart palpitations... have put it down to a less than healthy liver so only drink very occasionally now... always ask for a large glass of water with ice and a slice when out and resign myself to this for health reasons.

Five years or so ago, this happened me. I used to enjoy a glass or three of red wine, maybe, now and then a single malt whisky when 8 felt my nose going numb, getting very giggly and face flushing. My grandchildren thought it hilarious but it put paid to any alcohol. It wasn’t difficult t9 give it up, I’d been living 8n Germany where, as I used to drive everywhere, I’d got used to Apple Schorle (Apple juice with fizzy water) as it wasn’t worth risking my drivers licence, they’re very strict. Shame, did enjoy a tipple but no more.

I am unable to drink alcohol without feeling quite ill, wine gives me horrendous heartburn with the exception of pink champagne which I sometimes have as a celebration.

Loobs, is is possible you're on slightly too much thyroxine for your needs? The symptoms you describe sound very much as if you're on borderline too much and so the slight effect alcohol has on everyone's heart rate takes your heart rate right over that into uncomfortable tachycardia. It might not hurt to get your levels checked again in case you could cut back on that dose.

I do take medication - I am on Levothyroxine and blood pressure tablets but I cannot say that I can see any clear connection (time wise) between either of those medications and my reaction to alcohol. I genuinely think that I have become allergic to alcohol now and because the consequences of drinking even a little are so worrying I am going to have to give up completely. Like I say, it is not life changing really, I am just so surprised at my own reaction to it - maybe that feeling of 'missing out' says something about my relationship with alcohol. I think it is common to view a drink as a 'reward' for a hard day or a method of relaxing and that could be why I feel deprived. I will just have to get used to it for the benefit of my health - I genuinely find the heart rate increase frightening.

I drank more before I had children but I've never been a heavy drinker. As I've got older I seem to drink less and less, preferring to have just half a glass - unless the wine is really nice!
I find that some of the "oakier" wines give me a hangover very quickly, particularly the whites. I can tell as soon as I smell them that this will happen and usually just leave them in the glass. Its a bit like the nausea that you experience when pregnant, if you go off particular foods. Strangely I find that some cheaper whites (e.g. Aussie Sauvignon from Lidl) are much better for me than mid-priced wines, some of which have oak flavour added.
I don't mind having a small beer if it goes with what we're eating: curry, sausages or tortilla.

Do check your medications in case there is something there that is known to interact with alcohol in this way. For example, Metronidazole can be very nasty if you drink within days of taking it.

I have enjoyed a drink all my life. Nowadays I have a third of a bottle of Guiness with my lunch and a small glass of red wine with my evening meal.
When my son was in the States some years ago he had some minor heart problem. He was given a diet sheet by the American Heart Foundation and they advised a daily glass of red wine.

DH had to give up alcohol post stroke. He tried non alcoholic wines and they were pretty vile. We both find non alcoholic beer much nicer, especially the lager types like Becks Blue. He says the only thing he misses after 10 years is a glass of port with cheese. I do find it’s not tempting to open a bottle of wine and drink on my own so it’s much better for me too.

OK I used to get through a litre bottle of brandy ( preferably Cognac) a week so 40 units! Shocked? I was when I realised the amount, but never drunk on it as I just sipped it through the day. As I said I felt good on it. Wouldn't have stopped if for an unrelated matter, I went off it. Now I can manage with a single shot a day after stopping altogether for 6 months.

Here's what my dil advised. It's an Australian article but I know it applies to most countries:

www.purewine.com.au

And there are some non-alcoholic wines about but I've never tried them.

I stopped drinking alcohol a year or so ago to help with losing weight and overall improving my health (lapsing a bit on holiday at the moment ?) but will resume on return home. My tipple of choice now is Tonic with a splash of Angostura Bitters +/- a slice. Really refreshing and no one knows there’s no Gin in it - wholly recommend a try

I have always been T T. No idea why really it just tastes so awful, nasty yukky stuff and the smell of beer is like moldy bread!
I'm sure you will get used to it. A friend drinks the non alco stuff no idea what it tastes like but you could try it.

Find a spirit that suits - keep trying!!!

My husband gave up alcohol a month ago. He was drinking at least a bottle of wine a night. His legs and ankles were swollen yet he still drank. Anyway he's done it now and his legs are back to normal which is wonderful as we're going on holiday next week and he can wear shorts again. I used to drink a large glass of wine most days but in this last month I've only had one glass a week.

Framilode I'm the same as you. I know I drink too much and it makes me feel better at the time. I also realise it is a depressant. I never get hangovers but I am going to try to cut down.

Loobs - have exactly same symptoms . Suspect we don’t break down alcohol as we used to so now limited to one drink now and again and that will still bring on the fluttering heart, flushes etc and affects my sleep . However feel my body is trying to tell me something and have to listen to it,

Framilode, it's not easy for sure being buoyant in this country and alcohol releases dopamine and a momentary feel good.
Unfortunately, it is followed up with a feel bad.

Until I was about 50 I didn't drink at all. Before we lived in Spain I would have the very occasional drink at the weekend.

Living abroad with sun, inexpensive wine and a lot of socialising I started to drink a lot more. Never drunk but drinking every night.

Now we are back here I think I have been drinking too much. Part of the reason is because I have been down in the dumps because of the move. We don't socialise in the same way and my husband hardly drinks, so I am drinking alone.

I have realised that I am becoming (or have become) drink dependent. I want to lose weight and am going to cut it down to Friday, Saturday and Sunday initially and then want to cut it out altogether.

I know I don't need it, after all I had all those years without drinking at all, but the problem is I enjoy it.

Lily65 I have admitted being addicted see my post above. Luckily I have been able to stop.

I suppose it's highly unlikely that anybody will say that they enjoy drinking, their consumption has increased, they think they might have a problem etc.

Alcohol abuse is very common for older people but nobody wants to talk about it.

I don’t think tea comes into this do you?

Since being retired I got into the habit of drinking brandy, till I realised with horror that I started sipping even before lunch! I quickly got used to it, no problems with it, just felt good on it. After an unrelated health scare, I just stopped suddenly not even wanting it, not knowing that I should have stopped gradually. I did have an unpleasant period of what I guess was cold turkey, the GP told me I could have been really ill through stopping suddenly. Now virtually T total, at most I will have one unit (one single short, one small glass of wine or half a pint of beer). No point in being completely T total as people who have one unit a day live longer!