Effects of Alcohol and TN or occipital pain

[NattyNat11]

:confused: Does anyone know what the effects are? I just know that I would prefer a glass of wine than any pill any old day... but I have noticed that red wine has had more of an effect on me. Anyone have any tips? Comments?:D

[EE03]

Well, since I started drug treatment, I won't touch alcohol. For me or in my way of thinking, these things are hard enough on my body and I don't want to add any more stress to my system than whats already being put on it. Theres all these fine print precautions about liver problems and such that scare the %#&@ out of me.

This is just my opinion. E!

[baywatcher]

You can read the labels on all those pill bottles - not just the tn meds, but most of the others as well. Knowing what we know about meds, side effects, impacts on the body, it would be irresponsible to say sure, have one - or two -

That's not to say no one does it. Circumstances have a lot to do with it, whatever you do you wouldn't want to further impair yourself while you're working, or driving, or care-giving to someone who needs careful attention. I too like a little wine with dinner, or maybe a half a beer. That's not much difference from what I might have done before the tn, though. Every time I read the little warning on the side of the bottle about no operating heavy equipment I can't help but think, darn, and I always wanted a bulldozer. No driving bulldozers. No glass of wine when I'm alone. Never ever ever anything at all if I am going to be driving. Depending on where you live, just driving a car while taking one of the anti-epileptics might be judged as driving impaired and adding even a sip of alcohol on top of that seems to be begging for trouble.

Maybe your doctor would have an opinion on this. You know yourself better than anyone does, and if you're lucky your doctor (pcp) knows you well enough to have judged your physiology and also your common sense. If it's important to you and you can set your limits, I do realize that tn strips away so much from life that sometimes a little touch of normality is important. Your call, it is your life after all. Nancy

[JeanC]

I just know that I would prefer a glass of wine than any pill any old day... but I have noticed that red wine has had more of an effect on me.

Hi, Natalie, and welcome to the forum,

I'm not sure what you're asking here. :confused: If you're asking about the effects of alcohol on your brain/body, you've already answered that and it's reinforced by the labels on most of the TN meds - that alcohol increases the side effects of the meds. And, yes, if the meds make you sleepy or dopey and you drive, then you're driving impaired, even without alcohol. You can call your pharmacy to confirm and get more detail.

If you're asking if the alcohol interferes with the meds and their action on your pain, check the pill labels or printed info. They will tell if you if definitely should not have alcohol with your meds because of drug interactions (alcohol undermines many antibiotics) - or call the pharmacy to check.

If you're asking if the alcohol will help reduce your TN or ON pain (rather than taking the pills) - my experience was no, it didn't, though I don't have TN. I kept trying to at least dampen the pain with alcohol and then was concerned about how much I was consuming, though it really wasn't much, but I'm small (100 lbs. at the time) and got nervous and it wasn't helping so I stopped. Then I got some medication, which did help. And at first made me feel like I'd had a drink or two, so who needs alcohol?

Hope this helps. Have you got a copy of Striking Back (2004 edition)? And check out the sticky threads at the top of the page, if you haven't already. I'm so sorry you're having pain and problems after your MVD, but as you see already, you're not alone and hopefully things will improve for all of you. Hang in there and best to you!

Jean

[NattyNat11]

Thank you everyone. I appreciate the support. I am not operating any heavy machinery nor driving. I am smart enough to figure that out. I guess what I am saying is replacing a Norco for a glass of wine. I would rather have a glass of wine than a pill; but does it EFFECT/AFFECT you if you do? Meaning does the nerve react more traumatically if you do this???

[baywatcher]

Replace a pill with alcohol? Now THAT sounds like a really bad idea. Besides, I don't think it would be too effective. I did ask if alcohol would lessen the effects of the Trileptal, and was told that it wouldn't, but even if that's true it might not apply to any of the other meds. And they are so specific in what they are intended to do. I don't think the vinters or the brewers have the same targets. In any case, a sip of wine with dinner is one thing, starting to medicate with alcohol is another kettle of fish altogether. Nancy

[NattyNat11]

Once again I am not saying guzzle down a bottle of wine instead of taking 2 Norcos. I am asking if A glass of wine INSTEAD of A painkiller is ok...I know I feel a **** of a lot better by having a glass of wine with dinner than how i feel with a drug hangover the next morning.... for sure...I just don't want to screw up anything further ya know...

[Fraalan]

Red wine was my worst trigger ever.

I lost a week of work after a few glasses of red.
My worst TN session ever. It probably was the trigger to end all triggers.

I also did try to add a beer or 2 to my narcs to get more effect and it was a bad idea most of the time. Your liver is being punished enough by the pills.

best of luck

best of luck to you.

[cindybear]

I know any kind of alcohol will set me up for a very long time of severe suffering...It's a big trigger for me..And I don't know why..It could be 1 glass of any kind of wine or a glass of beer..And the JABS and JOLTS are going crazy behind my left eye and it will not stop for nothing and I'm in extreme agony..It's just not worth it at all. Sure I miss the social thing every once in a while, but not worth it for a minute !!!...Just my situation...Hugs, Cindy

[NattyNat11]

Love to all and thanks for the support. I have had the MVD surgery (2 mos. ago). I have now stopped my meds mostly. I find I prefer having a glass of wine to a pill. I don't get all doped out, just my thing I guess...

[Fraalan]

well heck now you say that.
I agree 100%
that tegretol really doped me out to where I made expensive mistakes at work.
Hopefully you will be able to toss out the pills alltogether.

[macy]

I know it sounds like we are preaching to you..not so. You have come so far. The surgery is over. You are almost done with the meds, but not quite. Please don't try to be your own doctor. I have suffered a lot by doing just that. Just try to take the meds that you need until the doc says no more and then you can drink the wine, but please do not substitute it for the medicine.
It might work for a little while, but I doubt if it will take care of the pain for long.
I understand what you are saying. If I thought it would work I would prefer a glass of wine to pills any day. You will probably be med free soon. Every time you take a pill you will be that much closer to giving them up completely.
I know you wanted our advice or you would not have asked, Now please listen. We can't all be wrong. We care.

Macy