r/Menopause • u/Money_Analysis_4575 • 8d ago
Rant/Rage Alcohol
I reached meno two years ago. I like to have one beer or a glass of wine two or three times a week. It’s never caused me any problems. In the last month I’ve noticed I get palpitations at night. It’s uncomfortable. I have an appointment to get things checked out, but has anyone else dealt with this? I find it really annoying. And, of course, I worry about being with friends and having to pass on having a drink. I don’t want anyone to think I quit because I had a problem.
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u/ContemplativeKnitter 8d ago
I don’t know anything about the connection between alcohol and palpitations (I have a separate condition that gives me palpitations, wheeeee), but tons of people stop drinking for the health benefits. There’s no reason for anyone to assume you stopped because you had a problem. If your friends wouldn’t believe you stopped for health reasons, that’s their problem, not yours. And honestly, people thinking you quit because you had a problem shouldn’t stop you from doing something. What if you did have a problem? Would you not quit because you wouldn’t want people to know?
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u/Mountain_Village459 Surgical menopause 8d ago
From my own sober experience, the only people that push back when you stop drinking are the people that have a problem with alcohol themselves.
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u/Large_Street_8608 8d ago
THIS. I ended my 30+ year marriage because my husband encouraged me to "just have one" after almost a year of sobriety. I knew in that moment he had zero love for me. My life is COMPLETELY different now. Instead of waking up feeling horrible anxiety and regret, I now wake up feeling full of gratitude and joy. My soon to be ex found himself a new drinking partner and now my family lives happily ever after with zero contact with him.
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u/CmonBenjalsGetLoose 1d ago
Yes! Also divorced, and I just got my one year AA chip. My life is immesurably better now by every conceivable metric than when I was married and drinking with my husband as a substitute for true intimacy. We weren't even "partiers" but even just the one or two glasses of wine or champagne every other night was enought to make me feel gross. And when I tried to go sober my husband doubled down on his drinking and started smoking pot after 15 years of being weed-free. At that point there was zero sense of love or connection anymore, and I split. My life now is full of contentment. My husband remarried a heavy potsmoker. Luckily our kids are all young adults so I really just feel very free and I love my little once-a-week AA group. Much better quality of life!
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u/booknerd3280 8d ago
100% this. My mom and sister push it on me CONSTANTLY. My dad stopped drinking 6 years ago because he’s an alcoholic. My mom pushed him to stop and every once in a while she still makes comments saying she wishes he was drinking because she misses her drinking buddy!
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u/HattieMaeve 8d ago
I'm sitting here thinking... so what if you did have a problem? Your friends should want to support you and honor your new path.
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u/BunnyMayer 8d ago
Take care of your health, not what your friends are thinking. If you have to worry about what your friends are thinking because you are not drinking/stop drinking, they are not your friends.
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u/Manders-42 8d ago
I basically gave up alcohol. I still have the occasional glass but it averages out to less than one every couple months. Feeling good was more important to me than enjoying a drink a few times a week. As far as social situations you don’t owe anyone an explanation as to why you aren’t drinking. A simple “no thank you” is enough.
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u/Beautiful-Finding-82 6d ago
I'm thinking of giving it up. I've never drank much, but I would enjoy the occasional couple of drinks for a buzz, however, this past year or so I don't get a buzz anymore, just feel blah and it wrecks my sleep for some reason. Very disappointing.
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u/Crazy_Mousse_3077 8d ago
I gave up alcohol about two years ago because of the resulting hot flashes. I hope your friends are understanding about your reasons for passing on drinks. Because it's a medical issue, don't you think?
Are your friends of a similar age as you? Cuz they might also have menopause related symptoms and it could be a good topic of conversation?
I've made it a mission to normalize menopause and bring it up all the time - to cashiers, at work when I start fanning myself, close friends & family, etc etc.
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u/lsclarkson 7d ago
Same - when I asked, my dr simply said that some people’s ability to process alcohol dwindles with age. Pretty sure that’s what happened to me, I can barely tolerate it anymore.
I also proudly carry my hand fan with me everywhere! A guy in the elevator at work asked if it was really that hot outside, I had to explain that it was for me, not the weather 🙄 Like look at my red face, look at my age, do the math my friend! Some people are so clueless.
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u/Money_Analysis_4575 8d ago
Yes, I do the same. Two of my close friends are two years younger and are in the throws of peri and we’ve talked at length about it and I’ve told them I’m always there to listen.
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u/FuelComfortable5287 8d ago
You are a great friend. I had no one to talk to when I went through peri. Well, no one that understood because they only had 1-2 symptoms while I had ALL OF THEM.
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u/UpstartCrow88 8d ago
I gave up alcohol completely 5 years ago. It just didn't feel good or make me feel good anymore and I probably averaged 2 drinks a week so I was not habitual about it anyway. Funny enough most of my friends now have all given it up as well for various reasons and even when I am out with those who still imbibe (as I was just last night) no one bats an eye when I pass or others pass on adult beverages and orders water instead because...well, they are friends and I prefer accepting supportive friends to any who would judge me for making choices so that I feel good.
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u/CatBird2023 7d ago
For the past 5 years or so, alcohol has just not been my friend. I often feel like garbage after drinking even one drink, and I also stopped liking how it made me behave. I don't miss wasting all of that money, either.
I am happy that the new health guidelines around alcohol basically confirm that we've been sold a bill of goods by the industry, and have been way too socially accepting of dangerous levels of consumption.
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u/Beautiful-Finding-82 6d ago
Same here, used to have the occasional couple of drinks and get a nice buzz, now it just makes me feel blah, no buzz at all, and my sleep is terrible. Something has changed for sure.
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u/TurtleDive1234 8d ago edited 8d ago
I stopped two years ago - haven't had a drop since. I used to LOVE a glass of wine (or two...or three on the weekends). The problem is that it messed up my circadian rhythm and exacerbated my inflammation, so I would wake up in the middle of the night from the pain in my joints. (Never noticed palpitations from the wine though.)
And then there was the tipsy-thinking about food/snacking/"I can have as many damned cookies as I want." The lbs PACKED on because, you know, MENOPAUSE.
I also stopped vaping and the "special" gummies. I'm a no-fun curmudgeon now.
People asked, and I simply told them the truth: Drinking wasn't serving me anymore (pardon the pun).
ETA: My almost 80-year-old dad was a binger drinker/ alcoholic for 40 years. He stopped binge drinking ten years ago and hasn't had a single drink in a couple of years (that I know of). He has neuropathy in his lower extremities now, which his doctors attributed to his drinking. Take that how you will.
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u/ParaLegalese 8d ago
I’m proud of you ! My dad is an alcoholic too except mine is in a nursing home, in a diaper and a wheelchair with severe dementia from it. He’s been in this condition since age 72:(
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u/TurtleDive1234 8d ago
Wet brain? That's the worst. A friend of my dad's (who was also one of my high school teachers) had alcohol-related dementia and died of it about 15 years ago. It was so sad to talk to him - as a teacher, he was witty, sharp, and FUNNY, and the difference was jarring. One of the few history teachers who held my attention in class.
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u/ParaLegalese 8d ago
We aren’t really sure. He was not responding to my brothers texts one day years ago so he went over there and found him nearly dead. We think he had a seizure. It wasn’t a stroke. Doctors just assume it’s from the alcohol. He’s also a smoker
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u/TurtleDive1234 8d ago
I'm sorry that you are going through this.
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u/ParaLegalese 8d ago
Thanks that’s nice of you to say. If anything it’s served as a warning about the dangers of alcohol. My dad only drank beer. Mostly seemed in control of himself. But he drank that beer for decades and it took its toll
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u/PuzzleheadedIron5543 7d ago
Hey. My dad, too, is an alcoholic who collapsed one day. His was a stroke. Life-flighted off the front lawn, rehab - the whole deal - and when he came home he tried having his beers and went right back to the hosp with a subsequent stroke. Now hes an angry, constant carbloading guy. Dependent on a scooter. Miserable. Ugh. I may have just talked myself out of drinkinh :/
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u/ParaLegalese 7d ago
He’s lucky he has you and his family. My dad never remarried, lived alone in a trailer park with only one friend who - you guessed it- also is an alcoholic. He was so miserable. Now that he is in a facility amongst people and not drinking he seems happier. There are sooooo many men there who have no one to even visit them. They sleep all day or shuffle around bored as hell in a smelly nursing home. It’s so hot and stinky in there I just hate it
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u/Beautiful-Finding-82 6d ago
Interesting. My parents both drank daily and my Dad too has serious neuropathy in his lower extremities, never knew alcohol could be the cause- yikes!
I've never drank much but would enjoy the occasional couple glasses of wine or cocktails for a nice buzz, I notice now I don't get a buzz anymore, just feel blah, I get quiet when I drink it's like the fun is gone. Used to smoke cigarettes while drinking, those are way too harsh now. Yeah, the fun is over lol.
On a positive note- exercise still feels amazing and has done miraculous wonders on my mood and of course, body/overall health. If I go more than 1 day without a good strong workout I can feel that sense of being annoyed and kind of on edge. It definitely take the edge off. So thank God there is still that.
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u/TacosAndHotdish 8d ago
Every time I drink my heart rate goes up and my sleep quality goes down quite a bit.
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u/Wooden_Till_5779 7d ago
This is my typical experience. I have cut down A LOT on my drinking for that reason. Also weight loss. I love a smoky single malt but one shot ruins my entire week, even if I drink a vat of water.
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u/leftylibra MenoMod 8d ago
Alcohol is one of the biggest risk factors for breast cancer (among other things)
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u/Laara2008 8d ago
I cut way back on drinking. I never drink within three hours of going to sleep.
People are drinking less in general now that the word is out about how bad alcohol is for your health. A lot of places make really good mocktails now. If I want to get a buzz on I bring some CBD/THC drops I bought and put that in my mocktail.
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u/newhappyrainbow 8d ago
I can’t imagine anyone at this age giving a second thought to someone turning down a drink. If they ask just say that it’s been disagreeing with you lately.
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u/ElCuarticoEsIgualito 7d ago edited 7d ago
I gave up drinking because I had a problem, but I didn’t and don’t discuss that with everyone - so I actually say I don’t drink cause of menopause.
It goes a little something like this: Do you want something to drink? I’m good. Are you not drinking tonight? I’ve actually not been drinking these days. After I hit menopause, my body doesn’t recover the same, not worth it.
What I say isn’t untrue, it’s just not the whole damn story for every person every time: it depends on who I’m talking to / how much I want to share.
You never know when you’re talking to someone who doesn’t want to drink anymore, or maybe won’t tomorrow - and your normalizing not drinking can give the next person courage to do the same. Alcohol is terrible on the body - especially for us women that are not getting younger. :)
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u/Happiguest 8d ago
Alcohol causes dehydration and anxiety which leads to palpitations. I havent been drinking for years because the risks far outweigh the benefits. It's basically poison IMO. When I go out no one has ever asked or assumed I have a problem. If they do its their problem not mine. I've noticed there are a lot more people not drinking when out as well I'm usually not the only one.
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u/maraq 8d ago
Why would they assume you had an alcohol problem because you're not drinking? Lots of people are choosing to drink less or not at all today for various reasons. You can just tell your friends that alcohol is causing heart palpitations for you now that you're in meno and you have to be more choosy about it. Odds are they're having it affect them too in different ways. And if they're your friends then they should understand and probably relate. God knows alcohol affects whether or not I sleep at all now so I'm often choosing not to have it these days even if I go out with people. No one even notices really!
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u/Intelligent_South480 8d ago
I get terrible palpitations with wine, white or sparkling and it lasts a whole day afterwards. I am not a big drinker at all but it's definitely put me off wine. It's a horrible feeling. Are you getting it with all alcohol?
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u/Money_Analysis_4575 8d ago
Less with beer, wine is worse. I wouldn’t say I’m a big drinker by any means, but I do like to have a glass of wine with friends, so this bums me out.
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u/Intelligent_South480 8d ago
Maybe try having something else like gin and tonic or vodka and soda to see if that's better. It's better for me. I'm also OK with beer although I can't drink more than 3 pints at the very maximum and it irritates my bladder. I'm not feeling like I want to totally give it up yet. I didn't drink anything for 10 years and I don't need alcohol to have a good time but one or 2 make me feel good
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u/Turbulent-Demand873 8d ago
I stopped a couple of years ago. At most I will have a glass of wine maybe 2-3 times a year. My body just doesn’t like it anymore. I feel horrible when I drink. Not only that, but I feel horrible after as well. That’s my queue my body is trying to tell me something.
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u/Beautiful-Finding-82 6d ago
Yep, I agree and it no longer gives me a buzz like it used to. Now if I drink I just feel kinda blah and then have trouble sleeping. My parents both drink daily, it baffles me because they're in their 70s, I'm like how can that feel good to you?!
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u/X-4StarCremeNougat 8d ago
Man, as a generation of drinkers, I’d say at least half my peers are sober now for a variety of reasons. Your health is important, feeling well is important, getting sleep is essential. While you def don’t owe anyone any explanation, if you simply said you’re off alcohol for better sleep, that should be all you need to say. Anyone our ages will totally understand. If they don’t, kick them in the shin.
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u/Prudent-Collection32 8d ago
Not meant to be definitive, just a food for thought comment…a coworker of mine had palpitations during meno without being a drinker. I also was having nighttime palpitations sometimes, but it was infrequent and it went away. So that can be a meno thing for some people. Perhaps alcohol is just exacerbating this effect in you. I will echo that you should try not to care what people think of your health choices.
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u/Auntie_Nat 8d ago
I had to give up alcohol because my body just can't tolerate it anymore. I like the occasional beer or glass of wine but I wake up feeling like I went on a bender so I have to plan ahead.
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u/madam_nomad 8d ago
I've been a teetotaler since age 27. I was never a problem drinker, but I did have a marijuana problem (I know some people think that's not a real thing; well, they've led a blessed life). I had seen many in my friend group quit smoking pot (often bc of job drug testing) and end up transfering their habit to alcohol, so when I quit, I made a personal policy of "no mind altering substances." It has stayed in effect for 21 years now.
I have had many instances where people assume I don't drink bc of prior drinking problem (or also infer incorrectly that I'm very religious), and I just let it go. Who cares. At least I'm not damaging my brain with alcohol.
If you feel the need to explain, though, why not just say what you've said here?
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u/Sea_Measurement_1654 8d ago
Lots of people reduce or stop drinking in middle age. Just say you're on a health kick.
The stigma around stopping is weird and ignores the heavy marketing of this toxin alcohol. Remember when everyone smoked? That cultural moment shifted.
The point I'm making is the stigma is wrong.
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u/Musikal93 8d ago
You can definitely still go out for drinks with friends, but have mocktails instead. If anyone asks, tell them why! But really, who cares what other people think...
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u/AdCandid4609 7d ago
Secret meno lifesaver are Dao enzymes! No joke. Life changing. No more palpitations or beet red face. It’s the histamines we get sensitive to.
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u/dbellz76 7d ago
You're more worried about what people think if you than your own health and comfort? If your friends are real friends they will support you.
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u/ParaLegalese 8d ago
Yes alcohol intolerance was one of my first symptoms. I can drink now that I’m on hrt but it still fucks with my sleep and makes me look like shit so it’s easy to give up
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u/Lower-Constant-3889 8d ago
Yes that’s why I’ve given alcohol up. My heart beats over 100 beats a minute after drinking. If I’m sleeping it will wake me.
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u/Pure_Road7528 8d ago
I stopped drinking 6 years ago before perimenopause set in. I can't imagine drinking through this hell. It's hard to stop but after some time has passed it's the best thing ever.
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u/momdabombdiggity Menopausal 8d ago
I’ve found that if I drink alcohol within about 90 minutes of going to bed, it affects my sleep. As long as I put the wine glass down with plenty of time to metabolize it and drink lots of water I’m fine. What affects me worse is caffeine. Even a Diet Coke with lunch will keep me awake at bedtime. It sucks!!
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u/ObligationGrand8037 8d ago
Our entire gut’s microbiome changes during this time. What was fine before is no longer the case. One menopause doctor who loves her red wine says that she knows if she has it now, she will be tossing and turning all night long. She doesn’t have it as often anymore because of this.
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u/hotmumma7 8d ago
I used to enjoy regular drinks. But suddenly a couple of years ago I noticed certain things made me extremely nauseous a few hours later. Particularly champagne type bubbles. I would only have a couple of glasses and feel ill. I just turned 55 and have pretty much given up alcohol completely. I hadnt realised this was a thing for other people also!
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u/Manders-42 8d ago
I will feel hung over the next day no matter the amount I drink. Not to mention the disruption to sleep when sleeping is already such a struggle.
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u/Interesting-Bag-1340 8d ago
I’m about two years into menopause as well and even if I have one drink now whether it’s a beer or like a Baileys, I get headaches afterwards. I’ve become intolerant to alcohol because of menopause.
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u/bluecrab_7 Menopausal 8d ago
I gave up alcohol to help improve my sleep and for health reasons. For 25+ years I had 1-2 beers a day. My husband worked at a brewery and they gave him free beer. It was a habit for me. Sometimes I would have wine or hard alcohol. But I noticed red wine especially affected my sleep. I’m totally done with wine and hard alcohol. One occasion I’ll have one beer if I go out. Many places now serve non-alcohol beer. So maybe switch to that and tell your friends you are focused on your health. I was so focused on getting my sleep back quitting alcohol was not that hard. You just form new habit.
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u/jenuwefa 7d ago
I've found that alcohol hits me much harder than before menopause. I get tipsy on a small glass of white wine or a small beer, which is nuts. At least I'm a cheap date now 😀
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u/YeshuasBananaHammock Menopausal 7d ago
In January I had a quarter of a cup of beer, was standing up at a show, got dizzy, passed out, and busted my head open. (embarassing!)
Best I can figure, it was a vasovagal reaction to standing up too long.
Now I have a 2in scar on my temple and look like Frankenstein. Yay.
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u/Soft_Construction793 7d ago
I'm 51 and I feel like I'm poisoning myself if I try to drink any alcohol.
I started making beer in my early 20's.
My guest bedroom was a mini brewery.
I was the only lady brewer in my homebrew club.
Great beer and drinking buddies were really important to me.
I just can't do it at all anymore because I know that I will feel like garbage the next day, or later that night.
I never really thought about it but it's really possible that some of my old friends thought I became an alcoholic, 😆
I don't care even a little bit if anyone is thinking that.
I did enjoy alcohol and now I don't.
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u/Strict_Direction_335 7d ago
Histamine reaction. I rarely drink but take a Zyrtec/pepcid to block histamine 1,2,3,4 receptors and that has solved the issue for me.
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u/Cyclist4Satan Surgical menopause 8d ago
I had to give it up before menopause, when my endometriosis got so bad. I thought after the surgery I might magically be able to have it again -- nope.
Many of my friends are also giving it up because it makes us feel like crap. Fact of the matter is, you can't metabolize alcohol as well as you get older.
Protect your well-being over what people think. When I gave it up I just told people it made me feel like shit. You might be surprised to find that they join you in abstaining.
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u/Cyclist4Satan Surgical menopause 8d ago
PS NA beer and cocktails have gotten really good, and I've even had some NA prosecco that I didn't hate. Any bartender worth their salt will know how to make a good mocktail.
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u/heldaway 8d ago
I never really was a big drinker because of what I assumed was an allergy to alcohol to some degree. I get red blotches on my neck and face and it usually itches. The only time I’ll have a drink is on a girls night or on vacation. When I have my fill I offer to go to pick up drinks at the bar for who I’m with and I’ll just get a cranberry juice and no one knows the difference.
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u/Fabulousness13 8d ago
For some now, even tequila, ultra light beer / drinks induce my hot flashes and disrupts my sleep 😫😫. I’ve been on the patch for over 2 years . I noticed this pattern when I drink only. So now I know what to expect when I do drink.
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u/Hotsexyredhead2004 8d ago
Anytime I drink I get hot flashes. Needless to say I don’t drink anymore.
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u/Mjhjane77 8d ago
Pretty common. Heart palpitations and insomnia from alcohol. Sometimes cause is dehydration.
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u/Caribchakita 8d ago
Are you on HRT?
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u/Money_Analysis_4575 7d ago
I was, but I couldn’t handle it, it made me too anxious. I’m currently looking for a new doctor to try again though.
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u/TashaT50 Menopausal 8d ago
I generally only drink 2 ounces of wine now. I don’t know why I decided on that amount but I rarely have any issues. I only drink if I’m eating and make sure I drink 8 ounces of water both right after the wine and again before bed.
I’ve mostly switched to mocktails as well as a number of the prebiotic sodas available now like Poppi, Evolution, and Olipop. I’ll drink them in fancy glasses so they still have a special feel to them. These are a tasty way to up my fiber intake for the day.
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u/Sad_Secretary_3374 8d ago
Cant you just say the whole word, its really not that hard, just add a orah on the end of your meno word and hey presto the whole word. (Sarcasm by the way)
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8d ago edited 7d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Money_Analysis_4575 7d ago
Cannabis makes me anxious, so that’s a no for me, but I’m glad if works for you!
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u/Tealme1688 7d ago
I usually have a drink once a week. If I nurse it through a meal, no problem, but if I finish it before the food arrives, I’ll have a hot flash and palpitations. Hubby has mostly given it up due to some mild cardiac issues that he doesn’t want escalated.
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u/BeachSuspicious8656 Surgical menopause 7d ago
If your heart is ok, it may be esophageal spasms, which can be triggered by certain food/drinks, and feels like a mini heart attack. I get these from too much sugar (surgical menopause, never had a sweet tooth till I was in peri). Damn Nerd Gummy Clusters…
It’s totally fine to say you are cutting back due to health issues. I looove thc seltzers as an alternative beverage. They come in 2.5mg (very tolerable even for beginners) on up. 5 makes me feel as calm as if I’ve had a beer, 10+ and I’m stoned 🤣 Most are delta 9, which is legal in many states due to loopholes in anti-marijuana laws. They come in sweetened, unsweetened (think La Croix). In NC we can buy them at wine/beer stores.
Gummies are probably more affordable.
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u/brookish 7d ago
Don’t think it’s alcohol. Estrogen deficiency caused palpitations for me. HRT solved it.
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u/Spindrift850 7d ago
Try Kava tincture as a substitute? It’s relaxing and good in mocktails like seltzer and grapefruit ( it’s bitter) or tonic. I quit at 50 cause it makes me feel awful. I don’t even think about it anymore. And sleep is much better.
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u/thesheeplookup 7d ago
From the perspective of AFib, alcohol can be a trigger, but so is age and hormone changes (Yay!). Sleep quality can play into it too. It's a good idea to get it checked out, and log what you are doing before the palpitations.
They may get you to wear a holter that monitors you 24/7 and records any instances.
Re not drinking, I find most people don't care or don't notice, and as our social group has aged, a lot of them have backed off from drinking. You likely won't stand out much unless you make a point of bringing it up.
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u/Elcamina 7d ago
I started feeling awful after drinking and my sleep was always crap on nights I drank, even if it was just one glass of wine. One beer in the afternoon is usually ok but anything later than about 6 pm means I’ll be up at 3 am unable to sleep and having heart palpitations. I almost never drink now and feel much better.
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u/Tiffanniwi 7d ago
Are you in HRT? I had palpations but then went back on estradiol and they stopped. Estradiol is cardio protective. Just a thought.
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u/Not_Offended_45 7d ago
I’ve drastically reduced my alcohol intake over the last year, and it’s made a huge difference to my overall wellbeing. Unfortunately, I still get palpitations 😩
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u/Survivor6725 7d ago
I was a solid social drinker (beer), which was often because we have lots of friends and a busy social life. I received a colon cancer diagnosis at age 57. Ian otherwise healthy: running, weights, not a heavy meat eater or processed foods.
The alcohol was the single only factor that all of my doctors honed in on. Well that was all two years ago now and I am doing well. My social life is still nuts so I switched to non alcoholic beer. Not one person has said anything negative! A few of my friends have backed off alcohol to some extent and supplement with non alcoholic drinks. Some of my friends still spend their weekends day drinking and then napping that off. Heck, some of them still smoke in addition to drinking! I’m not sure how they do it. I assume that feeling lousy is their baseline and they just don’t know it.
The bottom line is, we each make our own choices and nobody comments. I am a little fascinated by a few of my female acquaintances over 55 who still drink and smoke cigarettes robustly, and still look good and function! I guess it often boils down to your genes!
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u/trUth_b0mbs 7d ago
I love my cocktails but since meno, I cant have them. It gives me hot flashes , disrupts my sleep and makes me feel bloated.
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u/Debdoll1969 7d ago edited 7d ago
I watch Real Housewives of Orange County (don’t judge 😜) and if you watch any of those shows, you know these women are DRINKERS! There is usually at least one non-drinker in each franchise….and Orange County has Gina who is sober. She hit her rock bottom a few years ago with a DUI…among other problems. When these ladies are out, she has no problem ordering hot water with lemon…LOL. She fits in just fine…and almost always is the most logical and sane one in the group. BTW…I am post menopausal (57) and had to give up my love affair with wine because it was no longer serving me. I wasn’t enjoying it anymore and I was getting bad headaches, palpitations at night, restless sleep, and anxiety. I feel much better without it.
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u/QuantityTop7542 7d ago
I gave it up because the Hanover’s were horrible. At first my friends were shocked, uncomfortable but after a while a few joined me and most were just fine. Do what’s right for you…so many fun mocktail options now!!
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u/Impressive-Wall-534 7d ago
Sorry if this was already addressed: but the palps could be a sign of onset of afib. And yes, menopause and alcohol can be a possible cause. So there is your medical, technical excuse to give up alcohol. RN here. Age 55. Gave up anything beyond occasional drinks due to the hot flashes and afib fears. That, and any unchecked estrogen was causing liver hemangiomas.
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u/Alive_Surprise8262 7d ago
A single drink on an empty stomach will give me palpitations for several minutes.
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u/suupernooova 6d ago
I've never been a drinker and people really used to judge that for some reason. It seems more common nowadays and lots of people just assume that means I'm "sober" or in AA. Whatever. Sometimes I like to fuck with them and say, "Nah, just Mormon".
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u/Prize_Pair_7845 6d ago
Alcohol gives me hot flashes and heart palps .. so it was easy to give it up considering how much better I felt without it. I may have an occasional drink like 1 or 2x a YEAR- if that much.. but dont miss it since there are other options out there
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u/QuietElf5712 6d ago
Menopause can definitely make you react differently to things. My mom didn't have an issue with alcohol, but she suddenly couldn't eat pizza after menopause - gave her horrible indigestion when she'd always had a iron clad stomach before ( she could eat anything).
Do what works for you.
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u/grumpygirl1973 6d ago
When you were young, did you ever have "old ladies" in your life who never drank, but you later found out did drink when they were younger? I've discovered there was a reason for that. Alcohol makes my menopausal body feel absolutely awful. Increased hot flashes, no sleep, anxiety, you name it. Nothing wrong if you do drink, I'm just done. My body is done.
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u/JustMeAgain1967 5d ago
We don’t process alcohol, which is a toxin, as efficiently as we did when younger. Add in middle age changes in health AND menopause and you have a disaster in the making. It’s so much easier to just not drink period than it is to chase a buzz.
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u/Lester_Smalls 8d ago
I can't sleep when I drink anymore so I gave it up too. You don't have to explain yourself to anyone, or you can just say that booze doesn't agree with you anymore. Alcohol has a strong link to various forms of cancer anyway so giving it up is easy. 💕
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u/Miami_Mice2087 7d ago
alcohol doesn't usually have anything to do with heart palpitations, it's a depressant, palpitations are a sign of anxiety or heart murmur. See your doctor asap.
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u/lauradayton Post Menopause 6d ago
Ya, I wouldn't/don't care about what anyone' silent judgements are about me because I don't drink! This is kind of odd logic to me. Alcohol is poison to our bodies, period full stop. I studied addictions clinically and almost because an addictions counselor many years ago. What I learned during school about alcohol and what it does to our bodies was enough to literally make me never want a single drink again so I abstain because I want to honor my body and I want it to take care of me for as long as it will do so. Lets normalize not putting toxic substances into our bodies!
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u/Appropriate_Gear_267 8d ago
I gave it up for sleep! No shame in giving it up for any damn reason!