I Can Barely Have a Drink Without Getting Sick! Is This Age Related??

I suspect in part that it is age related.. as we age, some women don't metabolize as efficiently as you once did , not to mention , as it stands, we don't have as much of the enzyme Dehydrogenase as do men... Therefore, alcohol (which can slow the metabolism) coupled with a metabolism that is already slowing , yes............ makes getting hungover and or sick more likely... I have never been a big drinker (maybe a glass of wine every few months) but even that can take its toll on me..............Also, alcohol disrupts my sleep... therefore, IF I want to drink, I may have a glass of wine but I have to follow it with a glass of water...

Do you take a lot of ibuprofen or Aleve? Do you take prescription medicine for arthritis (i.e. Voltaren or Mobic)? Both ibuprofen and Aleve can affect the liver - making it less apt at processing alcohol. Same thing with prescription arthritis meds.

I take Voltaren for my arthritis and cannot drink more than one glass of wine at a time. If I have more, I get really sick, dizzy and shaky.

Drinking requires training, Dear-just like everything else!

Yes-you can become intolerant.

I would ask your doctor about it. There are actually some illnesses and/or allergies that can cause a reaction to alcohol.

The only time I couldn't tolerate the mere SMELL of alcohol, was when I was pregnant ;)

I get dizzy and sick after a couple sips. I don't drink, obviously, and I'm allergic and sensitive to a lot. I would recommend you try taking acidopholus and see if that helps with your sensitivity.

too much sugar possibly? and the less you drink the more it affects you.

I'm right there with ya babe, and I'm only 36. I used to drink ALOT when I was in my 20s, especially since I worked at a night club. I could drink all night and still get up and go to work with no problems. I toned down the drinking after I turned 30, but after I had my youngest son almost 4 years ago, I basically had to quit drinking any alcoholic drinks. I just can't stomach it anymore. And I didn't know if it was because I had another child or because I was getting older. Every now and again, I can have a small glass of wine, but THAT'S IT. I drank a beer a couple of weeks ago, and like you, was in the bathroom all night. I think it must be an age/tolerance thing. It's nice to know I'm not the only one!

What kind of drinks? Is there a trend in terms of the type of mixers involved, or the types of alcohols? For instance, my mom had a few TERRIBLE hangovers before she came to the realization that the drinks involved had grapefruit juice in them. She had just started on beta-blockers for her blood pressure, and apparently grapefruit of any kind is a big no-no on beta blockers. So in fact, she wasn't hung over so much as her body was having a horrible reaction to the grapefruit. I wonder if you may be having a similar reaction to something in the drinks you're having.

But yes, now that I'm in my mid-30's, there will be no keg stands anymore. I look back on those days and wonder how I didn't die of a hangover in college. Anymore, 3 drinks in as many hours, and I'm DONE for the night! LOL

I have a reaction to preservatives used in wine and some beers. When I mentioned it to my doctor (red splotches on my chest and neck) he said (no joke): "switch to vodka, it is pure". I have found that as long as I drink occasionally I can have beers, but I cannot drink ANY wine, maybe it is the sulfates.

Me too! I get this weird almost painful burning in my shoulders when I drink now. I have no idea what it means, but it never used to happen before I turned 30. I don't drink a lot, but it does seem to happen most times I drink now, regardless of what I'm drinking. And gone are the days of passing out after a night of drinking! I usually fall asleep easily, but then two hours later begin waking up constantly. I thought I was the only one. My husband of course thinks I'm nuts. But I think this is tied in to some larger shift in my body. I also am now allergic and react to any kind of scented lotion and perfume. Ah, getting older. Ain't it grand! And I'm only 34!!!

Definitely strange. I might ask your doctor about it, but I do know that you can develop an intolerance to alcohol as you get older. One day my brother just started breaking out in hives everytime he drank, it was bizarre. His doc basically said he's now allergic to alcohol (and now he has been diagnosed with a dairy intolerance to boot! He can't catch a break, but that's just TMI!). My brother is able to take Benadryl and be fine, but it doesn't sound like that would help your situation! Good luck, that kinda sucks, we all deserve to enjoy a nice cocktail or glass of wine without drama!

It really depends on what you drink. I drink big beers and they will have a fun time with the digestive system. It is because they tend not to be filtered beers so you get a fair dose of yeast in them.

I guess what I am saying is drinks have changed and sure so have you. I am 43 and can still drink like a fish. Then again I have never had a hangover in my life until last summer. Grappa is not my friend. :(

Without knowing exactly what you drink I would have no idea what is causing it.

It could be the carbination in your drinks. Carbonation in drinks actually extend your stomach. If you have stomach ulcers, it could definitely affect them. I think with our body as it ages, it changes, so therefore I believe we can develope a non-tolerance to certain things. My Mom use to be able to eat bell pepper. She loves it, but if she eats it now, she gets heart burn and her stomach hurts.
I too am in my early 40s and I don't tolerate the 'drinks' as well as I use to. LOL Actually I don't social drink anymore at all. It really upsets my stomach. Also, if you are taking any prescription meds, it will definitely cause some interferrence with drinking. :-)

Lots of things change as you age, so yes. I have actually become more tolerant to alcohol as I've aged. I used to spend way too much time hanging over toilet bowls, after as little as two glasses of wine. Now I can't even get a buzz. :(

It could be sensitiviety to the yeast or certain alcohols. Did you have a drink on an empty stomach? I know I did and that messed me up even after one drink. Make sure you've had something to eat prior to having a drink...

i know for me (and i never had a huge tolerance to begin with) once i hit 30 (had a kid, etc) my tolerance went WAY down - but i also drank WAY less frequently. and i started getting sick EVERY time i drank. not hangover sick, but physically vomitting after just a few drinks.

i was so irritated.

i have cut back even more (like only getting tipsy, once or twice a year) and it has stopped. luckily like i said, i've never been a huge drinker anyway...

You can become allergic toalcohal. You M. find that you are allergic to different types of drink as well.