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Trouble breathing when I drink

Transcendence

Transcendence

Bluelighter
Joined
Jul 19, 2006
Messages
2,505
I have asthma and it seems to be aggravated whenever I drink certain types of alcohol. I've noticed that beer seems to be the worst, followed by tequila. This isn't just when I get drunk, I'm talking about having ONE BEER or ONE SHOT and then my lungs collapse. I had an asthmatic roommate once who had the same issue.

Anyone here have a problem like this? It only seems to be certain types of booze and I can't make a connection between beer and agave tequila. It appears to be a mild allergic reaction but I don't have any food allergies that I'm aware of.
 
My younger brother has the same reaction to sparkling wine and champagne. He takes ONE SIP and his bronchii completely close over. Scary stuff. He is also asthmatic, but usually very very mild asthma. Sparkling wine is the only thing he's allergic too these days.

My personal suspiscion is that it's an allergic reaction to certain preservatives in alcoholic beverages but I have no evidence to back that up ;)

Your best bet is to not drink beer or tequila, and to exercise extreme caution when trying other alcoholic beverages. My younger brother used to not be allergic to sparkling wine, then one day he had a mild reaction, and each time he tried sparkling wine it got worse ten-fold until the last time he tried it, which is when totally couldn't breathe. If you're only having difficulty breathing now, it is entirely possible that your allergic reaction could continue to get worse if you keep drinking beer and tequila, to the point where one day you won't be able to breathe at all.

Always have your asthma puffer with you whenever you're drinking, and before you start drinking alert your friends about the situation and ask them to please call an ambulance if you stop breathing. Please be sensible.
 
Don't drink.

Sorry if that's bad news, but if you have a borderline allergic reaction to something, then that's probably an indication that isn't for you.

I repeat: DO NOT DRINK
 
There aren't any common ingredients that I'm aware of in both beer and tequila aside from alcohol. The OP described it as a "mild allergic reaction" that caused him/her to have respiratory problems. So clearly it is a reaction to the alcohol - the only common denominator. (@n3ophy7le: Tequila is a preservative.)

If one drink causes the OPs lungs to "collapse" then alcohol should be avoided, full stop. I don't think it's wise to encourage him/her to continue drinking a different alcoholic beverage that is less likely to result in death. That is, I don't think any drink is "ok" in this situation. To continue consuming something that causes respiratory failure is downright irresponsible.
 
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While I agree that the OP should stop drinking if it's causing their lungs to "collapse," is there any possibility it's from a combination of the asthma medication and the alcohol?

Alcohol does interact with many medications, though the OP didn't mention being on any prescription drugs.
 
TheDeceased said:
There aren't any common ingredients that I'm aware of in both beer and tequila aside from alcohol. The OP described it as a "mild allergic reaction" that caused him/her to have respiratory problems. So clearly it is a reaction to the alcohol - the only common denominator. (@n3ophy7le: Tequila is a preservative.)

If one drink causes the OPs lungs to "collapse" then alcohol should be avoided, full stop. I don't think it's wise to encourage him/her to continue drinking a different alcoholic beverage that is less likely to result in death. That is, I don't think any drink is "ok" in this situation. To continue consuming something that causes respiratory failure is downright irresponsible.
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apologies for coming across wrong - the way the OP was worded, i get the impression this only happens w/ certain types of drinks (ie *not* with other types); if that's the case, and vodka's doesn't cause this / tequila does, i don't see that as an automatic "don't drink". i'm not trying to encourage dangerous/reckless behavior by any means, but sometimes it seems people are way too quick to just say 'stop everything' ("have anxiety? stop ALL drugs, forever and ever")
 
n3ophy7e, I you're right about it getting worse, I didn't notice this reaction when I first started drinking.

As for avoiding all alcohol...well that's probably the correct answer. I'm 21 so it's a rather bleak prospect in a social sense. I still respond well to albuterol in these situations and I seem to be okay afterwards, but it's still alarming especially when I'm at a club without my inhaler. And yeah, some types of booze/liquors don't seem to bother me. I'm okay with wine and gin for example. Others such as rum don't really affect my lungs but give me intense stomach pains (probably ulcers + a lot of sugar).

I actually don't even like the sauce that much. I wouldn't have a problem avoiding it completely if there were other socially acceptable depressants available :o
 
Transcendence said:
but it's still alarming especially when I'm at a club without my inhaler.
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Maybe just get in the habit of taking your inhaler with you everywhere. That's what I've always done. Mind you, because I'm a chick I have a handbag to take such things around with me ;) But surely you could take it in your jacket pocket or shirt pocket or something?

Transcendence said:
I actually don't even like the sauce that much. I wouldn't have a problem avoiding it completely if there were other socially acceptable depressants available :o
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You don't need drugs to have a good time mate ;)
But seriously, do any of your friends know about this breathing issue you've been having with certain drinks? Do any of them pressure you in to drinking? If so, maybe explain to them why you can't drink.
 
I'm 49 an the last 10 years I've been having issues with breathing after I drink any type of alcohol! I feel bloted, get a sore neck, and wake up in the morning with a headache , after just one drink! Puffers help with the breathing part, but not the rest, very frustrating ! It has gradually gotten worse with age. Alot of people think its in my head, and At times I try again and again with the same issues. Man I feel like shit now after drinking a coffee with Irish cream!
I guess it is just time to quit drinking! An take up a new sport!
 
As i have worked as a bartender, i do remember having a few customers who for example, would ask me to open a new bottle of pinot noir for them, as old bottles would often make them have an asthma attack. I thought it was bullshit, but now i see that it is a legitamate thing.
 
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