Shoulder cramps after drinks some types of alcohol

bazza76 · Newbie Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

After reading a little bit on the internet I have a feeling this thread may have a couple of different problems.

Me personally, I get a deep pain across my shoulder and chest when I drink certain drinks. As someone said, it is quite the party killer, and I usually have to go outside for some fresh air to try and calm down.
I do not get the symptoms when I drink beer, I do get it with some spirits though but not all.
I am not a big drinker, but I like to experiment with drink when I do drink.
I noticed on one bottle that gave me the pain, that the ingredient Sulphur Dioxide was in it. But that may or may not mean anything.
I am not a big wine drinker, so I can not say if it is the problem, and I know that is an ingredient used in wine often.
I think what I will have to do is an allergy test, if and when I do, I will let people know the results.

Guest · Guest

I have the same problem too. Ive been searching the web, and no one has an answer for this. My pain is in my shoulder/shoulder blades. The area is If you were to grab your shoulders with your arms on either side of the neck. It will start soon after the first few sips, and it lasts 10 to 20 minutes then it is gone. Alcohol is the common factor. If I don't drink, it doesn't happen. And even if I do drink it doesn't always happen. And it never happens with beer.
I've experienced this for at least 5 years. I think it might have to do with not eating much, but I cant be sure about that. Maybe a low blood sugar thing?

Has anyone got more information about this?

Guest · Guest

Ok guys. I have the exact same problem. Mine has been going on since I was about 21. It has gradually gotten worse. I have always related the worsening to age. But, i have also had two children in the past 4 years. So, after finding all of your comments and getting fed up with not even being able to have a drink with dinner I went to the doctor. She diagnosed me with gallbladder attacks. After childbirth a women’s gallbladder can be affected. I now am going to have a sonogram of my gallbladder and then will hopefully have a in and out surgery to remove it. And then, hopfully will celebrate with a drink. So, I hope this bit of insite helps all of you. I know all of your comments gave me comfort in knowing I am not going crazy.

Greatwhite · Newbie Joined: 09 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

Just like pretty well everyone else who has posted here - I thought I was the only one with this stupid ailment. That is until I mentioned it to someone at work, who's well over 50 and he said "hey - I have the same problem!" I am glad that there are more people out there with this issue, although I do feel bad for everyone because I know just how damned painful it can be.

I'm 32, and discovered the issue around 21... When I stopped being able to drink alot and wake up feeling great. Cool

I have done some extensive testing to determine what the cause is, so that I can avoid certain drinks and still have fun at parties. What I found is that it's the combination of processed sugars and alcohol. Rye & Coke, Rye & Ginger, cheap margaritas, etc ALL affect me. I actually passed out in the lavatory of a plane at 30,000 feet after a rye & coke...

I found that the sugars don't have to actually be mixed with the booze at the time. Tonight, for instance - I had a coke before dinner, and a glass of wine with dinner. I spent 5 minutes in pain, sweating, and green until it passed.

I used to warn my friends when we'd go out drinking that I'd have to take a short break after the first drink - and to expect me to look ill. After that, I'd be fine to continue.. And it would hit like clockwork.

I'm still looking for answers as to what the heck it is. I do know to avoid sugary drinks with booze, and am perfectly happy with rye & diet coke.

Guest · Guest

I have the problem when drinking bottled beers, sometimes. It sounds very much like the problems described on here...

I'm 25, it's only been happening for a few years. It starts after the first bit of drink, and it's a pain across my shoulders, chest and neck. Sometimes it's so painful I have to stop whatever I'm doing, so it can be quite annoying.

No idea what could cause it - but it's odd that it happens to different people after different types of alcohol. May ask my doctor next time I'm there.

Guest · Guest

I am not a neurology specialist but it sounds like "referred pain" from the phrenic nerve which innervates the upper adbominal organs, the diaphragm and the central structures of the chest. It could be that you have some specific gastric reaction to the alcohol in question that stimulates the phrenic nerve, causing the sensation of a dull, unlocalized pain in the area above the collar bone.

Pain in that area can mean problems with the heart, bronchi, diaphragm, stomach, liver, pancreas, gall bladder etc.

Guest · Guest

ok so i've had the same issuse as everyone; severe/continuous pain in the neck, shoulders, back and chest areas after consuming alcohol; accompanied by sweating and just a general crappy feeling that lasts for 15-45 mins. nothing makes me feel better...so i've been experimenting and narrowed it down to these 3 triggers (now don't hold me to this coz it might be different for the rest of u)...i found that i get this feeling when (a) i drink rum (b) i drink brandy (c) i have not eaten or had any other non-alcoholic fluids a few hours before drinking alcohol...and it always happens with liquor and not beer...so i'm guessing that higher concentrations of alcohol on an empty stomach = our common shitty feeling...so ummm make sure u've had something to eat and drink (not just a bite sized snack or sip of something) b4 u have any shots or liquor based drinks...yes the feeling goes after a while and i'm able to carrying on drinking; but i've also found that if i drink a lot of water right when i get this feeling, that it doesn't last as long......i'm still working on it so if anything now comes up i'll let u know and if anyone else can find a solution plz let us know!!

Shoulder cramps after drinks some types of alcohol

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