CAN ALCOHOL AFFECT JOINTS?

I'm online looking for a connection as i too suffer from the same thing. Not a lot of helpful information out there!

Yes, I'm in my 40s and get joint pain, mostly in the hips next morning, after an extended period of drinking for a few days. I believe it is to do with dehydration. Else something to do with crystals. Although there is some arthritis history in my family, and several hip replacements. Whatever it is, alcohol brings it on.

OMG! My knees have been killing me for a bit, I'be been off work for the summer, hence been drinking almost every night. I'm in my mid 40's. I'm a runner & thought it was the running, now I think it's the old vino! Oh blimey, life's gonna be pants if I have to stop drinking!

Can alcohol cause joint pains? because after i had been drinking for consecutive 3 days my knees started paining and this is the third day the paining is not going aways. Now I'm not sure of what the cause is but i'm suspecting alcohol and i don't know what to do to stop the pain

I've been almost a daily drinker for some time been diangosed w/ tendonitus, more recently bursitus of the hio to the point of liming, seeing a reumatologist , got a shot seemed better for almost a month , then a relapse...using a TENS unit constantly, popping potassium pills w/ food, and drinking a halk gallon of water, I got myself to normal....I'll mention I worked a physical job 80% outside on ninety degree heat

Ive done without for as much as 30 days...its just a habit

Hi, just researching this morning the very same topic. Been following a really good lifestyle plan, healthy eating hardly any alcohol but then last night had just short of a bottle of red wine! in the night my knees and hips really started to hurt and the only thing I think it could be is red wine.

Well I have to say this is really interesting. I too have been suffering with severe pain in my knees for the last 9 months. It started in one knee and has now started in the other. I would say it felt like the joints had no suppleness to them, almost like wearing a set of calipers which applied pressure to the inside face. I also found the leg muscles had no energy or power, I could get down onto the floor but no way could I get up using my legs, they just had no power and were really painful. I also experienced a general lack of energy throughout, very tired and could honestly have stayed in bed on many occasions.
I have had all the blood tests done under the sun, three times in all and every time they came back as normal, no issues at all, none. I was even tested for Lymes disease as this can cause flu like symptoms and pains in the knees, again normal. I have been for three xrays, the feet, the hands and now the knees, yes there is slight and I mean slight signs of wear and swelling but not to cause the amount of discomfort and pain I am experiencing.
The radiographer then suggested taking Glucosamine with Chondroitin or New Zealand Green lipped Muscle extract. He said they could help and would at least eliminate taking the pain killers or anti imflammatory tablets which are not good for you. I am now taking the Glucosamine and Chrondroitin tablets daily and using the NZ green lipped muscle extract as a gel rubbed into the joints. I have notice some improvement and hope it continues.
The doctor has also suggested it may be CFS or ME, all possible.
However I too am wondering about the connection with Alcohol and if there is a connection. It would appear so from reading the forum here with so many of you complaining of the same issue, interesting. I used to be a real heavy drinker in my youth which continued into later adult life. I would have a drink or two every night without complications or any ill effects.
I am approaching my sixtieth birthday this December and have always been active, DIY, walking the coast and countryside, 5 to 10 miles no problem, and cycling. It worries me that I could have to give all this up and maybe there is an answer, the drink goes.
This is my first week really of cutting out and I have to say each day is getting easier, the pain is less and diminishing, so may be there is something in it.
Interesting to note to that I read cronic fatigue CFS and ME are all affected by Alcohol too

Hi, l am 72 and have a very busy social life in Cyprus where I am retired. Normally I do not suffer from aches and pains but four days ago on a night out with friends I drank a bottle of good red wine, 1 large beer, 1 small brandy followed by two scotch and ginger. Since then I have been in agony with my right knee joint, struggling to walk. Hence I have not had a drink since. Two nights on the couch resting plus plenty of water and it is beginning to ease. Also I had sat for hours writing in a crouched position.

Very useful, Charlie!
Thanks very much!

Did giving up the wine help

I came to this forum for some answers and I think I have got them. I suffer from chronic pain, arthritis, spondylitis, fibrmyalgia etc. I always sort of self-medicated in the evenings with a couple of glasses of red wine. Since being switched over from codeine to morphine every time I have a drink I feel like I have been beaten up within 10-15 mins of consumption. It aggravates both joint and soft tissue pain. I will try some nights without alcohol to see if that will make a difference. Thanks.

I could have written your comment lol. Ditto to the red wine, beer and blonde alcohol. You and i have the same strategy with the water and sleep. This is the best I have come up with too.

A most likely mechanism for alcohol related joint problems and other problems is leaky gut. Alcohol causes intestinal permeability which allows bacteria endotoxins into the blood and circulation where they may settle and cause issues like damage and inflammation. You can't hydrate or vitamin your way out of it unfortunately. Additionally, alcohol is a class one carcinogen, increasing cancer risk even at less than moderate levels. Studies that showed benefit with moderate consumption in the past are not holding up under scrutiny in newer studies. We may look back at this some time in the future and say duh, I now know why alcohol caused joint problems and other issues. Because it is poison (and addictive).

hi I also can confirm all my niggling little injuries are always worse when I have had a weekend on the wine whether it be red or white ,, I have a tear in my shoulder and a lower back problem ,I am fit and have a physical job train regular eat a well balanced diet drink loads of water .. so im convinced alcohol is the culprit , hope this helps