CAN ALCOHOL AFFECT JOINTS?

yes i too experience joint pains the day after partying. I get pains mainly in the wrists and elbow joints but what i have realized is that the symptoms are greatly reduced when I drink lots of water during the night before I go to bed. Even a glass of milk works wonders for me.

I'm just quoting you so I can post. I'm a very bad alcoholic and suffer badly with joint pains while I drink. It's been so bad that I have a lump in my knee and the docs after an MRI can't figure out what it's about. So has ANYONE figured out why? Some people have suggested histamines, but aside from NOT drinking what's the reason. I'm a scientist and can't figure this out.

Somebody needs to look into this. I have the exact same problem, as does my MOM. I just assumed I was falling apart. Wow.

look into TCM for more clear answers to this. Google

I'm another sufferer of the joint pain after drinking. It can be if I drink certain red wines or too much Pimms. I have an autoimmune disease and a wheat intolerance and wonder if it's some sort of intolerance to something in the drink.

I have this issues to but I only get the pain in joints which I have injured in the past. I screwed up my right knee at the age of 16 and then my right hip at 25. I am now 27 and after a couple of drinks my knee and hip is killing me.

I also have the same problem. I am not a heavy drinker, but when I do drink cocktails I experience excrutiating pain in my shoulders and neck. The pain last about 30 minutes then it would go away.

I can't believe how many people experience this! I am a very healthy and active 48 year old female and have had this problem for about 8 years now. My husband thought I was nuts when I first told him it was the alchohol but there is no doubt in my mind that it causes me joint pain. I am not a heavy drinker but even 1 glass of wine or one vodka martini in the evening will cause me to feel stiff and achy the following morning... in my wrists and fingers, as well as my knees, ankles and feet. I sometimes feel like I'm 90 years old when I get out of bed! And it definitely has not mattered what type of alchohol I drink... I have experimented with everything, including scotch, beer, rum, vodka... you name it. They all have the same affect on me.

A few years ago I discovered Bikram Yoga and I have to say that going to a class in the morning is the best quick relief I've ever experienced. Probably because the 90 minute class takes place in a 105 degree room and any alchohol that you are retaining is quickly lost through sweat. And it forces me to be more aware of my water intake since you really have to stay well hydrated to be able to enjoy these classes. In general, practicing this yoga 2 - 3 times a week has increased my health all around and I find myself drinking less just because I know it will make my classes harder the following day. So although I still enjoy a glass of wine a few nights a week, and a few martinis on the weekends, I have cut back. I just know that everytime I do partake, I will feel the stiffness the following morning. But I also know that I can work through it pretty quickly and keep it under control by continuing to stay hydrated and physically active... and especially continuing with the Bikram Yoga. For anyone who has joint pain at all, I highly recommend you try it!

OMG! I have noticed pain in my thumbs, fingers, and wrists for the last few years. I have been drinking 2-3 glasses of white wine every night. I started to wonder if the pain was related to the wine and last night had NO wine and this morning I have NO pain! I am in my late fifites and am amazed to think that there might be a correlation. Hmmmm....another reason to cut back on the drinking!!!I will continue to experiment with this and see if the wine has an effect on my joint pain. I am very glad to see tha others have noticed the same thing. Have any studies been done?

Wow, I've suspected a correlation for awhile but it didn't make sense until this week. I drink,(drank), 4/5 glasses of wine every nite and about 5 months ago I went dancing, drank wine and woke up the next morning barely able to walk. Dr's said my knees were worn out, maybe a torn miniscus, but I have spent every day feeling like a marginal cripple. 5 days ago I got the flu and stopped drinking, eating etc and the next morning the swelling in my legs was gone and the knees only had small pains every now and then. It's been five days now and I am almost normal but I do miss the evening wine...but the trade-off is worth it. Why would alcohol affect us this way??? Maybe it's alcohol and arthritis as I am 66 and starting to get all those aging related problems. I did have knee orthoscopic surgery on my right knee 5 yrs ago and the doc's said that arthritis is usually increased in joints that have been operated on. Yup, gonna miss those great Cabs...but I will be saving lots of money....

Similar story to all the above, except that I haven't had alchohol for years, then had a 1/2 glass of red wine on Thanksgiving. I woke up with both knees, both hips, sacroiliac and finger joints ablaze. I've been aware for about 6 years that I'm sensitive to wheat and yeast, and have stayed away from beer, plus lots of alcoholism in the family, so...

I wonder if it's the yeast in the wine? Certainly wine is made with it...

I experience the same problem! My theory is that alcohol raises the acidity level in your body and we feel that in our joints...my knees have beengiving me problems for years.

I'm 25 and got it too! I drank a lot and have partied a lot in the past and it's catching up. Before I used to get irritations on my face from red wine but now i'm getting extreme pain in my joints from ANY alcohol. I hate that doctors think you're crazy when you tell them that. I also have a positive ANA titre- however the joint pain only comes on with alcohol.

I love drinking! I'm so sad

I also have this the morning after drinking... I think it might be contributed to severe dehydration after drinking, but I don't know for sure... Anybody have the real answer?

with 12 months in pain, i am 90% sure that Alcohol can cause your wrist or knee pain. At first, i thought my work caused my wrist pain but then i took a month off to rest but my wrist still hurt. November was a busy month for me therefore i didn;t have time to go out. I was fine for almost one month until last X-mas. I had a couple drink on X-mas night and once again, my knee then my wrist hurt the day after. Now looking back, i realized that my knee and wrist hurt whenever i went out and drink at the clubs. (spent a lot of money with the Doctors ;-), no help... i am happy with Alcohol free life :-))