Drinking and…middle age

[nicolewi]

So my husband and I really don’t drink that much these days in general. I mean, a couple beers here,, a cocktail there when we go out or to a cookout. A little more over summer and the holidays, but it’s not like we’re ever going out and partying hard! But I’ve noticed the last few times we went out to dinner with another couple and I had maybe like three drinks, although I felt completely fine at the time, I felt sick and off for quite a while in a delayed way after I got home. What is up with that?? Does this happen to other people? I’m 49. are used to feel more buzzed in the moment, but then fine by the time I got home. This feeling sick thing when I really didn’t even drink very much is weird. We’re going out tonight with another couple and they want to meet at a brewery first and then go to dinner. I’m curious to see if it happens again.

Age? Perimenopause? Is there something wrong with me?

[waverly]

I don’t know. But 3 drinks is a lot for me especially in a shorter period of time. Maybe try 1-2 drinks spaced out with water and see if that helps.

[nicolewi]

Apr 20, 2024 11:54:02 GMT -5 waverly said:

I don’t know. But 3 drinks is a lot for me especially in a shorter period of time. Maybe try 1-2 drinks spaced out with water and see if that helps.

Yeah, I should’ve mentioned that this was over a long period of time with appetizers and a big dinner in the mix also. Over 3 hours.

It’s more about the delayed reaction, and how I seem to feel off later on after getting home after having just a couple drinks. That isn’t how I used to feel. Just curious if this happens to other people my age.

[niq]

Seens normal. I am mildly hung over today after 3 glasses of wine over 3 hours with dinner last night.

[wanderingback]

I haven’t had this experience yet and my partner is older than me and hasn’t mentioned this. However, yes, this is normal. Metabolism and how we metabolize alcohol changes as we age, which affects how we feel.

I actually didn’t fully read this article but here is 1 article - www.healthywomen.org/amp/alcohol-affects-you-more-as-you-age-2659269598

[erbear]

I have had this experience as well. I assume it's just...getting older.

[VillainV]

I haven’t had this experience, but I very rarely have more than 2 drinks at a time (and this is maybe 2-3 times a year). No delayed reaction, just buzzed. Then puffy the next day (especially my hands and feet).

Maybe you have an intolerance?

[nicolewi]

I’m actually wondering if I’m developing some kind of intolerance. I guess we’ll see!

Or maybe it is just age changing the way I metabolize alcohol.

[noodleoo]

I was never a big drinker but I’ve noticed recently that alcohol can trigger migraines for me. So I don’t drink as much because it isn’t worth the awful headache I get the next day that lasts 2 days. My H doesn’t have this problem and actually drinks more than he used to. Not a lot, but a beer or 2 with dinner almost every night. I can’t drink more than one anymore, if that.

[mrsGreeko]

Oh I actually just read about this somewhere. Your alcohol dehydrogenase levels decrease as you age. The effect is more pronounced in women, starting around age 50. So that is probably what’s going on.

[tiki]

Apr 20, 2024 15:00:13 GMT -5 mrsGreeko said:

Oh I actually just read about this somewhere. Your alcohol dehydrogenase levels decrease as you age. The effect is more pronounced in women, starting around age 50. So that is probably what’s going on.

I'm only 43, but my face flushes much more easily these days after drinking alcohol. Maybe this is why?

[Velar Fricative]

It’s just the joys of aging. I’m only 42 but I’ve been feeling so gross the days after a few drinks that I’ve stopped drinking entirely. It’s just not worth it anymore.

[jaycee]

I'm 41 and in the past two years I've noticed that if I have even one drink, I am not able to fall asleep or stay asleep. This was never the case for me from being a teen until 38ish, but now I've chosen to stay sober because the sleep issue is so bad.

[gretchenindisguise]

I'm also 42 and barely drink anymore because it seems that no matter how much or little I drink, I feel badly the next day.

And I think I've developed an actual allergy or something to wine. I can barely even make it through a glass without feeling poorly. It sucks.

My liver is happy though.

[charlatti]

Ditto jaycee on the sleep issues. I’m 47 and it just started within the last few years.

[mrshandy]

I've noticed as I get older, mixing alcohol makes me feel much crappier than if I just drink the same thing the entire time. It didn't affect me as much when I was younger. I try to drink the same thing nowadays even though I used to love to mix it up.

[meanie]

It's probably a combination of age and tolerance. I can only drink 2 drinks max, I made the mistake of having 4 drinks one night and woke up still drunk the next day