I don’t usually drink, im not teetotal but it doesn’t take much to make me drunk and I don’t particularly enjoy it. However I was on holiday last week and on our last evening I had a couple more than my usual one or two holiday cocktails. I was nice and relaxed and when a reggae tune came on I decided even I could shuffle a little to the music so I danced, then I danced again then we sang on Kareoke then I danced again. About two in the morning we all decided we’d had enough and walked to the taxi rank detouring to the takeaway. I walked straight I could lift my leg meaning I didn’t have to swing it round from the hip as I usually do, I walked ahead of the group turning to say “look I’m walking” not only was I walking straight I was walking backwards! We got to the takeaway and I trotted up the three or four steps without using my stick or holding and dragging myself up by the handrail. I also walked down the steps without aid. Has anybody else noticed this happens to them? I do remember years ago my MS Nurse asking me if I drank as some people said it helped them. I have always said I don’t have spasticity but perhaps I do and the alcohol relaxed me.
All thoughts welcome.
It’s ironic, when sober I walk like a drunk and when drunk I walk like I’m sober.
Mad isn’t it? Do it myself!!! If I’m going to look drunk when I walk I might as well have a few, besides I can’t fall out of a chair, can I!!! Tracey x
Yes - alcohol relieves most of my symptoms. It’s a muscle relaxant, so will have a similar effect to prescription drugs like baclofen or diazepam.
I believe the mechanism of action is particularly similar to benzodiazepines like diazepam - one of the reasons people who struggle or have ever struggled with alcohol may be at higher risk of benzo addiction.
Says she, having a nice glass of wine.
Later I will take both baclofen and diazepam. I know it’s hardly recommended to mix and match all these, but what the heck, I have MS - I’m not about to become teetotal over it! The wine is the only thing that’s a bit naughty - the rest are exactly in accordance with the prescriptions, but they probably wouldn’t prescribe if I admitted to often mixing it with wine. Then again, the medical profession aren’t stupid - I’m sure they don’t believe everyone with MS quits drink as soon as they’re on any kind of symptom relief. They don’t ask, I don’t tell.
Haha no honest I walked better everyone said so…or maybe they were just humouring me.
I just can’t see how it would help. Maybe I don’t understand MS as I should, I always thought I didn’t walk properly because the messages that come from my brain to tell my legs what to do simply do not get through properly. Drunk or sober if the signals don’t get through the legs won’t do what is necessary.
But many years ago, my mum (who doesn’t have MS, but was on it for another reason) made the mistake of admitting to having had a drink with diazepam (knowing my mum, it was literally a drink, not drinks, as she’s never been a heavy drinker).
Ooh, Tia Maria’s lush in hot chocolate or coffee. Of course not the time of year for those, really!
Also, my mum made a fruit cake laced with it many years ago, that was wonderful! She was just using up a duty free bottle that she got when we came back from Italy, because it was just sitting in the cupboard. She put almonds on the top like on a Dundee cake and they all sank. But gosh that cake was delicious, and coming across a whole almond in the middle of a slice was lovely!
Hi Jan id like to say yes but from what i remember long before the MS i could barely walk on a Saturday night lol but i am off to a Biker Rally soon and will be taking a bottle of Bourbon with me lol so i will let you know