Whenever I drink more than a glass or two of wine now, even during the day followed by water, I end up with horribly disturbed sleep and it feels like every joint including my knuckles etc. are on fire and ache. Is this just me? Can anyone please advise how to avoid or counteract? I’d still like to enjoy a glass or two of wine at the weekend but the pain is unbearable. Even if I drink just at a girly lunch and consumer water the rest of the day, my sleep is so interrupted 🙁– Lizzie, Durham
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Cat girl5 years ago
Same here, palpitations and general feel of being unwell! I noticed it is worse with red wine (my favourite, sadly) and less with spirits. I do however suffer of two (highly manageable) autoimmune diseases....so I thought that was the reason.... but it is indeed worsening as I progress towards menopause (peri at the moment) Sorry not really helpful in terms of advice but sharing experience
Mel3 years ago
Just picking up on your comment about autoimmune diseases, do you think that makes your hangovers worse too?
Anne5 years ago
Hi Lizzie I have a similar problem whenever I have a dark alcoholic drink such as brandy or rum it leaves me with such a headache possibly a migraine as I have been sick with it. I have changed my drink that has been the only solution but still can have a slight headache with lighter alcoholic drinks. I too would like to continue to enjoy a drink but have to be extremely careful.
Valen5 years ago
Same here, I had 3 days of headache last time I had 2 glasses of red wine. My body can not bear it as it was. So no more wine for me.
Jolange5 years ago
Just a thought but are you having red or white? I used to have terrible temper after drinking red, I’m normally very placid but couple of glasses of red and I hit my then boyfriend, I was horrified but after a discussion with my Dr he thought it was an allergy, I don’t get the temper now but I do get racing heart and disturbed sleep, the less I have the worse it is, unless I have none so the rule is drink loads or drink none ? ?
AJ5 years ago
I too notice an elevated heart rate after a couple of glasses of wine (white, haven’t been able to drink red since pregnancy 10+ yrs ago!)... only at weekends now. Collagen supplement seems to have eased aching joints tho:-)
Kyliereplying to AJ5 years ago
AJ, can I ask if the aching joints are in your hands? Mine are on fire of a morning and still stiff through the day and saw you mention the collagen as a help for this?
Donna5 years ago
I’ve given up alcohol for those reasons, I don’t miss it. If I really really want a drink, I go for Vodka, Lime and Soda, no sweats, no headaches, no hurting body. Just not worth it.
Kimberly5 years ago
Me too! I have to stick to the hard clear stuff. So sad.
Erlington Jamesreplying to Kimberly2 years ago
Good to know thanks.
Ms B5 years ago
How very timely to bring this topic up. I had 2 glasses of red wine last night and I felt quite tipsy and ached in my knees and ankles. I was wondering why that was.
Georgina5 years ago
I am sadly used to love a glass of red - but even one gives me hot flushes and palpitations. I have one or two max glasses of rose or dry white and lots of water ?. I get less hot flushes if I have some carbohydrates or cheese ? (!) with wine - good luck !
Dawn5 years ago
I pretty much have given up red wine altogether. Except for Friday after the work week. I will have 2 small glasses. That's as far as I will take it. Otherwise I get a violent migraine that leaves me almost incapacitated for 24 hours. Along with joint and body ache. Anxiety goes through the roof too. Good news is I'm 5 pounds lighter waist is smaller because bloating is gone. No more night sweats less insomnia and fewer hot flashes.
Anonymous5 years ago
Same! I drink on special occasions or very sparingly and I find liquor doesn’t bother me as much as wine, particularly red wine..
Jessica5 years ago
I haven’t experienced the symptoms you are describing, but lately I find I never know how alcohol is going to affect me. Sometimes I’m ok and sometimes I feel “drunk as a skunk”. This has happened a couple of times under the same circumstances-full stomach, same amount of alcohol and alternating with water-very weird. I’m not on any medications, so?♀️. Hormones are great, right??
Melinda5 years ago
I get terrible migraines from wine now. It also wakes me up in the middle of the night...even after sleep meds. It stinks!
Caron5 years ago
Same here. I assumed it was just peri menopause symptoms rather than alcohol as on the (few) days I don’t have a drink it’s the same. Knee and finger joints sore but I thought this was the gym. Sweats and disrupted sleep too. I don’t think I can quit the drink - only relaxation I get during covid times - so have just been putting up with it!
Shem5 years ago
Same here ! So it’s the alcohol that brought on the sudden joint and muscle aches ! Wow
Jilly5 years ago
I just can’t drink red wine anymore without waking in the night with anxiety, shooting pains and palpitations. It’s sad, I love a glass or two at the weekend but it’s not worth it. I feel so much better if I abstain but it’s difficult there is a drinking culture in my family and friends it has made me realise I have a dependency.
Juliette4 years ago
I can relate but have given up alcohol entirely as I don’t metabolize it well since entering menopause. All the negative side effects are just not worth tolerating. Sorry to hear this is stressing considering your family dynamic; I admire your openness. May I suggest a nonalcoholic martini, which is delicious or non alcoholic red/white wine. There are many on the market.
Michelle5 years ago
I end up with shaking every time I roll over. Sometimes it’s so bad I wake my other half too
Liz5 years ago
Same here, if I had 1 or 2 glasses of red, my ‘hangover’ would start in the middle of the night and I would have the worst nights sleep and a lengthy recovery the next day. The earlier or more I drank, the hangover would start earlier. I thought I just couldn’t cope with alcohol anymore. I discovered gin, and found it didn’t affect me as much. Didn’t know I was peri-menopausal then. Fast forward to 9 months of being on HRT and I have discovered my love of red wine again. I try to avoid more than a couple of glasses, but no awful mid-night hangovers anymore. I never made the association before, but now makes sense!
Natascha5 years ago
I’ve noticed similar symptoms on occasion but also have inflammatory arthritis so thought they could be related. I’m going to try some sulfite free wine to see if that makes a difference. Red wine also contains more histamine so it’s possible that is causing the sensitivity.
Jan uk5 years ago
I switched from an occasional glass of white wine to red wine because it is less acidic as I have gastric reflux and also burning tongue syndrome which is truly horrible. I find my sleep is more disturbed with alcohol but Gin and Tonic less disruptive than wine. For me the benefits of relaxation and socialising (even if via virtual zoom chats) with a glass of alcohol in hand outweighs any occasional disruption to my sleep pattern. It also reminds me of life before COVID and brings back some normality. I’m also a fan of HRT which helped improve my sleeping pattern. Missing combined patches, still difficult to get hold of in the UK. Using gel and tablets is such a faff!
Beth5 years ago
Omg yes!! I have cut out alcohol now almost completely as it just wasn’t worth it. Weirdly white wine causes less hot flashes than red which makes me feel like I’m on fire. Caffeine is starting to do the same thing too. I used to miss it initially but don’t now.
Lizzie5 years ago
Thanks so much for all your feedback and comments. It’s great to be able to share the experience, I’ll give gin a try as I’m peri menopausal and see if that’s an easier option, it has tended to be the beloved red that’s caused most issues. Thank you again
Erica4 years ago
I like the gin idea, too. Maybe this is why it is conaidered a "lady" drink in some circles??
Warty5 years ago
Oh gosh!I'm so glad I’ve come on here to this conversation! I too have noticed the link with alcohol and joint pain / anxiety. I’ve been awake since around 4 in the morning. The night sweats come out to play too. My last Dr said as I have an autoimmune disease to avoid alcohol because of the sulphites - he also had the same autoimmune disease. I find my neck and face gets all puffy too. I tend to abstain and have now and again.
Jackie5 years ago
I’ve given up alcohol altogether as I suffer from terrible palpitations and disrupted sleep if I have even one glass
Inkala5 years ago
Yeah I find wine esp red wine really triggers inflammation and pain the next day. I have found taking ibuprofen and an anti histamine before partaking and making sure I drink plenty of water helps a lot, as well as an ibuprofen before bed.
Laura5 years ago
If I drink wine I only drink sulphite free organic white wine now, as it has no side effects for me. Red wine is out due to visual migranes the day after each time. Gin and tonic seems to be a much better choice, and lower calories!
Frances5 years ago
I've given up wine & can only drink clean spirits such as vodka & gin. Champagne seems to be ok too. I was having sinus problems too & my consultant told me there are 8 major allergens in wine! It definitely exacerbates my menopausal symptoms - terrible sleep, palpitations etc.
Lisa5 years ago
An unpopular comment coming up: In the book- The Wisdom of Menopause, the author recommends not only cutting out alcohol, but sugar and caffeine as well. I know! In short, because your hormones are already in flux, adding choices that add to your already exhilarating rollercoaster, only aggravates the ride. If you want to laugh, read my blog on the topic: 2getlisa.Wordpress.com/2020/11/22/evolutioning/
Billie5 years ago
Yes! 100 percent cutting out sugar no caffeine has helped soooo much! My breast get so sore if I have any caffeine . I get panic attacks at night if I have sugar that day. Its like so predictable. I also find not eating past 3pm has helped so much.
Kat5 years ago
Loved your blog..not only did it make me laugh it gave me hope… lolol
Sharoneva5 years ago
Oh no Think I need to quit ? I love wine & gin & brandy ? But have sore thumbs, feet, knees, hips.
Marlena5 years ago
Same here. Disturbed sleep, brain fog in the morning & feeling bloated after drinking wine or any alcohol is not worth it. Started drinking caffeine free tea instead, hence, an uninterrupted & great restful night of sleep.
Christine5 years ago
Agreed--I used to have a daily glass or two of wine, and I did not realize that it was contributing to many issues, including pain, anxiety and mood swings. I give it up, for a period of time, and then when I try it again, and now I understand what I was doing to myself. Alcohol has taken enough from me in my life: no more. The book Naked Mind really helped me break the habit.
DS3 years ago
Agreed! Fantastic book.. I quit drinking almost 6 months ago and feel much better. I think we have enough menopause symptoms to contend with, we don’t need to exacerbate them with the added symptoms of alcohol. Coming from someone who drank white wine every night for about 20 years. The pain in my knees has improved significantly since I gave up wine. I decided to have wine the other night (I do now on occasion) and it was a mistake. Woke up with a migraine, horrible sleep of anxiety, hot flashes and once again knee pain. Just not worth it!
Maria5 years ago
I also cannot drink wine as I used too, just to relax me, but if I have two glasses I get really bad headaches and at night is even worst, I cannot sleep or I may get night sweats ! This really sucks the little things to enjoy is becoming more of Void type of drinks.
Tad5 years ago
I can manage a single glass of white wine or a small glass of beer in the evening these days. I used to enjoy much more but quickly realised that the disturbed sleep with hot sweats, nausea and palpitations during the night were related to over indulging. I suppose it's much better for me?! I do wonder if I'll be able to ever enjoy a boozy evening with girlfriends again ....
Jayne 46 years old !5 years ago
I always thought I was susceptible to having whopping hangovers when I was a regular wine drinker, I’d experience aching bones and joints but I’d also have blocked sinuses and a terrible headache. It was only when I had drank more than my fair share of spirits one night and woke up the day after feeling only dehydrated and after having a glass of water and a good cup of coffee I felt almost normal that I realised I had a totally different hangover than usual. This was nothing compared to how I felt after drinking wine, I couldn’t believe how much better I felt. I’d have stopped drinking wine years earlier and switched to spirits if I’d have known it was the wine causing the whopping hangovers... I’m not a light weight drinker after all ! Not that it’s anything to be proud of but I definitely feel like I’ve grown up at last and can have a drink without wanting to chop my head off the day after !!!
Debs5 years ago
Hearing these comments makes so much sense. My wine of choice is Rose and have had some crazy “hangovers” recently after not very much wine headaches to the point of making me throw up most recently though had 3 Aperol Spritz for my birthday and the next day was awful had to stay in bed all day threw up twice and I thought this can’t be just because of 3 drinks so glad this chat popped in my inbox. The joints make sense now too thanks
Jib5 years ago
if you drink that is imported and then bottled in Uk ~oppose to bottled at source~ then it has additives that make hangovers worse and probably cause all kinds of other symptoms. check bottle for source and where bottled x
JacquiP5 years ago
Wowsers! Wine has similar impact on me too. I've recently tried organic wines which are slightly better. We also use Clean Wine in each glass to neutralise sulphites, which works wonders. Check it out if you can - it's been a game-changer. I listened to a Gwyneth Paltrow podcast with Cameron Diaz recently & it seems that during perimenopause our bodies struggle to metabolise the sugars in the wine, hence causing the oh so (not) joyful hangovers!
Tanya R.5 years ago
Well, whenever I drink wine, I break out in hand cuffs ?✈️
Charlie5 years ago
OMGosh this has been my thought and thinking it was dehydration. But I would drink a lot of water. I wake with stiff and sore fingers. No more wine ☹️
Sana5 years ago
I am 58 and for a while had to avoid red wine as it made my arms itch like crazy that I wanted to rub them with sandpaper - it was worse at night. I find I feel inebriated quicker (after one glass) and even feel the effects of that the next day. It makes my brain even foggier
Jo5 years ago
I tried so many creams - I used to scratch my shoulders and arms until they bled, never associated it to wine. Nurse practitioner said she’d never heard of inching to do with menopause I was dumdfounded
Christine5 years ago
I have noticed that as soon as I have a drink I start burning up, just my cheeks and ears. My heart rate elevates and it puts me off drinking anymore and just end up drinking water.
Lorraine3 years ago
Same here, I thought I was allergic to wine!
Wendi5 years ago
WOW! Yes! To all.. I love a glass of wine but now only on weekends as i get headaches, dizziness like a bad hangover, and heartburn. Now in full on menopause... add joint pain. I don’t want to give up my red wine but a hate how I feel. But I hate these menopause feeling without wine too.
Ally5 years ago
I quite often find climbing the stairs feels like climbing a mountain after a couple of red wines, all my limbs feel heavy and I'm out of breath. I also suffer from aching joints mostly in my elbows during the night and backpain. I was putting it down to the perimenopause, basically feeling like rubbish. I do like a glass of red wine to unwind, however I have abstained for a few days and feel so much better. Thanks for raising this topic.
Rebecca5 years ago
Same, same, same! To the headaches, joint pain, heart racing, night sweats. I do find taking ibuprofen before bed and drinking a lot of water over the course of the night helps and eating something...maybe some cheese and crackers with the red wine helps. I also wanted to add that I recently had my thyroid checked and it wasn’t doing it’s job properly. Since being put on that medicine, some of my symptoms have improved. Wanted to share in case that could help someone. The thyroid manages so much, if it’s out of whack, it affects more than I knew. Thanks for sharing ladies! This has made me feel so much better.
Liz5 years ago
Learn to love gin, ladies!!!! I had all of the night flushes with wine, rose being rather horrid and red wine causing me to want to call out the fire brigade throughout the never ending night from hell! However I have found that gin is much easier with far less hot flushes and more fun and tasty!
Shannon5 years ago
No solution—just commiserating. I’ve had a harder and harder time with wine (red, since I prefer it over white) and drink it less and less due to my difficulty sleeping after drinking it. I did have a “big girl pour” this weekend and the ice pack I brought to bed for my shoulder ended up on the back of my neck just so I could sleep because I was so hot! I find my body processes vodka much more easily so I see more cocktails rather than wine in my future.
Alex5 years ago
Yup! I rarely drink now and when I do it needs to be low sugar (no beer/wine or sugary mixers) and a looong way from bed time otherwise I can’t sleep: restless, heart palpitations, anxiety. Then I wake with joint pain and tight neck muscles! Have the occasional whisky, neat, and that’s it unfortunately :(
Susanna5 years ago
Yes yes yes. I decided to stop drinking red wine (the white one i never liked it). Now i feel better. When i want to have an aperitive, I’m having Martini or Aperol. Good bye red wine
Ciara5 years ago
With me it’s any alcohol and another effect it has is that my legs get really hot, even with just a light covering. Does anyone else get hot legs and feet?
Big R4 years ago
Intense hot flashes following 1 sip of wine..or any alcohol…totally worth giving up (for me)!! Just not worth the flushed face, hot flash, and dizziness. Maybe once I’ve made it to the other side of peri menopause… ??♀️
Sarah4 years ago
So glad I’ve read this, I didn’t know why I had suddenly started having anxiety and palpitations after drinking, particularly after Prosecco! My hangovers are horrific, often wiping me out the next day. I’ve decided that it’s not worth it anymore so will make sure I stick to white spirits only and only have a couple ?
Snapdragon4 years ago
Oh yes - wine gave me horrendous migraines - alcohol is annoyingly difficult. I really like the hard seltzers you can get now. Basically fizzy fruit flavour water with no sugar - about beer strength - some have sweetners in that I’m not so keen on - but they definitely make me feel less ill. Some pubs serve them & some supermarkets sell a version too.
Radrebecca4 years ago
Absolutely what I have too!! I know it’s menopause related but in the middle of the night when I am in pain and carefully positioning my tender joints it’s so horrible. Definitely worst with red wine, then white wine; other alcohol not quite as bad. I think if I have a very stressful day that has an effect also. Last night was awful and I’m so tired this evening after a full day at work, my mother staying, getting supper etc
Laetitia4 years ago
A few years back I started getting blocked nose and headaches whenever I drank red wine. Someone then introduced me to « nature » wines.. it totally changed my life! Yes those wines are much more expensive, but as with any other alcohol, drink responsibly and don’t overdo it. I can’t guarantee it won’t affect your joints as I don’t have this issue, but wine is so much better with a nice dinner than the hard stuff!!
LZ4 years ago
Oh man. Wine, dairy and red meat are the devil. Even a sip or a bite and I’m awake for the next few days. Or so arthritic-sore when I wake up (dairy). I’m a non-drinker these days but on a rare, hot, summer afternoon (especially during the first pandemic summer) I really relished a rosé. I drink coffee but nothing after about 11:45am. Red meat…sometimes it’s necessary for me as if I’m Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby but then it’s like I’m at Studio 54. I can’t come down from a burger.
Katieb4 years ago
I agree! So hard to drink now!
Jeni3 years ago
Yea!!! I get the worst hot flashes if I drink red wine. Even just one glass.
MM3 years ago
So the enzyme our bodies produce to metabolize, breakdown & digest wine and alcohol is the same enzyme our bodies release to help us wake up. So it is a myth drinking before bed helps us sleep. This goes for men & women so your symptoms are most likely not from menopause. Alcohol is not good for our bodies in general.
Kate2 years ago
HRT Anyone go crazy starting HRT- super anxious and low mood- it has been 9 days now- is there hope?
Nicole2 years ago
I get hot flashes with white wine almost instantly. If I drink red late at night I have serious nightmares all night. Straight tequila or gin, if I’m drinking.
Noz2 years ago
When I drink alcohol usully it gaves me migrain… 🫠 But I discover red wines give more symptoms then white wines…
Cat1 year ago
Sake gives me no hangover and doesn’t aggravate other things like night sweats or flashes. Wine will crush me every time. finding something that clicks with your body is a game changer. Good luck 🍀
Nell1 year ago
Same here. I think I’ve decided that I just need to quit drinking. It’s not worth it anymore.
Bryn9 months ago
I’ve experienced menopausal alcohol abuse and had to stop drinking alcohol entirely. It started around age 50. Today I’m 53. I’m doing a ton a research on this trend and have found out that hormone levels can make us incredibly susceptible to the effects of any amounts of alcohol during this phase of life. Since I stopped drinking altogether I don’t have any hot flashes, night sweats, headaches or fatigue. I still have monthly mood swings but am working with my doctor to add some BHRT to even this out. Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing? I drank socially until age 49 and then it suddenly became a problem. Quitting was the only solution for me.