Allergy to something in alcohol

[geoffreysisley]

Around 18 months ago I first noticed a reaction when i drank certain beers - budweiser and stella artois. This reaction would occur if I had 3 or 4 beers, and would result in my having flu-like symptoms - aching muscles and bones, shivering, headaches, lack of energy, congestion and mucous, and this lasts for 4 to 6 days.
I dont tend to drink very often these days as a result, however, i have noticed that over time, that I now get ill from drinking all beers, and from a lower quantity to before.
I saw my GP earlier who diagnosed this as hay fever. But surely it isn't coincidence that I always get like this after drinking lager. And also i have played soccer for the last 16 years every week and have never had any reaction to pollen / grass at all.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? or does anyone have any advice as to what I could do / avoid doing?


Cheers

Geoff

[geoffreysisley]

Just a note on top of this...

These symptoms often do not occur until a couple of days after drinking.


Does anyone have any ideas?

[jenny2]

I believe the same thing happens to me , in terms of the headache.  I feel like the day after I have any alcohol I develop a "sinus" like headache around my left eye.  It has taken many months of piecing it together.  Idid hear that alcohol could cause the sinuses to swell, thus resulting in pressure.  Also, perhaps it is the yeast in beer that bothers you.  There is a lot of discussion on yeast in our diets that can contribute to symptoms.  I am not really up tp date on that info, maybe someone else reading is.  
I know it is incredibly frustrating...... try eliminating alcohol and seeing what results!

[idesofmarch]

I have fibromyalgia and that causes a low tolerance of any kind of alcohol.  I especially had trouble with beer and red wine. I would be sick right away and for many days after; vomiting and headache was the worse part.  Save your money Don't drink alcohol.  I used to have a great time watching everyone else act like a fool and I could remember everything the next day too. I had the important job of driving everyone home after partying. I'd rather keep people safe than be puking for many days! If your friends make fun of you for not drinking with them then find yourself some TRUE friends to go out with. Or ignore their jokes, they'll stop after awhile. Yea it could be the yeast & dye (allergies)

[coughqueen]

A lot of people are allergic to by-products of yeast fermentation and find they are especially sensitive to unpasteurized beers.  You might check into this.

[misnger]

I'd believe it, my face get beat red if I drink any beer except Coors Light & Corona Light I can't figure it out.

[Deeds]

You can have allergic reactions to alcohol. It was one of the first things my allergist asked me - if I drank, what I drank and if I had any reactions to it. I don't drink so, the conversation didn't go furthur...I'm assuming you could be allergic to yeasts or even the barley, hops products in beer. Yeasts ferment to create the alcohol of choice... allergic to yeast - allergic to alcohol...