About 40 percent of individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS) meet the criteria for excessive alcohol usage. If you have MS, you may wonder what the effects of moderate or heavy alcohol consumption are on your disease and overall well-being. As one MyMSTeam member said, “I need to stop burying my symptoms with alcohol — it never serves me well the next day.”
If you have MS or you have a loved one with the condition, it’s a good idea to get an overview of the association between alcohol and MS risk factors, medications, symptoms, and severity. It is important to talk to your neurologist to see if your drinking habits could interfere with your specific MS symptoms or treatment.
Alcohol’s Effect on Symptoms of MS
In people with MS, alcohol consumption has been shown to reduce symptoms in certain instances. Some research suggests that short-term alcohol use may affect the immune system in beneficial ways, such as by dampening the immune response that can lead to inflammation. The same research suggests that long-term or heavy drinking may impair the immune system, however, and could increase the inflammatory response characteristic of MS.
One MyMSTeam member shared, “I was having a good day until I had an alcoholic beverage, and then came pain 30 minutes later. Alcohol has never affected my symptoms until now.” Another member found that it was helpful to stop drinking: “Today, after a few years of no alcohol, I got my motor skills back. My leg actually bends again, and my rhythm and hips are much better.”
A 2017 study showed that moderate drinking (more than three glasses of red wine per week) was associated with a lower Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) and a lower Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score than mild or no alcohol use. Experts believe that the results may be because of red wine’s neuroprotective (brain-protecting) effects, though the researchers call for further studies. One MyMSTeam member noted, “Red wine contains resveratrol that helps us fight the environmental concerns toward the brain.”
That said, the side effects of alcohol use, like impaired coordination or slurred speech, can be similar to symptoms of MS. If you already have trouble with speech, balance, cognition, or urinary continence because of MS, alcohol may compound these issues while you’re drinking.
As one MyMSTeam member said, “One drink anymore makes me feel like I’ve had 10! Didn’t bother me at all until the MS.”
Effects of Alcohol on Disease Progression
A review of multiple studies showed that alcohol intake negatively affected disability progression, although results varied by country. Moderate or high levels of alcohol consumption have also been associated with more severe brain lesions on MRI, which may indicate more severe MS.
Alcohol and Disease-Modifying Treatments (DMTs)
While alcohol likely doesn’t decrease the effectiveness of DMTs, alcohol has known interactions with many medications, which can lead to unwanted health effects. Talk to your doctor about any potential risks of drinking with the medications you take. In some cases, the effects of alcohol may be worse. One MyMSTeam member shared, “I’ve just noticed my tolerance is almost nonexistent. One glass of wine and I’m floored.” Another said, “Moderation is key, but at different stages of medication use, abstinence is best!”
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