Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Tingling Pain In Arms While Consuming Alcohol?
Question: I am a 23 year old female. I don't smoke and I am not overweight. I rarely drink alcohol and when I do I'll have 1 drink with dinner (usually a martini). However, when I do my arms begin to tingle/ache after the first couple of sips. It is a similar feeling to stretching sore muscles. The only answers I can find online are alcoholic neuropathy but again I rarely drink alcohol (I've probably had about 15 drinks in the last 2 years). Is this something I should be concerned about and should I be completely abstinent from alcohol or can I still have a drink with dinner every once in a while?
Brief Answer:
it's not neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
First of all you are right in saying that this is not alcoholic neuropathy as neuropathy develops after years of alcohol abuse and there remains constant symptoms which is not in your case.
The first possibility is that you are slow metabolizer for alcohol.
Second possibility is of developing alcoholic pathological intoxication if you continue further drinks.
The third possibility is of some mild allergic teaction to one of the contents of the drink.
Other than that your symptoms do not meet any described pathological disorder.
Considering all these facts in my view first change your drink and if symptoms continue avoid alcohol all together.
I hope this answers your question.
Thanks and regards.
Dr Ashok Kumar
it's not neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
First of all you are right in saying that this is not alcoholic neuropathy as neuropathy develops after years of alcohol abuse and there remains constant symptoms which is not in your case.
The first possibility is that you are slow metabolizer for alcohol.
Second possibility is of developing alcoholic pathological intoxication if you continue further drinks.
The third possibility is of some mild allergic teaction to one of the contents of the drink.
Other than that your symptoms do not meet any described pathological disorder.
Considering all these facts in my view first change your drink and if symptoms continue avoid alcohol all together.
I hope this answers your question.
Thanks and regards.
Dr Ashok Kumar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Just to be clear, the first possibility of my symptoms is just that I metabolize alcohol slowly so therefore alcohol affects me more quickly than other people? (I could just get "drunker" faster?
The second possibility of my symptoms is that if I drink more I'll become drunk (that's kind of obvious)
and the third possibility is that I am allergic to something in my drinks? I get these symptoms no matter what kind of alcohol I'm drinking so I don't think that is it.
I'm not clear as to why your suggestion is to avoid alcohol altogether. If I am not allergic to any ingredients, what is the reasoning behind avoiding alcohol? Is alcohol detrimental to my health more than the average person based on my symptoms or is it a suggestion you would give anyone because alcohol is not particularly good for anyone.
The second possibility of my symptoms is that if I drink more I'll become drunk (that's kind of obvious)
and the third possibility is that I am allergic to something in my drinks? I get these symptoms no matter what kind of alcohol I'm drinking so I don't think that is it.
I'm not clear as to why your suggestion is to avoid alcohol altogether. If I am not allergic to any ingredients, what is the reasoning behind avoiding alcohol? Is alcohol detrimental to my health more than the average person based on my symptoms or is it a suggestion you would give anyone because alcohol is not particularly good for anyone.
Brief Answer:
It mean that alcohol causing these symptoms and need to avoid it
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Tanks for reverting back to me.
After getting the more information I like to clear that you are not allergic to its contents.
But the possibility of slow metabolizer still remains.
The second possibility is pathological intoxication which is not obvious as you wrote back. There is difference between pathological intoxication and simple intoxication.
I pathological intoxication you get symptoms that others do not get with simple or low dose.
So to clear it again the suggestion is based on facts which are more aptly applicable to you although it is true that it is harmful for anybody.
I hope this clears the issue altogether.
Thanks and regards
It mean that alcohol causing these symptoms and need to avoid it
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Tanks for reverting back to me.
After getting the more information I like to clear that you are not allergic to its contents.
But the possibility of slow metabolizer still remains.
The second possibility is pathological intoxication which is not obvious as you wrote back. There is difference between pathological intoxication and simple intoxication.
I pathological intoxication you get symptoms that others do not get with simple or low dose.
So to clear it again the suggestion is based on facts which are more aptly applicable to you although it is true that it is harmful for anybody.
I hope this clears the issue altogether.
Thanks and regards
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
