That's a really tough thing to face, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed right now. The important thing is that it's been caught early, and there are steps that can be taken to protect the liver going forward.
Lupus itself can affect the liver in 25% to 60% of people, so the liver is already under extra pressure. Adding Show Full Answer
That's a really tough thing to face, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed right now. The important thing is that it's been caught early, and there are steps that can be taken to protect the liver going forward.
Lupus itself can affect the liver in 25% to 60% of people, so the liver is already under extra pressure. Adding alcohol into the mix puts even more strain on it, and over time this can lead to serious complications like scarring of the liver, internal bleeding, and high blood pressure in the liver. Many lupus medications are also processed through the liver, which makes this even more important to address. These include:
- Prednisone – risk of GI bleeding increases with alcohol
- Methotrexate – can cause permanent liver damage when combined with alcohol
- Mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) – also processed by the liver
- Leflunomide (Arava) – same concern
Being completely honest with a rheumatologist and primary care doctor about alcohol use is really important so they can adjust treatment safely. A MyLupusTeam member shared that after getting diagnosed, they realized they had been self-medicating with alcohol without knowing it — and that going sober made a huge difference.
If cutting back feels difficult, speaking to a doctor is a great first step. The SAMHSA helpline (800-662-4357) is also free, confidential, and available 24/7 to help find support resources nearby.
September 25
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