Steph wrote:

Oh my gosh, you poor thing...
While for the most part it sounds like you've always suffered from the dreaded glow, your sudden change in reaction is a bit concerning.

I don't think any of us get all sweaty and it sounds like you are burning up when you have even a wee bit of drink.

I would suggest going to a doctor. Maybe maybe it's just that your symptoms have gotten worse as you've gotten older I don't know. Maybe see a doc of asian background as they may be more likely to have heard of the Asian Flush.

Maybe it is hormonal, and that you have developed incredible intolerance to alcohol?

Dunno. Good luck and let us know how you're getting on.

Thanks for the advice. I like the idea of seeking one who has experience with Asian Flush. I am going back to the Dr. to ask for further blood work, such as testing my Bilirubin blood levels. I have had a basic look at my liver function. A co-worker suggests that I have my pancreas checked as well as a heavy metal test, (no not the music! haha), and also be referred to a dietitian or a nutritionist. Also have a look at HepC!.

When she was 19, she became deathly ill as a secondary cause: that being the chemicals sprayed on the crops on her farm. Did some major damage to her body and she still suffers to this day (she is in her 40's) from irreparable damage. Only one in her family to be affected.

She says because of the sudden onset of my "allergy" to alcohol, she wouldn't rule out that there is an underlying cause. Always worth looking into the goings on of the body, when such a drastic change occurs.

We are going thru lead pipe problems in London ONT. where I live, and they just tore down the dilapatated paint factory at the end of my street, where much contamination is sure to have occured and seeped into the water. Have lived there 9 years now. My sudden change could be related to other issues, and perhaps has been exacerbated by contamination?

Worth looking into....and I will keep you posted!

Tootsie

Thank you for having this forum on the topic. I have had some very serious and scary developments in the last 9 months and have been surfing around looking for answers to what the heck is going on.

Here's my history and I appreciate ANY input or advice you folks may have to offer.

I am now 44 yrs old, Canadian of Eastern European descent,(Estonian/Ukranian), female and in excellent health otherwise.  I have lived for a few years now, with the reddest, hottest cheeks after having a drink, always beer! and in my case, it seemed to be an endearing quality! My friends always comment on how sweet I look with a natural glow. HA! I could live with that, and in my case, the "glow" would pass after a few drinks.

What I can't live with is the sudden onset about 9 months ago, of my total inability to drink even a shot of booze, without feeling sick, hot, as if I were detoxing. Worse than any hangover I have ever suffered, and I have had a few...

It started out last summer, when I drank a bunch of beer one night, then was totally wiped out by midday of the following day. When I drank the next time, the time period between drinking and feeling like death, shortened, as did the amount I could drink. It is now to the point that I can not even take a 1/2 cup of any type of liquor without instantly turning red, sweating uncontrollably, needing to lay in a cold tub of water, crying because I am scared and so sick, and feeling like I am dying. I am not kidding. The worst feeling I have ever felt in my life.......

So I have figured out that I suffer from Asian flush, likely mildly for years (red flush symptom only, still able to consume great quantities of beer....haha). I understand the concept about the enzyme that has seemingly disappeared from my system. What I DON'T get is WHY? Where did it suddenly go? Seemed to work fine before, and others on this forum seem to have never had the ability to drink from the get-go. I was able to drink with the rest, but suddenly I cannot! Why suddenly at the age of 43 did the exaggerated inability to digest alcohol hit me outta the blue? Did I fry some part of my liver? Is it perimenopause? Will I outgrow it? Is it a secondary effect of an environmental toxin? Why did my tolerance just evaporate so suddenly? I never had a problem holding my beer until last summer, and it was at the drop of a hat.

What happened to me and my body?

Anybody?