First of all, I'd like to say...GREAT FORUM!! I started drinking when I was 18, and I'd have about 2-6 shots 5 days/week...this went on for a little under a year. After that, I'd limit myself to only drinking 2-4 times a week. I had no problem with the flush until I was around 20. I started taking 1 pepcid AC (20 mg) and that cured the flush for me, no matter how fast or what I drank. If I was drinking 2 nights in a row, I was even able to take one pill the first night, and not have to worry about taking another the second night.
A year ago, however, I decided to try and save money by getting the Target's brand of pepcid AC (generic). It was still 20 mgs, but it didn't work as well. I then decided to take 2 of the generic kind...that didn't work as well, either, so I blamed it on it being generic. I then got more pepcid and starting taking 1 20 mg pill of it combined with 1 generic pill. The results were good, up until about 6 weeks ago. I don't get any rapid heartbeat, but it's a "heavy heartbeat," and my face is usually okay, but my CHEST and STOMACH gets red blotches (nothing too bad but still noticeable). Also, my eyes get a little red.
My quesetion is: am I building a tolerance to the pepcid? I know that I could take 3 pepcid AC max and be okay, but then what? Will I eventually have to take 5, 6, 7, etc to not get the flush? I've been thinking about not drinking for awhile, just so I can lower my tolerance to pepcid...how long does it take to lower one's tolerance? However, at the same time, I'm afraid that my body will become used to not having alcohol, thereby making the flush worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated!!