Is it normal that drinking alcohol gives me chest pain?

35% Normal
10 Comments

Fifteen minutes after a few sips the pain starts. My heart begins to beat irregularly as I struggle to control my breathing. A cold sweat precipitates on my brow and I am overtaken with a sensation of dread. The flush complexion and wide-eyed expression of fear upon my face draws the attention of my friends. "Man what's wrong? You look like you could use a drink."

Alcohol is anathema to me. Drinking it causes me so much physical distress that I avoid it like the plague. It's not as if I have adult-onset diabetes or hepatitis. My body just seems to reject all alcoholic beverages.

I get two reactions when I bring this up in public:
1) "You are so lucky! You're never going to be an alcoholic or have to deal with a hangover."
2) "Glad I'm not you."

This 'blessing/curse' is manageable but it puts me in an awkward place socially. At parties I cannot gain that buzz that would allow me to relax and mingle with others. I am unable to drink the bottled courage that would allow me to sing on stage or approach women. This perpetual sobriety keeps me out of harm's way but it also keeps me prisoner.

I am 29 years old, vegetarian, exercise regularly, and have no chronic illnesses. But when I drink just a small volume of alcohol, I am stricken with debilitating pain.

Is this normal?

Voting Results
35% Normal
Based on 40 votes (14 yes)
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Comments ( 10 )
  • Faceless
    13 years ago

    You have three options for becoming the socialite youve always dreamed of. They are as follows.

    Option one: Chug past the pain and become accustom to the magic of firewater. But beware of your demonic corner man in your fight for social acceptance.

    Option two: Just do coke. If someone asks why your clinching your teeth, losing weight and sniffing thirty times a minute, just say you have a cold. The very same cold youve had for five months.

    Option three: Just be yourself. The designated driver of happiness. What that means, I have no clue. Im high off PCP... Im a humming bird playing the harmonica perfectly. G'day mate!

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  • SoularWind
    13 years ago

    Of course it's normal, keep chuggin'. Ignore the shooting pains up your left arm, you just need more alcohol!

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  • Lammas86
    12 years ago

    Have you read about lymphoma, alcohol and pain?

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  • vidalocs
    13 years ago

    A girlfriend of mine hAs this and she's essentially allergic to alcohol she doesn't ever drink anymore as it just doesn't agree with her body. Try non alcoholic beer!

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  • Ebola69
    9 years ago

    Have you tried meth? There are other drug options beside alcohol.

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  • lil
    12 years ago

    What do you drink? And does it come with any bowel distress or cramping? If so it might be ibs, I have uc and chronic ibs and certain alcoholic drinks does this to me too!!

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  • [Old Memory]
    13 years ago

    I agree with inspector. You could have a major heart condition and if you till keep drinking you are a plain out idiot!

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  • Inspector019
    13 years ago

    You could have a heart condition and alcohol consumption will trigger this type of reaction. Best to see a doctor.

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  • wigsplitz
    13 years ago

    This happens to me too, I get a horrible pain in the pit of my stomach and a strange extreme pain right below my collarbone towards my shoulder/armpit area on both sides. It's excruciating. It doesn't happen every time I drink, just maybe 50% and I don't know the why or when of it.

    It didn't always happen, it only just started maybe 2 years ago.

    I've never been to a dr about this but I think I'm going to because it can't be good. I've just been putting it off.

    Simple answer is don't drink but that doesn't tell me what's wrong or if it's something I should be concerned about.

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  • americanhoney
    13 years ago

    Why do you keep drinking, then, silly?

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