Allergic to spirits?

Question:

My husband has, for years, suffered with an illness that has flu like symptons including extreme temperature changes, shivering, sweating etc etc. We've eventually pinned the problem down to instances where he drink spirits such as whiskey and vodka and, after much experimenting, are pretty satisfied that this is what causes it, so he has obviously stopped drinking spirits. He drank a glass of brandy last week and sure enough he's coming down with the illness now. I'd be really interested to know if anyone has every heard of or experienced anything similar.

Answers:
I have a bad reaction to rum, and as a result, we've assumed I'm just allergic to it. I get intense pains in my back - midback where my kidneys are, and they shoot upwards, causing a stiff-neck type feeling. I break out into a cold sweat and feel nauseated, like I really want to be sick, but can't (trust me, I've tried!). After I realized the reaction I had, I went to a party and was given a drink with rum in it. As soon as I started to feel bad, I started drinking LOTS of water to flush it out of my system, and I felt better.

I don't have much advice other than to just avoid the spirits that cause the problems. I've wondered if an allergist could pinpoint it more specifically, but until I bother with that, I just don't drink rum :) Good luck!

I had a boss that had the same thing as your husband. I can't drink rum, not even a sip. It gives me hang-over like symptoms for 3 days. This happened last time when the bartender used the same jigger for all cocktails he was making. I was drinking a margarita.

i've experienced the same thing when i drink rum. i've' got red patches on my skin and itch like hell, felt hot ,too.
now i only drink beer

Allergic to spirits?

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