How to drink alcohol with mild gastritis (going on trip with friends)?

Hi everyone,

I’ve been diagnosed with mild chronic gastritis (no H. pylori), and I really want to ask for advice. I also suffer with regular reflux. I’m going abroad with friends soon, and of course I’d like to be able to drink and enjoy the trip with them — but alcohol often makes me feel sick.

Here’s what happens to me: • Sometimes I get only mild reflux from a drink, but the next day if I try the exact same drink, it gives me much stronger reflux. • I’ve often ended up vomiting after about 4 drinks in one night. • The bad feeling usually starts in the middle of the night while drinking, not just the next day. • My throat feels dry or phlegmy, sometimes with a gaggy nausea feeling. • My stomach gets bloated/uncomfortable, and I sometimes get loose stools.

I’ve tried different strategies: • Eating bread, rice, or yogurt before drinking sometimes helps. • Dry white wine has sometimes worked better, but not always. • Gin or vodka with soda/juice often makes me feel worse. • Drinking enough water beforehand seems to reduce the discomfort a little. • I’ve tried things like Gaviscon, sucralfate (Antepsin), antacids, Acetium, etc. Sometimes they help, sometimes they don’t.

My questions: • Has anyone with gastritis or reflux figured out a way to drink socially without major problems? • Are there certain drinks that are usually easier on the stomach? • Does eating certain foods before really make a big difference? • Any tricks for preventing that mid-evening nausea/reflux so I can actually enjoy the night? • Or is alcohol just always going to be a bad idea with gastritis?

I’d love to hear experiences, especially from people who also wanted to drink socially while dealing with gastritis.

Thanks 🙏