Alcohol

Last Christmas season I dont remember much due to chemo, radiation and pain meds. This year my eyes are wide open and have become the designated driver. I tried a sip of wine last month and I might as well drank battery acid. Damn did that burn and the taste lingered for most of the night even after washing out with water. Tried a sip of coke and had the same reaction. Anyone else have the same results? Not a big drinker but I do miss a nice glass of red wine

 

Jeff

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Comments

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    I'm the DD as well

    I couldn't drink alcohol even if I wanted to.  Even non-alcoholic mouthwash burns my mouth.  And no carbonated drinks either.  I have finally been able to add a little pepper to my food, but even that was a no no for quite awhile.  I think you will find your in fair company in this.  Here's to New Years!

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    Glad you asked....

    I don't drink alcohol....not because of cancer, but because I quit nearly 30 years ago......but I did decide to try lime Pepsi this weekend, and well.....it was a fail.  The carbination is painful, and the taste was awful....I'm always experimenting, but I don't foresee me trying pop again for a long while.

    p

  • Mikemetz
    Mikemetz Member Posts: 465 Member
    Try low tannin wines

    Even five years out, I can't drink wines that are high in tannins--like cabernet sauvigons (sp--that's how much I've forgotten).  You might try merlots or pino noirs to see if you can tolerate them.  If I have some spicey foods (even some not-so spicey foods) and then follow them with a high tannin wine, it really burns--so that combination is out for me.

    For me I think it is the acidity in foods or drink, not so much the 'heat', so my wife is my canary--she tastes things first and then let's me know if she thinks I can tolerate it.

    Bottom line--get yourself a canary!

    Mike

     

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    Mikemetz said:

    Try low tannin wines

    Even five years out, I can't drink wines that are high in tannins--like cabernet sauvigons (sp--that's how much I've forgotten).  You might try merlots or pino noirs to see if you can tolerate them.  If I have some spicey foods (even some not-so spicey foods) and then follow them with a high tannin wine, it really burns--so that combination is out for me.

    For me I think it is the acidity in foods or drink, not so much the 'heat', so my wife is my canary--she tastes things first and then let's me know if she thinks I can tolerate it.

    Bottom line--get yourself a canary!

    Mike

     

    Drinks

    I had a couple of Pina Coladas and did ok with them. They were over ice, not blended or frozen. I can drink Sprite, best for me when warm but getting so I can tolerate cold but no ice. . And, warm root beer works for me too. An occasional sip of my husband's beer but mostly because when my mouth gets dry, the cold bottle feels good on my lips.  Have you tried champagne or a mimosa? Club soda with bitters. Just keep trying different things, something will work.

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Time..

    More than likely if and when your taste completely returns, or nearly, you'll be able to enjoy a drink or two.

    Some like myself have had all taste return (for me that took two+ years), for others, it's somewhere in between.

    John

  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    Skiffin16 said:

    Time..

    More than likely if and when your taste completely returns, or nearly, you'll be able to enjoy a drink or two.

    Some like myself have had all taste return (for me that took two+ years), for others, it's somewhere in between.

    John

    Merlots and Bailys Irish cream

    At post 4 years and some I can tolerate Merlots. It's about dryness in the mouth, dry wines are just impossible as we have so little moisture in the mouth even with saliva returning it remains diminished. Bailys with it's creamy milk consistency is also quite tolerable. Do you enjoy any Liquers? I have more trouble as mentioned with tomatoe sauces or acidic fruits like oranges.  Hot sauces are upsetting to say the least and I now only use a mild one. One of the seldom cited causes of  h&N cancer can in fact be hot sauces. You will at some point most likely be able to enjoy a glass of wine or mild liquer. Most beers should be tolerable.

  • Roar
    Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
    Known to indulge

    I have been known to drink before cancer- after treatment rads and chemo 1 year out I still can't enjoy drinking. Being a diabetic it seems all things happen for a reason however I will have a glass of wine here and there or a vodca and club soda once Ina while to test things out - everything still burns. I still wake up The morning with a dry mouth like the desert. 

  • Roar
    Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
    One more thing

    I have noticed that when I do consume alcohol I seem to experience thrush like symptoms for a few days afterwards. I have been taking probiotics for a three months now- I am not sure if it's helping or not but it is the holiday season - so if it means I can only enjoy a drink or two that's all it will be. The good news I'd that I don't taste the difference between the good vodkas or the cheap ones

  • Jeff2159
    Jeff2159 Member Posts: 108
    ratface said:

    Merlots and Bailys Irish cream

    At post 4 years and some I can tolerate Merlots. It's about dryness in the mouth, dry wines are just impossible as we have so little moisture in the mouth even with saliva returning it remains diminished. Bailys with it's creamy milk consistency is also quite tolerable. Do you enjoy any Liquers? I have more trouble as mentioned with tomatoe sauces or acidic fruits like oranges.  Hot sauces are upsetting to say the least and I now only use a mild one. One of the seldom cited causes of  h&N cancer can in fact be hot sauces. You will at some point most likely be able to enjoy a glass of wine or mild liquer. Most beers should be tolerable.

    Baileys

    I've been meaning to try baileys as I have had alot of milkshakes lately. Was thinking of having a kalua milk shake, use to have those in school 35 years ago.  I have all my taste buds and they work too good as they magnify all flavors. Very sensitive to spicey/hot foods as well as hot and cold liquids. Thinking back I had a rootbeer float from 31 flavors, my memory had a craving and it was a complete disappointment as the carbonation made it taste like tonic water. Orange juice is a no go-- acidic so a mai tai is out of the question. Oh well at least I can dream

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Jeff2159 said:

    Baileys

    I've been meaning to try baileys as I have had alot of milkshakes lately. Was thinking of having a kalua milk shake, use to have those in school 35 years ago.  I have all my taste buds and they work too good as they magnify all flavors. Very sensitive to spicey/hot foods as well as hot and cold liquids. Thinking back I had a rootbeer float from 31 flavors, my memory had a craving and it was a complete disappointment as the carbonation made it taste like tonic water. Orange juice is a no go-- acidic so a mai tai is out of the question. Oh well at least I can dream

    Amaretto and Milk

    Something else to try..., maybe over some ice...

    JG

  • Time Bandit
    Time Bandit Member Posts: 23
    Yes Jeff, I'm in the same

    Yes Jeff, I'm in the same boat. wine is a no for me. I can drink some beer but it can't be ice cold. For me, ice tea is the drink of choice, sweetened, no lemon. I find this the best for soothing my tongue after anything distasteful. 

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,771 Member
    suds - good

    Now six months post and taste for alcohol is actually better than before. Wines are fine. Beer. I used to be all into the highly hopped and barley types: IPA, stouts, etc. Light pils were like water. Now I find a lowly Bud is really quite tasty and refershing!

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    Drinking

    I have been known to partake and then some in my day. Since OC that's changed drastically. Wine is almost totally out with the exception of cooking with it. Hard liquor is out just because but I did have a Bloody Mary that was quite good albeit weak. I've been able to enjoy a couple of beers occasionally, however, the heavier beers I used to enjoy are out. I'm finding the lighter ales are quite good and cause no issues. The carbonation is a wake up for the first few sips but fine otherwise. Trial and error I guess.

    Positive thoughts

    "T"

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    I don't

    drink alcohol, but I can't drink ANY type of soda.  It burns me up.  I stick to just water and watered down coffee. 

  • Mikemetz
    Mikemetz Member Posts: 465 Member

    I don't

    drink alcohol, but I can't drink ANY type of soda.  It burns me up.  I stick to just water and watered down coffee. 

    Coffee

    Your comment about coffee got my attention.  I used to be a big coffee drinker.  I didn't drink a lot every day, but really liked it--the stronger the better. Since completing treatments, all coffee tastes like bad instant coffee to me, so I have stopped drinking it.  I do order it every once in a while so I can wrap my hands around the cup to get warm and enjoy the aroma!

    Mike

     

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    Mikemetz said:

    Coffee

    Your comment about coffee got my attention.  I used to be a big coffee drinker.  I didn't drink a lot every day, but really liked it--the stronger the better. Since completing treatments, all coffee tastes like bad instant coffee to me, so I have stopped drinking it.  I do order it every once in a while so I can wrap my hands around the cup to get warm and enjoy the aroma!

    Mike

     

    It took a while

    Same with me. I couldn't function wthout my coffee in the morning. It was about 5 months out that it started to taste good again. I'm back to my 20oz mug in the mornings :) Helps get things "moving" if you know what I mean!

    Positive thoughts, erry Christmas and chocolate (yes, I can finally eat it and it's wonderful!)

    "T"

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    Mikemetz said:

    Coffee

    Your comment about coffee got my attention.  I used to be a big coffee drinker.  I didn't drink a lot every day, but really liked it--the stronger the better. Since completing treatments, all coffee tastes like bad instant coffee to me, so I have stopped drinking it.  I do order it every once in a while so I can wrap my hands around the cup to get warm and enjoy the aroma!

    Mike

     

    coffee creamer

    I've found that I ONLY like it with vanilla caramel creamer.  Anything else is bitter and gross :)

  • CajunEagle
    CajunEagle Member Posts: 408
    fishmanpa said:

    It took a while

    Same with me. I couldn't function wthout my coffee in the morning. It was about 5 months out that it started to taste good again. I'm back to my 20oz mug in the mornings :) Helps get things "moving" if you know what I mean!

    Positive thoughts, erry Christmas and chocolate (yes, I can finally eat it and it's wonderful!)

    "T"

    Things that I can tolerate

     After almost 5 years post diagnosis of stage 4 left tonsil, I become very used to iced coffee only, with just a dab of Half-and-Half and a spoonful of Orange blossom Honey.  My night time sippage of choice....(which seems to burn just a tad) is a Bloody Mary made of two jiggers of plain Tomato juice, a jigger of Kettle One, squeeze of 1/8 fresh lime, small squirt of Lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of Wochestershire sauce....all over a 12 oz cup of ice.  Good stuff (to me anyway).

    Larry

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member

    Things that I can tolerate

     After almost 5 years post diagnosis of stage 4 left tonsil, I become very used to iced coffee only, with just a dab of Half-and-Half and a spoonful of Orange blossom Honey.  My night time sippage of choice....(which seems to burn just a tad) is a Bloody Mary made of two jiggers of plain Tomato juice, a jigger of Kettle One, squeeze of 1/8 fresh lime, small squirt of Lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of Wochestershire sauce....all over a 12 oz cup of ice.  Good stuff (to me anyway).

    Larry

    Bloody Mary...

    I'm kinda partial to Beef Eaters Gin and Clamato Juice, and maybe a dash of Celery Salt, along with the lemon/lime and Wochestershire you mention...

    ~JG

  • Jeff2159
    Jeff2159 Member Posts: 108
    Jeff2159 said:

    Baileys

    I've been meaning to try baileys as I have had alot of milkshakes lately. Was thinking of having a kalua milk shake, use to have those in school 35 years ago.  I have all my taste buds and they work too good as they magnify all flavors. Very sensitive to spicey/hot foods as well as hot and cold liquids. Thinking back I had a rootbeer float from 31 flavors, my memory had a craving and it was a complete disappointment as the carbonation made it taste like tonic water. Orange juice is a no go-- acidic so a mai tai is out of the question. Oh well at least I can dream

    Damn

    no luck on the baileys. Even that had a burning sensation for the little that I tried. I blended up some lasagana and that too burned. Well its still trial and error. Ramos fizz sounds nice thia time of year but I know what the outcome would be

     

    Jeff