Drinking
Comments
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Sorry Kat, I have absolutely no info for Tamoxifen and drinking. I was on Adriamyacin, Cytoxin and Taxol. They never told me not to drink with those, but every doctor and every chemo is different. Your best bet would be to talk to the onc doc about it. I always believed that it would be ok in moderation, but who knows? We are all so much the same, but react so very differently to this stuff. Hope it works out for you!
=^..^=0 -
Alcoholic Beverages
I took Tamoxifen for 2 years; but, that was over 3 years ago now. So, I'm sorry - I don't remember any specific warnings about alcoholic beverages. I do know, in general, booze should not be consumed with anti-depressants, anxiety & pain meds, etc. ... Just mentioning those types of meds in case you're taking them...
During both chemotherapy and radiation - my oncologist strongly forbade alcohol of any kind, in any amount. Honestly, I couldn't have tolerated it then even if I had wanted to - and, I didn't want it anyway. So, no problem. Easy to adhere to the restriction.
Prior to BC, simply aging had diminished my own capacity & tolerance for liquor. And my choices are beer & wine, not the "hard" stuff. However, following chemo - my slightly damaged digestive system doesn't tolerate even beer & wine - at least not much of it, at all. Some times it depends on what I've eaten, some times it's just the day itself. I do indulge occasionally - like a Mojito for you, nothing like a cold beer on a hot summer day! Before BC, I was a "lightweight" - after BC, I'm now a "featherweight"!
Since you're concerned, just ask your onc or his/her nurse.
Kind regards, Susan0 -
I also....
I also would like to know about having an occasional glass of wine. I am not on tamoxifen, but I did recently hear about a study that concluded that ANY alcohol of any kind, even in moderation, contributes to bc. And it warned that anyone who is at high risk for bc or recurrence should stay away from it.
Anyone else hear about this?
CR0 -
CR - I have read thisCR1954 said:I also....
I also would like to know about having an occasional glass of wine. I am not on tamoxifen, but I did recently hear about a study that concluded that ANY alcohol of any kind, even in moderation, contributes to bc. And it warned that anyone who is at high risk for bc or recurrence should stay away from it.
Anyone else hear about this?
CR
CR - I have read this somewhere about alcohol and breast cancer. I just thought that warning might be for those who may drink often. Not occasional, but I am not sure. The article I read also talked about weight and food and just about everything that is known to man kind. I don't drink but occasionally, company comes over, out to dinner, so I just assumed that in moderation it might be ok. Most times they say anything in moderation is ok. I certainly don't want to add to my problems. Another question for the doc I guess.0 -
Hi Cat - It's not thatcats_toy said:Sorry Kat, I have absolutely no info for Tamoxifen and drinking. I was on Adriamyacin, Cytoxin and Taxol. They never told me not to drink with those, but every doctor and every chemo is different. Your best bet would be to talk to the onc doc about it. I always believed that it would be ok in moderation, but who knows? We are all so much the same, but react so very differently to this stuff. Hope it works out for you!
=^..^=
Hi Cat - It's not that important to me to have an occasional drink now and then,but once in a while I like to have one. I will ask before I do. Thanks0 -
Susan - As I was plantingChristmas Girl said:Alcoholic Beverages
I took Tamoxifen for 2 years; but, that was over 3 years ago now. So, I'm sorry - I don't remember any specific warnings about alcoholic beverages. I do know, in general, booze should not be consumed with anti-depressants, anxiety & pain meds, etc. ... Just mentioning those types of meds in case you're taking them...
During both chemotherapy and radiation - my oncologist strongly forbade alcohol of any kind, in any amount. Honestly, I couldn't have tolerated it then even if I had wanted to - and, I didn't want it anyway. So, no problem. Easy to adhere to the restriction.
Prior to BC, simply aging had diminished my own capacity & tolerance for liquor. And my choices are beer & wine, not the "hard" stuff. However, following chemo - my slightly damaged digestive system doesn't tolerate even beer & wine - at least not much of it, at all. Some times it depends on what I've eaten, some times it's just the day itself. I do indulge occasionally - like a Mojito for you, nothing like a cold beer on a hot summer day! Before BC, I was a "lightweight" - after BC, I'm now a "featherweight"!
Since you're concerned, just ask your onc or his/her nurse.
Kind regards, Susan
Susan - As I was planting my Mint plants the other day. My husband asked me if I wanted a Mojito. I use the mint for that as well as other things. I had said no, but I would like to say yes every now and again. I will add this to my new list of questions. So life goes on with possible change. Thanks0 -
Kat,
I'm not sure about Tamoxifen and drinking. My friends on the young survivor site say that their Tamoxifen bottles indicates that alcohol should not be consumed while on the drug. I think it might increase the effects of the alcohol. Many of these women drink anyway.
Christmas girl: why did your doctor forbid drinking on radiation and chemo? I drank occasionally on chemo and have recently taken up the habit again, while on radiation.
As for bc risk and alcohol, I, too, have heard that even moderate drinking increases one's risk of developing breast cancer or getting a recurrence. My nutritionist told me, however, that this does not apply to estrogen negative breast cancers. So, I've kind of been taking this as the "silver lining" to my receptor status. I've stopped drinking a glass of wine (or more) a day as I used to, but I do drink socially.
Mimi0 -
I am estrogen positive.mimivac said:Kat,
I'm not sure about Tamoxifen and drinking. My friends on the young survivor site say that their Tamoxifen bottles indicates that alcohol should not be consumed while on the drug. I think it might increase the effects of the alcohol. Many of these women drink anyway.
Christmas girl: why did your doctor forbid drinking on radiation and chemo? I drank occasionally on chemo and have recently taken up the habit again, while on radiation.
As for bc risk and alcohol, I, too, have heard that even moderate drinking increases one's risk of developing breast cancer or getting a recurrence. My nutritionist told me, however, that this does not apply to estrogen negative breast cancers. So, I've kind of been taking this as the "silver lining" to my receptor status. I've stopped drinking a glass of wine (or more) a day as I used to, but I do drink socially.
Mimi
I am estrogen positive. Alcohol increases estrogen ??0 -
Thanks Mimi....mimivac said:Kat,
I'm not sure about Tamoxifen and drinking. My friends on the young survivor site say that their Tamoxifen bottles indicates that alcohol should not be consumed while on the drug. I think it might increase the effects of the alcohol. Many of these women drink anyway.
Christmas girl: why did your doctor forbid drinking on radiation and chemo? I drank occasionally on chemo and have recently taken up the habit again, while on radiation.
As for bc risk and alcohol, I, too, have heard that even moderate drinking increases one's risk of developing breast cancer or getting a recurrence. My nutritionist told me, however, that this does not apply to estrogen negative breast cancers. So, I've kind of been taking this as the "silver lining" to my receptor status. I've stopped drinking a glass of wine (or more) a day as I used to, but I do drink socially.
Mimi
Thanks for the info. Mimi. My alcohol consumption has always been a glass of wine during holiday dinners and once in a great while, I would have a coffee & Bailey's.
But I've been afraid to drink anything with alcohol since I heard that report.
Call me a moron, but my path report says...ER/PR/HER2 NEU. I don't take tamoxifen, but I do have Herceptin infusions. My assumption, because nobody ever said, is that I am not estrogen positive? And I am almost hopeless at deciphering the path report.
CR0 -
CR, it's hard to tell from that report what your receptor status is. Not taking hormonals such as Tamoxifen does imply that you may be estrogen negative (but do you take AIs?). I would definitely ask your oncologist about this. It would be helpful to know, I think.CR1954 said:Thanks Mimi....
Thanks for the info. Mimi. My alcohol consumption has always been a glass of wine during holiday dinners and once in a great while, I would have a coffee & Bailey's.
But I've been afraid to drink anything with alcohol since I heard that report.
Call me a moron, but my path report says...ER/PR/HER2 NEU. I don't take tamoxifen, but I do have Herceptin infusions. My assumption, because nobody ever said, is that I am not estrogen positive? And I am almost hopeless at deciphering the path report.
CR
Mimi0 -
Hi Mimi....mimivac said:CR, it's hard to tell from that report what your receptor status is. Not taking hormonals such as Tamoxifen does imply that you may be estrogen negative (but do you take AIs?). I would definitely ask your oncologist about this. It would be helpful to know, I think.
Mimi
No, I just have Herceptin infusions for a year, now that chemo is done. I know I am HER2+ because the onc told me that and told me how the Herceptin works.
But nothing was mentioned about estrogen.
The hospital path report says that the ER/PR/HER was done in original biopsy, so was not repeated.
And the original biopsy report simply says ER/PR/HER2 NEU. Comments to follow...but there was no more to the report that I got.
I do know that my cancer is aggressive if that helps to decipher anything.
So I know that I am HER2 positive. My assumption is that I am not estroogen positive as nobody has mentioned it or put me on any other drugs?
I swear, sometimes I feel like such a dunce, and my onc could very well have told me about being estrogen neg. (which I'm assuming), but I simply don't remember.
CR0 -
Hi, Mimi...mimivac said:Kat,
I'm not sure about Tamoxifen and drinking. My friends on the young survivor site say that their Tamoxifen bottles indicates that alcohol should not be consumed while on the drug. I think it might increase the effects of the alcohol. Many of these women drink anyway.
Christmas girl: why did your doctor forbid drinking on radiation and chemo? I drank occasionally on chemo and have recently taken up the habit again, while on radiation.
As for bc risk and alcohol, I, too, have heard that even moderate drinking increases one's risk of developing breast cancer or getting a recurrence. My nutritionist told me, however, that this does not apply to estrogen negative breast cancers. So, I've kind of been taking this as the "silver lining" to my receptor status. I've stopped drinking a glass of wine (or more) a day as I used to, but I do drink socially.
Mimi
To specifically answer your question: his rationale was that alcohol constricts the blood vessels, thereby reducing circulation. Good circulation important for chemo to be completely distributed within the bloodstream, and for healing during both chemo and rads. As I already explained, I was a "lightweight" to begin with; and, of course, he knew this. And, again, as I said - during those treatments, I would not have been able to tolerate (digestively) liquor even if I had wanted it. Don't mean to sound like a broken record, but... It is always best for each of us to ask and follow our own doctor's recommendation as best we can. What's good for one may not be good for another.
My surgeon echoed those same restrictions, for both pre- and post-surgery, for the same basic reason. Rad onc, too. So, all three doctors presented a united front on the alcohol ban. Maybe overly cautious. Maybe not. I believe good doctors also consider the "quality of life" issues - not just health issues - for their patients when making these particular types of recommendations. Again, I simply didn't miss the drinks... Maybe I'm the odd duck!
FYI only - I, personally, also have an extremely "sensitive" system/metabolism, if that makes sense. This may or may not have had an effect on these instructions, just not sure. Didn't ask, because it didn't matter to me.
Honestly, and in general, am a big believer in anything/everything in moderation is just fine - at least for most.
Hope you're doing well with your rads, Mimi.
Kind regards, Susan0 -
CRCR1954 said:Hi Mimi....
No, I just have Herceptin infusions for a year, now that chemo is done. I know I am HER2+ because the onc told me that and told me how the Herceptin works.
But nothing was mentioned about estrogen.
The hospital path report says that the ER/PR/HER was done in original biopsy, so was not repeated.
And the original biopsy report simply says ER/PR/HER2 NEU. Comments to follow...but there was no more to the report that I got.
I do know that my cancer is aggressive if that helps to decipher anything.
So I know that I am HER2 positive. My assumption is that I am not estroogen positive as nobody has mentioned it or put me on any other drugs?
I swear, sometimes I feel like such a dunce, and my onc could very well have told me about being estrogen neg. (which I'm assuming), but I simply don't remember.
CR
My pathology report and my oncologist said I am HER-2 negative. My report states HER-2/neu negative. And, I am ER and PR positive. Does your pathology report say positive or negative for the HER-2? I am confused lol0 -
Jeanne....Jeanne D said:CR
My pathology report and my oncologist said I am HER-2 negative. My report states HER-2/neu negative. And, I am ER and PR positive. Does your pathology report say positive or negative for the HER-2? I am confused lol
It doesn't say positive or negative Jeanne.
The onc told me that I am HER-2 positive though, and I get Herceptin infusions for that. And he explained how the Herceptin works. My copy of the report must not have been complete.
But nobody has ever mentioned being estrogen positive and it just doesn't say on the path report.
CR0 -
On my pathology report theCR1954 said:Jeanne....
It doesn't say positive or negative Jeanne.
The onc told me that I am HER-2 positive though, and I get Herceptin infusions for that. And he explained how the Herceptin works. My copy of the report must not have been complete.
But nobody has ever mentioned being estrogen positive and it just doesn't say on the path report.
CR
On my pathology report the ER and PR positive is under ADDITIONAL PATHOLOGIC FINDINGS, on page 3 of my report. These reports are hard to read. lol And, if you are Her-2 positive, then Herceptin is what the doctor's recommend. And, my oncologist and my radiation oncologist said I could drink in moderation on radiation. I didn't have chemo, so, I don't know about that. But, I did drink during radiation treatments. Not much, but, I did some. I do like my beer and wine! lol
p.s. and Kat, i don't know about drinking on tamoxifen. i haven't started it yet, and, may not. that really is a question for your oncologist. you need to call them or go see them. good luck!0 -
OOOOOOKKKKKKKKKKKK.......
Ok, I just talked to my daughter, who is a nurse and who also teaches EMT classes at the local college.
She was with me when I first saw the onc and she said that he told me that I am HER-2 positive and also that I am estrogen negative. She then said...don't you remember that? Ummmm, no, apparently not. She said that my path report must not be complete.
But he did apparently go over everything with me (I just don't remember it all and am glad she was with me!)
Which proves once again...don't go to an appt. alone!!
CR0 -
AlcoholChristmas Girl said:Hi, Mimi...
To specifically answer your question: his rationale was that alcohol constricts the blood vessels, thereby reducing circulation. Good circulation important for chemo to be completely distributed within the bloodstream, and for healing during both chemo and rads. As I already explained, I was a "lightweight" to begin with; and, of course, he knew this. And, again, as I said - during those treatments, I would not have been able to tolerate (digestively) liquor even if I had wanted it. Don't mean to sound like a broken record, but... It is always best for each of us to ask and follow our own doctor's recommendation as best we can. What's good for one may not be good for another.
My surgeon echoed those same restrictions, for both pre- and post-surgery, for the same basic reason. Rad onc, too. So, all three doctors presented a united front on the alcohol ban. Maybe overly cautious. Maybe not. I believe good doctors also consider the "quality of life" issues - not just health issues - for their patients when making these particular types of recommendations. Again, I simply didn't miss the drinks... Maybe I'm the odd duck!
FYI only - I, personally, also have an extremely "sensitive" system/metabolism, if that makes sense. This may or may not have had an effect on these instructions, just not sure. Didn't ask, because it didn't matter to me.
Honestly, and in general, am a big believer in anything/everything in moderation is just fine - at least for most.
Hope you're doing well with your rads, Mimi.
Kind regards, Susan
Thanks for the explanation, Susan. I will ask my radiation oncologist about this when I see her on Tuesday.0 -
alcohol and estrogenKat11 said:I am estrogen positive.
I am estrogen positive. Alcohol increases estrogen ??
Kat, here is what Cornell University's program on breast cancer and environmental risk factors has to say about it:
"In some studies, the consumption of alcohol has been observed to lead to increases in the level of estrogen in a woman's body. This overall increase in body estrogen levels may be due to an increase in the production of estrogen or a decrease in the breakdown of estrogen.
Since the studies on alcohol and estrogen are not yet conclusive, researchers are also studying other ways that alcohol may influence biological systems that affect breast cancer risk. For example, alcohol has a strong effect on the liver, an organ that helps rid the body of potentially harmful material. If the liver is not able to function properly, it may not be able to get rid of potential cancer-causing agents (carcinogens). There is also evidence that alcohol may be acting as a co-carcinogen.
More research is needed to discover the mechanism by which alcohol may influence the risk of breast cancer. This information will help researchers determine if alcohol works alone or along with some other breast cancer risk factors."
So, I guess if we take the liver theory, us estrogen negatives have to be careful as well...
Mimi0 -
"don't go to an appt. alone!!"CR1954 said:OOOOOOKKKKKKKKKKKK.......
Ok, I just talked to my daughter, who is a nurse and who also teaches EMT classes at the local college.
She was with me when I first saw the onc and she said that he told me that I am HER-2 positive and also that I am estrogen negative. She then said...don't you remember that? Ummmm, no, apparently not. She said that my path report must not be complete.
But he did apparently go over everything with me (I just don't remember it all and am glad she was with me!)
Which proves once again...don't go to an appt. alone!!
CR
I second that notion. I'm glad you found out, CR, and I completely understand the selective listening. I did plenty of that during my visits, too. Thankfully, my husband was there to translate later!
Mimi0 -
LOL Mimi.....mimivac said:"don't go to an appt. alone!!"
I second that notion. I'm glad you found out, CR, and I completely understand the selective listening. I did plenty of that during my visits, too. Thankfully, my husband was there to translate later!
Mimi
I think my brain is made of swiss cheese sometimes!
I took a small notebook with me to all appts. and then would set it down & forget to write anything anyway!
So I always asked my daughter to go with me, because I would suffer from information overload and then just forget half of what I was told. She would have to go over things with me later & remind me what had been said. And she would always ask the questions that I never thought of. Thank goodness I have her!
At any rate, I guess this means I can have an occasional glass of wine! LOL!!!!!
CR0
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