Alcohol During Chemo

anicca

A while ago, in a topic I no longer recall, I said that I had been "told" not to drink alcohol during chemo. I believe it was one of several dietary guidelines in a handout I was given prior to my first chemo. Carlene had asked me about that, but I've been unable to find the source. I do know that it did not come directly from my doctor. Anyway, I'm posting about it now, because I asked my doctor about it today, and he said exactly what Carlene's doctor (and others, I know) said: in moderation.

For me, it makes no difference, because I did drink a few glasses of wine at Christmas, and my neuropathy was much worse the very next day, so it's no alcohol for me till the neuropathy is 100% gone. I just wanted to clear this up, because I do not want to be a source of misinformation!

poopergirl14052

I would love to get drunk
lol but not now. Maybe when I am ned I will

kikz

poopergirl14052 said:

I would love to get drunk
lol but not now. Maybe when I am ned I will

My doctor sent me to a class
before my chemo started and in the literature I was given it showed a sample menu where a glass of wine was included. I do not drink much, a couple of wine coolers in the summer, a drink occasionally when out to dinner. I had no interest in alcohol during chemo but I guess it's okay.

I would love to tie one on, Poopergirl, but I always remember what the next day feels like. It would be fun to forget all the "stuff" for a while.

Karen

srwruns

I've always enjoyed some
I've always enjoyed some beer and wine but I found during chemo it tasted way off. And I didn't have the "way off" taste for food in general that alot of chemo patients experience.

pattysoo

Beer & Wine
Couldn't stand the taste while on chemo...back on board now!! Hooray.

anicca

pattysoo said:

Beer & Wine
Couldn't stand the taste while on chemo...back on board now!! Hooray.

I couldn't stand the thought
I couldn't stand the thought of it while on chemo, but now I wish I could have a little sherry at bedtime, or a beer with my Mexican food, or one of the wonderful martinis my husband makes. I never really drank that much, but not being able to have any at all is kind of a drag.

LPack

I was told first time around
I was told first time around very, very little amount of wine and then only in middle of treatments. Then when my platelets did not stay up, I was told absolutely no alcohol (makes sense).

Now that I am on a clinical no one is allowed alcohol in any form - cough syrup, mouth wash etc.

cfont11

alcohol
I was given some literature from oncology nurse at the hospital where I had rehab last year. It said alcohol in moderation was OK during chemo. It also said that a glass of wine now and then is good for a lot of people as it helps with anxiety. I love wine but could not stand the smell of it during chemo so had no desire to drink. Now I am like anicca, no alcohol until after my neuropathy is gone. Everything I have read about neuropathy says that alcohol makes it worse.

Hissy_Fitz

LPack said:

I was told first time around
I was told first time around very, very little amount of wine and then only in middle of treatments. Then when my platelets did not stay up, I was told absolutely no alcohol (makes sense).

Now that I am on a clinical no one is allowed alcohol in any form - cough syrup, mouth wash etc.

Interesting! I am in a
Interesting! I am in a clinical trial as well, but no one said a word about alcohol. My local gyn/oncologist said "in moderation". I will ask Dr Sabbatini (trial guru) the next chance I get.

Carlene

LPack

Hissy_Fitz said:

Interesting! I am in a
Interesting! I am in a clinical trial as well, but no one said a word about alcohol. My local gyn/oncologist said "in moderation". I will ask Dr Sabbatini (trial guru) the next chance I get.

Carlene

In the clinical trial I am
In the clinical trial I am in they wanted the volunteers to be as much the "same" as possible. So no alcohol was one of those items. And then we each have to let them know what vitamins we take, over the counter medications (without alcohol) we use for sinus, colds, etc. if using.

Libby

Hissy_Fitz

LPack said:

In the clinical trial I am
In the clinical trial I am in they wanted the volunteers to be as much the "same" as possible. So no alcohol was one of those items. And then we each have to let them know what vitamins we take, over the counter medications (without alcohol) we use for sinus, colds, etc. if using.

Libby

I had to provide the same
I had to provide the same list.....supplements, OTC meds, etc. How do they deal with the different prescription meds people take: BP, cholesterol, thyroid, stuff like Nexium, etc? Wouldn't those have as much (or more) influence on the results than, say, Sudafed vs DayQuil?

Carlene

Cindy Bear

cfont11 said:

alcohol
I was given some literature from oncology nurse at the hospital where I had rehab last year. It said alcohol in moderation was OK during chemo. It also said that a glass of wine now and then is good for a lot of people as it helps with anxiety. I love wine but could not stand the smell of it during chemo so had no desire to drink. Now I am like anicca, no alcohol until after my neuropathy is gone. Everything I have read about neuropathy says that alcohol makes it worse.

not sure
I am not sure, but think the handouts my mom got during "chemo class" said in moderation.. mom wasn't much of a drinker, because of high BP meds.. But I sure drank my way thru her battle.. LOL
I do know that a good friend, who completed treatment for breast cancer a couple of years ago, was told by her onc. during chemo that a beer or two, here and there was fine. It helps stimulate appetite and helps some people to sleep...