Alcohol and Abemaciclib

HLB 23 days ago

14 replies
26 subscribers
262 views

Hi folks

I'm a young 55 year old who was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years ago. So far I have been managing on anastrozole and have now moved to fulvestrant injections along with abemaciclib.

Throughout, I have been very much of the 'I'm not letting this change my life' mindset and have been very lucky to more or less carry on as I was, apart from some joint pain, trips to the hospital etc.

I have been mindful of what I eat, but no more than usual as my diet was quite healthy to start with and I do keep active - I have a huge veg patch and swim outdoors 3 times a week. However I do drink alcohol; only on a Saturday and Sunday, but I can happily sink a bottle of wine over the course of an evening!

Since diagnosis I've not been told to cut alcohol, nor amend diet etc, but I've been told to stop drinking now I have started the Abemaciclib. Not sure if I'd have been told, but I did ask!

I'm so miffed off about it, as we have an active social life and I like a drink! Its a huge change for both me and my partner and not one I really want to make. I just can't imagine going on holidays, summer time etc without having a drink now and then. It's part of our fun and I really enjoy it. It's only been 3 teetotal weekends so far (my partner has too in support), but we haven't socialised, we've just hid away. The thought of not drinking is making me quite sad to be honest.

When I asked why, my consultant said it can make the side effects worse. Appreciate that. I'm on week 4 and so far so good; some stomach cramps, but that's it. I also understand that the treatment can be harsh on my liver and of course so can alcohol. I've read here and there that a few drinks won't do any harm and I'd be willing to cut down. I totally appreciate what my family and friends say; that I should stop and put my health first, but surely I can have some fun!

So my question is, does anyone else drink whilst taking Abemaciclib? How do you find it?

Many thanks in advance for anything you can share.

latchbrook 23 days ago

Hi HLB and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community, and although I've been treated for breast cancer I'm not on abemaciclib.

The online community is actually divided into different support groups so I'm going to recommend that you join the breast cancer group as you'll then connect directly with others who have the same type of cancer as you and who are on this drug.

To join, just click on the link I've created and, once you've joined, you can start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.

It would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

All the best for today

"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"

HLB 23 days ago in reply to latchbrook

Ok, thanks Anne :-) will do

Coddfish 22 days ago

Drugs.com doesn’t show any interaction between this drug and alcohol, only an interaction between it and grapefruit juice. It might be worth seeking more specific information on why you were told to stop drinking.

HLB 22 days ago in reply to Coddfish

Hi thanks for your message.

Yes, thank you, I've checked on there.

It's because it can exacerbate side effects and Amebaciclib can be harsh on your liver and obviously that's how you process alcohol.

Thanks

Helen

Trev123a17072 10 days ago

Hi, I totally get where you are coming from. I enjoy wine too and have barely drunk anything for about 6 months or more .
can’t imagine never being able to just enjoy a fun evening without constantly worrying about units - have thought ‘Will I ever be carefree again’? I also used to swim, and ate healthily the majority of the time . Hoping to swim again after my radiotherapy ends. I have started to have a couple of drinks with my husband listening to music and talking and it’s been so relaxing and good BUT even though I am not having more than 8 units all week, and only drink twice a week - I keep worrying should I not have any, will the cancer come back etc …I am not sure I have been any help for you but totally get how you feel

HLB 4 days ago in reply to Trev123a17072

Hi there, thank you for your message and really sorry I haven't responded sooner... I read your message and thought I'd replied and realised I'd not.

Good for you enjoying your evenings with your husband :-)

That's what I miss, listening to music and having a drink with my partner, acting daft and dancing about. Well both of us miss that, as my partner's not drinking either to support me. I know you can do that sober but it's not as much fun is it!

I would try not to worry. I think it's a balance. You have to enjoy your life, or what's the blooming point.

I'm decided if we're just in the house, then I probably won't have any, but if we're out and about then I may have just a couple.

Have you tried those enhanced drinks? 0% alcohol but enhanced with CBD or other herbs etc. Google them. They give you a nice relaxed feel, but zero alcohol and hardly any sugar.

Good luck and again, thanks for your reply x

Leelaloo 3 days ago

Hi I am on ribociclib which is harsher on the liver than abemaciclib and I have done extensive research. I still enjoy my wine on the weekend. My oncologist has not said not to so I am enjoying my wine as usual. I have blood tests every four weeks and they test liver function, so far so good. I don't think it will do any harm but I am not medically trained, but we all deserve some pleasure especially going through the whole cancer treatment. Your lifestyle sounds healthy and well rounded so enjoy your life.

Lee x

Leelaloo 3 days ago in reply to Leelaloo

Sorry forgot to say I have breast cancer too.

Elisab 3 days ago

I have stage 4 metastatic breast cancer and I did ask the Oncologist about alcohol. He said it is ok in moderation. Then I asked someone else and she said moderation, that means 1 bottle of wine a week and divide it in to 3 parts. I am on Ribociclib too. So what I have done is to have 1 alcoholic beer around 4% and then 1/3 of a bottle twice a week in the evening. I get very tired next day but i am tired most days anyway. I eat extremely healthy otherwise. I do like no alcoholic beer around so I often have that if we are out in a pub for example and I have one or two as well at home maybe twice a week. The small one 33 cl.
I hope this helps

Leelaloo 3 days ago in reply to Elisab

Hi Elisab I have stage 4 metastatic breast cancer too. I am now 14 months into treatment. This week I have been very tired but make myself walk every day, it helps. I must try the none alcoholic beer, which one would you recommend?

Lee x