Alcohol and Abemaciclib

Hi HLB

Well done for getting through treatment so far and coping with Anastrozole, I have just started that drug 3 weeks ago. I have 20 sessions of RT coming up and I had surgery June/July 2025 and Chemo Sept-Jan. I am also due to start Abemaciclib after RT so I am interested to hear what others say on this post. I think this subject divides a lot of people and I am a little on the fence still. 

I, like you was a big social drinker, most weekends would involve wine and social gatherings and this was from my late teens up to last year (I am 45). I have also asked questions about cancer and alcohol and also medication and alcohol to the Dr's but they are very vague with answers. 

I have therefore done a lot of reading and research - Liz O'Riordon is a good source - she was a breast cancer surgeon and has had BC 3 times.  I think that the reason they say don't drink with Abemaciclib is like you say, it's harsh on the liver. Also, as my breast cancer is ER + I have done a lot of reading on alcohol and they say it's best avoid as it  is a class 1 carcinogen. I think the risk doubles when you have 7 or more drinks per week (the liver stops performing it's normal function to break down the alcohol and oestrogen builds up and DNA is damaged). So, having the odd drink here and there shouldn't be an issue but drinking a lot comes with risks. 

I have not had any alcohol for a while due to chemo etc and I have gotten used to it, BUT I haven't been on holiday yet. That's when I think I will miss it the most.  My husband has cut down but we still have nights out and I just drive and have 1! I know it sounds boring but it's not, it's still really fun if you are with fun people. I went to a wedding last weekend and was dancing! I never thought I would do that sober. Try  - it's really not that bad - drink non alcoholic beers if you like beer. 

Nobody can decide this for you - it's up to you. Sorry if have rambled a bit but I wanted to reply as I felt similar to you a few months ago but now I am thinking there are soooo many benefits to not drinking. 

Andrea

I have been on abemaciclib for a couple of months now. The side effects are there but they are manageable. I hardly drink at all however I did ask if I shouldn't drink while taking abemaciclib and I was told to take care of my health but also to take care of my mental health and live my life. They said it could make the side effects worse but not for everyone.

I think its only a decision you can make but sometimes I think what was the point in going through everything and surviving but to end up with no quality of life anyway. Hopefully your body will still tolerate some alcohol. It's not like you are drinking every night.

It's probably not good to advise someone to drink but why not try it for a couple of weeks and see how you feel. Cutting down slightly might help a bit.

Best wishes for the future x

Hi Andrea

Many thanks for your reply. I guess it’s early days and like you I might get used to it. Just now I can’t seem to compute what life would be like without having a weekend drink and all the fun it brings. 

I think a big part of the problem is 1) I’ve been told to do it rather than make that decision myself & 2) I’m annoyed that I’ve got to do something I don’t want to do because of the cancer.

Oh well, we’re out for a family lunch today so that will be a test! 

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and experience. Good luck with your treatment. Best wishes Helen x

Many thanks for your thoughts.

That's my sentiments exactly! What am I doing all of this for if I can’t live my life a little. I don’t want to get steaming drunk every night & willing to drastically cut down but a couple of drinks here and there would make things a bit more fun!

I must admit I’ve felt the benefits on my joints over the past few weeks & I certainly don’t want to jeopardise the treatment working! 

I think part of the problem is being told I’ve got to do it rather than me making the decision & angry I’m being made to do something I don’t want to do because of the cancer. 

So I think I’ll what you suggest and try one or two and see what happens. Maybe if I know I can still have a drink I’ll still make the decision not to really drink anyway but knowing I’ve the choice will make it more palatable. 

Not sure if any of that made sense! But thank you again for your message. Good luck with your treatment x

I’m not taking Abemaciclib but I do take another drug for RA that is processed via my liver (that you shouldn’t drink with) and I’ve had breast cancer twice. I really enjoyed having a good drink and obviously was told to reduce my drinking, I know many people stop completely with the links to breast cancer. I totally respect that sensible decision. It wasn’t the decision I made but I have really adapted the way I regard drinking and how I drink and both my rheumatologist and BC Consultant have said it’s a sensible approach and it works for me so. I downloaded the Drinkaware App and I log every drink I have on it, this helps me really understand the volume I genuinely drink rather than what I assume I’ve drunk, I measure each drink with bar dibbers, cheap off Amazon. I decided to try and hit recommended drinking limits of 14 units a week, not to be drunk at the same time!  I’ve been doing this years now, I’ve realised that actually a g&t and 2 glasses of wine is the most I ever really feel like drinking on a night out or cooking my roastie which is my relax time. It’s enough to relax me, give me a little buzz and not wreck my head or body. I occasionally go over my self imposed limit, usually on holiday but I don’t beat myself up. It’s given me a much healthier relationship with alcohol and I don’t feel I’m denying myself or missing out. I do notice my night sweats are worse if I drink a bit more than usual. But I also notice that I don’t mind not drinking on some nights out because I do know others. Like you say, having to stop totally angered me, this approach has given me back choice and control. Just to give another perspective for you. Also you can guarantee those telling you not to drink wouldn’t be able to do that themselves, normally the way, you don’t have to have a sketchy medical history to be damaged by alcohol is usually my retort. All the best x