Post chemo radiation treatment

Hi Markmac

Hi Markmac

I think its better to avoid alcohol. I remember just having sips of wine and it affected mme badly. My husband accidentally popped fizzy wine instead of non alcoholic.... i felt pain throughout my whole body and could not get out of bed. Pls check side effects.....

I would ask CNS for guidance on this, I enjoy an alcohol free ale most days.....the alcohol free wines are one of the items that I still find tasteless 

Peter 

My oncologist told me a drink was fine. I always enjoyed a real ale but it was six  months before I could appreciate one. Apart from the odd G&T I avoid all spirits and have the odd pint now and then

Oncologist didn’t tell me not to…but my body did.  Before treatment I used to enjoy a glass of wine.  Afterwards I couldn’t have faced it,  More than a year downstream I can once more enjoy a glass of bubbly.  First glass tastes great, any more and it tastes like soap….which acts as a self limiter!   Still wine, particularly red, remains a pleasure in abeyance.

Liz

Hi I avoided drinks as my mouth couldn’t tolerate snd still can’t. I can do a a very very weak gin and tonic occasionally about once a month. Ti be honest I’m not bothered. Wine is vinegar and like Dani s real ale is doable   0% Guinness tolerable. My oncologist said avoid hard spirits . Check with your team. 

hazel 

I think a drink in moderation is fine. I actually like a pale ale with my food as it acts as a better saliva replacement than water!

My first drink 12 weeks post treatment was a G&T syringed in through my PEG   Experimentation is fine   Apparently this is not uncommon amongst long term PEG users.

You will probably find your taste has changed significantly and the tolerance of your throat will be very much lower.  Now a year on from treatment I can just about manage a small whiskey, but far prefer a pale ale.  White wine is OK but I don't care much for the taste.  Champagne on the other hand...

Stay off the red wine as it is full of tannins and that will dry up any saliva you have left.

Remember that you may still be on meds and need to be careful how the drugs mix with alcohol.  Also remember that you need to enjoy life!

Good evening, Markmac. It will not sabotage your treatment as they will still treat you. I'm the same as Dani; my consultant said you can still enjoy a pint, but spirits are very wise to avoid. I often drink alcohol-free Guinness as well as the real stuff, i now enjoy a drink rather than drink for the sake of it. All the best.

                                                                         Chris 

I don't recall any advice not to drink alcohol but my mouth couldn't take it for about six months after treatment - it all tasted horrible and acidic. I think a very weak G&T was the first thing I enjoyed. For a friend who had the same treatment, Baileys was the first tolerable drink (being creamy). 

I agree, ask your dietitian and see how you go.