BEER AND CHEMO

[Patience]

My husband's oncologist said that my husband could drink whatever alcohol he wanted, whenever. I think the oncologist knew that for the most part it would automatically be a safe "self regulation", because when my husband is feeling totally whacked from the chemo, the last thing he wants is alcohol. And nowadays, even if he's feeling good, a couple of beers and he's ready for a nap. Looking back, I bet he hasn't had more than a six pack total in the past year. (Smart oncologist, no need to make the patient feel deprived, the patient isn't going on much of a bender anyway!)

[John72]

It can and will influence the results of bloodwork so I wouldn't have any alcohol for two days before a blood test. Unnecessary ultrasound on me due to that. I felt guilty about wasting the hospitals time/resources.

Other than that and the aforementioned liver issues, have at it. I'm not advocating taking down a 12 pack BTW, but a couple pints usually hits the spot.

[Oneeyeddog]

Already an epic thread! I'm doing FOLFOX (completed 7 of 12 so far) and asked my oncologist about alcohol consumption. He said absolutely fine, but in moderation. He said (and he was right) that one drink can feel like 2 because of the effects of the chemo. I even asked him about having a beer to celebrate pump out day and he was fine with that as well, although of course didn't advocate supping down while I'm being infused. So sometimes I have a beer at the airport, as after pump out I fly back from London to Prague, where I live.

Living in the Czech Republic there is a lot of great beer around, and it's hard not to partake. So a few beers a week, in moderation, why not. (I do understand that for some people with some liver issues that might be different, but all we can do is ask our doctors.)

Incidentally, a couple of weeks ago, I think I had one of the best beers ever, in this country or elsewhere. A Matuska California, a Czech beer but an American pale ale recipe. Absolutely stunning. Had just been playing tennis with a couple of buddies and was also having a great burger, so that might have had something to do with it.

Cancer is a bad enough time without us having to deny ourselves some of life's little pleasures.

[pog451]

Ive been voluntarily mostly teetotal since Dx two years ago, because I decided my body (and particularly liver) had better things to do than break down alcohol, but when I proudly told my onc this he clearly said that I didn't need to be and a glass or two wouldn't hurt.

As it turns out, I haven't really felt like much more than a beer or half glass of wine every couple of weeks anyway and Ive been quite enjoying being teetotal, but I have a cupboard full of Islay scotch and after a while, alcohol-free beer gets old. I still don't currently feel like drinking, but Im sure it will come

[Amy14760]

Octoberfest is just a few weeks away...wouldn't miss it for anything....and it is not possible to NOT drink a maas or two of Schwabenbrau (Stuttgart) or Hofbrau (Munich).

I must confess though that drinking any alcohol post treatment has me concerned....albeit not concerned enough not to imbibe. My GGT levels were slightly high on the last blood work and that makes me worry a bit even though the Doc wasn't concerned.

I'll be drinking a glass of red "Trollinger mit Lemberger" from the Heilbronn area tonight....the best medicine ever in my opinion. After all the rad and chemo I really feel entitled.

So I say PROST to bier and wein!

[Amy14760]

Note the new Avatar ; )

[sailbd]

Great thread. I think beer and wine cured my wife - just kidding but it certainly helped her feel better. Her oncologist basically told her she could do, eat or drink whatever she could tolerate. During chemo, she switched from beer to red wine due to cold sensitivity. Tip - avoid excessive red wine at neighborhood holiday party with people you don't know immediately after disconnect - (insert funny stories here).

[Voxx66]

Oneeyeddog - I love Czech beer - Certainly would be better there without the length of the import wait to the U.S. but I dig those flavors. And Amy - don't think I forget the german biers or wines. I confess to liking a bit of the sweet wine now and then and a good Riesling spatlese hits the spot.

[Rockovage]

I didn`t have chemo but I still want to post in the beer thread . I had a beer last weekend for the 1st time since feb. It tasted great ,my favorite beer is regular coors I don`t care for all those heavy beers . College football opening weekend gonna have a few more manana .

Mark

[BrownBagger]

I don`t care for all those heavy beers.

I guess we'll let you into the thread despite that, and the fact that you're not on chemo yet, Mark.

They say a good India Pale Ale should taste like you're licking a tire.

[Rockovage]

I don`t care for all those heavy beers.

They say a good India Pale Ale should taste like you're licking a tire.

No thanks eric , I`ll stick with my ice cold rocky mountain water

Mark

[Sharona]

My on said that a glass of wine in the evening was fine. I prefer beer and enjoy one without guilt on these hot summer afternoons!

[justin case]

I don`t care for all those heavy beers.

They say a good India Pale Ale should taste like you're licking a tire.

No thanks eric , I`ll stick with my ice cold rocky mountain water

Mark

You know they say if you go to Boulder, Colorado and pee in the stream, all that trickles down to Golden, Colorado. Butt, I've had my fair share of Coors
Regards,
Michael

[justin case]

Just for those who are prolific beer drinkers. I have found that sitting on a bar stool, is much more comfortable, if you move the fanny pack to the front facing the bar. There are too many comments if you wear the fanny pack as originally intended
Regards,
Michael

[Voxx66]

I live in STL so Coors is sort of frowned upon here - but not so much anymore after AB sold out.