18 replies to this topic

[JPD]

So I like the occasional beer... and once in a while I like to have a few beers. 

 

I know all about the dangers of boozing for the average joe or jane, but what about alcohol and how it relates to either CML and/or the effects of alcohol in combo with the TKIs and damage it might do to the liver.

 

Has anyone asked their onc about this or have any more information?  If I gotta teetotaler, then so be it, but Id rather not if I can help it. 

 

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy" -- Ben Franklin (attributed)

[mark1963]

my doc says moderation is key. they monitor your liver function anyway.

mark

[LivingWellWithCML]

My onc said it was fine in moderation, but I take Gleevec with breakfast, so any alcohol consumption for me would be many hours after my dose. Expect for tomorrow, since college football season has kicked in!

My bilirubin seems to run a little high, but other liver function tests are normal, and I am a moderate red wine drinker. Hope this helps...

[VickiW]

My onc has said for years, absolutely not for me.  He won't even let me have a glass of wine during the holidays!  I was never a big drinker anyway but I did enjoy a nice wine or wine cooler occasionally.  He knows my case better than anyone and I trust him, so I obey but this year, just maybe he'll lighten the reins a bit.

[Marnie]

As long as my CMP results come back with no issues, I enjoy margaritas and sparkling wine far too often.

[JPD]

Marnie, I think you and I need to hang out!  Ill ask my Onc about it next time I see him (for my 9 month test).  I should just probably quit like every other human on the planet, but then again Ive got one pass at this merry-go-round and a tad bit of "the good stuff" makes it more doable.

[Marnie]

When I started on Gleevec, I quit alcohol for a couple of months. . worried about liver.  However, when I asked my onc, he said alcohol was o.k. as long as CMP results didn't indicate a problem.  So I resumed my evening margarita or wine, and haven't had any problems.

 

It's definitely part of our culture to be able to socialize with a beverage in hand. . especially around the campfire or after a day on the slopes, or the river, or on the bike.  I don't drink soda or coffee or beer. . .for me it's either water or wine.  I guess I could socialize with a glass of ice water, but somehow, that's not as much fun!

 

We're having friends over to grill out this weekend. . .if you're in the Denver area, come on over and hang out with us!

Marnie

[TeddyB]

I enjoy red wine. Maybe a bit to much some times, but my liver values have always been fine, and my response to treatment has been great.

 

Dont overdo it, i think thats the key. If you get drunk, you will pay for it the next 2-3 days when on a TKI

[pammartin]

I have never had a problem taking TKI and alcohol but I did notice my tolerance level is lower than it used to be. I don't drink much anymore but it is because of GERD, if I ever get that under control, I am headed for the local wineries for restocking!
Pam

[hannibellemo]

You will have to pry my wineglass out of my cold, dead hand (which occasion shall not be from CML, BTW)! However, like Pam, my tolerance is sadly reduced.

 

Pat

[IGotCML]

JPD,

 

Drinking craft beers is a hobby of mine, so I asked my onc about alcohol before I stared on Tasigna and he said alcohol was fine in moderation.  I voluntarily did not drink when I started treatment, but resumed once my blood counts went back to normal.  Since then, I have not had any health issues related to my craft beer hobby.

[August1]

I definitely enjoy having a few drinks now and then. OK, maybe a lot more than I should.  Seems like there is always an occasion to celebrate. I guess that's a good thing!

 

My docs also said that moderation is fine. While there aren't any interactions between alcohol and TKIs, alcohol does have an impact on the liver which you can monitor through liver enzyme tests. Keep in mind also that a lot of alcohol can also have an impact on your immune system and bone marrow function. So my feeling is that getting drunk too often puts us at risk for a lot of potential complications.

 

Cheers!

[Antilogical]

Doctors tell EVERYBODY that alcohol is fine "in moderation", whether they're on TKI's or not.  Or they should....

[LivingWellWithCML]

Same here on the tolerance! Mine is much lower since starting Gleevec...

[VickiW]

WOW!  I've been on Sprycel now for several years after total failure on Gleevec 2+ yrs in.  I guess I better just stay on the wagon because I didn't have a high tolerance to begin with so one wine cooler now would probably have me either under the table or dancing on top of it!  Neither scenario would be very pretty!!!   

[Bobes]

This was one of the first questions I asked my doctor after starting my Tasigna (Nilotinib) treatment.  Since I'm a 26 year old, alcohol is a pretty big part of my social scene which is why it was a concern to me.  When I was first diagnosed and started treatment my doctor advised me to abstain from booze until they could assess how my body reacted to the medicine.  After about a month of sobriety and great response to the medicine my doctor told me I could have "a few beers" for the labor day weekend.  I did so and felt fine, but like others have a lower tolerance.  I'm not sure I'm going to blame it on the medicine yet, because I think it's more due to the month of no booze. 

 

My doctor told me about another patient she treats around the same age as me taking the same drug and he can't drink at all because it gives him bad stomach aches.  I feel bad for this poor soul and will have a drink for him

 

Moral of the story is I think it is a case by case sort of situation, so start slow and don't over do it. 

[Marnie]

I'll drink to that (can you see me raising my wine glass?).  Drinking as I type.

[Antilogical]

Drinking in solidarity, too!  A nice pinotage, tonight.

 

When I was told by my hem/onc that I had CML, question #1 was: How do we treat it?  Answer: The miracle pill.  Question #2 was:  Can I have wine with that?  Answer: Yes.  So it was a glass-is-half-full kind of day....

[Marnie]

I have, on occasion, taken my pill with wine when it was closer to hand than water.  Not sure my onc would recommend that. . .but I don't follow directions very well, anyway.