Alcohol okay while taking Ibrance?

[USIrishcolleen]

LOL...my question is also about whether I can have alcohol. My oncologist said that alcohol consumption was alright, "here and there."

[KMBL_]

I’ve had a few glasses of wine since I started. What I’ve found is white wine is a no-no. Canker sores. Also, I had some Sangria on my off week. No canker sores. Same Sangria on an on week. Canker sores. Too much acid. I will try one more time on an off week, but if I get canker sores again, I’m done.

[rpeacock in reply to KMBL_]

Are you on Ibrance (has no generic) and Femora? Femora’s Generic Name is Letrozole? That’s what I take for Metastatic Breast Cancer. I was diagnosed April 2018.

[rpeacock in reply to rpeacock]

I had mouth ulcers from Chemo, the first time

[KMBL_ in reply to rpeacock]

Yes, I'm on Ibrance and Letrozole. It's hit or miss whether I get the canker sores. I have some right now, and I had the Sangria two weeks ago.

[Hidden]

Oh, gosh, the alcohol question! I drink "light" wine, like prosecco through pinot noir regularly. I won't advocate for it, medically, since from what I understand this is discouraged re: breast cancer, but I don't know about Ibrance,in particular. My wine helps me be happy, and helps me feel like life is something to be celebrated, which is half the battle! I've been metastatic for 5 years, Ibrance the whole time, no issues.

I do think that we need to weigh pros-cons. Various lifestyle factors affect BC. Weight, exercise, diet, etc. I'd pick your battles. Just my two cents...

Cheers!

Lynn

[USIrishcolleen in reply to Hidden]

I agree Lynn. I have not had a single problem. I guess I am metastatic because it has traveled to at least one lymph node. They are trying hormone therapy to shrink the tumor in the attempt to do BCS, and not reconstruction.

[Pbsoup]

My understanding is alcohol is itself a major risk factor for breast cancer in particular. I believe the National Cancer Society recommends we avoid it.

I have cut way back—from a glass or two of beer or wine a night, plus the occasional gin and tonic to a glass of red wine once every two or three weeks. Ugh. It’s harder to give up than sugar!!!

[Red71]

I believe in everything in moderation! I have found that wine just doesn’t taste as good as it used to, so I don’t bother unless I’m going out for an expensive dinner with expensive wine. I’ll drink a gin and tonic more often and mostly in the summer.

[Kiera49]

My onc said the odd glass of wine is ok

[Barbteeth in reply to Kiera49]

Mine said the same

Barb xx

[SpongebobMom]

YES!

[Iwasborntodothis]

yeah well we have cut back and we eat better but we still drink red wine....not ready to give it up yet

[Hidden]

Mine said I can have the odd glass of wine. So I do when I have my week off from Ibrance.🍷🤷‍♀️

[Kdiet]

I might have a glass once a month. I think it is very bad idea. Estrogen and alcohol are known not to mix I have three lady doctors and none of them drink. I don’t think the medical establishment has been honest with women for years about alcohol.

[Thatflowerlady]

Unfortunately I don’t have much of a taste for it anymore . But I miss social aspects of a few drinks and relaxing a little.

It just doesn’t taste the same . ???? Maybe the ibrance ?

[Evaf]

Hi,

I used to love my white wine and I usually drank 2x glasses 3 or 4 times a week! Since being diagnosed in May 18 I decided to stop drinking alcohol. It was hard at the beginning but I don't think much about it now. Maybe in the future I will have some. The way I see it is that alcohol is to breast cancer as cigarrettes are to lung cancer. It took many years for everybody to find out about tobacco and it'll probably be the same with alcohol. I am sure a glass every now and then it is not that bad, though Xx

[hdhonda]

I drink Chardonnay occasionally, No problem with mouth sores. My doctor knows and doesn't have a problem with it. Blessings, Hannah

[worldtravel75]

I am not giving up one of lifes little pleasures!

[Klamato in reply to worldtravel75]

Me either! I drink white wine at least 5 times a week! It’s part of my joy! This cancer thing has taken away a lot and I’m not giving up my pleasure! 77 yrs old with 4th stage cancer, so I’m good with my wine!

[Southside25]

My idea of drinking these days is a tiny glass of sherry, a weak highball or a nice cold gin and tonic in the summer at the bridge table. I asked onc is that okay and she said "yes, live your life". I'm a real wild and crazy gal; I probably have one or two drinks a month. Woo, woo!

[USIrishcolleen in reply to Southside25]

I think you'll be alright!

[Hidden]

My oncologist said he would never expect t a person to abstain from alcohol. An occasional drink is fine such as for special occasions.

[Dragonfly2]

I know! With the pandemic there has been a general acceptance of drinking. I remember the outrage and panic when businesses were shut down except the essential ones...and alcohol outlets had to be added to essential list. So the reliance on alcohol has been endemic throughout society..those memes about mom drinking are real. But alcohol does have a strong connection to breast cancer...I was told that after my first bout with breast cancer...and I disregarded it. Regret? Guilt? All water under the bridge.

So now with MBC and using IBrance, my onc didn’t say anything very negative about drinking...I think “occasional “ was part of that conversation. But I know myself and how easy it is to forget “occasional “ when in the company of people who drink every day.

Remember that IBrance is chemo and chemo has an impact on the rapidly dividing cells in our marrow...and alcohol has a suppressive effect on that same cell production in the marrow as well.

Have the pie, have the steak, have the cakes, and have that glass of wine...but if it’s impacting your wellness you can talk with the oncologist about some direction.

Everyone is different with varying tolerance to IBrance... be well and stay safe.

[USIrishcolleen in reply to Dragonfly2]

DragonFly2,

I would consider myself a moderate drinker, I might have 1-2 beers a night. Growing up, my Father had ONE beer, every night at dinner. Well, all six of his children drink, to varying levels. Two are currently in AA, and have had DUI’s and thankfully no injuries to others or themselves.

The roommate of my brother in AA made a comment to me that I “should not be drinking” with cancer. First, I felt it was none of his business. Then I told him that it was the one thing that I could enjoy going through this cancer and the pandemic. He is probably right, but I just didn’t need to hear it at the time.

I would like to cut back, especially since my cancer is not considered MBC. (I found this out after I joined this board through the Ibrance site, when I was put on Ibrance initially. I need to have just one or two days that I have a couple of beers. I like dirty vodka martinis and wine, but don’t have them anymore because I would have them when I was out to dinner with friends. Beer is fine at home.

I think everyone has to do, as far as drinking alcohol, what they want to do.

Best,

Colleen

[PinkSister2021 in reply to Dragonfly2]

Was just told by my oncologist that Ibrance is not a chemo pill. It is part of hormone therapy to treat MBC

[USIrishcolleen in reply to PinkSister2021]

PinkSister21,

Correct, but it is classified as a chemo drug I found out. I think the same is true about Verzenio.

Best,

Colleen

[PinkSister2021]

Yes for sure. If we give everything up then it feels like we are slaves to this cancer. I have given up too much. A glass of wine won’t hurt us!!!!

[USIrishcolleen]

girlsptz,

I learned that Verzenio is a kinase inhibitor. I was watching commercials for all of these prescriptions before I even dreamed that I would have cancer myself.

Best,

Colleen

[USIrishcolleen]

girlsptz,

Sandra, so far I do not, but I will be holding my breath for a few years. I believe that my oncologist is trying to head off MBC, by putting me on Verzenio to target any possible cancer cells that may have spread through my cancerous lymph node that they removed in Dec., along with the tumor. My best girlfriend had a very aggressive form of breast cancer in 2008, had a double mastectomy, and 30 radiation treatments, is nearly 13 years cancer free. This amazes me, after reading about cancer returning in so many of you ladies. I do not think there is a rhyme or reason to nasty cancer.

Glad that you are doing well!

Colleen