Hi y'all,

I'm still in the process. So far, the side effects are almost exactly as y'all have lead me to expect, and I'm grateful for the information.

Anyway, I know things are going to get worse before they get better. However, I'm trying to stay positive.

Towards that end, I have a question. When can I expect to have a beer? I know it sounds silly, but it's one of those things (along with pizza), that I'm craving. When can I reasonably expect to eat & drink quasi-normally again?

Teamshrink

Glad to hear from you and it sounds like you're doing a good job staying positive.

It's different for everyone on when taste comes back and how quickly it becomes quasi-normal again but I recall Jack had that beer about 6 weeks post treatment. Okay he wasn't able to drink much of it but it was just the idea that he could taste something he wanted. He was was a happy man that day.

Salty taste came back first and sweet was around the 3 month mark. He spit out a lot of food before he found things that worked for him but it keeps getting better.

Small bites, lots of water, a good sense of humor, and a belief that this too shall pass is my best advice. Jack's swallowing is a work in progress but it's amazing how much more he can eat now than when treatment ended.

By the way if you're going for a Guiness make sure they can build it properly so you get the full benefit.

Regards JoAnne

Teamshrink-Do you, by any chance have a PEG? If you do, then pour one down If not, it will all depend on how soon soon you can comfortably swallow. I'll wager the beer will come before the pizza! Amy

Thanks y'all. The dietician at MD Anderson said not to drink beer because a) it irritates the membrane and b) you can end up with "chemo brain" She said that this is a long-term fogginess that results from mixing alcohol with chemo. She seemed serious. Was she just kidding me? 'Cuz I can swallow enough right now for a wee Guiness

TS, ask your Chemo Doc what he thinks. John's Oncologist is of the mindset that people who are fighting this disease deserve some " wee creature comforts" along the way. You might want to explore what those are for you. Amy

Teamshrink,
I was able to drink beer about 3 weeks after rad and white wine about 4 weeks, but I had no chemo. I had less trouble with beer than I did with soda which I hd to make certain was absoltuley flat. I couldn't eat pizza at all for years. However, make certain your mouth is clear of all sores before pouring in the alcohol. Otherwise they will take longer or forever to heal.

Take care,
Eileen

My hubby refuses to drink because of the risk factor, even though his doctor told him an occasional cocktail would be ok. But the doctor did not tell him it would be ok until about 2 months after treatment was finished. Treatment was 35 IMRT and 3 Cisplatin chemo

This post reminds me of a female comedian that was reading the warning labels on the alcohol bottle that stated that if pregnant,drinking this could be hazardous to your pregnancy and her reply was " Funny if it was not for alcohol I wouldn't be pregnant in the first place.

I haven't tried to drink yet...haven't even felt like I wanted one either, but I did have a cheeseburger w/ ket, pickles, onions about 5 weeks post tx and a small slice of pizza, sans the crust (like a meat lovers version) about 6 weeks out and I could taste most everything for the first couple of chews. I loved the crunch of the pickles and onions.

I still can't drink beer or wine yet (10 weeks post treatment) because it still burns a little to much. I have had pizza, but right now I like it a little more without the sauce for the same reasons-the tomato and spices are still a little irritating. I had trouble with the crust too until I hit about week 8, then my mouth seemed to be producing enough saliva to get some crust down with something to drink.

Believe me, I am looking forward to beer and wine again too. It was one of the thinks that I would daydream about on the radiation table (that and food).

Chemo brain is something that happens to many patients with or without beer. It's a common side effect that does get better over time and Jack has had that too. My friend told me hers lasted for about a year.

I think the dietician is right that you want to be finished with the chemo and let it get out of your system. We found with Jack that Cisplatin tended to peak at 10-14 days post treatment and you probably want to give it a good 4 weeks. There are side effects that will develop from both the radiation and chemo after the treatment ends. It's like the microwave that keeps on cooking. Stay hydrated with water to work through the aftermath and keep thinking about how good that guiness is going to taste.

Your body will tell you what's not working because it will burn or irritate your mouth or you won't be able to swallow it due to dry mouth. That's why small bites/sips are a good rule of thumb when you're trying things. Eileen makes a good point on make sure the mouth sores from radiation are cleared up first.

Good luck, Regards JoAnne

Teamshrink - I copy your cravings loud and clear. For me the pizza held the appeal, so I know what you mean. The small amount of alcohol in the beer could indeed give you a nasty reaction to some of your chemo drugs. Best to let them be gone for several weeks before you enjoy your old buddy Weiser. No sense tempting the 'fates' any further than you already have!! Hang in there, you can make it through!! Tom J

The hardest thing I've eaten so far was a 1/2 sand with pastrami and mayo. I thought it would be equal to the cheeseburger and pizza both sans their bread but I was wrong. It took about a quart of milk and 30 mins of determination and guts I might add but I finished it. Then I had to go lie down as I was to tired to celebrate !!

A pastrami sandwich is impressive. Chunky soup/spaghetti alfredo is kind of where I'm at right now. I look forward to when I could eat sandwiches again.