Marianne,

Alcohol will dry out the mucousa (sp) and cause damage on a cellular level that can lead to cancer. The threat of that through the feeding tube is negated and you only have to worry about your liver at that point depending on how heavy you are on the sauce.

Having a drink through your tube is actually a safe way to go, many of us have. Charm, who cannot take food or water orally relies soley on his PEG and regularly enjoys wine with his wife. Myself, I used to shoot whiskey through mine when I needed a drink (not recommended as you get drunk very quickly as there is no burn) and enjoyed the desired effects. Not safe if you are on opiate pain meds though as it'll slow your already hampered cardiovascular system.

Bottoms up

Eric

Eric, you're making me actually want to go out and get m'self a PEG...

d2

I'll toast to that !!! Seriously, my stomach lining is just fine with wine and no irritation. My doctors did say after the surgery, no more alcohol by mouth but since I can't swallow, all 4 of them (RO, MO, ENT and prosthodonist ) said the 2 glasses a day would be just fine.
Eric is so right that you have to be careful though. I can syringe a whole glass of wine much faster than drinking it so you have to pay attention and do it slowly and pace yourself.
I did slip up a little at first but quickly caught on.
Cheers
Charm

Congrats on your good news. You must be happy about the clear check-up. I am only one month post treatment so the question for me is only theoretical, but I fear it would be hard for me to give up wine and beer completely once I am well again. Moderation is probably key. Sounds like your doc had good feedback. Congrats again. -Michelle

Michelle,

I "really" enjoyed beer and wine prior to cancer and even though I was mildly allergic to it would enjoy a glass of wine or beer with my wife after work when we would cook dinner for the family. That was our time together, enjoying great wine and making good food. Many of those recipes we developed during that time we use in our restaurant today. When I played poker (every Thursday) I would enjoy Glenlivet 12 single malt scotch, such a great sipping whiskey.

When I was finished with tx and surgery I was told no alcohol as my mouth would be too sensative. When I had my PEG my ENT said it was OK to have an occasional shot to relax but not to take any breakthrough meds if I did. When I had the PEG removed, it was back to being "dry".

I was OK with that and didn't have anything to drink due to how sensative my mouth was for over a year afterwards. When I could try it again, I found wine and the hard stuff too much for my mouth so I stuck to beer, which I love. Unfortunately my mild allergic reactions to it were causing issues in my mouth so my ENT told me it wasn't a good idea and I needed to eat more yogurt for probiotics. It's taken some getting used to...and I miss beer and wine but mostly because I own a restaurant that has an exceptional wine list (thanks to my wife) and ten different types of my favorite beer on draft. I get to choose all of the beer which is fun but also frustrating because I can't drink it anymore.

I think it would be easier if it were "out of sight" and therefore out of mind however I'm adjusting. It's amazing how different socializing is without being able to eat and now drink alcohol...and amazing how difficult it is to feign interest in truly boring people!

sorry i haven't been back on here for a little while. i have been reading posts though. i haven't had a drink in about 2 weeks now. and it was only 2 or 3 on that occasion. everytime i get offered a drink i ponder for a few minutes and have usually said "no thanks". i do feel like 1 or 2 to relax at times or when i'm out places with mates on weekends. but i've resisted the urge recently. i've been committed to the cause

i recieved my first clear PET scan (post treatment) on Thursday this week so that was brilliant news for myself, family & friends.
I'm still unsure of how much, how often (if at all) i should be drinking now. i used to love a drink. but the thought of a recurrence is a scary thought to say the least! but i'm getting mixed msg's on whether it is or isn't a bad thing to have a drink or 3 socially or not. it doesn't hurt my mouth to drink certain beers. and perhaps chewing gum in between would help keep the mouth clean when i'm on a night out?

Dave,

Alcohol is a cause of oral cancer. It drys out the mucosa (sp) and will also cause damage on a cellular level that can lead to cancer. Exactly how much alcohol will lead to this, well that I don't think anyone can answer as it will be different for everyone.

You have had radiation to the head/neck so I'm going to assume that you already suffer from xerostomia (dry mouth) and adding to that with alcohol I would think would accelerate cellular damage...but I'm not a Dr. I've been told that an "occasional" drink is ok, but regular drinking would up my chances of a recurrence.

So myself, I let "occasional" mean on specific occasions not a regular weekly or daily thing. Like you I struggle with it because I do like good beer and good whiskey but my health and family mean more to me then the drinks do. I don't believe that a night out a month or a few drinks occasionally would hurt..but then again I'm not an expert.

Good luck, I feel your pain

Eric

thanks for your thoughts eric.
it's a tough balance to find. i had 2 beers last night at a party, and then i was back on the waters whilst chewing biotene chewing gum. so i'm being pretty conservative. i'd say i'm drinking about 10-20% of what i did pre-cancer. so i'm on the right track. it's still difficult sometimes with parties, and night outs on friday & saturday nights every weekend. most of my family and mates love a drink too. but i'm getting used to it, & missing it less. like you say, the choice between beer or life is a simple decision.
thanks again!
dave

I was never a heavy drinker but did enjoy wine with dinner, beer after a lovely day sailing or sipping single malt scotch before a roaring fire. Like Eric I was mildly alergic and would get stuffy sinuses and a headache so I seldom drank more than two drinks at any given time. I stopped drinking after my first leukoplakia biopsy and it was when I began to have a glass of wine with dinner a year later that I had a flare up of the leukoplakia. I quit then which was three years prior to my cancer diagnosis. I am terrified of drinking again although I do enjoy a non-alcoholic beer occasionally.

I'm sorry that you are having to give up something that you enjoy and that is such a big part of social life. Its wonderful, though, to hear of your clear PET scan.

Best wishes!!

cheers cbhh.
I understand the fear. it's what's stopped me drinking lately i think. A friend on here has put me onto some non alcoholic beer that you can buy at the supermarket. assuming that doesn't do any damage i'm unaware of, i'll give it a try in the next week.. i also haven't drank soft drink since July last year! (pre-surgery)
I guess it wouldn't be great for my teeth, and if there's anything i'm unsure about, i usually stay away from it. I probably wouldn't get much taste from it anyway.
thanks again.
dave