Ok this is going to sound nieve but it is sincere. With everything we as survivors have gone through and what is known to cause this monster to grow, what is the deal with drinking. I am wondering if having a few drinks effects recouperation. I don't drink very much at all, but love a good glass of wine or beer now and again. So basically I am wondering to cheer or not to cheer? Sorry to ask and it has probably been discussed many times but for as long as I have been here still have trouble finding information..It's not the site it is me computer illiterate lol

Dianne

Your topic has been discussed and there were many opinions on it. Im not sure where to find the posts. Personally Im on the side of dont drink. My reasoning is if drinking is a contributer to oral cancer then I dont need anymore risk factors against me. Also my post radiation mouth would probably never be able to take the alcohol since I cant even drink a soda. Thats only my opinion. Im sure others will disagree with me.

That's what I needed Christine opinions and or facts...I don't or haven't but like I said Christmas, New Years and the odd birthday are times when I would normally have a drink or two...I am not a huge drinker. It has been a long while since I had one and like I said I don't wanna do something that would cause any further problems cause I already have issues of fear sore ear throat not sure if connected to surgery same side as tumor (have contacted doctor about this) but I really don't wanna give a hand to something that needs no help.

Shhh...I had an appletini about 2 months ago but honestly, it wasn't that good - I was just curious about how it would taste post treatment. Haha. I'm the type that might have a drink twice a year (and my first drink was when I turned 21 and now I'm 23) so I hold the opinion that drinking every so often is not going to up my chances for a recurrence, and red wine is good for the heart, right? But, I know that others have different opinions on the subject and everyone is in a different situation so what is good for one person may not be good for another. If in doubt, call your doctor up. I'm sure you wouldn't be the first person to bring the subject up.

For the 3 years after my first diagnosis and surgery, I didn't drink at all. Since my 2nd surgery, I will have a beer every now and then (rarely more than 1 or 2 a week) as IMHO, it didn't stop it from coming back! On any out of country vacation, I break my own 2/week rule but truth be told I find that even though I "could" drink sometimes, I just don't bother. A virgin Ceasar tastes the same as one with vodka.

My R.O. said he didn't see a problem with an occasional drink - in his words its hard to determine exactly what causes cancer to recur as "we don't live in a bubble".

I dont drink hard liquor at all,

Donna

Doctors' opinions vary on alcohol post treatment. My ENT/surgeon says it's better not to drink at all. My RO says a glass of wine or beer a day is fine, just no hard liquor based on his patients's experience (he had noticed a definite link to hard liquor and reoccurence but then saw reoccurence where they had totally abstained from alcohol) . Both agree that if it bothers my mouth even a little, don't drink. I worry about the reports linking alcohol in Mouthwash to oral cancer. Yet I still have a beer or wine for special occasions and certainly plan to toast the Holidays. Just my choice - not a recommendation for others. I certainly am no longer a social drinker.

I was told by my RO at Moffitt that I could have a drink every once in a while but believe me I tried a beer about 4 months post Tx and it tasted like crap. I tried another one 2 months later and it tasted OK a so I had a second one and I thought I was drunk. I was never much of a drinker but I could always hold more than 2. lol

I tried some beer and some wine and they *burned* back of tongue and throat -- The least burning came from a sweet white wine, but it was still there. I still don't taste sweet or sugar, but I do feel the effects (as in the wine) -- If I put sugar in coffee, I can't taste it but the coffee will be less bitter.

Thanks folks as always given me a lot of information to digest and a lot of really good ideas...I have a call into dr already and am gonna ask them when I inquire to the pain experiencing...not sure why now but I am sure there is logic there somewhere. I just know one thing it is one or the other in connection to my t#3 and alcohol... so thanks again...

Last week we were a friend's house and he had a bottle of Johhny Walker Blue which he offered not to show off but because it was a gift and he wanted to share it. That stuff is so expensive it should be measured out with an eye dropper. I am not a fan of scotch but could not pass up the opportunity. WOW! It had a very smooth smokey almost burned taste which lingered for more than just a few minutes. It was not harsh like that "burned taste" scotch whose name I forget - it has a black and white label.