Supplements/Vitamins

sasjourney
sasjourney Member Posts: 395 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I was wondering what vitamins/supplements people were taking. I read the book "Beating Cancer with Nutrition" and it mentions so many different vitamins that our body needs that help prevent cancer, but it is overwhelming. My doc said take a multivitamin and b-complex, but not folic acid. All multivitamins that I looked at have folic acid.

Hope you are all having a nice day.

Hugs,
Sara

Comments

  • imagineit2010
    imagineit2010 Member Posts: 152 Member
    Great book
    Hey Sara- I have also read (most of) that book and find it to be a wealth of information. Studies have shown that a multi-vitamin a day makes no difference to outcomes for cancer. That being said, most multi-vitamins are at the FDA daily required amounts which most nutritionists believe to be the lowest amount needed to keep you alive. Certainly not the amount needed to cause any reaction in your system. Check the book again. There are certain key vitamins that, in deficiencies, have been linked to higher instance of cancer. Obviously everyone has heard of vitamin D3 & vitamin C but others are geard more for your immune system. It is best to get vitamins in your diet but you should supplement ones that will not cause you harm in larger quantities. Also remember that some vitamins should be taken WITH specific others to be assimilated properly. That book explains it easier than I could.
    Personaly, every day I take D3, Calcium-Magnesium-Zinc, C, E, A, Flax-seed oil, Astragulas, and Coenzyme-Q10 and periodically Curcumin. I also eat very healthy and drink at least three cups of decaf. green tea. I am always getting more info on the subject but I feel great with this mix.
    Best of luck with your research.
    Take care, Chris
  • ritaclough
    ritaclough Member Posts: 44
    Life Extension
    I refer to a company called Life Extension. They use only well researched products. They have a panel of Doctors that you can call also for advice and recommendations for your particular cancer or illness. http://www.lef.org/

    good luck :) Rita
  • Erinb
    Erinb Member Posts: 293
    I also read that book along
    I also read that book along with 3 others. My husband went to an integrative doctor and he recommended vit C, colon capsules, IP6, Vitamin D3 and probiotics. My husband is taking these to keep his immune system up not to cure cancer-although that would be great. During his 6 week break from chemo his CEA rose while taking the vitamins so they didn't keep the cancer stable either. Now we are working on eating alkline foods and lowering processed sugar intake along with a few other quirky things.
  • imagineit2010
    imagineit2010 Member Posts: 152 Member
    one mor thing
    Oh yea, I also take a pro-biotic daily. I really think the Co-Q10 is an important factor. There are many theories why and quite a few studies have had good results for colon cancer. Not only does it work as an anti-oxidant but it has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels which can possibly help starve the cancer cells. For non-diabetics there have been no side effects to be a concern. Look it up and research it. You will find alot of promising info.
    Good luck
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member

    one mor thing
    Oh yea, I also take a pro-biotic daily. I really think the Co-Q10 is an important factor. There are many theories why and quite a few studies have had good results for colon cancer. Not only does it work as an anti-oxidant but it has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels which can possibly help starve the cancer cells. For non-diabetics there have been no side effects to be a concern. Look it up and research it. You will find alot of promising info.
    Good luck

    I take
    Vitamin
    d3,

    I take


    Vitamin
    d3, 5000
    Calcium, 500
    C - 1000
    E - 400

    B-12
    mot of the B's but not B4, heard B5 is good have to go get that one


    It take supreme greens and supreme reds in powder form

    probiotic

    and I eat healthy and hardly any red meat

    Flax Seed in my cereal
    Aloe Juice

    Ginger and Turmeric seasoning in my food

    onions, garlic, kale, spinach, stewed tomato, carrots, raspberries, blue berries, cran berries, grapes, celery, fresh ginger, beets, broccoli, collard greens in my food and smoothies or fresh juices.

    I just try to only eat what helps my immune system. Please read up some more, it's out there and of course talk with your ONC if you have any doubts.
  • Sigma34
    Sigma34 Member Posts: 203
    Nana b said:

    I take
    Vitamin
    d3,

    I take


    Vitamin
    d3, 5000
    Calcium, 500
    C - 1000
    E - 400

    B-12
    mot of the B's but not B4, heard B5 is good have to go get that one


    It take supreme greens and supreme reds in powder form

    probiotic

    and I eat healthy and hardly any red meat

    Flax Seed in my cereal
    Aloe Juice

    Ginger and Turmeric seasoning in my food

    onions, garlic, kale, spinach, stewed tomato, carrots, raspberries, blue berries, cran berries, grapes, celery, fresh ginger, beets, broccoli, collard greens in my food and smoothies or fresh juices.

    I just try to only eat what helps my immune system. Please read up some more, it's out there and of course talk with your ONC if you have any doubts.

    I am almost 43 and have
    I am almost 43 and have been a vegetarian my entire life (since birth) no chicken or fish either, a serious juicer since I was 17, (long before people juiced) sprout almonds and make milk, sprout beans, use essential oils, tinctures, bikram yoga, acupuncture, do not smoke or drink and have always worked out I have gone raw several times in my life, the longest was 7 years and I still got colon cancer. I think it is a crap shoot if you are going to get it. (no pun intended) I love juicing, eating raw and living a healthy life style because it makes me feel good but I can't say that diet prevented me from cancer.

    Peace and Calm,

    Christine~
  • WhatsA_Mom2Do
    WhatsA_Mom2Do Member Posts: 46
    My son takes
    Hi Sara,

    My 19yo son has Stage 4 colon cancer, originally IIIC but recurred to various chest, pelvic, and supraclavicular lymph nodes (I'll post our story later since I'm at work :-). I have him taking IP-6 and AHCC. I'm adding one more to the mix that supposed to activate the p53 tumor supressor cells but the name escapes me at the moment. I have vitamin B6, D3, calcium and iron at home but he doesn't take them like he should....hey, he's 19 and rebellious! :-)

    I personally emailed Dr. Shamshuddin and had many conversations with him about the IP6 (we use the IP6 Gold formula), and emailed Dr. Lenz as well about his vitamin recommendations and I did a LOT of research on medicinal mushrooms. Results wise, what I can tell you is this: When my son got his first FOLFIRI/Avastin infusion on 7/28/10, he had cramps that had him in tears in the infusion room and he is NOT a complainer (which is how his cancer went undetected so long, but that's another story). He had cramping for 4 days after the infusion and NOTHING helped the pain. He also had severe nausea, fatique and mouth sores immediately. He had old paper cuts and sores that reopened right before our eyes. It was then that I made the decision to order the IP6 and AHCC.

    The IP6 came 2 days before his scheduled 2nd chemo infusion, so he got 3 doses in him prior to chemo. He still had the cramps but not as severe, he rated them 3 out of 10 pain wise. But the N/V was so severe that week that he had to go in for hydration and he had lost 8 lbs (his already a lanky 6ft and 160 to 165 pounds). Although he took the IP6, he was refusing to take the AHCC (he hates taking pills...we got the IP6 in powder form).

    Fast forward to chemo #3. NO side effects except mild nausea. He's able to eat, hang out with his friends (he takes his little 5FU pump with him or they will come to our home). When he was disconnected from his 5FU pump after the 3rd infusion, he went to a party that night! I kid you not!

    Chemo #4....DITTO! He also gets NO pain after taking the Neulasta shot (he could almost not walk after the first one because the pain was so bad).

    He's getting chemo #5 as we speak and I just spoke to my mom (he's 19, but we never let him go alone...he's still my baby!) and he's doing well, no cramps and eating a pretzel and drinking juice.

    THE BEST PART: His CEA is down from 9.3 to 2.5 (it's a good indicator for him and that's how we were alerted that he was recurring and his ONC was ON it!).

    Now I don't know if the CEA is related to the supplements (he never went below 2.9 after he finished the FOLFOX), but I know, WITHOUT A DOUBT, that the supplements helped with the chemo side effects.

    I've been an oncology nurse for 14 years, and I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly with chemo!

    Be well!

    Dee

    edited to say: Sorry it's so long!
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    Sigma34 said:

    I am almost 43 and have
    I am almost 43 and have been a vegetarian my entire life (since birth) no chicken or fish either, a serious juicer since I was 17, (long before people juiced) sprout almonds and make milk, sprout beans, use essential oils, tinctures, bikram yoga, acupuncture, do not smoke or drink and have always worked out I have gone raw several times in my life, the longest was 7 years and I still got colon cancer. I think it is a crap shoot if you are going to get it. (no pun intended) I love juicing, eating raw and living a healthy life style because it makes me feel good but I can't say that diet prevented me from cancer.

    Peace and Calm,

    Christine~

    Christine:
    Thank you for your comments. Here you did everything right lifestyle wise and you still got cancer. I'm sorry. That being said, keep up the good work with your healthy lifestyle and hopefully it will work to your advantage in beating down the monster. I envy people able to do it consistently. When I mentioned supplements and such to our doc the only thing he did say was no folic acid, something to do with George getting Leucovorin as part of the mix and ease up on any heavy anti-oxidents, he indicated while the heavy anti-oxidents build good cells, they can also build up the cancer cells, at least that is how I interpreted his explanation.

    You are right, it is a crap shoot. We have been married 40 years and George has Stage IV colon cancer (no family history at all) and when I had a colonoscopy, other than one polyp that doc indicated would lead to nothing, clean as could be. We ate the same things, shared the same things, etc. and he is fighting for his life. Sometimes I go crazy trying to figure out how this happened and I just get the same answer, which is no answer at all, it just happened.

    Take care and keep up the good work - Tina
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    Sigma34 said:

    I am almost 43 and have
    I am almost 43 and have been a vegetarian my entire life (since birth) no chicken or fish either, a serious juicer since I was 17, (long before people juiced) sprout almonds and make milk, sprout beans, use essential oils, tinctures, bikram yoga, acupuncture, do not smoke or drink and have always worked out I have gone raw several times in my life, the longest was 7 years and I still got colon cancer. I think it is a crap shoot if you are going to get it. (no pun intended) I love juicing, eating raw and living a healthy life style because it makes me feel good but I can't say that diet prevented me from cancer.

    Peace and Calm,

    Christine~

    Maybe it's hereditary?? Any
    Maybe it's hereditary?? Any one in your family have cancer. Also, if you are eating raw and not organic it may be pesticides? Or you body was busy fighting something else going on in your body, something you were possible allergic to? If none of the above, you are correct, it's all a bunch of crap!!! lol

    I really think it has alot to do with the body makeup. Some people are sicker then others, some people are more stressed then others, extra...
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member

    My son takes
    Hi Sara,

    My 19yo son has Stage 4 colon cancer, originally IIIC but recurred to various chest, pelvic, and supraclavicular lymph nodes (I'll post our story later since I'm at work :-). I have him taking IP-6 and AHCC. I'm adding one more to the mix that supposed to activate the p53 tumor supressor cells but the name escapes me at the moment. I have vitamin B6, D3, calcium and iron at home but he doesn't take them like he should....hey, he's 19 and rebellious! :-)

    I personally emailed Dr. Shamshuddin and had many conversations with him about the IP6 (we use the IP6 Gold formula), and emailed Dr. Lenz as well about his vitamin recommendations and I did a LOT of research on medicinal mushrooms. Results wise, what I can tell you is this: When my son got his first FOLFIRI/Avastin infusion on 7/28/10, he had cramps that had him in tears in the infusion room and he is NOT a complainer (which is how his cancer went undetected so long, but that's another story). He had cramping for 4 days after the infusion and NOTHING helped the pain. He also had severe nausea, fatique and mouth sores immediately. He had old paper cuts and sores that reopened right before our eyes. It was then that I made the decision to order the IP6 and AHCC.

    The IP6 came 2 days before his scheduled 2nd chemo infusion, so he got 3 doses in him prior to chemo. He still had the cramps but not as severe, he rated them 3 out of 10 pain wise. But the N/V was so severe that week that he had to go in for hydration and he had lost 8 lbs (his already a lanky 6ft and 160 to 165 pounds). Although he took the IP6, he was refusing to take the AHCC (he hates taking pills...we got the IP6 in powder form).

    Fast forward to chemo #3. NO side effects except mild nausea. He's able to eat, hang out with his friends (he takes his little 5FU pump with him or they will come to our home). When he was disconnected from his 5FU pump after the 3rd infusion, he went to a party that night! I kid you not!

    Chemo #4....DITTO! He also gets NO pain after taking the Neulasta shot (he could almost not walk after the first one because the pain was so bad).

    He's getting chemo #5 as we speak and I just spoke to my mom (he's 19, but we never let him go alone...he's still my baby!) and he's doing well, no cramps and eating a pretzel and drinking juice.

    THE BEST PART: His CEA is down from 9.3 to 2.5 (it's a good indicator for him and that's how we were alerted that he was recurring and his ONC was ON it!).

    Now I don't know if the CEA is related to the supplements (he never went below 2.9 after he finished the FOLFOX), but I know, WITHOUT A DOUBT, that the supplements helped with the chemo side effects.

    I've been an oncology nurse for 14 years, and I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly with chemo!

    Be well!

    Dee

    edited to say: Sorry it's so long!

    Dee
    I am sorry to hear about your son and what you and the family are dealing with.

    Also, I wanted to welcome you ... and thanks for joining the group!
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member

    My son takes
    Hi Sara,

    My 19yo son has Stage 4 colon cancer, originally IIIC but recurred to various chest, pelvic, and supraclavicular lymph nodes (I'll post our story later since I'm at work :-). I have him taking IP-6 and AHCC. I'm adding one more to the mix that supposed to activate the p53 tumor supressor cells but the name escapes me at the moment. I have vitamin B6, D3, calcium and iron at home but he doesn't take them like he should....hey, he's 19 and rebellious! :-)

    I personally emailed Dr. Shamshuddin and had many conversations with him about the IP6 (we use the IP6 Gold formula), and emailed Dr. Lenz as well about his vitamin recommendations and I did a LOT of research on medicinal mushrooms. Results wise, what I can tell you is this: When my son got his first FOLFIRI/Avastin infusion on 7/28/10, he had cramps that had him in tears in the infusion room and he is NOT a complainer (which is how his cancer went undetected so long, but that's another story). He had cramping for 4 days after the infusion and NOTHING helped the pain. He also had severe nausea, fatique and mouth sores immediately. He had old paper cuts and sores that reopened right before our eyes. It was then that I made the decision to order the IP6 and AHCC.

    The IP6 came 2 days before his scheduled 2nd chemo infusion, so he got 3 doses in him prior to chemo. He still had the cramps but not as severe, he rated them 3 out of 10 pain wise. But the N/V was so severe that week that he had to go in for hydration and he had lost 8 lbs (his already a lanky 6ft and 160 to 165 pounds). Although he took the IP6, he was refusing to take the AHCC (he hates taking pills...we got the IP6 in powder form).

    Fast forward to chemo #3. NO side effects except mild nausea. He's able to eat, hang out with his friends (he takes his little 5FU pump with him or they will come to our home). When he was disconnected from his 5FU pump after the 3rd infusion, he went to a party that night! I kid you not!

    Chemo #4....DITTO! He also gets NO pain after taking the Neulasta shot (he could almost not walk after the first one because the pain was so bad).

    He's getting chemo #5 as we speak and I just spoke to my mom (he's 19, but we never let him go alone...he's still my baby!) and he's doing well, no cramps and eating a pretzel and drinking juice.

    THE BEST PART: His CEA is down from 9.3 to 2.5 (it's a good indicator for him and that's how we were alerted that he was recurring and his ONC was ON it!).

    Now I don't know if the CEA is related to the supplements (he never went below 2.9 after he finished the FOLFOX), but I know, WITHOUT A DOUBT, that the supplements helped with the chemo side effects.

    I've been an oncology nurse for 14 years, and I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly with chemo!

    Be well!

    Dee

    edited to say: Sorry it's so long!

    Yes Dee!
    Welcome to this forum. I am sorry your son is having this to deal with at such a young age.
  • WhatsA_Mom2Do
    WhatsA_Mom2Do Member Posts: 46
    Sigma34 said:

    I am almost 43 and have
    I am almost 43 and have been a vegetarian my entire life (since birth) no chicken or fish either, a serious juicer since I was 17, (long before people juiced) sprout almonds and make milk, sprout beans, use essential oils, tinctures, bikram yoga, acupuncture, do not smoke or drink and have always worked out I have gone raw several times in my life, the longest was 7 years and I still got colon cancer. I think it is a crap shoot if you are going to get it. (no pun intended) I love juicing, eating raw and living a healthy life style because it makes me feel good but I can't say that diet prevented me from cancer.

    Peace and Calm,

    Christine~

    A mind of it's own
    Christine,

    You are so right! Cancer has a mind of it's own and cuts across ALL spectrums. There is no ryhme or reason to it...and no sense for us trying to figure it out (we'll leave that to the researchers). But I do wonder how our chemically polluted environment, down to the chemicals (lotion, deodorant, soap, hair products, etc.) we slather on our body, ingest, inhale and are exposed to everyday play a part in all this.

    My heart goes out to you, and everyone here. Stay strong in the fight and be well!

    Dee
  • Sigma34
    Sigma34 Member Posts: 203
    AnneCan said:

    Yes Dee!
    Welcome to this forum. I am sorry your son is having this to deal with at such a young age.

    Oh my goodness Dee. I can't
    Oh my goodness Dee. I can't imagine going through that with my son. Thank you for sharing.



    I have been tested for Lynch and clear. I have always had organic as much as possible and did suffer from some allergies growing up so maybe but who knows. I will say this, I believe my diet, helps me to heal quicker, maintain a healthy weight, possibly look slightly younger (maybe) and feel good.

    I often tell my kids, "You get what you get and you don't get upset" HA! I have tried it on myself. All I can do, is live my life with dignity, grace and pray I am always treatable. I don't know why I got cancer but I do my best to find the blessings in my journey.

    NOW! for my recent dx of melanoma, It was my fault and for all the tanning I did in my teens and twenties.
  • sasjourney
    sasjourney Member Posts: 395 Member
    Sigma34 said:

    Oh my goodness Dee. I can't
    Oh my goodness Dee. I can't imagine going through that with my son. Thank you for sharing.



    I have been tested for Lynch and clear. I have always had organic as much as possible and did suffer from some allergies growing up so maybe but who knows. I will say this, I believe my diet, helps me to heal quicker, maintain a healthy weight, possibly look slightly younger (maybe) and feel good.

    I often tell my kids, "You get what you get and you don't get upset" HA! I have tried it on myself. All I can do, is live my life with dignity, grace and pray I am always treatable. I don't know why I got cancer but I do my best to find the blessings in my journey.

    NOW! for my recent dx of melanoma, It was my fault and for all the tanning I did in my teens and twenties.

    Thanks All!
    Thank you all for sharing this info. Dee, I am so sorry that your son is going through this. I am glad to hear that he is doing very well now. I hope he continues to tolerate the chemo well. You and your son are in my prayers.

    Hugs,
    Sara
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member

    My son takes
    Hi Sara,

    My 19yo son has Stage 4 colon cancer, originally IIIC but recurred to various chest, pelvic, and supraclavicular lymph nodes (I'll post our story later since I'm at work :-). I have him taking IP-6 and AHCC. I'm adding one more to the mix that supposed to activate the p53 tumor supressor cells but the name escapes me at the moment. I have vitamin B6, D3, calcium and iron at home but he doesn't take them like he should....hey, he's 19 and rebellious! :-)

    I personally emailed Dr. Shamshuddin and had many conversations with him about the IP6 (we use the IP6 Gold formula), and emailed Dr. Lenz as well about his vitamin recommendations and I did a LOT of research on medicinal mushrooms. Results wise, what I can tell you is this: When my son got his first FOLFIRI/Avastin infusion on 7/28/10, he had cramps that had him in tears in the infusion room and he is NOT a complainer (which is how his cancer went undetected so long, but that's another story). He had cramping for 4 days after the infusion and NOTHING helped the pain. He also had severe nausea, fatique and mouth sores immediately. He had old paper cuts and sores that reopened right before our eyes. It was then that I made the decision to order the IP6 and AHCC.

    The IP6 came 2 days before his scheduled 2nd chemo infusion, so he got 3 doses in him prior to chemo. He still had the cramps but not as severe, he rated them 3 out of 10 pain wise. But the N/V was so severe that week that he had to go in for hydration and he had lost 8 lbs (his already a lanky 6ft and 160 to 165 pounds). Although he took the IP6, he was refusing to take the AHCC (he hates taking pills...we got the IP6 in powder form).

    Fast forward to chemo #3. NO side effects except mild nausea. He's able to eat, hang out with his friends (he takes his little 5FU pump with him or they will come to our home). When he was disconnected from his 5FU pump after the 3rd infusion, he went to a party that night! I kid you not!

    Chemo #4....DITTO! He also gets NO pain after taking the Neulasta shot (he could almost not walk after the first one because the pain was so bad).

    He's getting chemo #5 as we speak and I just spoke to my mom (he's 19, but we never let him go alone...he's still my baby!) and he's doing well, no cramps and eating a pretzel and drinking juice.

    THE BEST PART: His CEA is down from 9.3 to 2.5 (it's a good indicator for him and that's how we were alerted that he was recurring and his ONC was ON it!).

    Now I don't know if the CEA is related to the supplements (he never went below 2.9 after he finished the FOLFOX), but I know, WITHOUT A DOUBT, that the supplements helped with the chemo side effects.

    I've been an oncology nurse for 14 years, and I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly with chemo!

    Be well!

    Dee

    edited to say: Sorry it's so long!

    Sorry, duplicate

    Sorry, duplicate
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member

    My son takes
    Hi Sara,

    My 19yo son has Stage 4 colon cancer, originally IIIC but recurred to various chest, pelvic, and supraclavicular lymph nodes (I'll post our story later since I'm at work :-). I have him taking IP-6 and AHCC. I'm adding one more to the mix that supposed to activate the p53 tumor supressor cells but the name escapes me at the moment. I have vitamin B6, D3, calcium and iron at home but he doesn't take them like he should....hey, he's 19 and rebellious! :-)

    I personally emailed Dr. Shamshuddin and had many conversations with him about the IP6 (we use the IP6 Gold formula), and emailed Dr. Lenz as well about his vitamin recommendations and I did a LOT of research on medicinal mushrooms. Results wise, what I can tell you is this: When my son got his first FOLFIRI/Avastin infusion on 7/28/10, he had cramps that had him in tears in the infusion room and he is NOT a complainer (which is how his cancer went undetected so long, but that's another story). He had cramping for 4 days after the infusion and NOTHING helped the pain. He also had severe nausea, fatique and mouth sores immediately. He had old paper cuts and sores that reopened right before our eyes. It was then that I made the decision to order the IP6 and AHCC.

    The IP6 came 2 days before his scheduled 2nd chemo infusion, so he got 3 doses in him prior to chemo. He still had the cramps but not as severe, he rated them 3 out of 10 pain wise. But the N/V was so severe that week that he had to go in for hydration and he had lost 8 lbs (his already a lanky 6ft and 160 to 165 pounds). Although he took the IP6, he was refusing to take the AHCC (he hates taking pills...we got the IP6 in powder form).

    Fast forward to chemo #3. NO side effects except mild nausea. He's able to eat, hang out with his friends (he takes his little 5FU pump with him or they will come to our home). When he was disconnected from his 5FU pump after the 3rd infusion, he went to a party that night! I kid you not!

    Chemo #4....DITTO! He also gets NO pain after taking the Neulasta shot (he could almost not walk after the first one because the pain was so bad).

    He's getting chemo #5 as we speak and I just spoke to my mom (he's 19, but we never let him go alone...he's still my baby!) and he's doing well, no cramps and eating a pretzel and drinking juice.

    THE BEST PART: His CEA is down from 9.3 to 2.5 (it's a good indicator for him and that's how we were alerted that he was recurring and his ONC was ON it!).

    Now I don't know if the CEA is related to the supplements (he never went below 2.9 after he finished the FOLFOX), but I know, WITHOUT A DOUBT, that the supplements helped with the chemo side effects.

    I've been an oncology nurse for 14 years, and I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly with chemo!

    Be well!

    Dee

    edited to say: Sorry it's so long!

    Sorry again

    Sorry again
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member

    My son takes
    Hi Sara,

    My 19yo son has Stage 4 colon cancer, originally IIIC but recurred to various chest, pelvic, and supraclavicular lymph nodes (I'll post our story later since I'm at work :-). I have him taking IP-6 and AHCC. I'm adding one more to the mix that supposed to activate the p53 tumor supressor cells but the name escapes me at the moment. I have vitamin B6, D3, calcium and iron at home but he doesn't take them like he should....hey, he's 19 and rebellious! :-)

    I personally emailed Dr. Shamshuddin and had many conversations with him about the IP6 (we use the IP6 Gold formula), and emailed Dr. Lenz as well about his vitamin recommendations and I did a LOT of research on medicinal mushrooms. Results wise, what I can tell you is this: When my son got his first FOLFIRI/Avastin infusion on 7/28/10, he had cramps that had him in tears in the infusion room and he is NOT a complainer (which is how his cancer went undetected so long, but that's another story). He had cramping for 4 days after the infusion and NOTHING helped the pain. He also had severe nausea, fatique and mouth sores immediately. He had old paper cuts and sores that reopened right before our eyes. It was then that I made the decision to order the IP6 and AHCC.

    The IP6 came 2 days before his scheduled 2nd chemo infusion, so he got 3 doses in him prior to chemo. He still had the cramps but not as severe, he rated them 3 out of 10 pain wise. But the N/V was so severe that week that he had to go in for hydration and he had lost 8 lbs (his already a lanky 6ft and 160 to 165 pounds). Although he took the IP6, he was refusing to take the AHCC (he hates taking pills...we got the IP6 in powder form).

    Fast forward to chemo #3. NO side effects except mild nausea. He's able to eat, hang out with his friends (he takes his little 5FU pump with him or they will come to our home). When he was disconnected from his 5FU pump after the 3rd infusion, he went to a party that night! I kid you not!

    Chemo #4....DITTO! He also gets NO pain after taking the Neulasta shot (he could almost not walk after the first one because the pain was so bad).

    He's getting chemo #5 as we speak and I just spoke to my mom (he's 19, but we never let him go alone...he's still my baby!) and he's doing well, no cramps and eating a pretzel and drinking juice.

    THE BEST PART: His CEA is down from 9.3 to 2.5 (it's a good indicator for him and that's how we were alerted that he was recurring and his ONC was ON it!).

    Now I don't know if the CEA is related to the supplements (he never went below 2.9 after he finished the FOLFOX), but I know, WITHOUT A DOUBT, that the supplements helped with the chemo side effects.

    I've been an oncology nurse for 14 years, and I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly with chemo!

    Be well!

    Dee

    edited to say: Sorry it's so long!

    and again....

    and again....
  • WhatsA_Mom2Do
    WhatsA_Mom2Do Member Posts: 46

    Thanks All!
    Thank you all for sharing this info. Dee, I am so sorry that your son is going through this. I am glad to hear that he is doing very well now. I hope he continues to tolerate the chemo well. You and your son are in my prayers.

    Hugs,
    Sara

    Thanks for your well wishes and prayers and welcome!
    Lori, Christine, Anne and Sara....thanks for your kinds words and offers of prayers. As a nurse, I feel my knowlegde is a blessing and a curse. As a mom.....well....my heart breaks for my son. Dee
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    My List ..
    Hi Sass,

    I'm a Crossover from Head & Neck page, but here is my list. I have gone Vegan, off all processed foods, sugars etc. My body went from very acidic to now nice Alkaline (you can buy small litmus test strips at your Drugstore/Chemist). I feel better now than ever after 20 yrs of chronic reflux, ulcers, chronic fatigue and then....cancer. All previous ailments have gone. I am 47 Male Caucasian.

    I am surprised every time I hear of a Vegetarian getting Cancer but rest assured the % is much much lower than among the carnivores. There may be other health issues going on with Vegos who have cancer ?? Going to check up on reasons with my health gurus.

    Anyway this is what I take every day :


    Vitamin C (1-2g/day)
    Vitamin B Complex
    Multi-Viamin High Potency
    Omega 3,6,9 oils (2 caps)
    L- Glutamine (1-2 tsp a day in shake with cereal & fruit - papaya)
    Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) (In shake with Cereal " " )
    Lipoic Acid
    Zinc
    Magnesium
    Selenium
    Co Q10 9Digestive enzyme)
    Tumeric (in Cap form)
    Reishi Shitake (tabs)
    Cordyceps (Caps)
    Silymarin (tabs) ****
    Vit D (restricted dose))
    Grape Seed Extract
    Ginkgo Biloba
    Acidophoulous (In shake with cereal and fruit -Papaya)
    Echinacea (1tsp in a glass water)

    You can go to me Expression page for an Explanation of each of these Supplements and what they do. While it is may be safe to take the same regime as me, I do recommend people get professional advice on what they should take. I consult with 3 Naturopaths.

    Best to all
    Scambuster