Had #11 today. Update on Vitamin D3 levels

lisa42 said:

ask for it
Hi Patti,

Some oncologists are up on testing vitamin D levels and others are not. I just changed oncs, but my old one was definitely not up on it. I consulted with another oncologist who told me I need to get the D levels tested & so I asked my regular oncologist if we could have it done. He agreed it was a good idea and, after I had brought it up, acted like it was so important to do, but I don't think he would have ever done it or mentioned it if I hadn't first. There is very solid data out now to show that vit. D levels can actually have a direct correlation on developing breast and/or colorectal cancer. Once you already have the cancer, making sure the vit. D level is at a certain point can supposedly help with avoiding recurrences. Other than that, a vitamin D deficiency can cause bone and joint pain. I've experienced both and I'm hoping to improve that by boosting the D.
D can be either D3 or D6. Apparently, D3 is what most supplements now are, but they used to be the D6 form, which were not as effective in the body and could become more toxic at higher doses than the D3.
Google UCSD vitamin D and you should hopefully find the link on the video clip coming out of UCSD about the latest in vitamin D research. Also try listening to Dr. Mercola vitamin D. Most think of him as more quackish, but it's interesting to note that he's been saying all this about vitamin D for years and everyone laughed at or ignored him, and now science has actually proven what he's claimed to be true. I get my vitamin D from his website in the form of a spray vitamin D. It's actually absorbed right into the bloodstream under the tongue. I found that my body wasn't absorping the vit. D supplement pills I was taking (my level was at 13 even after taking the pills for many months & 32 and above is normal). Literally, within 3 weeks of using the spray form, my level went up to 32 & has been sitting at 34 for a while now- I'm hoping to up it even more.

Take care-
Lisa

ldot123 said:

Interesting
I had started taking vitamin D supplements a while ago when I read that low vitamin D may impact getting colon cancer. My thought process was that may it would help stem any recurrences. I am not sure if it is D3 or D6 that I take but will see what it says on the bottle. I have never been checked for vitamin D levels that I know of. I was wondering how much vitamin D people are taking. I take 1000U a day. Anyone else care to share.

Cheers, Lance

luv3jay said:

Enjoy your nap! And way to
Enjoy your nap! And way to go on almost completing all 12 treatments!

-Sheri

dianetavegia said:

For Terry
Hi Terry, I made it one treatment at a time. I am a tough cookie and never needed pain killers after surgery, home 42 hours later, etc. I'm more of an 'I can deal with this for one day, 12 hours, one more time' type gal.

This 11th treatment brought the usual bloody nose, throat sores, neuropathy, aches and pains, headache.... but they don't last for long. I use saline spray and Vasoline for the nose, salt water and baking soda (thanks Kimby) for my throat sores, I knit and play a typing game for the neuropathy in my hands, and ignore the aches and pains/ headache. I've managed to 'fix' chemo brain by doing word searches, crossword puzzles and other mind games. In fact, my mind seems sharper than BEFORE chemo. (Didn't take much) I've only had MINOR queasiness and had constipation which I fight with high fiber foods for the first few days after chemo.

I had pink splotches during several treatments and my onc, who is always there, upped my Benadryl and steroids plus added another med. Those haven't come back the last few tx's.


Honestly, the side effects came on slowly and one at a time so I just dealt with them one at a time.

A preacher I heard said 'All you can do is all you can do and all you can do is enough'. I like that!

I'll pray for #2 for you, Terry, if that's okay!

afretiredky said:

Thanks Diane!
Thank you so much for sharing. I feel like such a whiner, especially as I've only had the one treatment, but nausea is something I've never been good at handling. After reading many of the threads on here, I've decided to shut up my whining and figure out how to handle it. So this weekend I have been proactive...I've gotten the Biotene mouthwash, gum and toothpaste to help with the fuzzy mouth (no sores yet). Got the Bag Balm that Craig talked about, got snacks and anything else I could think of. I'm also going to ask about Zofran instead of Phenergan, so I feel better prepared this time and maybe that will help make a difference as well.

Those pink splotches, were they everywhere or just in certain spots? What is the salt water and baking soda...is that for gargling? Do you get sores in your nose as well? I have to laugh about eating....do I eat for the constipation or eat for the diarrhea? It's very confusing to know which way to go on that one.

I so admire you and your spirit. Thank you so much again for answering my questions and perhaps we can pray for each other!

dianetavegia said:

Answers for Terry
Those pink splotches, were they everywhere or just in certain spots?

Terry, the pink splotches were always on my 'trunk, neck and hairline'. They would go away while we looked at them. It actually made my onc laugh because he was trying to get a good look at them and they'd go away yet appear in another spot. Last time I had them, I had 3 very faint spots right at the area at the top of my bra.


What is the salt water and baking soda...is that for gargling?

Kimby told me about this. It helps clean the mouth and actually helps prevent mouth and throat sores as well as make them go away. Oh I HATE the fuzzy mouth.

Do you get sores in your nose as well?

The 5-FU causes a bloody nose. I didn't have any sores in my nose. You'll blow your nose and find bright red blood. I smear a little Vasoline in the area and it helps keep it moist. Only need to do it for a couple of nights.

I have to laugh about eating....do I eat for the constipation or eat for the diarrhea? It's very confusing to know which way to go on that one.

I haven't had diarrhea so I eat for constipation for about 4 days after chemo. Avoid Plum Smart! It gave me painful gas!

Thanks for your kind words!

Diane

ldot123 said:

Interesting
I had started taking vitamin D supplements a while ago when I read that low vitamin D may impact getting colon cancer. My thought process was that may it would help stem any recurrences. I am not sure if it is D3 or D6 that I take but will see what it says on the bottle. I have never been checked for vitamin D levels that I know of. I was wondering how much vitamin D people are taking. I take 1000U a day. Anyone else care to share.

Cheers, Lance