vitamins

My doctors didn't want me
My doctors didn't want me taking vitamins during treatment either. The onc started me on multi vitamin after radiation was over.

Cat64 said:

Laurissa
My Onc said no vitamins right now also. Your hair looks so adorable short!
Hugz,
Cathy

No vitamins for me either
I'm still waiting for my Vitamin D test levels to come back also, and after I see my onco on the 28th, I'll be starting the Tamoxifen, so thats when I'll ask her if it's time to start taking them.

Aurora

Wolfi said:

No vitamins on radiation
My doctor also told me to not take ANY vitamins during radiation. We don't want to make the cancer cells healthier.

I can tell that I haven't had vitamins for a while because I feel tired and kind of blah (although much of it may be due to radiation). It also makes me nervous when many people around me (mostly at work and in stores) have colds and I can't even dose up on vitamin C or zinc to stop myself from getting sick. I try to clean off my work area often and have hand sanitizer at my desk.

HELP
Girls your all scaring me. My Onc. prescribed me a Multi Vitamen and Vitamen C. I did 1 round of chemo and have 7 more to go. How do the vitamens feed cancer cells?

Wolfi said:

No vitamins on radiation
My doctor also told me to not take ANY vitamins during radiation. We don't want to make the cancer cells healthier.

I can tell that I haven't had vitamins for a while because I feel tired and kind of blah (although much of it may be due to radiation). It also makes me nervous when many people around me (mostly at work and in stores) have colds and I can't even dose up on vitamin C or zinc to stop myself from getting sick. I try to clean off my work area often and have hand sanitizer at my desk.

Sorry my Chemo Brain is
Sorry my Chemo Brain is kicking in, I meant Vitamins not with an e.

cindycflynn said:

I'm taking a multi vitamin & calcium
But I haven't started treatment yet. Just had my lumpectomy on Monday.
I did tell my surgeon what I was taking and they haven't said I should stop. We'll see what the medical oncologist has to say.

Yes, SCARY for sure!
I have asked my oncologist many questions about vitamins and supplements, as I have always been a strong believer in them. I also am a strong believer in "Airborne" which is a great 'pick-me'up' if I feel I am coming down with something. I planned to ask about that on my next visit right before starting chemo. It's hard to comprehend that something good for you could be bad. I'm so used to taking vitamins and with all this talk about being tired, I'm scared silly about not taking them. I've also read recently that women that take calcium with breast cancer have deterred the spread to the bones. OMG... there's just so much to take it, my head hurts, lol!

I was told no vitamins, but
I was put on 1200mg calcium with 1000IU D3 because I have osteopena. I was diagnosed with the osteopena before BC so I am wondering about the low D theory. But was absolutely told no vitamins! My Onc said that if we are eating as healthy as we can, no need for any extra anyway. ♥Pammy

mbalder said:

HELP
Girls your all scaring me. My Onc. prescribed me a Multi Vitamen and Vitamen C. I did 1 round of chemo and have 7 more to go. How do the vitamens feed cancer cells?

They don't feed the cancer.
Most oncologists do not want us to take anti-oxidents while on treatment because they say they can protect the cancer cells as well as the good cells. I have done a TON of reading on the subject and some experts say it doesn't protect the cancer cells at all. I was told I could take a multi vitamin but no herbs or anti-oxydents. Some will say that vit c feeds the cancer cells but based on my extensive reading on the subject it is not clear that it works that way. Cancer cells are sugar feeders. In fact, that's how they identify cancer on a PET scan. They inject radio active sugar and watch where it goes. Many scientists now believe that vitamin C fools the cancer cells because there is something in the make-up that mimics sugar. The cancer cells absorb it but these scientists believe it does not have the same reaction in the cells as sugar. Many believe it has positive healing effects and helps to destroy the cancer in the cell. It is SO confusing. There seems to be evidence on both sides. It is very frustrating that the research on vitamins and nutrition is so indecisive at least where doctors are concerned. Go back to your doc for clarification. Don't be afraid.

Roseann

DebbyM said:

No vitamins for me during
No vitamins for me during rads. Like everyone wrote, you don't want to feed the cancer cells and make them stronger. You want the radiation to kill them.

Debby

What was that? lol
I love your picture Debby! That witch really goes fast! lol

Sue