Is anyone doing any type of "alternative treatments"?
Just curious about alternative treatments...
I've read alot about certain kinds of herbs such as Tumeric, Paw Paw, and other supplements that appear to have worked for alot of people..or is this just wishful thinking?
I'm looking at the cancer cells that the chemo will miss..and some research from Purdue University indicates that Paw Paw supplements may help kill of those cells that seem to be immune to the chemo...
To me, anything that would help my chances to be cancer free would be beneficial to try as long as it is not harmful in someway...
But look how poisonous our chemo treatments are...
It's like it's ok to drink acid, but orange juice just isn't any good for you! LOL!!!
I do drink atleast 3 cups of greens tea everyday, and an ounce of almonds and a few herbal supplements...
My oncologist doesn't seem to get into alternative methods or supplements...
your thoughts?
Comments
-
Asked my Onc same Q aboutFb489 said:My hubby tried alternative
My hubby tried alternative treatment only and it did not work for him.
Everyone is different.
Concentrate on rebuilding your immune system, with diet and massage
Consult with a naturopathic doctor before starting supplements.
Asked my Onc same Q about vitamins/supplements ect. Did not buy into any of it. Guess most Drs are that way.0 -
hiKenny H. said:Asked my Onc same Q about
Asked my Onc same Q about vitamins/supplements ect. Did not buy into any of it. Guess most Drs are that way.
Start by eating those fish up above :-)
I posted early in the week Dr Oz website, I would take a look at that. The Gerson Diet. If you have Netflex he has some videos there. There may be some on youtube.
Basically
All veggies - ala dente or raw, the greener the better
all fruis - berries are great
ginger
I did a list not too far back and so did "tobehealed." you may want to look the up by doing a search on our name (nana b)
I would definitely limit beef, white flour and sugar. Also processed meats.0 -
Supplements
I asked the chemo nurse about supplements. She said that they keep the chemo from doing it's job. I didn't want to take chemo at all. At 69,I wanted to live what time I have left without
being sick all the time. I wanted to go with the healthy food and supplements. My children had a fit. Doing the chemo for my kids and grandkids and myself.0 -
The Gerson diet? readNana b said:hi
Start by eating those fish up above :-)
I posted early in the week Dr Oz website, I would take a look at that. The Gerson Diet. If you have Netflex he has some videos there. There may be some on youtube.
Basically
All veggies - ala dente or raw, the greener the better
all fruis - berries are great
ginger
I did a list not too far back and so did "tobehealed." you may want to look the up by doing a search on our name (nana b)
I would definitely limit beef, white flour and sugar. Also processed meats.
The Gerson diet? read below
http://www.skepdic.com/gersontherapy.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Gerson
Then decide0 -
Alternatives
Hi friend,
Yes, I did alternatives. You can read all about it on my CSN webpage. I have posted tons of posts on this subject if you do a search with my name. You can check out scouty's page too.
I am 9 years cancer free, Stage III colon lymph pos zero mets dx'ed 2001.
Pumping cytotoxic chemicals into my body to "heal" it of cancer makes no sense to me so I took another route and it has worked.
I was blessed with an oncologist who was willing to work with me even though I did not follow his advice and protocol. When he got Stage II colon cancer I got him to start juicing. He became a believer.
IF you want nutritional advice find a naturopathic doctor, not an allopathic doctor (your onc) because they practice MEDICINE not nutrition.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
peace, emily the juice chick0 -
I did alternatives too
You can read my story on my website here. I need to update it to reflect my resent successful testing giving me 6 years NED (stage IV rectal cancer with mets to liver and lung).
I don't know much about Paw Paw but check out Modified Citric Pectin (MCP). Apparently some cancer cells are "hidden" from our immune systems so they can't be fought effectively. MCP is supposed to adhere to them so your immune system can see them, attach and kill them.
I totally agree about building up your immune system and short of a shot of some drug in the arm or butt your doctor won't know how to do that other then tell you to "eat a balanced diet". It's not their specialty, medicine is. Doctors are in school so long but they only take 1 nutrition course so I don't expect them to know much about it. My brother, an Ear Nose and Throat doctor, asks me all sorts of questions now when we talk. The changes I have seen in him the last 7 years tell me how much he has learned from my experiences.
Like Emily, my oncologist was very accepting of everything I did and I have to tell you that one of my chemo nurses told me that my cancer spread because of it's exposure to oxygen during surgery and another told me not to touch dirt in my garden since I could get infections from it. So talk to your oncologist about it, the nurses might not know. I do think there may be some chemo drugs that some supplements might impede but luckily none of the ones I did were or at least my oncologist had never seen any data to support that.
If you are in treatment please do run the things you do by your oncologist. Asking what to do won't work, telling them what you want to do works much better. If you can find someone with a PhD in Clinical Nutrition that would be ideal. They are schooled in the nutritional and healing powers of foods and supplements. With the help of mine my white blood cell counts (immune system) went from extremely low levels to the highest levels in 2 quick months after I decided to stop chemo.
Good luck to you,
Lisa P.0 -
No. Did not see compelling
No. Did not see compelling scientific evidence.
Supplement sellers and prescribers are part of a billion dollar industry too, as much as big pharma.
My chemo/radiation has gone thru clinical studies with documented evidence.
The only alternatives I did was exercise and eat healthy. No processed out of a box food. Everything close to ground and the hoof. Given western diet and obesity/diabeties stats, this is alternate to most Americans. ;-)0 -
Well said Dschreffler. Imdschreffler said:No. Did not see compelling
No. Did not see compelling scientific evidence.
Supplement sellers and prescribers are part of a billion dollar industry too, as much as big pharma.
My chemo/radiation has gone thru clinical studies with documented evidence.
The only alternatives I did was exercise and eat healthy. No processed out of a box food. Everything close to ground and the hoof. Given western diet and obesity/diabeties stats, this is alternate to most Americans. ;-)
Well said Dschreffler. Im for getting every edge one can get in battling cancer and perhaps reducing the chances (even if small) of getting certain types of cancer using nutrition, herbs, vitamins, and so on but to forgo all western standard treatments like chemo,rad, and even surgery for alternative options exclusively is not even a faint consideration or option for me and a great majority of other cancer survivors.
we have much larger issues with heart disease, diabetes, and strokes with our current western diets in addition to cancer.0 -
will answer this in a week
I am off on a 5 day cancer survivors retreat to escape xmas madness in two days.
No internet, no posts, no kids, no wife, no dogs.
Really wanted wife to come but the kids are young and xmas is to busy.
Lookup petria king quest for life if you want details. I have
been trying to relax while being busy. Looking forward to meditation.
I've been loosing weight, dieting, juicing, walking, talking, vitamining, being hypnotised, praying, working, volunteering, doing chine herbal medicince.
I hope these all help, it will be ironic if a good nights rest turned out to be
the most important.
As I write this post my
chinese herbal tea is brewing, its supposed to boost my immune system.
Wife just made the super veg juice from hell, with a big piece of ginger thats supposed to aide digestion. was advised to cook with lots of ginger.
So many suggestions on the alternative side its almost getting to difficult and I cannot be bothered to do more research. I hope maybe a good nights rest may be more beneficial than
some of our alternatives and its free.
My tongue's white, its thrush, my blood counts are edging down after 3rd folfox treatments. to solve thrush naturally they say no sugar , no fruits etc etc. So now my super healthy diet is being cutback because of a sideeffect which I have learned I cannot ignore. So will try a medicated jell for a couple of days and if no luck monday I will see my local doctor and ask for fluconzole to knock the thrush off. Would prefer to try natural remedies but then junks of my diet get thrown away and the mangoes are in season now.
I am interested in all the alternatives. I guess its working out priorities and budget. They all take time and effort to do well. My onc said almonds were full of cynide, so who do you believe ?
Ah!!!!!! The joys of cancer treatments and alternatives
goodluck and goodnight and my disgusting herbl tea is ready.
Pete
ps one irony is we know chemo knocks us about , now the alternatives are trying as well
you should taste the juices and the teas. At least the chemo does not smell and taste bad.
cheers!!!0 -
Petepete43lost_at_sea said:will answer this in a week
I am off on a 5 day cancer survivors retreat to escape xmas madness in two days.
No internet, no posts, no kids, no wife, no dogs.
Really wanted wife to come but the kids are young and xmas is to busy.
Lookup petria king quest for life if you want details. I have
been trying to relax while being busy. Looking forward to meditation.
I've been loosing weight, dieting, juicing, walking, talking, vitamining, being hypnotised, praying, working, volunteering, doing chine herbal medicince.
I hope these all help, it will be ironic if a good nights rest turned out to be
the most important.
As I write this post my
chinese herbal tea is brewing, its supposed to boost my immune system.
Wife just made the super veg juice from hell, with a big piece of ginger thats supposed to aide digestion. was advised to cook with lots of ginger.
So many suggestions on the alternative side its almost getting to difficult and I cannot be bothered to do more research. I hope maybe a good nights rest may be more beneficial than
some of our alternatives and its free.
My tongue's white, its thrush, my blood counts are edging down after 3rd folfox treatments. to solve thrush naturally they say no sugar , no fruits etc etc. So now my super healthy diet is being cutback because of a sideeffect which I have learned I cannot ignore. So will try a medicated jell for a couple of days and if no luck monday I will see my local doctor and ask for fluconzole to knock the thrush off. Would prefer to try natural remedies but then junks of my diet get thrown away and the mangoes are in season now.
I am interested in all the alternatives. I guess its working out priorities and budget. They all take time and effort to do well. My onc said almonds were full of cynide, so who do you believe ?
Ah!!!!!! The joys of cancer treatments and alternatives
goodluck and goodnight and my disgusting herbl tea is ready.
Pete
ps one irony is we know chemo knocks us about , now the alternatives are trying as well
you should taste the juices and the teas. At least the chemo does not smell and taste bad.
cheers!!!
Enjoy your retreat. I'm glad that you discussed the thrush with your team. Yep that stuff really likes the sugars. I hope the medicated jell works for you as I know it's less invasive than having to take fluconazole. For myself I just try not to add too many "unnatural" things to my system because FOLFOX is unnatural enough and my system really doesn't like additives of any kind. I'm such a chemical lightweight.
Again ... enjoy the retreat!!0 -
thanks loriLori-S said:Pete
Enjoy your retreat. I'm glad that you discussed the thrush with your team. Yep that stuff really likes the sugars. I hope the medicated jell works for you as I know it's less invasive than having to take fluconazole. For myself I just try not to add too many "unnatural" things to my system because FOLFOX is unnatural enough and my system really doesn't like additives of any kind. I'm such a chemical lightweight.
Again ... enjoy the retreat!!
I am looking forward to it
pete0 -
Paw Paw
Paw Paw or Papaya is a great fruit for many reasons. I eat one a day + I take a few swigs of Papaya Leaf extract among other things as part of my daily regimen.
I went through surgery and Target Chemo and 70 rounds of Rads (SCC of the tonsil/Throat).
I now adhere to diet and supplements pathway. Working wonders for me. I have rebuilt my immune system which I believe is a critical key in recovery and survival (prevent recurrence).
Get your immune system working however which way, supplements, diet, TCM whatever.
I have my story and list of supplements on my Expressions page. As for the Supplement industry being a billion dollar industry ?? The inference of that comment appears that it is all about making money. Well to date my total bill for supplements and consults with 3 Naturopaths and 1 Acupuncturist is less than $5000. My bills for Chemo, Radiation and the Oncomen to date > $250,000USD ( Five thousand USD Vs Two hundred and fifty thousand USD in case you missed that).
Hit it from all sides Penn man, and with gusto. Results are worth it. There are plenty of amazing stories of alternative treatments and combos on these boards if you look and most will share their stories.
Scam0 -
I keep reading this...HeartofSoul said:Well said Dschreffler. Im
Well said Dschreffler. Im for getting every edge one can get in battling cancer and perhaps reducing the chances (even if small) of getting certain types of cancer using nutrition, herbs, vitamins, and so on but to forgo all western standard treatments like chemo,rad, and even surgery for alternative options exclusively is not even a faint consideration or option for me and a great majority of other cancer survivors.
we have much larger issues with heart disease, diabetes, and strokes with our current western diets in addition to cancer.
Re:
"but to forgo all western standard treatments like chemo,rad, and
even surgery for alternative options exclusively is not even a
faint consideration or option for me "
I have honestly tried to ignore comments like this, but I dunno',
I guess I'm just getting old and irritable...
I am a strong advocate for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
TCM is used in many, many other countries to fight cancer, alongside
western medicine. It's been used as both adjunctive therapy, to offset
the side effects of chemo and radiation, and as one of the main products
to actually attack cancer cells. In no case that I've heard of, does the
TCM physician ever suggest not getting surgery, radiation or chemo
when it is found to be needed, nor is there any inclination to encourage
the TCM patient to forgo "western medicine" tests and scans.
Although TCM can indeed be an "either/or" choice, it rarely if ever,
is provided in that manner.
It bothers me when prejudiced opinions are posted to boards
designed to help people find answers they're seeking, that scare
instead of inform.
There is more than enough information available regarding the
four thousand years of health help that TCM has provided to
billions upon billions of people; to disregard it so lightly, and
without regard to the information available, is irresponsible
at best, and disingenuous at the least.
Aside from that..... I got nuttin' but nice thoughts...
Best hopes for better health.
John0 -
Chinese medicine and qigong
Once my mum was diagnosed with colon cancer, liver met. After one week of the colon surgery, I took her to qigong. It seems worth trying because that night she had a better sleep.
Her oncologist and surgeon also encourage us to try Chinese medicine to go with the chemo. As long as we don't take the medicine on that day, and have Chinese and Western medicine with 2 hours gap. Oh, you have to make sure the Chinese doctor knows the chemo treatment well, so they know what to give you to relieve your side effects and support your body wellness.
Unfortunately, after chemo, my mum was too weak to get out of her bed and the qigong master will not come to our place... I'm hoping she can resume qigong and going back to see the Chinese doctor soon.0 -
My fiscal comment was toScambuster said:Paw Paw
Paw Paw or Papaya is a great fruit for many reasons. I eat one a day + I take a few swigs of Papaya Leaf extract among other things as part of my daily regimen.
I went through surgery and Target Chemo and 70 rounds of Rads (SCC of the tonsil/Throat).
I now adhere to diet and supplements pathway. Working wonders for me. I have rebuilt my immune system which I believe is a critical key in recovery and survival (prevent recurrence).
Get your immune system working however which way, supplements, diet, TCM whatever.
I have my story and list of supplements on my Expressions page. As for the Supplement industry being a billion dollar industry ?? The inference of that comment appears that it is all about making money. Well to date my total bill for supplements and consults with 3 Naturopaths and 1 Acupuncturist is less than $5000. My bills for Chemo, Radiation and the Oncomen to date > $250,000USD ( Five thousand USD Vs Two hundred and fifty thousand USD in case you missed that).
Hit it from all sides Penn man, and with gusto. Results are worth it. There are plenty of amazing stories of alternative treatments and combos on these boards if you look and most will share their stories.
Scam
My fiscal comment was to contrast to a prior comment in this thread, and an opinion I often see voiced in support of alternatives vs chemo/rad.. "My thoughts on why Onc don't want you on supplement's is because they will miss the thousands of dollars for only one Chemo Treatment."
That implied Oncs and tradition doc, pharmco only concerned about dollars and somehow alternatives where given away by saintly healers. :-) hence my statement of both making $ off the sick or wishful thinkers.k
It costs to do clinical trails, drug testing and to be able to say FDA approved vs having disclaimer on supplements that say "these claims of health benefit not certified by FDA".
My Onc and his staff has my best interest in their treatment of me, and I have seen them go out of there way to help folk get the drugs they need when could not afford/insurance not covering.
Eating right and exercise is beneficial to stay healthy and to counter many deseases. Most nutrients are free in foods if you eat balanced diet, and avoid packaged foods. Given that, I do not see compeling evidence for large amounts of supplements or specialty diets du jour, nor have dollars to spend on "disclaimered" treatments.0 -
Lisa P- alternatives- wow!scouty said:I did alternatives too
You can read my story on my website here. I need to update it to reflect my resent successful testing giving me 6 years NED (stage IV rectal cancer with mets to liver and lung).
I don't know much about Paw Paw but check out Modified Citric Pectin (MCP). Apparently some cancer cells are "hidden" from our immune systems so they can't be fought effectively. MCP is supposed to adhere to them so your immune system can see them, attach and kill them.
I totally agree about building up your immune system and short of a shot of some drug in the arm or butt your doctor won't know how to do that other then tell you to "eat a balanced diet". It's not their specialty, medicine is. Doctors are in school so long but they only take 1 nutrition course so I don't expect them to know much about it. My brother, an Ear Nose and Throat doctor, asks me all sorts of questions now when we talk. The changes I have seen in him the last 7 years tell me how much he has learned from my experiences.
Like Emily, my oncologist was very accepting of everything I did and I have to tell you that one of my chemo nurses told me that my cancer spread because of it's exposure to oxygen during surgery and another told me not to touch dirt in my garden since I could get infections from it. So talk to your oncologist about it, the nurses might not know. I do think there may be some chemo drugs that some supplements might impede but luckily none of the ones I did were or at least my oncologist had never seen any data to support that.
If you are in treatment please do run the things you do by your oncologist. Asking what to do won't work, telling them what you want to do works much better. If you can find someone with a PhD in Clinical Nutrition that would be ideal. They are schooled in the nutritional and healing powers of foods and supplements. With the help of mine my white blood cell counts (immune system) went from extremely low levels to the highest levels in 2 quick months after I decided to stop chemo.
Good luck to you,
Lisa P.
Hi Lisa (from another Lisa),
Wow- I forgot you were stage IV- thinking you were stage III. So, I am inspired and awed all over again, even though I've read about what you've done before. Congrats on your wonderful test results!!
I need to read up again on what you've done. I know a lot that's out there so far as natural treatments & have been doing some, but I just don't know that I'll get the desired effects- feel maybe like the chemo and the natural are "cancelling" each other out? I really don't believe that, but am worried as I go in today for chemo that all the natural things I've done this past week on my "off" chemo week will be for naught. My naturalpathic friend keeps begging me to go off chemo and give the natural treatment "a chance", as she says it. She says that while chemo is in my system, the natural treatments and detoxes are just having to work on eliminating the chemo poison from my system instead of being able to go concentrate directly on the cancer cells. I'm too afraid to stop the chemo.
Hmmm... I'm off to go pump some poison into my body... Confused...
Lisa0
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