Supplements
I take a mixture of Japanese mushrooms called Host Defense. It is not proven to help (but it would be hard to run clinical tests on things like this) but it is believed to help with immune system strength. I also take Blue Green algae. Blue Green Algae (according to a Kaiser site) MAY have some effectiveness against cancer prevention (it mentions precancerous mouth sores). Blue Green algae is another immune system booster as well as a good source of iron and B vitamins.
I also take vitamin D (and calcium). New evidence (still sketchy) has shown it effective in preventing death from recurrance.
Anyway, that's it. If you are interested in supplements, please do your own research and satisfy yourself as to the effectiveness or reasons for the supplements, and always check with your doctor for potential problems with other medications.
Oh, I have also started eating more cabbage sauerkraut made with water, not vinegar.
If anyone else is in to this and takes these supplements, or other things, I would be interested. Sometimes, the best effect of finding supplements that MAY help is the feeling that you are actively taking care of your health. Here's to good health for all of us! love, Joyce
Comments
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Additional info
I don't know about the mushrooms or algae though sea veggies are full of minerals and vitamins and have been used as foods in many cultures. Only in the US would the main use of sea veggies be in ice cream. Look to Japan and China or Scotland for more tasty dishes,much of the seaweed being harvested in Maine USA.
The lack of vitamin D in breast cancer patients is a researched fact. The test to determine your vitamin D level is a simple blood test and not very expensive. The oncological surgical nurse recommeded it for me last year. In spite of drinking lots of milk with D, salmon once or twice a week, and calcium with vitamin D supplements--oh and the one-a-day multi with D--I was still low enough to qualify for prescription vitamin D. That stuff is expensive: $2/pill, take one a week. However, the pain in my feet went away immediately and stayed away as long as I took the stuff. I take an amoratase inhibitor and get inflamed joints easily with pain that made walking difficult. At the end of 6 weeks I had to go on to the over-the-counter variety. This is much weaker. There is such a thing as Vitamin D overdose, as there is with all the fat soluable vitamins. So you don't want to jump right in and take massive amounts on your own. I strongly suggest talking with your doctor on anything you take and doing the blood tests if you want to do vitamin supplementation. It will help you take the right amount of the right stuff and keep you from messing your doctor's plans up. Most docs will work with you even if you want the complementary treatment supplements provide. But it is very important to work with them as many of these supplements act as medicines. Just a note: if you take vitamin supplements during chemo, you may very well negate any of the beneficial effects of the chemo. Check with your doctor before you take anything during that period of treatment!
Finally, you did not mention broccoli sprouts. Are they no longer in vogue or have you just never heard of them? A 1/4 cup of these tasty sprouts on your sandwich twice a week packs a ton more punch than a bowl full of broccoli and/or cabbage every meal. You can grow them yourself(cheaper by far) or buy them at some grocery stores, but get the brocco-sprout variety for best anti-cancer effects. They were researched at Johns Hopkins. Garlic, tumeric, and oregano are other yummies that should show up in a healthy, anti-cancer diet. Just make it tasty so meal-time isn't a chore. Life is too short to be miserable at mealtime.
C. Abbott0 -
Well Studied and Appreciatedcabbott said:Additional info
I don't know about the mushrooms or algae though sea veggies are full of minerals and vitamins and have been used as foods in many cultures. Only in the US would the main use of sea veggies be in ice cream. Look to Japan and China or Scotland for more tasty dishes,much of the seaweed being harvested in Maine USA.
The lack of vitamin D in breast cancer patients is a researched fact. The test to determine your vitamin D level is a simple blood test and not very expensive. The oncological surgical nurse recommeded it for me last year. In spite of drinking lots of milk with D, salmon once or twice a week, and calcium with vitamin D supplements--oh and the one-a-day multi with D--I was still low enough to qualify for prescription vitamin D. That stuff is expensive: $2/pill, take one a week. However, the pain in my feet went away immediately and stayed away as long as I took the stuff. I take an amoratase inhibitor and get inflamed joints easily with pain that made walking difficult. At the end of 6 weeks I had to go on to the over-the-counter variety. This is much weaker. There is such a thing as Vitamin D overdose, as there is with all the fat soluable vitamins. So you don't want to jump right in and take massive amounts on your own. I strongly suggest talking with your doctor on anything you take and doing the blood tests if you want to do vitamin supplementation. It will help you take the right amount of the right stuff and keep you from messing your doctor's plans up. Most docs will work with you even if you want the complementary treatment supplements provide. But it is very important to work with them as many of these supplements act as medicines. Just a note: if you take vitamin supplements during chemo, you may very well negate any of the beneficial effects of the chemo. Check with your doctor before you take anything during that period of treatment!
Finally, you did not mention broccoli sprouts. Are they no longer in vogue or have you just never heard of them? A 1/4 cup of these tasty sprouts on your sandwich twice a week packs a ton more punch than a bowl full of broccoli and/or cabbage every meal. You can grow them yourself(cheaper by far) or buy them at some grocery stores, but get the brocco-sprout variety for best anti-cancer effects. They were researched at Johns Hopkins. Garlic, tumeric, and oregano are other yummies that should show up in a healthy, anti-cancer diet. Just make it tasty so meal-time isn't a chore. Life is too short to be miserable at mealtime.
C. Abbott
C. Abbott-- I always try to read your posts to the various questions on this board. I come away each time having learned something new. I want to thank you for your thoughtful research, your great way of explaining things, and your willingness to share what you've learned. I have a feeling that I'm not the only one who reads your posts with much interest. I see my medical oncologist in two weeks and will talk to her about my calcium/D supplement as well as B supplement. I already use a ton of oregano and garlic in my day to day cooking so needless to say it was nice to learn that these herbs are healthful. Thank you so much for being you and for being here. Hugs, Marilynn0 -
I agree with MGM. Yourcabbott said:Additional info
I don't know about the mushrooms or algae though sea veggies are full of minerals and vitamins and have been used as foods in many cultures. Only in the US would the main use of sea veggies be in ice cream. Look to Japan and China or Scotland for more tasty dishes,much of the seaweed being harvested in Maine USA.
The lack of vitamin D in breast cancer patients is a researched fact. The test to determine your vitamin D level is a simple blood test and not very expensive. The oncological surgical nurse recommeded it for me last year. In spite of drinking lots of milk with D, salmon once or twice a week, and calcium with vitamin D supplements--oh and the one-a-day multi with D--I was still low enough to qualify for prescription vitamin D. That stuff is expensive: $2/pill, take one a week. However, the pain in my feet went away immediately and stayed away as long as I took the stuff. I take an amoratase inhibitor and get inflamed joints easily with pain that made walking difficult. At the end of 6 weeks I had to go on to the over-the-counter variety. This is much weaker. There is such a thing as Vitamin D overdose, as there is with all the fat soluable vitamins. So you don't want to jump right in and take massive amounts on your own. I strongly suggest talking with your doctor on anything you take and doing the blood tests if you want to do vitamin supplementation. It will help you take the right amount of the right stuff and keep you from messing your doctor's plans up. Most docs will work with you even if you want the complementary treatment supplements provide. But it is very important to work with them as many of these supplements act as medicines. Just a note: if you take vitamin supplements during chemo, you may very well negate any of the beneficial effects of the chemo. Check with your doctor before you take anything during that period of treatment!
Finally, you did not mention broccoli sprouts. Are they no longer in vogue or have you just never heard of them? A 1/4 cup of these tasty sprouts on your sandwich twice a week packs a ton more punch than a bowl full of broccoli and/or cabbage every meal. You can grow them yourself(cheaper by far) or buy them at some grocery stores, but get the brocco-sprout variety for best anti-cancer effects. They were researched at Johns Hopkins. Garlic, tumeric, and oregano are other yummies that should show up in a healthy, anti-cancer diet. Just make it tasty so meal-time isn't a chore. Life is too short to be miserable at mealtime.
C. Abbott
I agree with MGM. Your posts are terrific! I too always read what you have to say and find the information helpful and clear. Thank you so much.
I did check my vitamin D and it was high normal. I tried the broccoli sprouts but found them kind of bitter and so get the mixed sprouts instead. Didn't know about tumeric and oregano. I wonder if using them as a spice, rather than in larger quantities still has an effect. Garlic I eat a lot. A lot of supplements are just alternative forms to get vitamins that are also in a vitamin pill. I like to eat the foods (as well as take the vitamins) because I hope there is something unkown in the structure of the vitamins in them that may be more easily used by the body. Mostly I do it for the fun of feeling in control. The algae and mushroons are both in pill or capsule form. Thanks again for the nice reply. love, Joyce0 -
Vitamin Dcabbott said:Additional info
I don't know about the mushrooms or algae though sea veggies are full of minerals and vitamins and have been used as foods in many cultures. Only in the US would the main use of sea veggies be in ice cream. Look to Japan and China or Scotland for more tasty dishes,much of the seaweed being harvested in Maine USA.
The lack of vitamin D in breast cancer patients is a researched fact. The test to determine your vitamin D level is a simple blood test and not very expensive. The oncological surgical nurse recommeded it for me last year. In spite of drinking lots of milk with D, salmon once or twice a week, and calcium with vitamin D supplements--oh and the one-a-day multi with D--I was still low enough to qualify for prescription vitamin D. That stuff is expensive: $2/pill, take one a week. However, the pain in my feet went away immediately and stayed away as long as I took the stuff. I take an amoratase inhibitor and get inflamed joints easily with pain that made walking difficult. At the end of 6 weeks I had to go on to the over-the-counter variety. This is much weaker. There is such a thing as Vitamin D overdose, as there is with all the fat soluable vitamins. So you don't want to jump right in and take massive amounts on your own. I strongly suggest talking with your doctor on anything you take and doing the blood tests if you want to do vitamin supplementation. It will help you take the right amount of the right stuff and keep you from messing your doctor's plans up. Most docs will work with you even if you want the complementary treatment supplements provide. But it is very important to work with them as many of these supplements act as medicines. Just a note: if you take vitamin supplements during chemo, you may very well negate any of the beneficial effects of the chemo. Check with your doctor before you take anything during that period of treatment!
Finally, you did not mention broccoli sprouts. Are they no longer in vogue or have you just never heard of them? A 1/4 cup of these tasty sprouts on your sandwich twice a week packs a ton more punch than a bowl full of broccoli and/or cabbage every meal. You can grow them yourself(cheaper by far) or buy them at some grocery stores, but get the brocco-sprout variety for best anti-cancer effects. They were researched at Johns Hopkins. Garlic, tumeric, and oregano are other yummies that should show up in a healthy, anti-cancer diet. Just make it tasty so meal-time isn't a chore. Life is too short to be miserable at mealtime.
C. Abbott
For 15 years prior to chemo I took a daily multi-vitamin (included 400 units of Vit D which is the recommended daily allowance) plus Calicum+D twsice a day (another 400 units of D twice a day) That made 1200 units of Vit D a day. Oncologist reduced that to Calcium+D twice a day only - no vitamins or other supplements. He mentioned that too much D can cause hyper (something). I haven't been tested so I hope this routine turns out for the best for me.
Derbygirl0 -
Cabbott's research
Thank you Cabbott for your insightful research and willing to share your expansive knowledge. I am also now on prescription vit D because I was extremely low even though I eat yogurt every day take a multi with vit d and calcium pills with d. Thus said, I don't know if it's also because of my thyroid problem that I'm having this problem, but dr gave me a prescription to take once a week for 3 months. I will have my blood checked next month to see if the levels are now normal. I am also drinking green tea which is suppose to be an anti-oxidant and acai berry. Hugs, Lili0 -
Supplements
I am sooo terrible about taking meds~ sometimes I admit that I forget my Arimidex for a day, and it is the ONLY medication I take! I start with such good intentions; I get all of the supplements, vitamins, Calcium with D, and I am religious about taking them~ for about a week. And then, I forget to. Today, the next day, and the next. Even getting a pill box didnt help much.
If I could live on fresh blueberries, avocados, pomegranite juice, and salmon, I would!!! I have no trouble AT ALL making healthy food choices. It's just the supplements which do me in.
And, oh yeah~ I know from research that wine ups the recurrance rate of BC too. Oh well! I am NOT willing to give up my evening glass or 2 Pinot Noir. I suppose it is the old Quality vs Quantity debate. I may live to regret the wine decision, but I guess thats what it is, a LIFE decicison. It is perhaps a defiant/denial act on my part. Psychologists, line up!
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
I wanted to tell you - Ichenheart said:Supplements
I am sooo terrible about taking meds~ sometimes I admit that I forget my Arimidex for a day, and it is the ONLY medication I take! I start with such good intentions; I get all of the supplements, vitamins, Calcium with D, and I am religious about taking them~ for about a week. And then, I forget to. Today, the next day, and the next. Even getting a pill box didnt help much.
If I could live on fresh blueberries, avocados, pomegranite juice, and salmon, I would!!! I have no trouble AT ALL making healthy food choices. It's just the supplements which do me in.
And, oh yeah~ I know from research that wine ups the recurrance rate of BC too. Oh well! I am NOT willing to give up my evening glass or 2 Pinot Noir. I suppose it is the old Quality vs Quantity debate. I may live to regret the wine decision, but I guess thats what it is, a LIFE decicison. It is perhaps a defiant/denial act on my part. Psychologists, line up!
Hugs,
Claudia
I wanted to tell you - I love your picture! The jogging is certainly paying off, Chen. And are those reconstructed breasts? Fabulous. love, Joyce0 -
Shucks!mgm42 said:Well Studied and Appreciated
C. Abbott-- I always try to read your posts to the various questions on this board. I come away each time having learned something new. I want to thank you for your thoughtful research, your great way of explaining things, and your willingness to share what you've learned. I have a feeling that I'm not the only one who reads your posts with much interest. I see my medical oncologist in two weeks and will talk to her about my calcium/D supplement as well as B supplement. I already use a ton of oregano and garlic in my day to day cooking so needless to say it was nice to learn that these herbs are healthful. Thank you so much for being you and for being here. Hugs, Marilynn
Shucks guys, I'm speechless. Please understand that I'm just a patient like you and like you I find some solace in all the sharing that goes on here. I am not a doctor or a medical specialist. Like you, I can only share what I've learned the hard way. I love the net for the ease in researching stuff, though I can barely keep up with my teenage son on the computer. He flips through those screens so fast. Still, it helps me sleep at night knowing something more now and then is being discovered about cancer, so I keep on reading and sharing when I can. I only wish they would find a cure.
C. Abbott0 -
You make me feel like a Natural Woman!Joycelouise said:I wanted to tell you - I
I wanted to tell you - I love your picture! The jogging is certainly paying off, Chen. And are those reconstructed breasts? Fabulous. love, Joyce
Reconstructed Breasts???? How dare you even insinuate such a thing! :-) And thanks for noticing how nice my leags are since the marathon training! The only thing is: I think chemo made me taller!!!!! It's always something, isn't it????
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
in agreeancechenheart said:Supplements
I am sooo terrible about taking meds~ sometimes I admit that I forget my Arimidex for a day, and it is the ONLY medication I take! I start with such good intentions; I get all of the supplements, vitamins, Calcium with D, and I am religious about taking them~ for about a week. And then, I forget to. Today, the next day, and the next. Even getting a pill box didnt help much.
If I could live on fresh blueberries, avocados, pomegranite juice, and salmon, I would!!! I have no trouble AT ALL making healthy food choices. It's just the supplements which do me in.
And, oh yeah~ I know from research that wine ups the recurrance rate of BC too. Oh well! I am NOT willing to give up my evening glass or 2 Pinot Noir. I suppose it is the old Quality vs Quantity debate. I may live to regret the wine decision, but I guess thats what it is, a LIFE decicison. It is perhaps a defiant/denial act on my part. Psychologists, line up!
Hugs,
Claudia
I agree Claud, would never give up my glass of wine. I prefer merlot myself. Hugs, Lili0 -
Supplements
Hi Joyce,
At the beginning of all this while waiting for surgery, chemo etc. I was taking a few things.
Indole 3 Carbinol, cat's claw, CoQ10 and flax seed were some of them. For a while I made sure I was getting a cup of broccoli a day. Broccoli is the only cruciferous veggie that isn't goitrogenic. I've heard cabbage leaves is an old cure for breast cancer.
Presently I'm down to Cal/Mag with 1000IU of Vitamin D. I stopped taking a multi-vite when I learned the A prevented the D from absorbing the Calcium and I wondered what else was cancelling itself out. When I'm ambitious I use www.nutritiondata.com and plug in my daily foods and see what I'm missing and then take that supplement. It's a fabulous site for tracking your foods and I was amazed to find out what I wasn't getting and what I was getting too much of.
I do keep the ground flax seed close at hand and try to get 2 tblsp/day. Even though it is a phytoestrogen (I don't think they are all created equal), I could not find any negative data searching PubMed that it stimulated tumours at all and actually everything I found indicated suppression. I also found data that stated it enhanced Tamoxifen. It is the lignans in it that are supposed to be beneficial for Breast Cancer. Of course I would never tell anyone to take it as some docs are opposed to any phytoestrogen.
Dietary flaxseed enhances the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on the growth of estrogen-dependent human breast cancer (mcf-7) in nude mice.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15570004?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=2&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed
There are many other articles saying basically the same thing. Although this one is about mice there was one small study concerning live women eating flaxseed muffins.
Some people think there is a link between lack of iodine and breast cancer so when I think about it I take iodine a couple of times a week as I've lost my taste for seaweed and kelp.
I also eat Pacific Sockeye Salmon about 3x week as it's an excellent protein with lots of anti-inflammatory properties.
Thanks for the post, it's interesting to see what others use as a weapon against this disease.
jan0 -
Thanks Jan, for thephoenixrising said:Supplements
Hi Joyce,
At the beginning of all this while waiting for surgery, chemo etc. I was taking a few things.
Indole 3 Carbinol, cat's claw, CoQ10 and flax seed were some of them. For a while I made sure I was getting a cup of broccoli a day. Broccoli is the only cruciferous veggie that isn't goitrogenic. I've heard cabbage leaves is an old cure for breast cancer.
Presently I'm down to Cal/Mag with 1000IU of Vitamin D. I stopped taking a multi-vite when I learned the A prevented the D from absorbing the Calcium and I wondered what else was cancelling itself out. When I'm ambitious I use www.nutritiondata.com and plug in my daily foods and see what I'm missing and then take that supplement. It's a fabulous site for tracking your foods and I was amazed to find out what I wasn't getting and what I was getting too much of.
I do keep the ground flax seed close at hand and try to get 2 tblsp/day. Even though it is a phytoestrogen (I don't think they are all created equal), I could not find any negative data searching PubMed that it stimulated tumours at all and actually everything I found indicated suppression. I also found data that stated it enhanced Tamoxifen. It is the lignans in it that are supposed to be beneficial for Breast Cancer. Of course I would never tell anyone to take it as some docs are opposed to any phytoestrogen.
Dietary flaxseed enhances the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on the growth of estrogen-dependent human breast cancer (mcf-7) in nude mice.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15570004?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=2&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed
There are many other articles saying basically the same thing. Although this one is about mice there was one small study concerning live women eating flaxseed muffins.
Some people think there is a link between lack of iodine and breast cancer so when I think about it I take iodine a couple of times a week as I've lost my taste for seaweed and kelp.
I also eat Pacific Sockeye Salmon about 3x week as it's an excellent protein with lots of anti-inflammatory properties.
Thanks for the post, it's interesting to see what others use as a weapon against this disease.
jan
Thanks Jan, for the experience you bring. I will look into the flax seed. I am a little undecided about the phytoestrogens and it seems the medical community is too. As I am mostly vegan, I would love to chow down on soy cream cheese, etc. but try not to eat to much soy (another phytoestrogen). My cancer is only 45% estrogen+, not sure how that weighs in. I throw seaweed into all my bean dishes and never even know it is there.
And every once in a while I eat like a fearless person. YOu know, sugar, fat, whatever. I need to do that to keep from feeling like the food is ruling my life. And it is such a tasty way to keep my balance! love, Joyce0 -
sponsored supplements from Onc dr.Joycelouise said:Thanks Jan, for the
Thanks Jan, for the experience you bring. I will look into the flax seed. I am a little undecided about the phytoestrogens and it seems the medical community is too. As I am mostly vegan, I would love to chow down on soy cream cheese, etc. but try not to eat to much soy (another phytoestrogen). My cancer is only 45% estrogen+, not sure how that weighs in. I throw seaweed into all my bean dishes and never even know it is there.
And every once in a while I eat like a fearless person. YOu know, sugar, fat, whatever. I need to do that to keep from feeling like the food is ruling my life. And it is such a tasty way to keep my balance! love, Joyce
Hi all! I begin my chemo (taxetere, adriancytin, cytocytin or TAC as they call it on Thursday the 25th). When I went to the 'chemo class' with the nurse she gave me the following supplements to take while in chemo. This is just what she told me and said that if I did this regimen I would have minimal side effects from chemo. They are so organized they gave me a calendar to keep track of the different drugs/supplements I need to take!
RX drugs
dexamethasone day 0(day b4 chemo)day 1, 2
emend shot day 2 to boost wbc
emend (for nausea) day 2, 3
compazine PRN for nausea
bactrin day 5 through 9 2x a day to boost immune system wb count
Supplements:
calictrate; 1200 mg a day for Vit D and calcium to prevent bone loss
acidophilus: 1 billion units 3x/day for the entire cycle (all 21 days)
glutimine powder: 1 tblspoon 2x/day for neuropathy prevention
Vitamin B 6 300mg/day to prevent neuropathy
biotine mouthwash for mouth sores
recommended walking/exercising 30 minutes/day for reduction in chemo symptoms as tolerated.
This is all recommended by the onc dr. She has also done research on diet and exercise to prevent recurrance and has an exercise program that is open to all women in her clinic for free. I was so impressed that they even considered the alternative medicine stuff for managing chemo symptoms. I am going to the Cancer Therapy Research Center at the University of Texas Health Care System. Thought I would share this info with the rest of you. They also use cold gloves and boots to prevent neuropathy when they give me the taxetere as it can cause neuropathy and I expressed great concerns about that. She said if I do this regimen I may get neuropathy in a finger or toe but not the whole hand or foot. MJ from TX.0 -
Thanks for writing, MJ. Itmjfromtx said:sponsored supplements from Onc dr.
Hi all! I begin my chemo (taxetere, adriancytin, cytocytin or TAC as they call it on Thursday the 25th). When I went to the 'chemo class' with the nurse she gave me the following supplements to take while in chemo. This is just what she told me and said that if I did this regimen I would have minimal side effects from chemo. They are so organized they gave me a calendar to keep track of the different drugs/supplements I need to take!
RX drugs
dexamethasone day 0(day b4 chemo)day 1, 2
emend shot day 2 to boost wbc
emend (for nausea) day 2, 3
compazine PRN for nausea
bactrin day 5 through 9 2x a day to boost immune system wb count
Supplements:
calictrate; 1200 mg a day for Vit D and calcium to prevent bone loss
acidophilus: 1 billion units 3x/day for the entire cycle (all 21 days)
glutimine powder: 1 tblspoon 2x/day for neuropathy prevention
Vitamin B 6 300mg/day to prevent neuropathy
biotine mouthwash for mouth sores
recommended walking/exercising 30 minutes/day for reduction in chemo symptoms as tolerated.
This is all recommended by the onc dr. She has also done research on diet and exercise to prevent recurrance and has an exercise program that is open to all women in her clinic for free. I was so impressed that they even considered the alternative medicine stuff for managing chemo symptoms. I am going to the Cancer Therapy Research Center at the University of Texas Health Care System. Thought I would share this info with the rest of you. They also use cold gloves and boots to prevent neuropathy when they give me the taxetere as it can cause neuropathy and I expressed great concerns about that. She said if I do this regimen I may get neuropathy in a finger or toe but not the whole hand or foot. MJ from TX.
Thanks for writing, MJ. It sure is nice to hear that you received such complete care. I was told when I went to the educational meeting that I would get neueropathy, everyone does, and it is permanent. As an artist who uses her hands, I freaked. I also changed hospitals. Guess what, I didn't get neurapathy and did get advice at my new hospital to take vitamin B6, which I did. The difference in care was only the difference between two branches of Kaiser. I would be interested to hear if your caregivers have a supplements plan for after treatment, which is where I am now, looking for things to help my body do what it knows best. I hope you are doing well, love, Joyce0 -
not started any treatment yet......but will bemjfromtx said:sponsored supplements from Onc dr.
Hi all! I begin my chemo (taxetere, adriancytin, cytocytin or TAC as they call it on Thursday the 25th). When I went to the 'chemo class' with the nurse she gave me the following supplements to take while in chemo. This is just what she told me and said that if I did this regimen I would have minimal side effects from chemo. They are so organized they gave me a calendar to keep track of the different drugs/supplements I need to take!
RX drugs
dexamethasone day 0(day b4 chemo)day 1, 2
emend shot day 2 to boost wbc
emend (for nausea) day 2, 3
compazine PRN for nausea
bactrin day 5 through 9 2x a day to boost immune system wb count
Supplements:
calictrate; 1200 mg a day for Vit D and calcium to prevent bone loss
acidophilus: 1 billion units 3x/day for the entire cycle (all 21 days)
glutimine powder: 1 tblspoon 2x/day for neuropathy prevention
Vitamin B 6 300mg/day to prevent neuropathy
biotine mouthwash for mouth sores
recommended walking/exercising 30 minutes/day for reduction in chemo symptoms as tolerated.
This is all recommended by the onc dr. She has also done research on diet and exercise to prevent recurrance and has an exercise program that is open to all women in her clinic for free. I was so impressed that they even considered the alternative medicine stuff for managing chemo symptoms. I am going to the Cancer Therapy Research Center at the University of Texas Health Care System. Thought I would share this info with the rest of you. They also use cold gloves and boots to prevent neuropathy when they give me the taxetere as it can cause neuropathy and I expressed great concerns about that. She said if I do this regimen I may get neuropathy in a finger or toe but not the whole hand or foot. MJ from TX.
I like the way the TAC sounds.....I don't want to use the Taxol...I don't think I could handle that....but anyway i was curious as to what kind of C....your being treated for....mines breast c.I had surgery...they took 24 nodes only one had cancer in it,thank the lord.....then I had a lumpd- done they took a 1.5 out.....and now after spending almost a week in the hospital after infection.I'm healing and the doc wants to go in one more time for a few small spots, Then more healing time....then i get my treatments....i'm only 43..this has been a blow,i'm a certified nursing asst.Learning how to slow things down...has been a challenge.....well, sorry for rambling so much...this is my first time to the board.How are you feeling about everything?0 -
Don't worry about ramblingpraiseJesus said:not started any treatment yet......but will be
I like the way the TAC sounds.....I don't want to use the Taxol...I don't think I could handle that....but anyway i was curious as to what kind of C....your being treated for....mines breast c.I had surgery...they took 24 nodes only one had cancer in it,thank the lord.....then I had a lumpd- done they took a 1.5 out.....and now after spending almost a week in the hospital after infection.I'm healing and the doc wants to go in one more time for a few small spots, Then more healing time....then i get my treatments....i'm only 43..this has been a blow,i'm a certified nursing asst.Learning how to slow things down...has been a challenge.....well, sorry for rambling so much...this is my first time to the board.How are you feeling about everything?
Don't worry about rambling here...we ramble back. I am glad you found this site because the women and support here is wonderful. I had breast cancer, as did most people here. This board is sorted according to cancer type. I am, 5 months out of chemo, feeling great. Like my old self (a little wiser - ouch). I had taxol and did fine with it. You will hear as many stories as there are sisters..and then you will write your own. Don't be too afraid of this or that. It is too hard to predict.
And as I think about your question, "how am I feeling about everything" I have to say, I am feeling a little like I am losing perspective. That is a good thing. Already some of memory of what I went through this year is fading. But, asking about feelings is a GOOD thing. Take care of yours. Feelings were what tripped me up the most. I wasn't prepared for the roller coaster of extremes, bought on by chemo menopause and the chemo itself as well as the DX. Coming here has helped me deal with tears, fears, and brought me a wonderful sense of strength and normalacy. Write anytime! You are among friends/sisters. love, JOyce0 -
Education???Joycelouise said:Thanks for writing, MJ. It
Thanks for writing, MJ. It sure is nice to hear that you received such complete care. I was told when I went to the educational meeting that I would get neueropathy, everyone does, and it is permanent. As an artist who uses her hands, I freaked. I also changed hospitals. Guess what, I didn't get neurapathy and did get advice at my new hospital to take vitamin B6, which I did. The difference in care was only the difference between two branches of Kaiser. I would be interested to hear if your caregivers have a supplements plan for after treatment, which is where I am now, looking for things to help my body do what it knows best. I hope you are doing well, love, Joyce
I must say that I get angry sometimes reading the posts....I know! I know! I am NOT always Stronger Than...sometimes I am Angry At!!!!
I am never angry at any of YOU...let me say that right up front. 5 1/2 years later, I am angry at my onco doc and what was NOT told or offered to me during treatment. When I read of "the educational meeting" you went to...I thought, what eductional meeting? I was never educated, nor did I know that education was available! I was never told about possible pain from Neulasta ( and I had the most severe reaction to it imaginable) nothing about neuropathy or what could be done about it ( I couldn't walk without pain for almost a year~ and yes, I menntioned it at EVERY Dr's visit!)..I was allergic to both the antibiotic and pain meds after surgery so I had to do it all cold turkey~ no options were given me. I never even heard about any of the ACS programs, including the wig program and what is it, Look Good Feel Good or something to that effect. And I was a member of CSN! Odd, indeed. The chatroom members, NewBoobs in particular told me to drink water! I never would have known to do that either...grrrrrr!! And what a necessary part of chemotherapy good hydration is!
In hindsight, I am damned lucky to be this far out! :-) I hope I never ever get cancer again, but IF I do, this time I will know what to expect, what to ask for and about, and be an advocate!
Whew...I haven't vented in a long time---thanks for the opportunity! I'm "over it" now! :-)
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
I so agree, Chen. (By thechenheart said:Education???
I must say that I get angry sometimes reading the posts....I know! I know! I am NOT always Stronger Than...sometimes I am Angry At!!!!
I am never angry at any of YOU...let me say that right up front. 5 1/2 years later, I am angry at my onco doc and what was NOT told or offered to me during treatment. When I read of "the educational meeting" you went to...I thought, what eductional meeting? I was never educated, nor did I know that education was available! I was never told about possible pain from Neulasta ( and I had the most severe reaction to it imaginable) nothing about neuropathy or what could be done about it ( I couldn't walk without pain for almost a year~ and yes, I menntioned it at EVERY Dr's visit!)..I was allergic to both the antibiotic and pain meds after surgery so I had to do it all cold turkey~ no options were given me. I never even heard about any of the ACS programs, including the wig program and what is it, Look Good Feel Good or something to that effect. And I was a member of CSN! Odd, indeed. The chatroom members, NewBoobs in particular told me to drink water! I never would have known to do that either...grrrrrr!! And what a necessary part of chemotherapy good hydration is!
In hindsight, I am damned lucky to be this far out! :-) I hope I never ever get cancer again, but IF I do, this time I will know what to expect, what to ask for and about, and be an advocate!
Whew...I haven't vented in a long time---thanks for the opportunity! I'm "over it" now! :-)
Hugs,
Claudia
I so agree, Chen. (By the way, it was you who told ME to drink water...thanks!) But, my educational meeting was horrid. The provider had some false info, like telling me I definitely WOULD get neuropathy and it probably would affect my ability to draw. As an artist that was really hard for me to anticipate. The presenter treated us all like children. Naughty children if we asked questions out of sync. She said, "50 lashes with a wet noodle!". The worse thing she told me is that if I wanted to take ativan to take the edge of chemo to "take two the night before, two in the morning, and two before the infusion". Luckily, I didn't follow that advice, can you imagine? After that meeting I switched Kaisers, from one that I can actually see from my house to one a half hour away and I am so glad I did! But I did get a nice folder with info about Look Beautiful, Feel Crappy (I joke, really it is a good program).
It is a good thing to vent and get upset about when our treatment is not what it should be. Even years after. Because years after we still love that scared younger woman that we were and we still champion her cause. We have to sometimes because sometimes no one else will! And here it is good to say thanks again, Claudia. For the information, advice, support that you give me and all of us when we need it. And here I feel like getting overdramatic - TOGETHER WE WILL SURVIVE! Now I am ready for my day! Love you lots, Joyce0 -
Whoops, not quite done yet.Joycelouise said:I so agree, Chen. (By the
I so agree, Chen. (By the way, it was you who told ME to drink water...thanks!) But, my educational meeting was horrid. The provider had some false info, like telling me I definitely WOULD get neuropathy and it probably would affect my ability to draw. As an artist that was really hard for me to anticipate. The presenter treated us all like children. Naughty children if we asked questions out of sync. She said, "50 lashes with a wet noodle!". The worse thing she told me is that if I wanted to take ativan to take the edge of chemo to "take two the night before, two in the morning, and two before the infusion". Luckily, I didn't follow that advice, can you imagine? After that meeting I switched Kaisers, from one that I can actually see from my house to one a half hour away and I am so glad I did! But I did get a nice folder with info about Look Beautiful, Feel Crappy (I joke, really it is a good program).
It is a good thing to vent and get upset about when our treatment is not what it should be. Even years after. Because years after we still love that scared younger woman that we were and we still champion her cause. We have to sometimes because sometimes no one else will! And here it is good to say thanks again, Claudia. For the information, advice, support that you give me and all of us when we need it. And here I feel like getting overdramatic - TOGETHER WE WILL SURVIVE! Now I am ready for my day! Love you lots, Joyce
Whoops, not quite done yet. I also want to add that the educational meeting was a lot about how to register, reschedule, etc. In other words, they were educating us to be efficient patients and doing it in a group to save on mouth time. The main thrust was NOT how to handle. Joyce0
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