Alternative Treatments/Vitamins/Medicine?

[seamuspg]

Hello-

I am here on behalf of my mother who is currently 4 rounds into her FOLFOX treatment w/ Avastin at Dana Farber. I want to continue to be her biggest advocate and leave no stone unturned, so I am curious as to what some of the suggested "supplementary" treatments would be for cancer, in particular, mucinous colon cancer. I started to browse books and felt so completely overwhelmed with all the "miracle" pills and herbs, but at the same time If there are some legitimate "helpers" I would love to learn more about them. Any thoughts or advice on even the simplest vitamin/herbal regiment would be greatly appreciated. Thoughts? She is currently just trying to eat healthy and supplementing some protein.


Thanks in advance.

God Bless-

[eitter]

Hello-

I am here on behalf of my mother who is currently 4 rounds into her FOLFOX treatment w/ Avastin at Dana Farber. I want to continue to be her biggest advocate and leave no stone unturned, so I am curious as to what some of the suggested "supplementary" treatments would be for cancer, in particular, mucinous colon cancer. I started to browse books and felt so completely overwhelmed with all the "miracle" pills and herbs, but at the same time If there are some legitimate "helpers" I would love to learn more about them. Any thoughts or advice on even the simplest vitamin/herbal regiment would be greatly appreciated. Thoughts? She is currently just trying to eat healthy and supplementing some protein.
-

WELCOME!

Your mother is lucky to have you!

First as a moderator of this board please read the Welcome on the front page at the top and it will talk about some of the limitations of this board, one of which is giving Medical advice. And you have brought one of the most controversial topics of Cancer.

First you need to know that pretty much ALL western Oncologists will tell you NOT to do/take anything on the side ie Vitamin C therapy and the like. So first you have to talk to her doctors and see what they say.

Having said all of this, I turned a blind eye a bit to what my doctor said and did do some things on the side, did they help who knows really, sure I am Cancer Free now. One thing I did 5 years ago was take IP6 before it was hip to take it. Many have said it helps with cancer patients, you can Google IP6 and get all kinds of info. I did look into Vitamin C IV therapy and that was VERY expensive and not sure the benefits of it.

Sooooooo, with that I will sit back and let some of my other AWESOME friends around here say what they want to say.

And Welcome again!

[Bob_Weiss]

I think you have to be careful about using complementary vits, etc. while in chemo. Some of them will reduce treatment effectiveness. After chemo was complete, my oncologist suggested aspirin and also calcium because there is some evidence of their value in preventing recurrance. I suggested Vit D3, which he thought was OK, but thought it would be better to get Vit3 by being outside in the sunlight. There is good information on the Memorial/Sloan website by Barrie Casselrith, who is considered an authority on supplement use relevant to cancer.

[Nickmark59]

One thing while going thru chemo Onc said not to high dose on Vitamin C as it interferes with folfox not allowing it to work properly

[dianetavegia]

seamuspg, Ask your mother to request a blood test for her Vitamin D3 levels. There's several videos on Youtube with a Dr. Garland and Dr. Fuchs concerning the importance of Vit. D3. If I remember correctly, Dr. Fuchs is or was from Dana Farber.


God bless you and your mom!
Diane

[pabl]

I am going to see an Integrative Medicine Doctor that was recommended by my oncologist. Presumably, they will give me their opinions on the supplements that I am trying...including Host Defense Mushrooms, green tea extract, IP-6 & Inositol, Vit. D3 and K2, probiotics, modified citrus pectin, boron, milk thistle seed, Cimetidine, and oregano. I also will start Chi Lo (Chinese healing exercise)...and if none of this works, then I will head into my backyard and dig up the weeds and boil them into a tea---because by then I will be a witch! Really, I believe the cure is somewhere on this planet (probably in plant form---and we just have to find it (only problem is the unknown toxicities).

[Cured]

Please, while going through chemo follow the doctor's advice. During this time she can try to eat well and get some fresh air and modest exercise. That and live as normal of a routine as is possible.
Some of us acknowledge the need for prayer.

AFTER treatments, then some other suplements can be added. Now I drink 3 cups of Green Tea per day.
The spice Tumeric is thought to be an Anti-Cancer agent. However, it is believed to be powerful enough to interfere with the planned effects of chemo, so wait.

I read the book Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life and follow the diet prescriptions in it.

Wishing your mom comfort and a good outcome.

[Fede]

Hi, Cured

AFTER treatments, then some other suplements can be added. Now I drink 3 cups of Green Tea per day.
The spice Tumeric is thought to be an Anti-Cancer agent. However, it is believed to be powerful enough to interfere with the planned effects of chemo, so wait.

I read the book Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life and follow the diet prescriptions in it.

Thanks for share this information really I bought spice tumeric but is difficult to eat really because is a as you said a spice... wich food do you use Tumeric and has it dark orange or dark yellow colour?

And respect to the green tea why ? wich is the main properties...??

Thanks again for the advice.

Fede

[Cured]

Fede, Ideally you use an equal amount of Black Pepper to the amount of Tumeric Powder Spice. I put this onto my Pizza or into Lentil Soup, for instance. You can also buy supplements in tablet or capsule form. They make a capsule which has both Tumeric and Black Pepper, but it is hard to find.

Green Tea is well known for its antioxidant properties. It appears to reduce both total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels (see review in Journal of American Dietetic Assn.) In cultures where they drink lots of Green Tea the cancer rates are lower. So, there seems to be no harm in drinking 3 cups of Green Tea per day.

Also, taking a regular asprin per day is advised too.

[nbrandt]

On advice from the Integrative Medicine NP during Folfox it was important to eat the Med. Diet with added protein for healing. I used the protein powder. Drink to stay hydrated. After finishing Chemo, low dosage aspirin, lots of walking and sunshine, meditation and prayer, drink water and some say tea or coffee.

Wishing you and your Mom the best as she finishes Folfox.
NBrandt

[CRguy]

If you are looking for an Integrative Medicine approach for management of current and follow up cancer care....you may wish to check out some of the resources I have posted in this thread : HERE

Most major cancer care centers will have their own opinion on alternative and/or complementary treatments. Be sure that the opinions you receive have been discussed with Integrative Medicine specialists who are knowledgeable about mainstream AND "other" treatments.
Check out the resources at MD Anderson, M Sloan Kettering, Dana Farber...just to name a few.

Always a Journey
CRguy

[Raclette]

I have been hearing a lot about an Amish man named Soloman Wickey who is reported to be a healer and has healed people with cancer using prayer, a special diet eliminating all animal proteins plus other particulars, and using some supplements. I was wondering if you have heard of him or his treatments? He lives in Indiana and has been helping people with all kinds of health issues for many years.
Am curious if anyone knows anything reliable?
R

[toolguy454]

I think everyone looks for the miracle cure.
I did chemo and now treat myself with a good multi-vitamin with antioxidants.
I do the Budwig Diet as well. (Lots of info on Google about this.)
I dont know if it is a cure but so far so good and it makes me feel great.

Be Well
Joel