L-Glutamine

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lakeswim
Posts: 229
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:37 am

L-Glutamine

Postby lakeswim » Sun Aug 12, 2018 2:50 pm

Hello.
I read on here and elsewhere that L Glutamine can help with neuropathy and digestive issues while on chemo. I asked my Oncologist about it last week and his PA gave me permission to try it - but gave no other information (save a warning that it may cause stomach upset). Has anyone used L Glutamine on chemo and what has been your experience - short and long term? And when did you start it and how much did you take? Any form preferable to others?

I have used Glutamine before - in 2003 and 2010. A Holistic MD prescribed Metagenics L GLutamine to heal my leaky gut (and my symptoms disappeared - so I do believe it did its job), so I have experience with the supplement (but NOT while on chemo). I don't recall the amounts I took.

I am on FOLFOX and I have Round 6 (of 8) tomorrow morning so it may be too late to help with neuropathy issues, but I still hope it can help heal my gut (though I'm not sure when is best to do this, given I have radiation next and then surgery).

Thanks for any tips! Hope everyone is having the a good day.
Female - RC dgns @ 49 y
Adenocarcinoma
10-11 cm from anal verge ("large")
Stage 3a - T4N0M0
FOLFOX May -Sept 18
Capecetabine + Radiation - 28 sessions - Oct - Nov 18
Jan 19 - MRI & flex sig show tumor gone, Chest/ab CT no change
Feb 19 - MRI & flex sig show tumor gone
W&W (must travel)
.....W&W surveillance 2019,2020,2021,2022,2023....
Jan 24 - approaching 5 years this Spring with W&W surveillance to end.
*grateful*

Koreysue
Posts: 258
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:36 pm

Re: L-Glutamine

Postby Koreysue » Sun Aug 12, 2018 4:16 pm

Hi
I took l glutamine as recorded my my oncology naturopath. I did 1 scoop of powder in water once daily starting the day before each treatment through the day after treatment. She said not to take it in between treatments. I noticed an improvement in neuropathy. I purchased it at Whole Foods.
Dx: 6/2017 stage 3 CC
Sigmoid, 2 nodes
CEA at dx: 6.1
Sigmoid Colectomy/folfox (last chemo (1/31/18)
CEA 4/2018: 2.4
CEA 7/2018: 3.7
Colonoscopy 8/18 clean
PET scan 8/20/18 NED
CEA 11/2018: 3.8
CEA 2/2019: 3.2
CT NED 6/18/19 / CEA : 3.4
CEA 10/21/19: 3.2
CEA 3/9/20: 3.8
CT NED /CEA 6/17/20: 3.8
CEA 11/4/20 4.6 <——— whyyyy? (will retest in a few weeks)
CT NED 12/1/20 CEA: 3.5
CEA 5/21 4.2
CEA 10/21 3.4
colonoscopy 10/21 10mm polyp
CEA 4/22 3.7
CEA 7/22 3.8
CEA 12/22 4
CEA 1/22 3.2 and NED 5yr scan

benben
Posts: 324
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:18 pm
Location: Washington State

Re: L-Glutamine

Postby benben » Sun Aug 12, 2018 6:52 pm

I took L-Glutamine along with a handful of other supps and small doses of CBD and THC during my entire chemotherapy treatment.

So I can't say for certain whether any one thing did anything or whether or not they did anything at all - HAH.

But I am 9 months out of therapy and have virtually ZERO neuropathy. I don't even get tingling in my feet anymore with sizzling hot showers.
So it's supposed to help with that - and perhaps it did but so does the CBD and THC supposedly.

I did have copious amounts of diarrhea starting about day 5 after infusion (steroids wore off) until next infusion. I don't know if any of my supps had anything to do with that either.

but there you go.
----------------------
3/29/17 diagnosed CRC - 44 y/o Male
4/17/17 ULAR - Straight anastomosis - no ostomy.
Path: low grade T3n1m0 - moderate diff.
KRAS - NO, MLH1/PMS2/MSH6/MSH2 - Normal.
5/3 med port install
5/22 folfox - first treatment.
3rd treat, delayed - low ANC - reduced to 90% OXI
zarxio all treats
Treat 7 - 75% OXI
Treats 8-12 - NO OXI, Luke & 5FU
10/20/17 CT- NED
3/18 Scope - Clean
11/8 PORT OUT!
7/22 CT - NED (5 years!)

lakeswim
Posts: 229
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:37 am

Re: L-Glutamine

Postby lakeswim » Sun Aug 12, 2018 7:08 pm

Thanks BenBen and KoreySue.

BenBen - that is SO great that you have ZERO neuropathy! I wish I had known some of this stuff when I started (such a steep learning curve though). I can't believe my doc doesn't suggest it to begin with, if they approve it now.

BenBen - What is CBC and THC and how did it help? Also, I see your Ox was reduced. Mine was reduced to 50% after Round 3 b/c my hand and leg cramping was so extreme. I am now back up to 65%.

Thanks!
Female - RC dgns @ 49 y
Adenocarcinoma
10-11 cm from anal verge ("large")
Stage 3a - T4N0M0
FOLFOX May -Sept 18
Capecetabine + Radiation - 28 sessions - Oct - Nov 18
Jan 19 - MRI & flex sig show tumor gone, Chest/ab CT no change
Feb 19 - MRI & flex sig show tumor gone
W&W (must travel)
.....W&W surveillance 2019,2020,2021,2022,2023....
Jan 24 - approaching 5 years this Spring with W&W surveillance to end.
*grateful*

benben
Posts: 324
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:18 pm
Location: Washington State

Re: L-Glutamine

Postby benben » Sun Aug 12, 2018 7:16 pm

lakeswim wrote:BenBen - What is CBC and THC and how did it help? Also, I see your Ox was reduced. Mine was reduced to 50% after Round 3 b/c my hand and leg cramping was so extreme. I am now back up to 65%.


Hi Lakeswim. CBD and THC are extracts from the marijuana plant. I used edible forms of these so as not to introduce irritants into my lungs via the typical implementation of smoking or vaping.
It is legal in the state of Washington.

I did have Oxi reduction due to extreme neutropenia. Talking ANC counts of like 300 even 14 days out sometimes. So they reduced the oxi and introduced zarxio shots to force the bones to produce more white blood cells. After 7 rounds they dropped the oxi completely and went 5FU only as not only was neutropenia an issue but so was low platelet levels as well as the actual morphing of my platelets.

best of luck to you!
----------------------
3/29/17 diagnosed CRC - 44 y/o Male
4/17/17 ULAR - Straight anastomosis - no ostomy.
Path: low grade T3n1m0 - moderate diff.
KRAS - NO, MLH1/PMS2/MSH6/MSH2 - Normal.
5/3 med port install
5/22 folfox - first treatment.
3rd treat, delayed - low ANC - reduced to 90% OXI
zarxio all treats
Treat 7 - 75% OXI
Treats 8-12 - NO OXI, Luke & 5FU
10/20/17 CT- NED
3/18 Scope - Clean
11/8 PORT OUT!
7/22 CT - NED (5 years!)

Tupelo honey
Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2016 7:57 pm

Re: L-Glutamine

Postby Tupelo honey » Sun Aug 12, 2018 8:50 pm

I used Alpha lipoic acid and glutamine from a day or two before infusion to a few days after - prob 5-6 days each cycle. I usually took 15 grams of glutamine powder mixed in water twice a day and 2 - 500 mg pills of ALC twice a day. Plus 100 mg of B6 to protect against Hand Foot Syndrome, which I never got.

I was a bit more concerned about the calcium magnesium combo, as it's been a little controversial. It used to be a standard part of treatment based on a study showing it reduced neuropathy but it's been pretty much discounted as being effective against neuropathy and one study then seemed to show it reduced chemo effectiveness. Then that study was discounted. Perhaps it really was a zero sum game as the general consensus (and my oncologist) has it nowadays but I'd been taking magnesium and calcium anyway so I upped it to the old doses of 1 gram (1000 mg) of each immediately prior to infusion on the day of chemo only.

I do recall that I heard / read any antioxidants were counterproductive to chemo, as they may "protect" the bad cells from intentional damage by the chemotheraputic agents, whose job it is to damage the "bad" (cancer) cells. I did avoid vitamin C in supplementation form.

I don't know whether any of this truly makes a difference, or just helps give us a sense of control during a frightening time. I'll also say I 100% believe there is no 100% one-size-fits-all solution and everyone's causes, treatments and results are going to vary based their individual biology and genetics.

But so far, my outcome has been good and I'll take it. I'm not far enough out from treatment to comment about the overall effectiveness the other ones I took more for their "anti-cancer" (Curcumin, PSK, Celixicob) and "anti-metastatic" (cimetidine, modified citrus pectin) properties but for the above mentioned four I took specifically to address potential neuropathy, whether I was just lucky or not, I can state it 100% worked and I am one of the lucky ones with no lingering symptoms.
Rectal Cancer Stage 3A 10-22-2015 T2N1M0
Start Chemo radiation 11/2015
LAR TME w/ total hysterectomy 3/14/2016 pT2N1M0 No ileo, straight connect
Start Xelox 4/21/16 1 week on/1 week off
Switch to Xelox 2 weeks on/1 week off 6/1/2016
Supplements: Curcumin, PSK, Celixicob, Cimetidime, Glutamine, L-Acytel Carnitine, Vit D, Vit B6, Vit B12, magnesium, calcium, aspirin, metformin, modified citrus pectin
10/2016 NED
03/2017 NED
07/2017 NED
11/2017 NED
05/2018 NED
11/2018 NED
11/2019 NED
11/2020 NED
8/2021 NED

boxhill
Posts: 789
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:40 am

Re: L-Glutamine

Postby boxhill » Mon Aug 13, 2018 8:26 am

On the advice of my Dr's NP I started taking L-glutamine pretty early on in FOLFOX to ward off neuropathy. Maybe after Cycle #1? She said to take 10 grams of powder per day in water. She also suggest a B-complex 100 cap per day. I admit that occasionally I forget to take the glutamine. :)

I also upped my usual intake of Omega-3 fish oil capsules, which I was already taking for triglycerides, since there is some evidence that that might help also. I recently decided to start taking ALA again, something I did years ago when first diagnosed with T2, because my blood sugar readings are taking a severe beating from chemo, the steroid being the likely main culprit.

I have had no nausea so far--infusion #7 tomorrow--and although I do have the usual cold sensitivity, it wears off as the cycle continues. Honestly, when people speak of "neuropathy," I don't know whether they mean the pins and needles from cold sensitivity, but all the time, or some other kind of thing.

Perhaps someone who has had both can clear that up?
F, 64 at DX CRC Stage IV
3/17/18 blockage, r hemi
11 of 25 LN,5 mesentery nodes
5mm liver met
pT3 pN2b pM1
BRAF wild, KRAS G12D
dMMR, MSI-H
5/18 FOLFOX
7/18 and 11/18 CT NED
12/18 MRI 5mm liver mass, 2 LNs in porta hepatis
12/31/18 Keytruda
6/19 Multiphasic CT LNs normal, Liver stable
6/28/19 Pause Key, predisone for joint pain
7/31/19 Restart Key
9/19 CT stable
Pain: all fails but Celebrex
12/23/19 CT stable
5/20 MRI stable/NED
6/20 Stop Key
All MRIs NED

margiej
Posts: 109
Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2018 8:46 am

Re: L-Glutamine

Postby margiej » Mon Aug 13, 2018 8:58 am

For me, the pins and needles sensitivity to cold was an immediate side effect of the oxy, wearing off over the course of several days. The neuropathy that I have is a numbness in my fingers and toes that peaked in intensity about two to three months after my chemo was all done. I still have a tiny bit of numbness in the tip of my fingers and pretty annoying, but tolerable, numbness from mid-foot though my toes. I am two years out from chemo... Is there a chance glutamine would help after all this time? My doctor never mentioned it unfortunately... Only recommended B-12 which she still has me take. I wish I had been on this forum back then.
Thanks!
Margie
Dx CC 12/2015, age 57 at Dx
Stage IIIb: T3N1b
Adenocarcinoma, sigmoid colon, 2.5 cm - low grade, moderately differentiated
3/6 positive lymph nodes
laparoscopic colectomy 1/20/2016
Capox started 3/4/16 - Six rounds
CT-suspicious lymph 2/22/16
PET scan 2/24/16 clear
CT 6/8/16 clear
Clear Colonoscopy 3/2017 and 1/2020
CT 10/3/17 clear
CT 10/17/18 clear
CT 10/17/19 clear
CEA 12/17 1.7
5/16 3.8
7/16 1.9
3/17 1.3
10/17 1.2
4/18 1.6
11/18 1.2

mpbser
Posts: 953
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:52 am

Re: L-Glutamine

Postby mpbser » Mon Aug 13, 2018 10:47 am

After having a discussion with tupelo honey a number of months back when my husband was starting chemo, I started including L-Glutamine in the milieu of supplements I give him. He takes 500mg every other day. He didn't have much neuropathy at all. Only after round three and four after his Oxi infusions and it went away after about 5 days or so both times. He only did four cycles/rounds because that is the amount his oncologist wanted him to do in between his colectomy and liver surgery.
Wife 4/17 Dx age 45
5/17 LAR
Adenocarcinoma
low grade
1st primary T3 N2b M1a
Stage IVA
8/17 Sub-total colectomy
2nd primary 5.5 cm T1 N0
9 of 96 nodes
CEA: < 2.9
MSS
Lynch no; KRAS wild
Immunohistochemsistry Normal
Fall 2017 FOLFOX shrank the 1 met in liver
1/18 Liver left hepatectomy seg 4
5/18 CT clear
12/18 MRI 1 liver met
3/7/19 Resection & HAI
4/1/19 Folfiri & FUDR
5/13/19 HAI pump catheter dislodge, nearly bled to death
6-7 '19 5FU 4 cycles
NED

RichieTheK
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon May 29, 2017 11:27 am

Re: L-Glutamine

Postby RichieTheK » Mon Aug 13, 2018 12:43 pm

I take 100 mg B-6, 100 mcg B-12, and L-Glutamine. The B-vitamins were as a result of a post by a nutritionist at Dana Farber. The L-Glutamine is as a result of a study done in Taipei over ten years ago. My oncologist does not see how L-Glutamine can help, but he said that he would "look the other way" if I were to take it.

I take 15 g of L-Glutamine twice a day for 7 days starting on the day of each infusion. I've had two cycles of FOLFOX so far. I do get First Bite Syndrome (chemo jaw as some call it). I have not yet experienced hypersensitivity to cold. The only sign of neuropathy that I have is some sensitivity and pain in the big toe of my right foot. A nerve leading to this toe is being impinged on by a small growth in the arch of the foot. I believe that the increase in sensitivity caused by the oxaliplatin is causing the nerve to react.

Rich
DX 5/13/2016 (Friday the 13th) mRCa Stage 4b
Met Liver, Lungs, Spine
mut KRAS G12V
mut PIK3CA
MSS
5/15/2016 Tumor partially obstructive; colostomy performed
5/2016 FOLFIRI with higher dose of Irinotecan
8/2017 Signs of tumor growth, added Avastin to FOLFIRI
4/16/2018 Primary tumor invading surrounding tissue. Chemo stopped
5/2018 Started radiation.
6/2018 Radiation finished
7/2018 Start FOLFOX
1/2019 FOLFOX canceled due to neuropathy after 14 cycles.
Maintenance, 5FU and Avastin
6/2019 FOLFIRI

lakeswim
Posts: 229
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:37 am

Re: L-Glutamine

Postby lakeswim » Thu Aug 23, 2018 6:52 pm

I have not started the glutamine as I'm afraid of (more) stomach upset. But, just this recovery week (after 6 of 8 rounds), I have a numb spot on the top of my left foot near my toes. So, I wish I had known about it before I started too.
Female - RC dgns @ 49 y
Adenocarcinoma
10-11 cm from anal verge ("large")
Stage 3a - T4N0M0
FOLFOX May -Sept 18
Capecetabine + Radiation - 28 sessions - Oct - Nov 18
Jan 19 - MRI & flex sig show tumor gone, Chest/ab CT no change
Feb 19 - MRI & flex sig show tumor gone
W&W (must travel)
.....W&W surveillance 2019,2020,2021,2022,2023....
Jan 24 - approaching 5 years this Spring with W&W surveillance to end.
*grateful*


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