For those still taking oxaliplatin (FOLFOX, XELOX, etc)...

[lpas]

I had my second infusion yesterday and decided to try something a little different. Prior to going in, I took 5 grams (5 1,000mg capsules) of L-Glutamine. Just wanted everyone to know that I think this really helped. Thus far I've noticed less cold sensitivity, and significantly less jaw pain. Took another 5 grams at bedtime and again this morning.

I know every infusion tends to be different, so maybe this is just a normal fluctuation in side effects but for now, I'm choosing to believe I have some control and that the L-glutamine helped.

Just wanted to pass along the info. Has anyone else tried this? If so, did you notice any difference?

[Rheaeliza]

I took that all through my oxali treatments and had very minimal neuropathy and no permanent damage.

[Stanfordmom]

I still have some neuropathy in my hands and feet six months after my treatment. Do you know if the L-glutamine will help now to get rid of it?
thanks a lot,

Sha

[plastikos]

Just wondering, does your onc agree with you taking L-glutamine?

[peanut_8]

I'm glad you think the l-glutamine helps off-set the FOLFOX side-effects laps. Like plastics, I'm wondering what your onc thinks about it. It is an interesting supplement. Knowing you, I'm sure you have done your due diligence on the subject.
peanut

[lpas]

The L-Glutamine was recommended to me by my ND (formerly of CTCA) who is board certified in Naturopathic Oncology. I ran the full list of her recommendations by my oncologist and he indicated he didn't have a problem with any of them, although his review did seem pretty cursory. If anyone has seen info suggesting it would be contraindicated, I'd definitely be interested in reviewing it (although I don't have a science background like Grouseman or some of the other experts here). For now, I'm feeling fairly comfortable with it.

[peanut_8]

Here is a link to a comprehensive overview of l-glutamine:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3385273/


I'll add the summary:

CONCLUSIONS
The influence of glutamine on body homeostasis is protean. States of physiologic stress, including those resulting from the treatment of malignant disease, are characterized by a relative deficiency of glutamine. Supplementation with this inexpensive dietary supplement may have an important role in the prevention of gastrointestinal, neurologic and, possibly, cardiac complications of cancer therapy. These complications often negatively affect the quality of life and may also lead to changes in therapy, which potentially alter efficacy. Glutamine may also improve the therapeutic index of both chemotherapy and radiation, increasing cytotoxicity while concurrently protecting against toxicity. However, the current evidence is not sufficient to recommend its regular use. Further studies of glutamine supplementation in these areas is warranted and multicentric, placebo-controlled phase III studies are needed to evaluate the role of glutamine for the prevention of mucositis, neurotoxicity and cardiotoxicity, and for the prevention of hepatic venoocclusive disease in patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation before any definitive recommendation can be made.

For the record, I chose to use glutamine during treatment, and thought it was helpful.
peanut

[Ceebo]

Peanut, how much do you take and how often?

[peanut_8]

I was using Glutagenics by Metagenics. I went with the recommended dose of 3 tsp per day. I have kind of slacked off since I'm post treatment, and it was a bit of a pain to mix the stuff in water.
peanut

[GrouseMan]

Ipas,

I've no opinion one way or another. Studies are for the most part lacking or incomplete. Seems to be some evidence that this can help particularly with diabetic neuropathy. My wife tried it at my urging, but for her she seemed to feel it upset her GI track more so than without. She did continue to take large oral doses of Magnesium and Calcium Just prior and during her infusions days, and a couple of days afterward, and thinks this helped despite her oncologists practice own study suggesting IV Mg/Ca before the OXI infusion subjectively didn't seen to matter one way or another with most patients. YMMV is all I can say. If it's working for you keep at it.

GrouseMan

[jaycey60]

Hi All - I'm a newbie as my partner was just diagnosed a month ago. She's about to start her first chemo: FOLFOX (48 hours on, 12 days off, 4 cycles and then a PET/CT) and I've been reading about L-Glutamine to mitigate neuropathy and other side-effects. Your information has been really helpful, and in line with what I've read elsewhere. Partner's naturopath suggested 4g up to 4x/day of soluble Glutamine. But I can't seem to find information about which brand or even just what characteristics to look for in Glutamine powder. At the store today, there were 2 brands: one was double the price of the other - no visible difference otherwise! Suggestions??

thanks. And thanks for being here!

[lpas]

Hi All - I'm a newbie as my partner was just diagnosed a month ago. She's about to start her first chemo: FOLFOX (48 hours on, 12 days off, 4 cycles and then a PET/CT) and I've been reading about L-Glutamine to mitigate neuropathy and other side-effects. Your information has been really helpful, and in line with what I've read elsewhere. Partner's naturopath suggested 4g up to 4x/day of soluble Glutamine. But I can't seem to find information about which brand or even just what characteristics to look for in Glutamine powder. At the store today, there were 2 brands: one was double the price of the other - no visible difference otherwise! Suggestions??

thanks. And thanks for being here!

My ND recommended either of these two as good brands. The first is powder and the second is capsules. I'm not a big fan of having to mix supplements into drinks, so I went with the capsules. Good luck!

https://shop.thorne.com/products/oncology-support/mucosaqol-reg-ndash-new-unflavored-formula

http://www.amazon.com/L-Glutamine-1000mg-1-gram-250c/dp/B0016APUGC/ref=pd_sim_hpc_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0626B2KW2SW4NSMX1N1E

[jaycey60]

Thanks IPAs - I'll check those out!