I have heard of a couple and have been researching.
Has anyone tried alternative medicine... - Advanced Prostate...
Has anyone tried alternative medicine while doing treatments?
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Di84
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I came on here cause my husband has prostate cancer,neuroendocrine carcinoma, left kidney hydronephrosis with worsening metastatic disease since September 2017. Now he starts chemo this coming week. The doctors says if he does not take chemo he has months if he does take chemo he could make a calendar year. I say this God has the last word,my opinion.
Hi Di84,
My Husband second chemo is tomorrow so 2 out of 6. Yes, our husband's have the odds against them because of cancer but that doesn't mean they will die based on statistics. Only God knows. I hope the best for you both. There's hope. You are not alone.
Sincerely,
Erika.
• in reply toDi84
You are correct in your belief.. That only God determines our life or death.. Doctors often speak highly of their beliefs. In your husbands case it sounds to me that he must do Chemo now or die very soon.. Most of us must stick to the western medicines options for us.. in order to live another day., Fire with fire.... Love each other.. that’s all that matters in life.. peace...
I have not tried any of the huge variety of "alternative" cancer treatments that you can find everywhere you look on the Internet. I think it's a mistake to use treatments that have not been scientifically validated. Most of them probably do no harm but some do (for example laetrile) and, unless there's real, scientifically valid evidence that they work, and not just claims by authors, there's really no way to find anything useful. There must be hundreds, if not thousands, of "alternative" treatments touted on the Internet. Many of them contradict each other so that if one is right, another can't possibly be right. How is one to choose what to try?
However, having said that, I do try to take action on my own behalf and not just leave everything to treatments applied by doctors. I try to exercise, keep my weight under control, and eat right (probably not as right as I should do.) I do take various supplements if there is some scientific evidence for them. It makes me feel good to think that I'm not just passively facing my fate, but actively trying to keep myself healthy.
Here is a list of supplements prepared for prostate cancer patients by the National Cancer Institute:
cancer.gov/about-cancer/tre...
They have a corresponding page with more technical detail for "health professionals", doctors, nurses, etc., here:
cancer.gov/about-cancer/tre...
I also suggest searching this website for "foods/supplements-vitamins" to see postings by our resident expert, Patrick O'Shea.
If you are getting treatment, it's a good idea to research the effect of the supplements on your treatment and to discuss them with your oncologist. You probably wouldn't want, for example, to take a supplement that helps protect against radiation damage if you're being treated with radiation. The supplement might protect the tumor cells as well as the healthy cells.
Alan
Me too. Are we allowed to talk about that on this forum?
I would love to see more research on alternative treatments. Now we often don't know if they are effective or if they perhaps should not even been taken together with treatment as they might interfere with treatment. I tried some reasearching but I'm a bit puzzled by all the information. For the time being my dad only takes aspirin (100mg, prescribed by doctor) and epilobium tea. He is on monotheraphy with bicalutamide.
"Alternative" suggests that one has rejected conventional therapies. I think that for non-indolent PCa, the search for alternative therapies is a waste of time.
There are 3,000,000 men alive in the U.S. who once had a PCa diagnosis. If there is an alternative therapy that works, where is the buzz?
Complementary therapies are different. One must be careful not to use anything that works against whatever conventional therapy one is on.
I have a fairly large number of posts on the subject of supplements & foods & PCa. No dramatic cures, of course. But the idea is that we might be able to slow progression & die of something else.
-Patrick
Yes! I have .. under the eye of an naturalpathic onocologist..I do his ; diet , daily supplements. I fasted thru radiation, difficult but supposed to help the RT be more effective. Also for the first 2yrs I did high dose iv’s of C, B’s ,dmso, canaby oil daily for the entire trip, infared sauna at home, accupunture i did initially until one day the needles felt like ice picks. I ve developed an acutely low threshold of pain.Wonder if anyone else feels that way?????.. I mean I’m a pussy now. I’m accident prone now and somewhat outta sync. Just stubbing my toe or any hurt I recieved seams amplified x 100.. all part of the fun.. I’m a believer in doing anything that you believe in to make yourself feel better.. Massage... I’ve also done ayahuasca twice in the past 3yrs . Each time with left feeling new and alive with joy. This effect stays with me for month. It a positive note in my phychology.. with a great lifting of spirits and absence of well being that hangs on .. must do baking soda & molasses,, very positive, a Trojan horse against APC... I figure the more that I try the more chance of something sticking and working well..Good luck on your journey. Take time to smell the flowers.
Read a very interesting post on German clinics offering alternative therapies at vast expense to cure cancer. I found his analysis and arguments against these clinics compelling, but I think his final thoughts struck me the most.
If these clinics have a cure for cancer, why are they not sharing it with the world, as it is morally wrong to leave the rest of humankind to die.
I also found this article most interesting.
Alternative Medicine for Cancer and its Impact on Survival
PSA-RISING.COM·FRIDAY, 19 JANUARY 2018
Source: Yale Cancer Center
According to Altmetric, which tracks the distribution and discussion of research papers online, a July article by several Yale physicians is the most-discussed paper ever published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI). The title of this blockbuster: “Use of Alternative Medicine for Cancer and Its Impact on Survival.”
“It struck a chord,” said senior author James Yu, MD, MHS, Associate Professor of Therapeutic Radiology.
The Yale researchers used the U.S. National Cancer Database to collect information on patients with non-metastatic breast, lung, colon, and prostate cancer from 2004 to 2013. They looked for people who reported using only unproven alternative treatments instead of conventional medical therapies such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The researchers found 280 such people and then compared their outcomes after 5½ years to 560 people with the same cancer, diagnosis, age, and race who had received conventional treatment.
The results were clear. Patients who initially relied on unproven alternatives were, on average, 2.5 times more likely to die within the 5½ year window. Within particular cancers, the risk associated with alternative medicine was often much worse—almost six times higher for patients with breast cancer, four times for colon cancer, two times for lung cancer.
Skyler Johnson, MD, Resident in Therapeutic Radiology and the paper’s lead author, thinks the discrepancy in survival rates would be even more alarming if the patients had been followed for longer than five years to take into account slow-growing cancers such as prostate cancer. He also calls the 280 people identified as using only alternative medicine “a huge underestimate” because the researchers excluded a large group of patients who had been coded as having refused treatment, with no reason given. Dr. Johnson suspects that many of them chose an alternative therapy first but did not report it to their physicians.
Another interesting finding from the paper was that people who preferred alternative treatments tended to have had more formal education, and higher incomes.
The researchers have some theories about this seeming conundrum. Dr. Johnson mentions the Dunning-Kruger effect, in which people overestimate their knowledge, in part by relying on the Internet. Dr. Yu speculates that people with higher incomes can afford more types of healthcare and know how to seek them out, such as clinical trials. “But in this case it’s wishful thinking,” he said. “These alternatives don’t necessarily cause harm, but they’re placebos, and placebos don’t cure cancer, but they can delay real cancer care.”
Co-author Cary P. Gross, MD, Professor of Medicine and of Epidemiology, wasn’t that surprised by the demographic finding, citing increased skepticism about science and conventional medicine that has driven things such as the anti-vaccination movement. “And just as the Internet and social media have fueled discord in the political process,” he added, “they also have enabled conspiracy theories about medicine and health to spread rapidly and wildly.”
The researchers also believe, based on their own patients, that the number of people choosing alternative treatments over conventional ones is increasing. “I understand the human impulse to think there’s got to be something else,” said Dr. Yu. “And when the answer is ‘no, there isn’t’, then there’s the opportunity for someone to say, ‘Just rub these crystals or sit in a salt bath or eat special food.’”
All of the researchers noted that the problem should not be pinned only on patients and providers of alternative medicine. “Physicians need to shoulder some of the blame as well,” said Dr. Johnson. “We need to take the time to really listen to patients’ concerns and explain things more clearly. That builds a relation of trust, and makes them more willing to believe the data.”
Dr. Yu agrees. “We need to bring these conversations about alternative therapies to the forefront,” he said, “and because of this study we now have the data to help us.” The researchers also noted that their work focused on alternative medicine, when patients choose not to receive conventional medical therapies, rather than “complementary medicine,” in which patients undergo conventional cancer treatment as well as additional therapies from disciplines that are not part of traditional Western medicine.
The researchers know that facts and data won’t be enough to persuade everyone, a common symptom of our time, but their paper is a start. They hope it convinces a few people to reconsider relying on alternative treatments, or prompts someone to insist that a loved one see an oncologist. “That’s why we do research,” said Dr. Johnson. “We try to help people one at a time, and hopefully our research can help patients and families to make more informed decisions.”
I would never suggest that anyone use alternative therapies alone, but with conventional medical treatments as I have.
Hi Magnus1964
I only posted this as a great number of fellow sufferers, and newbies read our comments, and I wanted to clarify medical oplnion on alternative therapies. As long as it does no harm, and people don’t think they’re a cure, that’s fine with me, do whatever you feel helps.
Personally, I’ve relied solely on prescribed medication and a rather marvellous drugs trial. I’ve not changed anything, I eat the same food, I don’t take any supplements , I enjoy alcohol twice a week. I’m still here 6 years later with an immeasurable PSA from a starting point just under 600 and 7 major bone Mets. My only consideration at the moment is whether to start Statins, I’ve read various reports showing improvements to Zytiga which I’ve been taking for the last 6 years, but I’ll be discussing that with my Oncologist next week.
Good luck
How are are you doing Magnus?
OK, considering that I am on xtandi and my psa is bouncing around in the 12 - 14 range. It's been like that for the last 4 months. I am on a drug trial and my doctor said with those results there is no reason to take me off the trial.
That aside, I wrenched my spine this past weekend and was in excruciating pain till today. I have to be careful, being on all the ADTs for years my bones are fragile and I don't heal as fast as I used to. With this injury a can't do yoga or get on the elliptical at the fitness center for a while.
Thanks for asking, hope everything is OK with you.
Oh Magnus...I so much hope you feel better soon and the pain eases up. Having that on top of everything else...ugh or arg. Have you tried the Xgeva or able to try the Xgeva for the bones? How your psa starts dripping instead of bouncing. Okay here... just fatigued. Hoping Spring helps 
Wishing you the best.
Healing hugs
Jackie
I am on Xgeva. I have been on it for 2 years. I just don't know if it's helping. Thank you for your wishes.
They said out miraculously healed Lgs bones. I hope it helps yours too 
Yes, I have taken selenium and vitamin D, Essiac tea, and other alternative herbal treatments, There is a list at mnwelldir.org/docs/cancer1/....
Don't forget mind / body therapies, Yoga, meditation, and guided imagery.
I like that Patrick calls them Complementary Therapy. That is how we are approaching it. We have used a lot of the information Patrick and Nalakrats have supplied based on supplements. My husband does regular ozone steam saunas. They make him feel good. He rebounds.. I bought him a grounding pad..as it is too thorny to go barefoot here. (We use the SOTA PEMF for occasional pains) We do a plant based diet with a lot of raw vegetable juice. Try to eat as little processed food as possible.
We also have blasted his neuroendocrine prostate cancer hard with traditional chemo treatments. His last scan was good and while continuing the hormone treatments(Lupron, zytiga) We are continuing with this until his next appointment in May.
I think alternative treatments used as complementary medicine are a great assistance.
I think there is confusion on complimentary and alternative treatments, In my mind treatments like the Gerson therapy, Burzinski , or any other unproven treatments like baking soda with molasses as primary treatment are all alternative, And not recommend IMO. These therapies have never been proven in the scientific literature, and many of these Drs. Are making a lot of money off desperate cancer patients.On the other hand taking various supplements along with proven treatments such as Nalakrats has done ,things that have a basis in Science for instance modified citrus pectin , vitamin D and various other supplements along with a proper diet for cancer is considered complimentary and I agree with that in addition to proven treatments and the standard of care. Vit d has always been important and we should all have our vit d3 levels checked, and supplement to the appropriate range, calcium is important , especially if on xgeva, also ther are studies proving the effectiveness of pomegranate in slowing doubling time, Nalakrats seems to have very good information on complimentary treatments.
Yes.
I am very seriously considering curcumin and/or CBD oil in order to avoid chemotherapy.
There IS research providing unequivocal benefits of both these as anti-cancer agents: you'll find if you do a web-search on them.
I have also converted to an anti-inflammation diet provided by a nutritional therapist who specialises in countering cancer.
The bottom line is one needs to have a significant element of control and have conviction in your treatment for it to succeed.
Hi there.
Sorry, I am coming in on this very late. I am taking the time today to go through all messages of the past three weeks or so.
As an alternative practitioner, I have conflicting views on the subject. Or maybe they only seem conflicting to me...?
I would never recommend to anyone to only seek out alternative treatment when they are fighting this horrible disease. However, I do believe - and I have experienced it in my own therapy practice - that people benefit from alternative treatments on this difficult journey. So, for example, a 60-minute long Reiki treatment, energy-healing, may help to relax and take the mind off things and the increased energy-flow might help with fatigue. Massage, if not done too strongly, can help in the same way. Taking a multivitamin can be good as well. So, yes, I would say: Alternative treatments are good, just don't use them alone and don't think that they may be working better than our conventional medicine. We just don't know that.
I suppose, though, it also depends on how much time you are given what you want to try. For example, now that my husband is the way he is, we simply feel that we don't have the time to try out lots of alternative treatments and we stick with what we know works, which is Chemotherapy. If his illness wasn't that advanced, though, we might take more time to try different things.
Lots to think about...
Mel and Paul.
Hi When I was initially diagnosed I went on a mission to research a wonder cure, I was never going to forego conventional treatment but wanted a full frontal attack. I take selenium, Apricot Kernels with pineapple enzyme, vitamin C, essiac tea, pomegranate juice (high quality), curcumin and I use a sauna every other day. I also have a mainly organic diet lots and lots of broccoli and I avoid dairy but I still enjoy a meal out and will eat normally. I feel ok but obviously there’s no proof to date it works. I take Zytiga, Pred, and Zoladex as my medication. I did have a PSA done before starting hormone therapy after my biopsy etc and it had dropped quite significantly from my initial PSA test whilst I was only on Apricot Kernels but this could be coincidence. I have tried some alternative therapies which were difficult to implement such as bicarbonate and molasses which I stuck to for one week but I felt ill so stopped and I felt foggy on CBD oil so stopped. I have always been healthy and used to cycle daily so it’s not a hardship for me to stick to a diet regime. If anyone has any other suggestions for supplements please let me know. Hope this helps 👍
Interesting about the pomegranite, believe it has the same effect as grapefruit which is contraindicated when taking Zytiga according to the website...?
Could you send a link? My husband just started Zytiga and he does take pomegranate extract along with other supplements.
Hi can't find the reference I saw originally but these might be a useful reference. There were also a few posts on this forum two years ago about rising liver enzymes and whether grapefruit/pomegranite could have been the cause. Annoying when these otherwise beneficial foods and substances are contraindicted.
patienteducation.osumc.edu/...
cancerresearchuk.org/about-...
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/CYP3A4
I'm sure there are many other refs.
Best wishes.
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