Vitamin D

[Neil-SueD]

Hi All,

I've been on Gefitinib for 19 months and been getting rather down of late with what I take to be the numerous side effects. OK, I fully agree it's better than the alternative! My oncologist wondered if I had an underactive thyroid and included a blood test last time I had the usual consultation/repeat prescription. Two weeks later, my GP surgery tell me it's been recommended I take vitamin D tablets and there's a prescription ready for me! I've inevitably reached for the other tablet (iPad) and looked it up. I see there's some kind of interaction suggested that says erlotinib perhaps works better if your vitamin D level is good. I've yet to speak to an oncologist about this matter, but wondered if any of you out there have any vitamin D experiences? This all seems like a good thing to me.

Neil

[pollyalison]

Hi Sue, I take calcium and vitamin D pills daily as I am on Denosumabbinjections for my bones. I have no side effects from these tablets so they can only be doing me good I think. One positive side effect is that I get a lovely tan now in the sun whereas i used to look like a tomato. Every cloud and all that. I was on gefitinib for 18 months then it stopped working but I was then T790M positive so was transferred on to Tagrisso which is another targeted therapy with fewer side effects so hang in there, it is worth it for as long as it works. Stay strong.

Alison x

[JeanE41]

I have been on 5000 iu of vitamin D for 3 years and have noted no side effects. I do take anastrazole to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer. It can deplete bones of calcium, so I take calcium supplements with the additional vitamin D to increase absorption of the calcium. Having had breast and lung cancer surgeries in 2015, I also read that vitamin D can help in the prevention of a lung cancer recurrence. I feel that keeping our bodies functioning at their best cannot but help in our cancer journey.

Those of us who live in northern climates do not get enough sun exposure to manufacture adequate supplies of vitamin D, so the supplements can be helpful. I live in Wisconsin, USA.

I hope this helps.

Jean

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Neil

I could not find any interaction with Vitamin D use along with Gefitinib, however have placed a link from cancer research UK on the use of Vitamin D with cancer:

cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

If you wish to discuss anything you can call us on our free nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

All the best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Neil-SueD in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you and other responders to my vitamin D query. For anyone interested in the EGFR and vitamin D link, please see cancerres.aacrjournals.org/...

Cheers,

Neil

[Neil-SueD in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

I should add that I'm rather hoping an ongoing and unresolved "neurological" problem with my midriff and legs (tingling, weakness, etc.) I've had for a couple of years might also be vitamin D related, especially as I'm currently being prescribed some industrial strength supplement tablets!

Neil

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Good luck with it all Neil and hope the supplement makes a difference to you.

All the best

The Roy Castle Support Team