No curcumin while on hydroxy?

[h2ogal]

ET, taking 1000 mg hydroxy per day and Dr. just told me not to take a curcumin supplement as "it will affect the metabolism of the hydroxy". Has anyone else heard this?

Thanks for being such a wonderful group of people.

[fee13]

It has been noted that curcumin can increase the absorption of medications. Even more so with the addition of piperine (black pepper). Piperine can intensify toxicity from certain medications, whereas a phospholipid base (soy or sunflower lecithin) does not.

pharmacistanswers.com/quest...

[h2ogal in reply to fee13]

Thank you for the information and the link, it made it easy for me to understand the reason why she doesn't want me to take it. When I get more stable blood results I would be interested in taking the curcumin (without the piperine) and trying less hydroxy.

[goodluckjoe]

My oncologist is from India and suggested turmeric (curcumin) 1000 mg/day to be beneficial along with Hydrea.

No adverse side effects after 2 years.

Wishing you the best!

[h2ogal in reply to goodluckjoe]

Thank you. Does your curcumin have piperine in it? I was taking it before the hydroxy and felt it had benefits.

May all your blood draws be easy.

[goodluckjoe in reply to h2ogal]

Purchased Youtheory brand (with Piperine 10 mg per 1000 mg curcumin) and also

Trunature brand (no Piperine) at Costco USA. Have not noticed any difference (i.e. no side effects from either one.) This site has taught me that there are so many variations of these MPNs and also that everyone reacts differently. Hope that you are doing well--take care.

[Ramy22]

I have been taking 1000mg of hydroxyl every day for decades and I have never been told to stop eating anything.... I have never suffered from side effects.

[Searcher56]

This sort of thing infuriates me, there is no comprehensive list of herbs and supplements published that are not compatible with HU. It all comes out in drips and draps. One would think that the information sheet that comes with the pack of HU would have it. I am taking Milk Thistle because it is good for the liver and also Siberian Ginseng because I heard it is good for people undergoing chemotherapy and HU is a chemotherapy drug. Could I be harming myself unwittingly? And who is there to ask? GP is unlikely to know and the haematology appointment is once every 4 months. At least at Guy's the haemo nurse and the dietician have the time for that sort of a question. At my previous hospital the only information I had was what came with the pack of Hydroxycarbamide and from then on I was on my own.

[h2ogal in reply to Searcher56]

Saw my oncologist last week with same complaints of extreme fatigue that I have had for 4 months and she mentions that some people have found American Ginseng to be very helpful. I tried it and it seems to be helping with fatigue and my brain is a little more clear. I was going to do a post about the benefits after a few more weeks to be sure. Wish she would have mentioned it sooner!! There were problems with imported ginseng and the one I take is grown in Oregon, which is right next door.

I agree with you that the lack of information given is appalling and am so grateful to have found this forum.

3 cheers for taking care of each other.

[Searcher56 in reply to h2ogal]

I have never heard of American Ginseng? Is it Siberian or Korean actually grown in America?

[h2ogal in reply to Searcher56]

It is Panax quinquefolius & native to America. I found this website -

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl..., but that's alot of information for me to digest. Just know that so far, 7 days, I feel better.

[Dark-Angel in reply to Searcher56]

St John's Wort and grapefruit contraindicate with many medications. I was told this by a pharmacist a few years ago. I don't know about the others you are taking, speak to a pharmacist maybe?

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice in reply to Searcher56]

Hi Searcher56, re the comments in your post about St John's Wort and grapefruit, are you absolutley sure you read this about Hydroxycarbamide, as these interactions are with Ruxolitinib which are listed in the Ruxolitinib inforamtion sheet and in our booklets. Maz

[Searcher56 in reply to Mazcd]

Yes you are right. I was being investigated for the Tamoxifen trial and on the information sheet it said that St John's Wort can interfere with Tamoxifen, not Hydroxycarbamide. It does not mention grapefruit but the doctor doing the initial information mentioned grapefruit to me.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice in reply to Searcher56]

Thank you for clarifying, I have edited your reply and deleted the text as I don't want anyone to read it and get worried/confused. Maz

[Searcher56 in reply to Mazcd]

OK, thanks. I should have checked my source better.

[Sweetlucy in reply to Searcher56]

So true. No use asking your GP. They won't know. I take numerous supplements which are sold as immune boosters plus cdb oil for chronic sciatica pain. Never had a problem but pain killers have. Ibuprofen put me in A&E with a massive nose bleed.

[Wyebird]

I’m Calr ET. I stopped taking it ( doctors advice) after I came out in a few very large bruises. Overnight those bruises faded and haven’t had such big ones since.

[Tomaj]

I am on Hydroxy, but I have never taken curcumin.

[Ladygolf]

A friend’s oncologist recommended curcumin to her, so I asked my hematologist about it and he did not know it’s interaction with HU so advised me not to take it. I don’t think there is any consensus about this among the medical community.

[Kelly2 in reply to Ladygolf]

That's right. My haematologist didn't even heard of curcumin! But I drink tea from fresh root so I guess it is not so potent.

[katiewalsh]

My sister told me today that Tumeric contains curcumin & I’ve been drinking tumeric tea. I’ll stop now. Katie

[Kelly2]

Hi, as I was told to take 1000 mg Hydroxyurea per day instead of 500mg till now could you tell me do you take both at once or you split the dose?

[h2ogal]

Hi Kelly,

I take one in the am after breakfast and one about an hour after dinner. If I take it right before I go to bed it upsets my stomach. Lots of water.