Alternative treatments

[Dancnthyme]

i was diagnosed with ovarian cancer April 3, 2017. I had a total hysterectomy and chemotherapy with carboplatin and Taxol. I had my last treatment August 9. Has anyone done any alternative treatments with the result of being cancer free/in remission? Possibilities: ketogenic diet, exercise with oxygen, supplements, coffee enemas etc

[WorriedHusband]

Hi,

My wife has completed her chemo on july 7th' 2017. She is taking the following supplements daily:

Organic Turmeric 3000mg

CoQ10 ubiquinol 100mg

Vitamin D3 5000mg

Fermented Mushroom Complex

Chelated Magnesium 400mg

Organic Ground Ginger Root tea - made with 1 teaspoon of ginger. With some lemon juice.

Probiotics

Grape seed extract

Zippfizz (multi vitamin high in b12 with green tea and grape seed extract)

Organic Flax seed oil (not very regularly)

Most of these supplements (turmeric, ginger, flax seed, certain mushrooms, grape seeds, coq10) have been proven in scientific studies to kill ovarian cancer albeit most in petri dish.

We're hoping this regimen will give her a long remission.

I hope this helps

[85live4ever in reply to WorriedHusband]

Hi there, thank you for posting. Its always interesting to see what others are trying. I have tried a few of these but some I haven't even heard of.

When I am not on chemo I take home made organic turmeric which I keep in the freezer. It is very messy to make & leaves yellow stains every where. I will look into some of the other items you have mentioned. I wish I had a stronger faith in believing we can control this disease through what we eat. I have tried every kind of diet but this cancer keeps coming back.

I wish your wife all the best & let's hope this works for her. Please keep us up dated with her progress & let's hope she has a complete remission.👍Take care Cindyxx

[Lyndy]

Hi there...great news that you have completed your treatment with a good result! I haven't gone down the route of complementary treatments myself...so can't give an opinion, just wanted to say that the after effects of chemo lasted a long time for me and I would always suggest giving your body time to recover before you do anything radical. Also...as you have come through a traumatic experience..enjoying life is a top priority!! Have fun. L xx

[Purple-iris]

Hi

Glad to hear you have finished chemo . So much info around on diet , it's very confusing and good to hear what others are trying . I would just say whatever supplements you want to try do check with your oncology team , especially as you have only just finished . Takes along time to recover from effects of chemo . I was interested in turmeric but am on Avastin until January and was advised not to take it by my oncologist. So am sticking to a generally healthy balanced diet , ( as recommended by Macmillan) eating more fish and vegetables but also some of what I enjoy ( cake , wine !)😀

Good luck with your recovery . I've heard that Penny Brohn centre does some good courses including diet and lifestyle.

Would definitely recommend exercise , we do lots of dog walking which has been good for my recovery both body and mind .

Love and best wishes Kim x

[SarahsJourney in reply to Purple-iris]

Interesting Kim as I'm about to start taking curcumin supplements (the active ingredient in turmeric) & my Oncologist said fine to it? Mind you she pretty much pooh-poos anything alternative. I'm wondering if I stick with her long term or find someone more open-minded! 🙄 Xxx

[Purple-iris in reply to SarahsJourney]

Hi Sarah

Yes there is a lot of confusing info about on what could potentially help and what you should avoid . A friend had told me about it but my oncologist had said it has a blood thinning affect so best to avoid whilst on Avastin . As I have already had a scare with my eyes and they thought I might have had a bleed on the brain I decided not to take any chances with any supplements until after I have finished. But so difficult to know what to do for the best .

Have you had it recommended by someone in the know ?

It is mentioned as a contradiction on the following site so maybe double check with someone else before you start . ( hope the link works ! )

Hope you are keeping well . Love and best wishes Kim x

Still want to go to Penny Brohn

. Have you been yet ? Did you find a personal coach ?

m.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ing...

[Purple-iris in reply to Purple-iris]

Not sure the link works so copied the section

'Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with TURMERIC

Turmeric might slow blood clotting. Taking turmeric along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.'

[SarahsJourney in reply to Purple-iris]

Thanks Kim, it was recommended by my nutritionist. Will double check though, for sure!

Am still considering Penny Brohn, albeit I am dealing with a few issues...rising CA125, Bloody mucus in stools (sorry if TMI, my apologies) having CT scan Thurs. will see where we get & what the results are. For now am tweaking my diet, AND I've booked a holiday!!! Sailing in Croatia. Us & a skipper for a week. Can't wait x

[Purple-iris in reply to SarahsJourney]

Good luck with the scan on Thursday and hope the CA125 starts behaving . Holiday sounds amazing , heard lots of good things about Croatia . Let us know how you get on . Sending positive vibes love and best wishes Kim x

[ZenaJ]

I would advise eating a healthy diet that is recommended to everyone. I supplement my diet with vitamin D3, calcium and zinc. Otherwise, I drink two tots of rum most days and a couple of squares of dark chocolate. I've started to go vnv (very nearly veggie) but I'm not strict yet.

I've been clear for four and a half years now but I think the main contributing factor is that I live my life as normal. Go on holidays, go to the theatre, learning guitar and taken up badminton again. I'm 65 now and had stage 3C. Of course, none of this means it won't come back but I'll face that if I come to it. I'm generally a half full cup person which helps.

I wish you luck with whatever you decide to take. I'm sure it couldn't do any harm to try. Just live your life.

Best wishes, Zena J xx

[85live4ever in reply to ZenaJ]

Hi Zena, I have heard good things about dark chocolate as long as you have a high cocoa mass. If I am going to eat it I don't go under 75% but it's bitter.

Your story sounds very positive the fact you have been clear for such a long time with a high grade is amazing. Take care Cindyxx

[ZenaJ in reply to 85live4ever]

Thanks Cindy, it can happen to anyone. xx

[June1960 in reply to ZenaJ]

Hi, could you tell me what treatment did you have? I had the same 3C stage and it keeps coming back every time. Elena

[ZenaJ in reply to June1960]

Hi June, I'm sorry to hear you keep getting recurrence.

My treatment involved the removal of tumour which was encased by my bowel, the usual full hysterectomy, cancer removed from bowel and fatty tissue. Then followed 18 weeks of weekly pachyarel and carboplaton. I had 2 blood transfusions during this and used the cold cap.

I think I've been very lucky. I had a good team who managed to save my bowel. I didn't eat very healthily at all during my treatment but I did give up all alcohol.

Let's pray it's better news on your next visit.

Best wishes, Zena x

[ZenaJ in reply to June1960]

Sorry I meant Elena not June. Sometimes I think I forget to take my brains with me. xx

[Caroles1 in reply to ZenaJ]

Hi Zena J,

I so agree with you,there is no rhyme or reason to this disease.I am celebrating ?🤔 3 years of my op on Sept 1st and 3 years NED next March and have over the last year just decided to get on with life and live it to the max,holidays,out on the boat,looking after grandkids and lots of time with family and friends that supported me through the awful stuff.

There are lots of days I don't think about cancer and I would wish that to all the lovely ladies.I wish you and everyone well,live life and appreciate all the days you feel well,

Carole xx

[ZenaJ in reply to Caroles1]

Thanks Carole and all the very best of days to you too. Enjoy yourself as much as possible. We're only here once. Zena x

[Holliday in reply to ZenaJ]

You got right idea have lots holidays and other things you wanted do in past try do them know keep healthy have fun lots support love take care I always remember your positive ways it would be good others follow I will got lots bad conditions but enjoy lakes picnic being with my family take care send me more messages

[ZenaJ in reply to Holliday]

Will do, you take care and have some fun. It doesn't have to be expensive. My guitar group costs £1.75. A group of us hire a hall and just play together. Sometimes we make an awful noise but we enjoy ourselves. The badminton costs £2 every time we go. I love badminton. My knit and natter is 50p. Our local library run a knit and natter as well. I know these things are not for everyone but you get the idea.

Holidays and chocolate are the best thing. However long I have left I don't want to get to the end and wish I'd had that last rum and coke and some chocolate. Zena xx

[Neona57]

I am not taking anything as am only a few weeks post chemo. I took turmeric for years for tennis elbow and it definately helped with that. However it did not stop me getting ovarian cancer. Nicky100 has a good list I think which I will be looking into. Wishing you good luck.

[Nicky100 in reply to Neona57]

Thank you! I was about to post my list

Xx

[badger4218 in reply to Nicky100]

Nicky, did you look into LDN?. I seem to remember you mentioning it somewhere a while back. I watched an interesting YouTube video last night with Dr Burt Berkson and just wondered if you had considered giving it a try at some point. x

[Nicky100 in reply to badger4218]

Yes! I have been taking it for a bout 3 weeks and I think I have noticed quite a big difference in how I feel and my 'wellness'. I don't know if it's coincidence or actually the LDN? It is hard to know. But I have stopped taking my painkillers and am fitter than I was 3 -4 weeks ago, I have more energy, yesterday I kayaked for 2 hours and cliff-

walked for 2 hours and feel OK today. That would have been almost impossible 4 weeks ago, as I am still having chemo! So it might be doing something?! On an actual 'cancer' level, I won't know for a while and I guess only ca125 tests can judge that? I would go for it. The research and book I have been reading is pretty awesome.x

[85live4ever in reply to Nicky100]

Hi Nicky, when you are not busy & have time to post your list that would be great because I lost your past post with all the goodies you are taking.

I should be off chemo from now on & hopefully can go back on vitiams, turmeric & all the other things I have kept out of my diet while on chemo.

I hope you as well as you can be. Take care Cindyxx

[Nicky100 in reply to 85live4ever]

Since my 1st recurrence (probably now stage 4) in February 2017, the following self-researched protocol is lowering my ca125 levels, below. I am re-posting this information for those that have not seen it:

22 Feb- 757

8 Mar- 522

28 Mar- 351

3 Apr- 288

(18th April-my big surgery-but no difference to ca125 level)

11 May -102

1 Jun- 36 (reading taken just BEFORE starting chemo!)

New note: 3 chemos have only brought my ca125 down from 36-12.

Please note that has been carefully researched and should be checked with a Dr in case of a conflict with any prescribed medication. E.g. Chemo. Most things on this list however, are fairly natural and the aim is to both boost the immune system and inhibit tumour growth alongside this.

My NEW additions (since February 2017):

Prescribed Chinese Herbal Tea- 12 strong herbs. This is an immune-boosting Tea. An experienced acupuncturist in Exeter prescribes this.

Selenium (Swanson healthmonthly-uk )

Aspirin

Ibuprofen

Sulforaphane (Swanson Greenfoods on amazon.co.uk)

2 strong probiotics (from Herbalist Martin Powell at martinpowell.net)

High Strength Krill Oil (Superba Krill Oil - Love Life Supplements on amazon.co.uk)

Lion's Mane (from martinpowell.net)

Graviola (Swanson healthmonthly-uk )

Oil of Oregano (Sold by ZANEHELLASMED on amazon.co.uk)

Matcha Green Tea (Love Life Supplements on amazon.co.uk)

BroccoMax/Brocolli Sprout Extract (Love Life Supplements on amazon.co.uk)

Double Strength Boswellia (Swanson healthmonthly-uk )

New CBD Oil from The Hemp Wellness Centre

AND AS OF AUGUST 2017, LDN. (low dose naltrexone) HUGE evidence base for this. Prescribed by a Dr in Glasgow at Clinic 158.

Tel: [phone]

______________

Ongoing since 2016:

High strength Curcumin C3 (LLS Curcumin 95 Advanced (Formerly Curcumin C3 Advanced) | High Quality Turmeric Curcumin containing ONLY ACTIVE CURCUMIN with 95% Curcuminoids + BioPerine) (Love Life Supplements on amazon.co.uk)

JuicePlus x 3 types

Acupuncturist Reishi Mushroom Tea - Acupuncturist Above

Acupuncturist FCG tea (as above)

Magnesium

Malic Acid (Swanson healthmonthly-uk )

Pomi-T

_________________________________

Complimentary Therapies:

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine with an experienced Acupuncturist in Exeter.

Mushrooms and probiotics from Martin Powell at martinpowell.net He is highly reputable and

qualified herbalist and has written books on the subject. He can also give a large amount of advice on what you need and what would be specific to you. His email is [e-mail]

Treatments of Reiki, Reflexology, Acupuncture and Hypnotherapy regularly. Practice Relaxation and Meditation most days and very importantly, avoid stress! Evidence now suggests the mind-body connection to be as important as simply treating the body.

I recommend doing a 2 day free course called THE APPROACH at The Penny Brohn Centre in Bristol. It was transformational.

I would also contact The Hemp Wellness Centre thehempwellnesscentre.co.uk He is 'self-cured' from a terminal brain cancer 7 years ago. Very helpful and interesting to talk to.

I hope this helps you all xxx

3 consultants are baffled as to the supplements I am taking and the effect it has had so far. Who knows what will happen in the future... but I will keep taking them and they are clearly doing something. I also eat a very healthy diet, which I think also helps.

Lots of love to you all.

Nicky xxx

[Holliday in reply to Neona57]

What else turmeric good for I have arthritis and cervical spondylitis lymphdema can give advice or just send me message so I know you OK

[85live4ever]

Hi Dancnthyme, I tell you what you can watch that's all about healthy foods that is (Super foods the real story) Its on channel 4 Monday 8.30pm. Its worth a watch because it examines so called super foods & are they as super as they say they are.

Good luck on trying out what suits you & what might not. Take care Cindyxx

[SarahsJourney]

Dancnthyme I am going down this path now. Diagnosed with either Primary Peritoneal or Fallopian tube Cancer (they can't seem to decide!) in Oct 2016, I had chemo followed by surgery then more chemo. Currently on Avastin, for 3 more cycles but that is looking likely to switch to Olaparib going forward as they've found a BRCA mutation. Anyway, I digress....

My husband and I talked about going "hardcore" as we call it. By this I mean trying everything we can to prevent a recurrence. (My CA125 is climbing gradually so time is of the essence). I've worked with a nutritionist to figure out imbalances & have a list of supplements I'm starting to take. I'm fairly wary of what others are taking, as I feel that is personal to them. Your body is unique. Find someone reputable who works with cancer patients & consider some functional tests to see where your imbalances are. Most regimes include some kind of turmeric.

Also consider Vitamin C therapy. I listened to a great talk the other day on UK health radio. It said about taking various forms. Liposomal tablets mean you can absorb much higher amounts, & if you can afford IV great! In addition recently I heard about freezing lemons (organic/Unwaxed) and grating them whole onto food, in teas etc.

Daily exercise & meditation.

Diet, is a minefield, I believe. Mind you, I am no expert. This is all my own point of view, I'm not trained to give advice in any way shape or form. However...there is a lot to be said for plant based food. Albeit it's not something I'm managing myself yet. Currently I'm eating as natural products as I can. With some organic meat, & some fish. But it's HARD, and I'm far from perfect. I do however avoid sugar, oh & I try to have a juice daily if I can. Hoping these gradual shifts I'm making become easier...

Was told about a retreat recently, you may like, it's called Amchara. One in Somerset, another in Malta. They teach you how to do coffee enemas, another thing I'm hoping to start! 😳

Good Luck!! I'd love to hear what you decide to do. I think we all have to figure out what feels right, & works for us, as there's no one 'cure-all' answer. It's a combination of many things trial and error, attitude and maybe a bit of luck!

Sarah xxx

[June1960 in reply to SarahsJourney]

Hi Sarah, where do you have your treatment? I was asking for Avastin insted chemo at Christies manchester and they said it's not available. I don't want any more chemo as I had bad side effects and also some red patches on my body. My C125 is 52 now and I am worried

[SarahsJourney in reply to June1960]

...am being treated in London, but via medical insurance hence the Avastin xxx

[Rachael47 in reply to SarahsJourney]

I've just completed Avastin, which I had alongside carbo/taxol for 6 goes, then on its own for 10 lots. I found the side-effects from it pretty tough and am looking forward to recovering from it now. In short, joint pains, loss of feeling in hands and feet, fatigue, toothache, random stomach pains ... some people don't get these.

[SarahsJourney in reply to Rachael47]

Def agree re joint pain...my whole body aches! Not suffered loss of feeling in hands & feet BUT they are both fairly sore, & my hands feel 'weak'. Fatigue - yes, AND had draggy stomach pains, but thought this was something worrying rather than side effect of Avastin so your comment is interesting! Am actually having CT tomorrow to check (ca125 also rising...) I too was looking forward to life post-Avastin, post-everything 🤞🏼🙏🏼 Will have to see what next week or so brings... x

[Rachael47 in reply to SarahsJourney]

Hope all goes well - I had a CT scan halfway through because of the stomach pains, but nothing showed up.

[SarahsJourney in reply to Rachael47]

Thanks Rachael, sat in waiting room right now! Fingers crossed for the same outcome! It's given me hope if nothing else 😘Xxx

[LittleSan]

Hi there,

I do think this is a tricky one and when I was first diagnosed I was desperate to find the magic bullet. I had had a generally healthy diet prior to diagnosis but I dramatically cut down on red meat, dairy and sugar. I took turmeric, ginger and was famous at work for my salad towers! I recurred 3 years after diagnosis. I have since eaten traditionally healthy meals but relaxed my disciplined approach and enjoyed my food a lot more (perhaps a little more than is good for the waistline). It is nearly three years since my recurrence.

As an observer on this site and as an ex-health care professional, I have witnessed advocates of strict vegan diets etc unfortunately leave us and those with a more laissez-faire attitude remain and vice versa. I would say do what feels right for you and your body. Strive for a healthy diet because it helps to cope with the toxic treatments and recovery but never be miserable in pursuit of keeping the beast at bay.

Wishing you health and strength.

Sandra x

[Nicky100 in reply to LittleSan]

This is sensible advice. I read alot, but the key thing that changed for me was doing the PENNY BROHN NUTRITIONAL COURSE in Bristol. It is 2 days and rolled into a retreat and is free. It is superb. There are cooking demos, talks about our approach to food, ways to eat healthily but also live a balanced and fun life and enjoy food too! They also do an excellent cook book. You can buy it from there online shop if you cannot get to the Centre in Bristol or even on ebay now ebay.co.uk/itm/like/2918696...

[Purple-iris in reply to Nicky100]

This sounds great . Thanks for all the info , definitely want to go on the PB course . Have had it recommended by a couple of other ladies I have met .

You have done amazing Nicky .

As my daughter would say 'You go girl! ' 👍😎Kim x

[Nicky100]

Dear Dancthyme,

I have re-posted my supplement protocol above but here it is again. It is lowering my ca125 levels. Again, as we are all different, this might or might not work for some, but I am sharing the knowledge anyway, as all these are carefully researched and you can always find the research papers yourself xx

Since my 1st recurrence (probably now stage 4) in February 2017, the following self-researched protocol is lowering my ca125 levels, below. I am re-posting this information for those that have not seen it:

22 Feb- 757

8 Mar- 522

28 Mar- 351

3 Apr- 288

(18th April-my big surgery-but no difference to ca125 level)

11 May -102

1 Jun- 36 (reading taken just BEFORE starting chemo!)

New note: 3 chemos have only brought my ca125 down from 36-12.

Please note that has been carefully researched and should be checked with a Dr in case of a conflict with any prescribed medication. E.g. Chemo. Most things on this list however, are fairly natural and the aim is to both boost the immune system and inhibit tumour growth alongside this.

My NEW additions (since February 2017):

Prescribed Chinese Herbal Tea- 12 strong herbs. This is an immune-boosting Tea. An experienced acupuncturist in Exeter prescribes this.

Selenium (Swanson healthmonthly-uk )

Aspirin

Ibuprofen

Sulforaphane (Swanson Greenfoods on amazon.co.uk)

2 strong probiotics (from Herbalist Martin Powell at martinpowell.net)

High Strength Krill Oil (Superba Krill Oil - Love Life Supplements on amazon.co.uk)

Lion's Mane (from martinpowell.net)

Graviola (Swanson healthmonthly-uk )

Oil of Oregano (Sold by ZANEHELLASMED on amazon.co.uk)

Matcha Green Tea (Love Life Supplements on amazon.co.uk)

BroccoMax/Brocolli Sprout Extract (Love Life Supplements on amazon.co.uk)

Double Strength Boswellia (Swanson healthmonthly-uk )

New CBD Oil from The Hemp Wellness Centre

AND AS OF AUGUST 2017, LDN. (low dose naltrexone) HUGE evidence base for this. Prescribed by a Dr in Glasgow at Clinic 158.

Tel: [phone]

______________

Ongoing since 2016:

High strength Curcumin C3 (LLS Curcumin 95 Advanced (Formerly Curcumin C3 Advanced) | High Quality Turmeric Curcumin containing ONLY ACTIVE CURCUMIN with 95% Curcuminoids + BioPerine) (Love Life Supplements on amazon.co.uk)

JuicePlus x 3 types

Acupuncturist Reishi Mushroom Tea - Acupuncturist Above

Acupuncturist FCG tea (as above)

Magnesium

Malic Acid (Swanson healthmonthly-uk )

Pomi-T

_________________________________

Complimentary Therapies:

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine with an experienced Acupuncturist in Exeter.

Mushrooms and probiotics from Martin Powell at martinpowell.net He is highly reputable and

qualified herbalist and has written books on the subject. He can also give a large amount of advice on what you need and what would be specific to you. His email is [e-mail]

Treatments of Reiki, Reflexology, Acupuncture and Hypnotherapy regularly. Practice Relaxation and Meditation most days and very importantly, avoid stress! Evidence now suggests the mind-body connection to be as important as simply treating the body.

I recommend doing a 2 day free course called THE APPROACH at The Penny Brohn Centre in Bristol. It was transformational.

I would also contact The Hemp Wellness Centre thehempwellnesscentre.co.uk He is self-cured from a terminal brain cancer 7 years ago. Very helpful and interesting to talk to.

I hope this helps you all xxx

3 consultants are baffled as to the supplements I am taking and the effect it has had so far. Who knows what will happen in the future... but I will keep taking them and they are clearly doing something. I also eat a very healthy diet, which I think also helps.

Lots of love to you all.

Nicky xxx

[Wiganw]

Worth a look at Chris woollens books and website canceractive. A lot of advice and background to where it came from so you can make decisions that suite you. Sx

[swanlady28 in reply to Wiganw]

Chris Woollams on Canceractive website. Very informative on scientific evidence based information.

[Hidden]

Hi I finished chemo in Dec 2017 and was advised by oncologist to just go back to a 'normal' way of life.

I have cut out sugar and only eat fresh foods. No packets tins or jars.

I make lots of soups and make my own bread. I just feel it's the one thing I can do to help my body. I was never a gym person and not sporty but I ensure i walk every day. We have a dog so it's a must ! I do gardening. And I love socialising so that keeps me busy !

It's interesting to see what other ladies do to help recovery.

Sarah x