Boosting the immune system after chemo and alternative treatments

[kat98116]

Good morning from Seattle. Last night I watched an interesting documentary on Amazon Prime called "Cancer Can be Killed." It documented alternative therapies being used in Germany (hyperthermia, Vitamin C infusions, Laetrile etc.) as well as a couple of similar clinics in the U.S. I have mixed feelings about the documentary, but then I also have mixed feelings about chemo. I will be done with chemo in January and I know my immune system is trashed. Have any of you used alternative methods to boost it? I feel strongly that I have to build up to maximize my chances of it not coming back. I'm stage IV Ovarian, just finishing 10 rounds of carbo/taxol. Thanks for your input! Kathy

[Tesla_7US]

Hi Kathy, I treat food as medicine. Eat only organics with plenty of nuts, dates, chicken, fish, eggs, brown rice, baked potatoes with skins on, fresh veggies and fruit, yogurt with active cultures, electrolyte solution Nuun from REI in Seattle, no pop, no alchohol, of course, no smoking, treats once in a while so I don't feel deprived. Since treatment I cannot eat high acid foods as they burn my stomach, intestines, bladder and colon. (This burning is called interstitial cystitis.) I have eaten this way for the last 20 years and think it has helped me to fight the cancer and so far, survive the treatment. I also cannot eat regular sized meals as lost 14" of colon. So I eat small amounts, 1/2 cup a few times a day.

[kat98116 in reply to Tesla_7US]

Thanks Deb! I'll have to look into the electrolyte solution. Like you, I've been doing the organic/natural route for years.

[Sherrym]

I joined Care Oncology Clinic in London which repurposes existing drugs for other conditions. I believe they work by confusing the pathways C makes to metastasize.

I believe some OVC clinics in USA trying similar with metformin, statin, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.

I was stage 3C, 2 years later my CA125 is 8 to 9. Feel fab, though I started their drug combo straight after surgery; then BEFORE & alongside first line chemo throughout.

The drugs keep me skinny so it’s a bit of a cheat, but I walk over 10,000 steps a day, grow fruit & veg, eat local seaweed & fungi. Keep chickens, swim in the sea till mid November. Chuck my mind & body into everything-busy, busy.

Living on a tiny island provides massive opportunities to .... I don’t know, “Nature up” or something.

Press on hon, join local spiritual well-being groups(ours is fab) holiday with mates, don’t just eat crap you fancy! Learn to to love your wild, healthy concoctions instead. It’s bollocks sugar is fine-I feel horrible now when I have too much of it. I get sick then nod off. That’s my body telling me off.

Much good luck. I wish all of us on here could be well

[kat98116 in reply to Sherrym]

Sherry, there's a part in the documentary where a major gyn/oncologist is being interviewed. The guy is brilliant (in a data sort of way) but when it comes to diet he thoroughly defends sugar. Then he gets really defensive about it. It continues to amaze me how little our medical professionals know about nutrition.

[Sherrym in reply to kat98116]

Well, sugar ages all organs of the body. That’s fact.

So, take proven data & think it through. How good can that be for a cancer ridden soul?? For Gods sake

[SCWI]

Hello Kathy

There are lots of Immune building supplements on the market. Among them are ones containing Beta glucans which is found in mushrooms, particularly in Japanese mushrooms like Reishi, mataike, cordyceps, etc. you can get a mix of these in many health food shops, eating the fresh mushrooms too is beneficial, in fact any mushrooms. Also IP6 (Inositol Hexaphosphate) Jarrow Formulas do a supplement with this. Bio Bran is similar but expensive. If I were you, when your chemo is finished, I would go to a good nutritionist or holistic cancer specialist to get the best advice. I think if you are going to take Laetrile (found in Apricot seeds) you need to do it under a health professional as dosage is important. I think there is no doubt that diet and immune system boosting is paramount in our recovery despite what many oncologists say. Many of them haven’t studied nutrition in any depth. Chis Woollams book The Rainbow Diet covers a lot too, I don’t know if you can get it in the U.S. Looking after your gut is important and avoid sugar. All the best for your recovery. Sophia xx

[kat98116 in reply to SCWI]

Thanks Sophia. I am lucky to have a great Naturopath who works closely with a major cancer center here. She has helped me through chemo, and I will definitely be visiting her when it is done. Very interested in her protocols for diet and supplements. I've been in to organics for many many years, so that won't be a problem. Thanks for the input.

[Perthgirl]

Hi Kathy, great to hear your chemo is coming to an end. I finished in May and have been for regular acupuncture and taken Chinese herbs to boost the immune system as well as taking Vit D3, complex vit B, curcumin supplements and drink grated ginger tea, as well as sticking to as healthy a diet as possible. So far, fingers crossed, have avoided all coughs and colds currently doing the rounds so am hoping the immune system is strong and healthy again. Good luck and take great care of yourself. Xx

[kat98116 in reply to Perthgirl]

I will be looking into acupuncture as well. Very fortunate to have a plethora of alternative options in the Pacific Northwest.

[Nicky100]

Hi Kathy from Seattle! I am Nicky from the UK. I have done a great deal of research in this area since my diagnosis 2.5 years ago and my father was also a very knowledgeable cancer Dr interested in ‘complementary’ medicine to support mainstream medicine.

The results I had a few months ago surprised my oncologists, so you might be interested in reading what I found and tried. You will find all my posts/details on my profile page here.

The bulk of what I took/take were a combination of supplements, Chinese mushrooms (prescribed by an expert acupuncturist and trained Chinese Medical Specialist) and therapies like acupuncture, reiki and hypnotherapy and meditation. I believe much about supporting the mind as well as the body as I believe that much of our stress/disease comes about through a depressed immune system.

I am also a real advocate of pro and pre-biotics. I added these in Feb this year. You will find reading up on this really interesting How supporting your gut health helps your immune system.

If you have found out any more on things, I would be very interested. I hope you find it useful and let me know if you have any questions.

Lots of love Nicky x

[kat98116 in reply to Nicky100]

Wow Nikki! That's a ton of stuff! Good for you. I get my probiotics from Kombucha....and it's made a huge difference in my digestive system, which has been a mess for years. I also currently take a digestive enzyme recommended by my naturopath called Safe and Sound Digestive Enzyme #1. Here in the US it's in pharmacies, not prescription, but you have to ask for it. It's made a huge difference and is very tolerable.

[Lyndy]

Hi Kathy

Just to give another perspective ...I believe that eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and veg will support general health including the immune system. I don’t follow diets and suspect that a great deal of the information online about miracle cures is not accurate.

I wouldn’t rule out a change of lifestyle/ diet if clinical evidence suggested it could have benefits but I want to enjoy my remission and feel relaxed about food and alcohol.

Best of luck whatever you decide to do!

Lyndy x

[kat98116 in reply to Lyndy]

Thanks Lyndy. That's why I was asking for the input. I'm not particularly naive, but I was wondering if anybody had seen the documentary and had any opinions on it. Parts of it seemed very credible; other parts not so much. I wish we were all closer and could have sort of a "book group" discussion on stuff like this. In any case eating well can never be bad, as you said.