Vilcacora - cat claw

[zuzana]

Hello, my name is zuzana 32 years old, was diagnosed back in may 2011 with stage 3c OC. Want to just ask if anybody heared about Vilcacora (cat-claws)en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncar...

Love Zuzi X

[Hidden]

Hi Zuzana,

I am sorry I have no experience of this..but I do think you should exercise caution with anything that claims a miracle cure..and reading about it...there can be nasty side affects as well...be careful in throwing money at false claims best wishes love x G x

[Whippit]

Dear Zuzi,

Thanks for posting this. I had heard of catclaw but not in relation to cancer. The references on Wikepedia haven't been verified so you might like to ask an expert on medicinal plants whether there's any evidence that it has suitable medical properties. I had heard Turmeric is good and this is prescribed by Ayrevedic doctors. Someone posted up information about that quite recently which makes interesting reading. Similarly many people feel the Budwig regime is helpful.

I'm a bit of a sceptic these days and tend to the view that this disease will do its own thing regardless. I try to have regular exercise and eat well but these make sense anyway.

Let us know if you find out anything more.

Xx Annie

[SandyL]

Dear Zuzi,

Although I've never heard of catclaw before reading your note, I believe there are things we can do to help prevent the cancer returning. There are no black and white answers, or a, "one cure fits all" solution. I've known many, many women who tried certain chemo cocktails without success, and yet others having the same cocktail, would end up in remission. We are all different, physically, mentally and spiritually, so there is no one answer.

You didn't say where you were with treatments etc., or if you were in remission or still in treatment? If you have finished treatment and feel you need some extra security to help stop "IT" coming back, I'm a great believer in doing something! The Budwig protocol is something I've followed (loosely) for 13 years. I believe it helped me, but there are some that it may not have helped. Everyone is different.

If you've finished treatment and in remission, and your gut is telling you to try catclaw, then do more research on it, and if you still have a strong feeling about it, give it a try. I see it's good for Arthritis - maybe I'll try it myself? The article I read, sounded interesting and encouraging.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do - and please keep us posted.

Sandy.

[Hidden]

Hello Zuzi,

It looks very interesting and has both immune support and anti inflammatory action, so it makes sense that it might be useful in cancer treatment. The ancient civilisations have used many plant derived drugs for thousands of years, infact much modern medicine can be traced back to them. I would be interested to hear about how this affects you if you use it.

I am someone who has had a much better than expected outcome from a 3c aggressive and rare ov. ca. I was very sceptical about -and selective- about chemotherapy as the information I was given and read made no sense to me. I refused Taxol and two trial drugs, for instance, and now find from other networks to which I belong, that combination chemo is far from the best in every case. I followed Budwig, and made changes to my diet and lifestyle to enhance my immune system, and my doctors are amazed at my recovery. After 3.5 yrs of complete remission, I am now on annual hospital checks.

I am a psychotherapist and believe strongly that we each have to find our own way through illness of any sort, and understand and act upon the message that the illness is giving us individually. What is plain to me is that the 'one-size-fits-all' response offered by the health service (and often determined by commercial constraints rather than clinical concern) can only offer part of the answer. It is also clear to me that medical staff seldom understand a wider picture (some do).

Look at this and other things in the light of your whole well-being and experience. If it fits with you, use it. Then let me know all about it.

Very best wishes,

Isadora.

[pixinafix in reply to Hidden]

Dear Isadora

I'm interested to hear what changes you made to your diet and lifestyle to enhance your immune system. Can you possibly provide a bit more info or tell me where to find it?

Thanks in advance

Christine

[Hidden in reply to pixinafix]

I like and understand the principles in David Servan-Schrieber's "Anticancer, a New Way of Life". He explains the science behind his decisions, and takes an holistic approach.

For me - and him; it's not just what you eat, but also how your life is. I was v frustrated and frazzled at work, and had spent nearly 3 decades looking after staff and clients. I left work, cashed in my pension, and decided to spend what time I have left doing what I want to do - in my case looking after my small holding and animals and spending time with my husband.

I concentrate on my mental health - exercise - eating organic produce where possible - growing and making our own, and knowing what is in our food and environment.

Cancer has left me much poorer financially, but much, much richer in terms of life and happiness. The immune system is probably undermined by unhappiness and frustration as much as by a poor diet.

Hoping you find your best way forward.

Isadora.

[pixinafix in reply to Hidden]

Hello Isadora

My reply disappeared partway through. The last few years at work were very stressful. Different job; vast quantity of new rules making progress slow; the supportive Team-Leader at work went, as did the congenial colleagues. The whole environment changed; I certainly would not have coped well with cancer then, though I think work was probably responsible for the diagnosis.

I do what I can with exercise, but have to be careful because of the arthritis. Too much or anything stressful will cause a flare-up. I'm also managing more relaxation. After the first not so good couple of weeks on chemo my immune system seems to be doing ok.

I'm also being distantly healed by my local Friends' Healing group. Meetings tend to be at 14.00, which is my afternoon rest time, and I haven't been able to decide whether it's better to go to healing or to have my rest!

Christine

[Sunflowersue in reply to Hidden]

Hi Isadora,

JUst like Christine, I would be very interested in your diet and other changes youve made, I feel I need to do more. Thank you. Sue

[Hidden in reply to Sunflowersue]

See above, Sue.

Best wishes,

Isadora

[zuzana]

Thank you for yours replays.

I have finnished chemo treatment back in december. On Avastin from november last year. My lovest CA125 was 38, at the moment 90. Cancer is returning back on my abdomen wall. At the moment it is still under control so really waiting for cancer to start act again but i want to act before cancer .... changed my eating, going swimming and aerobick and seeing healer too. Feel i need to do more.

Love Zuzi

[Wiganw in reply to zuzana]

Hi Zuzi

I have no experience at all but noticed you said your cancer is coming back can I ask how you know.

I finished chemo beginning of July this year and have a ca125 72 with lowest being 44. My consultant has just examined me wont do a scan and has told me to come back in three months and if get any symptoms to contact them.

Sharon

[zuzana]

your storys gave me more energy to fight... well done ladys XXX

[katy000]

Hi Zuzi,

I took cats claw when I was on chemo.

It is an immune stimulator and increases various white blood cell levels including natural killer cells. It can also help protect healthy cells from chemo and helps clear the toxicity of chemo.

You can read more about the role of herbs in cancer in Chris woolham's book 'The Rainbow Diet'.

I consulted a medical herbalist and took it alongside other herbs.

Good luck.

Katy x

[Hidden in reply to katy000]

That's really interesting, Katy. It's so useful to read the things that have worked for others.

Many things are useful as complementary therapies - not alternatives to medical therapy. Thanks for sharing your use of this one.

Very best,

Isadora

[Hidden]

Hello Suzana,

The best source of information about herbs and supplements is the Memorial Sloan Kettering website: mskcc.org/cancer-care/integ.... An oncologist suggested this to me. I haven't heard of cats claw for cancer but I know it is an anti inflammatory. I think other supplements, such as turmeric, are more often used in cancer.

I hope this helps.

Cx

[zuzana]

That is interesting Katy u were using vilcacora. did u had as tablet or powder or as herbal tea?

Wiganw i had CT scan and showed some changes in abdoman wall and also CA125 is slowly raising from February. Oncologist said it is still under control so no chemo yet but another CT due in October and if Ca125 double i will go on chemo. I could be "under control" for a month or 6 months! they cant tell and thats why im trying to do everything to stop this!

XXX

[katy000]

Hi,

I used cat's claw in tincture form.

x