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I was googling to see what supplements I could take while receiving chemo and it seems that I shouldn’t be taking much except Calcium and Vitamin D. I read through various studies and this is just one article. I hope you can click on it. I wish there was such a thing as a nutritionist for breast cancer in my area. I don’t want to take something that is actually harming me or lessening the effectiveness of my chemo.
At my cancer center, in the palliative care dept., we have a psychiatrist, pain specialist, nutritionist. My onco set me up. I, after one visit, said No, to the psychiatrist (I just don't believe in them for me), and I had one appt. with the nutritionist, who was about 24 years old and she wanted me to keep a food diary (I have awful eating habits) but I only went to her once and then the pandemic hit New York.
She is not just for breast cancer though as the cancer center treats all types of cancer. I never had the opportunity for a second visit, but I assumed it was all going to be about healthier eating habits, not supplements, but I do not know. I am so on many medications at this point (others I was on before cancer) that I doubt she could tell me to take anything without telling my onco bc some may screw up my medications.)
I see you are in UK. Maybe you can google or you onco can refer you to somebody. Good luck.
I am actually in Canada but the article was British. I asked my oncologist and he says there is nothing I need to take and he is extremely against any naturopathic supplements. If there is something that would help me with chemo side effects I would take it but I don’t want to make things worse. I wish all the cancer centres offered the same things. I’m in a small province and we don’t have as much as the larger provinces do. 😞 I hope you are doing well with your new regimen.
My nutritionist specializes in cancer, and is affiliated with UCSF--a top cancer center, and is terrific. She did lots of blood work and recommended a regimen tailored to me. I agree it is not smart to take supplements without some guidance. She also worked to compile this reference which might be helpful cancer.ucsf.edu/_docs/crc/n...
Thank you.
I browsed through the article and it has a complete difference of opinion on things like turmeric and green tea. What is a person supposed to believe ?
Also there was no mention of which types of chemo or if it applied to chemo pills or just IV chemo
I take lots of extra vitamins especially high dose vitamin C and iron and this has concerned me
When I took letrazole and Ibrance my oncologist said that this vitamin c turmeric glucosamine calcium vitamin D cod liver oil were ok
Now I’m on faslodex injections and assume it’s ok...feel like throwing everything in the bin now
People have vitamin C injections for cancer therapy so what’s all that about?... we take these supplements thinking we’re helping ourselves
Barb xx
I agree Barb. They mention Taxol and a couple of others I don’t recognize. How do we know what is helping when the studies dont agree. 😞
What a long but informative read!
My key worker said a healthy balanced diet. Unless your blood tests show deficiencies I don't see the point in taking supplements. I've been taking omega 3 for years and cranberry for prevention of water infection but my oncologist asked about all my meds when I had my first telephone consultation and made no comment. I think a whole food diet, not much processed food, fresh fruit and veg and well sourced foods is good.
Hi Sarah: I just asked my oncologist nurse about supplements and she said, to always let them decide before taking anything.
She said the best thing I could do was eating healthy. I think that the medications we are on are complicated enough and so it would be easy to mess things up by taking supplements.
I would also think given all our individual body systems and with the medications is difficult to monitor, and diagnose without adding a whole lot of supplements to muddy the blood test results. Just my thoughts.
Having said that, would they not have a nutritionist in Halifax? Don't know how easy it would be for you to get there for one visit to get answers. Also, there is Canadian Cancer Society. You can phone the 1-800 number and get answers there. They will get answers for you. Very helpful and all free.
Cheers, June S.
I have added nutritionist to my list for my next appointment. I find they really don’t offer a lot of support. I’m sure it’s there but my oncologist doesn’t seem to tell me about anything unless I ask. One would think there would be a hand out for each new patient. With Covid so many things have shut down. We have the sunshine room here but it has closed and they have all the information that one might need including the access to a free wig. That is all closed for the near future. I will have to reach out to the Cancer Society and see what they can offer.
I suspect the nutritionists will all say the same thing. Eat healthy. No processed foods which is ok if you can manage to cook on your own but if you aren't feeling well that is a problem.
Have you said what side effects you are having on Chemo? Maybe I missed it. Someone here might have some suggestions.
I am the same. Always trying to make this journey easier given the problems we are confronted with, due to treatment.
I do think all the safe answers lie with the John Hopkins, Mayo or the Canadian Cancer Society. I haven't heard anyone argue with them!
With all other sources, there is conflict and as you say "what are we too believe."
I have found since I started on eating healthy I feel better, have lost weight and have even discovered some what I think are good ways to eat.
Probably because mentally, I believe I am doing the right things, I think I feel better! The mind is funny. At least mine is!! You might have gathered that from my long answers. I am a died in the wool, problem fixer. Always. Can't help myself. If it is broke, just fix it now. I know it isn't always possible but hell, I am going to die trying.
Cheers, June S.
You have a great attitude June. I’m the same way and then get frustrated when I can’t fix it.
My main side effects are exhaustion, joint pain and diarrhea. The diarrhea doesn’t go away no matter how many Imodium I take. A sip of water is enough to go right through me.
Eh Gads! That is bloody awful. I do hope you can find some answers soon. Mind you with those problems, I would be hovering on my oncologist's door step. That really isn't acceptable. Do they think it will get better with time? Maybe you need a dosage adjustment.
Sorry, I don't want to wear you out with questions. You have enough to deal with.
Have you heard of the BRAT diet? I have seen it work even in severe cases. Lots of info on the internet about that. It is quite strict but then you can add other foods in slowly. Hope this might help. I would imagine the Canadian Cancer Society can guide you, if it is a good thing to try.
Cheers, June S.
I will check it out. I had a yummy bowl of white rice last night. Who would have thought it could taste so good. Lol
Good luck Sarah. Rice is part of the BRAT diet. Maybe you know that. Should be able to eat it. Once you are settled, you can start adding mild veggies slowly in.
Wishing you well.
Cheers, June S.
My onc said it wouldn't harm me to take vitamin D, but not to take calcium, I have lung and bone mets
When I went through original chemo, I asked my oncologist about supplements and his response was that they didn’t know, so just don’t take them. I think that is kind of the generally ignorant response, which can be excused because there are so many different types of cancer (even just within breast cancer), and so many different types of treatments, and so many supplements. But I haven’t read the article. I will, though! I did just order Quilin’s book on cancer and nutrition. I suspect most of us need to subtract bad foods from our diet more than we need to add supplements!
Hi there
I asked my oncologist yesterday about vitamin C and iron supplements...she told me it was absolutely fine with the treatment I’m taking...Faslodex but it can interfere with some IV chemo as vit C is an antioxidant
Whole things confusing...obviously I take iron to keep up my haemaglobin otherwise I’d need an iron infusion or a transfusion which is the same thing really
Reading different studies is sometimes not a good idea
Barb xx
Reading blood lab tests?
Reading marlene’s diary
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