New member ~ prayers for all!

[Ladydey]

😇 I am happy to have found this supportive, encouraging site! I was wondering what kind of supplements everyone is taking to help. I have stage 4 BC . & I am on Ibrance 100mg & Letrozole 2.5mg & I am also contemplating DIM & Cannabis. Please comment with your thoughts. thanks ~

[MadameKa]

That's a beautiful photo. I just want to say hello and welcome. I have been on Ibrance and Letrozole since March 2018, much of that time uneventful, now with some minor progression (it's in my lungs and bones). I have taken lots of different supplements as and when I read something is useful but I never stick to anything and I don't think that they made any difference. I wish you many years on this medication.

[Ladydey in reply to MadameKa]

Thank you! I pray the same for you!

[Maludagui]

Hi 👋 Hello How good you found this group, it is a wonderful support. My first diagnosis only in the breast was in 2010. In August 2018 I had a recurrence in my hip bone, from that moment I have been on ibrance 125 mg and letrozole. Also xgeva and zoladex I work full time in maintenance of a school. It is quite physical. I try to stay active all the time. When any severe pain appears I take Diclofenac which is a prescription pain reliever. I can take ibuprofen at other opportunities. I have never used cannabis I am a little afraid of it. Thank God I have tolerated the medicines very well. Lately I have had a bothersome cough which we are testing with Omeprazole or some anti allergy. If I don't get better soon I'll go to a pneumonologist. I hope you have a nice day 💕🎈

[Ladydey in reply to Maludagui]

Thank you so much for sharing ~ I wish you ALL the BEST! God is in Control!

[Ladydey]

thank you for sharing~you are kind & wise! God Bless!

[Teddielottie]

Hello and welcome on here ...and what a lovely smiley sunshine pic ! I hope you are doing well on the Ibrance/Letrozole (not sure how long you have been taking this combination?). I am fortunate to have tolerated it well and am stable (so far ...🤞), coming up to four years in December . I haven’t taken Cannabis and don’t know what DIM is . I have done well on the traditional treatment , and hoping it continues for some time yet ! But hope someone on here can give you some advice regarding supplements/ cannabis etc . Take care ! x

[Missmaddie615]

Welcome! So glad you found us! Such a lovely photo! These ladies are just great and they have so much knowledge and compassion and give so much support! This group has helped me keep my sanity! Unfortunately, I don’t know what DIM is and I don’t use cannabis, so I’m not able to answer your questions. Many in this group are on the treatment that you’re on and have been on it for years and years. May your current treatment treat you well and be manageable and may you continue on it for a very long time! Blessings to you! 🙏

[sparks4me]

Hello. 🤠 I am on Ibrance 75 along with Arimidex. I have been on them for one year. I have Mets in brain, bone, lungs and liver. I take cannabis at night to help with sleep. I combine CBN/CBD with THC because without the THC I still don’t sleep. I take ambien one or two nights a week for help with sleep (non cannibus nights). I’d do more but it can be addicting so I limit it. My oncologist is fine with this. I don’t like having to take this stuff for sleep, but sleep is soooo important. Hope this helps.

[mou466]

Hi, I’m fairly new to this amazing group as well. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 22 years ago. It was quite a shock to me when MBC was found 5 months ago in my hip and pubic bone by default. My GP did some scans and an MRI because I complained about pain in my back. I had radiation for the pain in my bones. After using Letrozole and Ibrance for 4 months a PET scan showed complete response to both tumours. I will stay on this first line treatment and also start to take Xgeva for bone strength. My oncologist suggested vit D and calcium for bone health (Caltrate 50+). I also take a magnesium supplement that helps with muscle pain. To sleep better I take melotonin. I added vit C and zinc for immunity during the winter months as well as biotin for healthier hair. I try to stay active by taking walks almost every day. I do a few gym classes per week. I feel immensely blessed that the medication is working so well. Staying positive and keeping my faith helps me to keep working as a teacher. I hope this reply helps you and that your new journey will also be a blessed one. ❤️ Rina

[Debbigbang]

Good morning 🙏Since my diagnosis 6 mths ago I have changed for the better. Weird as it sounds, bc has been a wake up call for me. Constant stress a lot of wine and over weight. I meditate everyday, I do gratitude daily as well. I am more plant based diet. I pay attention to foods that will help my body , foods to help the immune system. I take 125 Ibrance and letrozole. 2 small lesion s on my back which are healing. The liver is taking it's time, although it's probably angry at me with the years of abuse I put it through, it will come around. I walk in nature everyday and appreciate how lucky I am. I work full time, tiredness is starting to go away. I am big on taking supplements that will help my body, vitamin D3, C, omega3, tums with calcium. I don't use cannabis and happy to say I do not drink either. Life is beautiful, challenging at times, take the time to be mindful, keep positive, and love the good people in your life ❤.

Be well

Deb

[PJBinMI]

Welcome to this group! I hope you will always have the support you need. Living with MBC is a pretty crazy, unpredictable journey. I'm a long timer--diagnosed with bone mets from the get go (called "denovo when mets found at first diagnosis) in March, 2004. For me, the first year to two were the hardest emotionally and one of the things I found the most helpful was learning all I could about these lousy rotten cancer cells! Also meeting others with MBC! That was way before the targeted treatments like Ibrance were available. I got nearly five years from Letrozole, and then over 9 years from Faslodex. Now I'm on Exemestane. I've been on bone meds, first Zometa, now Xgeva. A few years in to this, my primary care doctor retired and I started seeing a woman DO who I really liked. I kept hearing that MBC involves inflammation and she'd just learned more about supplements to help reduce inflammation. She suggested I take: fish oil, turmeric, glucosamine/chondrotin and a cup of tart cherry juice every day. I usually only do that about once a week, sometimes a bit more often. I also take calcium and Vit D. I'm leery of recommendations that aren't backed by good research and that boast 'cures.' Some of us do really well for a long time! I hope you will, too!

[Beryl71]

Welcome, I have been on ibrance 125mg and letrozole since last May. I now take vitamin d omega 3 and glucosamine and if I'm not at home and can't have my usual diet, I take a probiotic supplement. That's because I have had infections. But generally I prefer to eat the right things. I wish you well and may you continue to glow as you do in the photo. Carolyn x

[Nocillo]

None

[Hidden]

Welcome. That’s a wonderful photo. The lighting, setting and your smile — terrific!

I had BC in 2004 and 2014. MBC diagnosis in bones in June 2018, shortly after our daughter graduated from college. A see saw of emotions for sure.

I started with 125 mg of Ibrance. I reduced to 100 mg about 5 months later due to crushing fatigue. It’s better.

I continue to exercise by riding my e bike, swimming in our pool, and walking. I suspended my gym membership due to covid. I received my booster a few weeks ago. I may resume with care when the colder weather sets in.

I occasionally take CBD tincture — very low THC - to help sleep when my anxiety kicks in.

I speak with a therapist about every 6 weeks to talk freely about my diagnosis. It’s a good release for me. I can discuss my concerns in ways I wouldn’t share with my husband or other family.

My new objective is to “live in the moment.”

Hope this helps

[Adele_Julia]

Gorgeous photo Ladydey ! I was diagnosed in Nov 2020 with MBC. ER/PR+ Her2 Negative with spread to lymph nodes and pleural effusion. I am a HUGE fan of taking supplements in addition to Ibrance/Faslodex. It has worked wonders in my last 2 scans, I'm approaching NED. I'm also in CoC (careoncology.com) repurposed drugs. I would strongly recommend reading Jane McClelland's book on How to Starve Cancer. It's a bit cranial but I'm detailed oriented and very scientific. That said, I would STRONGLY recommend taking her online course. You have access to it for life (so to speak). Here is the link. how-to-starve-cancer.teacha...

In this course, Jane talks about supplements that block over 52 pathways that fuel cancer cells whether by medication or basic supplements. I have a "cocktail" of supplements that I take to block all pathways. Being as nerdy as I am, I have come up with a comprehensive 5 tab excel spreadsheet that suggests which supplements block certain pathways. I'd be happy to share it with you !

In my humble opinion, Oncologists don't know diddly about nutrition as they only take one class of that during school. So I take a variety of supplements and thus far I'm killing the cancer and I'm not even one year into having the MBC diagnosis. Nov of 2021 is my first year and 70% of my tumors are gone. Praise God !

Blessings my dear friend.

Julia

[Hidden]

Absolutely beautiful photo. Thank you for introducing yourself.There are so many supplements to take. I find myself coming and going with them. Every time something is mentioned on here I look it up and often give it a go, but then stop when I run out of them. I do have CBD oil which I take when I am sleeping badly and then forget about it for a while and take it again. I think whatever works for you take, as long as it doesn’t affect the meds you are on. There is an app from Memorial Kettering Sloan called AboutHerbs which has an a-z of herbs, their indications and contraindications for use which I use to research.

Clare

[love2golfwell]

Love the photo, welcome to our group. I am on Ibrance 125mg and Letrozole since November 2020, doing well so far. I only take a good multivitamin made from fruit and vegetable sources and a raw calcium/vitamin D supplement. I was taking turmeric, but my doctor told me not to take it. Frankly, I miss it as it helped with the joint pain from the letrozole. I am going to do a little more research on it though. My doctor is not really in favor of supplements but I read a lot and watched a lot of videos about using them as part of cancer treatment and I feel that they can help if they don't interfere with the medications. I actually talked to a Pfizer pharmacist and she only said not to have grapefruit, pomegranate, green tea or seville oranges. She said they have no data to show any interactions with turmeric or biotin so I am not sure what to believe. I know there are women on here who use mushroom supplements or use repurposed medications like the COC protocol but I have not felt comfortable doing that. I do love to eat mushrooms however and that would be considered safe. Anyway, best wishes to you. Hope you do well on your meds for a long time. Hugs.

[mbogorad]

I have a medical card, and I am taking cannabis- edible gummies- every night to help me sleep. It works like magic.

[EvaL]

Welcome, it is nice to have this group. I went a few months before someone else had the same concern as mine but it helped me so much so stay active in the group. I see that most of you are on Ibrance and Letrozole. I am on a maintenance treatment of Herceptin and Perjeta every three weeks and have been on this for the last 4 1/2 years as well as the Letrozole. I have been doing good even spending time with my grandson!

[Contrarielle]

Hi Ladydey, nice to see you here though shame about the circumstances. It is also interesting to read everyone's viewpoints on supplements etc. When my metastases were first diagnosed I was shocked, devastated and just thought I would die in a short period as my mum and sister had.At the encouragement of well meaning, lovely friends I spent a fortune on turmeric, lipospheric vit c and the most hideous tasting fermented bran or similar. Forgotten the name but not the taste!

After a while I decided I wasn't going to swallow anything else disgusting. I take my oncology prescribed meds and occasionally I ibuprofen or paracetamol for joint pains. Friends have suggested cannabis and various patients I've met have reported good pain relief with it but I didn't enjoy it in my youth so shan't start now.

The things I have aimed to do are:

1 reduce alcohol, the worst carcinogen most of us put in our bodies + it can worsen anxiety

2 saw a really good psychologist who gave me great techniques for dealing with stress and scanxiety

3 walk regularly, particularly in green areas

4 avoid packaged foods and cook as much as possible from scratch (luckily have supportive partner who does dishes)

So far I've been really lucky and exceeded mine and my oncologist's expectations. I hope you do too!!