CMF Question
Comments
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Hello. I have been reading some of the postings on this forum to help me decide if CMF will be the right choice for me. I have read that weight gain and constipation have been a common concern. If so, how much weight gain can be expected? Do you believe it to be due to the steroids in the IV or is it the CMF agents? My onc states that it has to do with a more sedentary lifestyle due to less energy, etc. I feel Also, how much hair loss did most people experience? I would appreciate any information to assist me in my decision making process. Thank you.
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Hi pooh, not sure how common it is to have weight gain on CMF, but I lost weight. I had four treatments of AC, followed by four treatments with CMF and I lost about seven pounds. Unfortunately, once I regained my appetite all the weight piled back on plus more! While doing CMF, I only had steroids on the day of treatment and I certainly didn't feel like overeating on that day or the next few days.
Re constipation - yes, I had that to a greater degree than most people had it. I did feel that the steroids (as well as the chemo drugs) and the antinausea medication played a role in that.
Weight gain and constipation are only temporary. I really would not decide for or against a particular treatment based on temporary SEs. Long term SEs are another matter, but there again one has to weigh the risk against the benefit. I think it's more important to choose a treatment that is most likely to be successful in treating your particular cancer.
Re hair loss, I had already lost my hair before starting CMF, so I can't advise you on that. But I do hear others say that CMF is kinder to hair. My hair started to sprout before I finished the CMF treatment. Good luck with your decision.
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Vickie...congratulation on almost being done.....I'll be thinking of you on Thursday and praying that all goes well.
Poohbear21, this decision was really hard for me to make as well and relied heavily on all the info that my oncs could provide. I'm still thankful that I went with CMF and even though it was not fun it was doable and it went by much faster than I thought that it would. I did have a few SE's but nothing that I couldn't handle. I did have constipation but it was managed with med's and weight gain was definitely something that I struggled with. I gained several pounds and my onc said it was the combination of both the CMF and steroids but I'm working now to get them off
! Not fun but certainly worth the cost. I did not lose my hair but it did thin some. Good luck with your decision.......0 -
poohbear...........I gained about 12 pounds during CMF chemo. I also think it was a combination of the chemo, steroids, the type of foods (starches) that tasted good to me, and the less active life style during that time. I am just 3 pounds above my pre-chemo weight now. As for the hair, it thinnedf but I never needed a wig. It was really a very doable regiment.
Good luck with your decision. I think that this the hardest time of all in this journey. Once your decisions are made, you just do it! Let us know what you decide.
Rita
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Hi Pooh
Sorry to hear that you are having to do chemo. It all sucks but I think CMF was very doable. I work full time and never had to take a day off. I worked out every morning and used the Nioxin products to protect my hair and did not loose any. I was a bit fatigued by the time I got to Number 6, but I am so glad I did it. I feel I have protected myself, and that peace of mind was worth it.
Side effects where there but manageable with anti nausea meds, and milk of magnisia for constipation. I also used massage therapy the entire time. Don't know if it helped but it sure was a treat. I would do it about 10 days after every treatment to help detox in between.
You will find that the support on this forum is a valuable asset as well for the mental piece.
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It has been some time since I have last logged in. Been so busy with so much!! I am half way done with treatments. I do 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off. So 3 cycles down, 3 to go. It has been flying by, thank goodness. I have had only fatigue as a side effect (just this past month), with hair thinning. No soreness, no constipation, no weight gain, no mouth sores. So ready to get this done!
I started a non-profit organization called HATS For A Cause (Helping All The Survivors), donating FREE hats to those with medical hair loss! It has been successful, many donations of hats & funds, hospitals have it posted and printed, will set up at the Relay For Life next weekend, for my first relay walk ever. Excited! If you are on facebook, look up the group!!
I am so jealous of those of you that are finished!! I cannot wait for the day to come in July! I always want to quit now, but my 2 yr old keeps me fighting!! best to you all!
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Janina.....You're half-way there and it sounds like you're tolerating the Chemo pretty well. It won't be long and July will be here and you'll be done. You have a lot to keep fighting for, gal so just "keep on your big girl panties" and tackle those last treatments! Hugs!
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Janina: half-way through treatments, that's great! It's also nice that you have had no major SEs other than fatigue. Good luck with the rest of the treatments.
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Hi Pooh, I agree with everything being said about CMF & agree it is very do-able. Like MaryNY I also had AC for 3 months & 3 months of CMF, so had already lost my hair before I started CMF, but my hair started growing back while on CMF. When I started 6 months ago, May seemed an eternity away, but I had my last treatment on Thursday just gone, & only have 5 days of tablets to go & then I'm done. Now looking back it seems to have gone quickly, which I know is hard to imagine in your position. I didn't put on weight, but I did favour buns (hot cross buns in particular), & even pasta which I've never been fond of, and had a kind of nausea which I'd liken to morning sickness - which was relieved by eating. I can only think my exercise helped keep the weight off. As for the constipation, I was able to manage it with Magnesia S.Pellegrino occasionally, but also found juicing vegetables & fruit helpful.
Thanks for the good wishes everyone. I'm delighted to be 2 days past my treatment. After reading previous replies which had some helpful tips, I had my Magnesia (for constipation), plus an extra anti-nausea tablet before I went for my final treatment & handled it all better than previously. While I don't feel 100 % I feel good enough to cook a dish for my family who are coming for lunch tomorrow to celebrate Mothers Day. Happy Mothers Day for those celebrating it tomorrow. Vicki
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Vicki
Awesome that you are done, way to go.
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Vicki, congratulations on being DONE.
Hope all the moms on this thread have a BLESSED and HAPPY Mother's day tomorrow.
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Vicki: YAY! You are done! Great going.
Janina: I noticed that with everything else that is going on in your life, you still have found a way to give back with "Hats for a Cause." You are nothing short of amazing!!!!
And I join Cabmom in wishing all of us a Happy Mother's Day! You don't have to be a mother to celebrate--may we all share good health and happiness.
Hugs to all,
Mandy
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I hope everyone has a Happy Mother's Day. I want to thank all of you for helping me make a very difficult decision. I start tomorrow with the CMF. I can't wait to be on the other side as many of you are.
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Happy Mother's Day to you all...and MANY MANY more to come!! We are all here for a reason!!
If you are on facebook, take a look at HATS For A Cause group. Also, Janina's Crafts...you all the tiles I paint and sell. Fixing to add many cancer ones that I painted to sell at the relay For Life this Friday. I alrady have so may orders. I will be painting in my sleep!!
God bless you all..you all have inspired me one way or another!!
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HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, ladies! You are an awesome group of gals........very inspiring and determined and I am so happy that we've had this thread to help us all get through the emotional times.
Poohbear, I will be thinking about you tomorrow as you begin your CMF treatments. Take each day "one at a time" and soon we will be celebrating the end of your journey as we are celebrating the end of the chemo rounds for Vicki! YEA Vicki! You did it!
Hugs to all of you on your special day!
Rita
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HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all...
Congratulations, Vicki... YOU DID IT!!
Poohbear... Rita is right... just take one day at a time, and before you know it, you'll be celebrating the end of chemo!
Harley
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How ya doing Pooh?
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Hi Merilee. I did fine, just a headache. I am home resting now. I went to Whole Foods yesterday and bought everything you suggested. My husband and I are going for our "power walk" (instead of our usual run) after dinner. I hope the next few days, weeks and months are as uneventful. I have my second infusion next Monday followed by a two week rest period. How are you doing? I hope you are feeling great. I meant to ask, are you taking Tamoxifen? If so how are you doing with it? Thanks for everything again.
Ritajean thank you so much for having me in your thoughts today.
Harley44 thank you for your encouragement.
I hope everyone is doing well and staying positive.
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Pooh, I'm glad you did ok with your first CMF.
I just finished my two weeks off today, I have #3 tomorrow.
Janina; I'm on Facebook and I will look for your pages.
Vicki, glad to hear you are done!
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YEA POOH BEAR! One down...........and it sounds like it went smoothly! Keep us informed on how you're doing and drink lots of water to help wash the chemicals through your body.
Mom2acat............hope that #3 goes well for you, too.
Hugs to both of you! Just keep in mind that there is a life again after all these treatments and that it's pretty good!
Rita
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Vicki- good job getting through it!
Pooh, I hope you are less afraid now that you see it is not as bad as you had imagined. Drink, drink drink.
Mom2acat, sending positive light your way for treatment #3.
Ladies...remember to spoil yourselves silly during this time.
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Pooh
I am not on Tamoxifen as I had a bout with it earlier and it made me very sick.
The CMF has given me induced menopause so which is a blessing as I do not have to worry so much abut the estrogen. I am 50
In 3 months I will do hormone testing and will see a Doc who knows about hormone balancing rather than suppression.
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For those of you just starting this journey here is a bit of the findings I have gathered relating to good nutrition for cancer survivors.
Please research each on for yourself before using any of them. This list is meant as a guide to look things up.
Hope it helps.Item
function
Add'l info
Turmeric
Apoptosis, anti inflammatory, anti angiogenesis
¼-1/2 tsp taken w/ black pepper. Take with oil Olive, canola linseed
Mushrooms, Shiitake, oyster portabella Miatake
Stimulates immune
Works to inhance chemo
Green tea
Reduces new blood vessels, detox, activates liver
Sencha, & Matcha are best
Curry
Anti oxidant
ginger
Anti inflammatory, anti oxidant
Cruciferous veggies
Stops new blood vessels, contain13c
Steam only, do not boil
Garlic & onions
Promotes bad cell death, regulates sugar levels
Crush or chop wait 10 minutes then use
Red and Orange food
stimulates immune
Tomatoes are best cooked & served w/ oil
Rosemary
Anti oxidant, anti inflammatory,
Works to enhance chemo
Parsley and Celery
Kills cancer, blocks new blood vessels
Thyme, oregano, basil , mint
Blocks enzymes cancer needs to grow
Sea weed, nori
Anti estrogen, prohibits cell growth, anti inflammatory
Contains long chain omega 3
Omega 3
Anti inflammatory
Found in walnuts
Flax seed ( not oil)
Anti estrogen
Selenium
Anti oxidant, immune booster
Found in brazil nuts, & veggies
Vit D
Reduces cancer risk
10-15 min sun per day
Probiotics
Detox
Found in yogurt and kifer
Prebiotics
Stimulates growth of probiotics
Found in garlic, onion, tomato, asparagus, banana wheat
Berries
Contain ellagic acid, detox , stops cell growth
Citrus
Anti inflammatory, detox for liver
Skins can be grated for salads
Dark chocolate
2z per day
Blocks NF kappa B
Not w/ milk, enhanced by green tea
Red wine
Contains resveratal
Pinot Noir is recommended
Pomegranate juice
8 oz per day
Slows tumor growth
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Well sorry for how that post looks. It was in a table but when I posted it changed to the wired list above.
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Merilee,
Can you send the table as an attachment in a PM to me?
Thanks,
Colleen
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I've moved over to this thread as I'm starting CMF treatments tomorrow. Started taking the steroids this morning - ugh!!! - I don't like steroids. I'm a little apprehensive, but not necessarily scared. I just want to get this over with - I'm sure you've all had similar feelings. It's been very helpful to read all the information about CMF here on this thread. Thanks to everyone for your input. To your good health . . . . Beth
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Welcome, Beth. Please stop in often and let us know how you are doing. I think you will find that the CMF is quite doable...........just not an activity that we really want to do. There are many awesome gals on this thread that will help you through any bumps in the road and hopefully you will have a smooth ride.
Hugs to you!
Rita
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Beth, good luck with your treatment today.
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Beth - The first treatment causes a lot of anxiety, but I'm having my 8th today and it's much, much easier. What is your treatment plan. I take Cytoxan pills every day and get an infusion of Methotrexate and 5FU every Friday. As others have said, it's very do-able. Thinking good thoughts for you.
Colleen0 -
Hi Bethcat24, I just started my CMF this week. I can completely understand the anxiety before starting. I wish you many positive thoughts during your treatment today. I feel this thread has been very helpful and encouraging.
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