natural girls
Comments
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Fairy,
I started getting UTI's, too. I was desperate, so I did extensive research about the safest way to use estrogen, and I ordered the cream off the internet.
I decided that if I was going to use estrogen cream in any form, tho, I wanted to do it with the help of a DR. Unfortunately, finding a doc in this area that would work with me on this was difficult. But, I ended up finally finding one that is an anti-aging specialist who was the previous head of a very large oncology unit in the metro area. He "gets" the cancer part of the equation. Anyways, when I started using the estriol cream (sparingly), it took just a few days to a week to see SIGNIFICANT results. I have no regrets. Quality of life trumped the effort to keep all estrogen out of my body for cancer prevention.0 -
Thank you for your response PS73,
Yes, I do receive the shots and I actually take Claritin(read on another forum about Claritin), but it does not help
. I really rather stay natural than Rx, so hopefully, I will find something
. You know, I don't think that I am going to take the shot this next time since this chemo coming up (1st week of November) is my last one yayayayayay. Thank you, you guys are awesome!Jenny
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Way to go Fairy..glad everything went well.
Jenny, I got the Neulasta shots the day after each of my four chemos and got the bone pain as well. As much as I don't like drugs, I definitely took the Tylenol 3's at night because I found the pain was worse and kept me from sleeping. Fortunately I only had the bone pain for a couple of days after each shot. Glad to hear that your last chemo is coming up...way to go!!!
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Ahhh, let-it-be, what a happy boy, I love that big smile! I'll have to post a pic of my guy...lol...who happens to be a golden retriever...
Fairy, after suffering from back to back tremendous UTIs, vaginal atrophy, shrunken vulvar, lots of cracks and irritation, I was put on one estradiol and then they added another when one wasn't sufficient. I use vagifem 2x week and estrace cream as needed, whihc is after sex and anytime I feel irritation or a UTI coming on. I couldn't live without it--I had no quality of life constantly battling UTIs . My gyn and onc say it's lack of estrogen causing these probelms which is why I came on this thread. I figured possibly going off tamox/AIs might solve this problem. I hate when a med(like tamox) caues a person to take more meds(estrogens) to take care of the SEs. I'm assuming tamox(=lack of estrogen) is causing this. Maybe I'm wrong though and this would happen to any number of women going through natural menopause?
Robyn, my gyn is considered a hormonal expert and he has no problem with using these types of estrogen in BC patients. My onc, who is not an expert in hormonals for BC(but oncs SHOULD be!) has no issues with my use of vagifem and only has some reservations about the cream(a little more gets into the system with the cream) but he is satisfied that I'm ok since I'm on tamox and he knows I need QOL, too.
I guess no one saw my Q regarding brevail? Does anyone use this in place of tamox? I'd really apreciate any help sorting this out, thanks!
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Bayyyy, I just looked around online about brevail. It sounds good but I could not find out much about if one already has bc other than this:
I have been treated for breast cancer?
Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle are important factors to ensure a healthy future. For some pharmaceuticals such as Tamoxifen® the effectiveness of the drug wanes and should be discontinued after 5 years. For women interested in the preservation of healthy breast tissue long-term, they may want to consult with their physician to see if Brevail is a good choice for them. As with all pharmaceuticals or nutritional supplements, you should consult with your physician before use following or during the treatment of a serious illness.
I always like to see the reasearch done for us bc girls.Patty
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found this on Brevail
http://brevail.com/content/how-brevail-works.html
It seems like it works like Tamox, locking the estrogen receptor. As usual we have to be our own guinea pigs!
Thanks everyone for the input on the UTI's, I am sooooo over them! Just before my surgery I had bloodwork done, plus a urine test, my doctors office called to say I had a UTI, I didn't even know! That is the first time ever that I wasn't aware I had one, scary! I found vaginal estriol suppositories online but I will ask the naturopath when I see her next month, just to see what she might recommend, if she won't give me anything I will just figure it out.
L
ox
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Block the Effects of Excessive Estrogen Currently available medical therapies focus on drugs that reduce the growth promoting effects of estrogens on breast and uterine cells. Tamoxifen is one of the most widely used anti-cancer agents. However, adverse events have been associated with the use of Tamoxifen including an elevated risk for endometrial cancer, and increased incidence of cardiovascular disease.
Women need a safe, effective and well tolerated substance that can reduce exposure to estrogen. A recent study conducted among women in eastern Finland (where dietary lignan intake is typically higher than in the U.S.) found that in 194 pre and post menopausal women, higher blood lignan concentrations were linked to a striking reduction in breast cancer risk.
The highest phytoestrogen consumption and concentrations in biological fluids are found in women living in countries where cancer incidence is low, while the lowest concentrations were found in breast cancer patients or in women at high risk for breast cancer. These findings led researchers to assess the effects of flax. An abundance of animal and human research suggests that the flaxseed lignan exerts effects similar to the anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen with apparently a much greater degree of tolerability.
Concentrated Lignan, A Natural Product from Brevail Since phyto estrogens are found in only trace amounts in grains, vegetables, and fruits, it's hard to acheive a lignan rich diet. Brevail's breakthrough technology enables an effective daily amount of natural plant lignans to be delivered in a one-a-day capsule dose.In a three month trial usage program, women who increased their SDG lignan intake experienced greater peace of mind and well-being. PMS, peri, pre and post menopausal symptoms improved.
SDG lignans cannot fully saturate receptor sites or replace estrogen so the natual balance is maintained. If you are taking HRT, tamoxifan or any other treatment check with your physician.
Information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to cure, diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Educational purposes only, not intended to replace or contradict any health care professional.
BREVAIL, WINNER OF TWO CONSECUTIVE RESEARCH GRANTS Brevail was awarded an unprecedented two consecutive research grants by the Washington Technology Center, University of Washington, in the course of the 6-year span in which it was developed. Lignan Based Strategies for Cancer Prevention was the topic and title of the grants. BREVAIL, SUBJECT OF HUMAN, ORAL-DOSING STUDIES Brevail was the subject of two, human, university based, pharmacokinetic studies designed to determine its optimal oral dose in women. The studies were successful in attaining lignan levels in the participants comparable to a reference group of women who exhibit an extraodinary history of breast helath, revealing the ideal human oral dose for Brevail in adult females. BREVAIL, TESTED FOR SAFETY Brevail was the subject of acute oral toxicity testing, in which absolutely no toxicity was found.0 -
Good luck L - I had one a few years ago and got otc from whole foods and it cleared it up in three days. I looked online but I couldn't find the name of the product but Im fairly certain it was the active ingredient in cranberries at a high dosage supplement. May be worth the trip to WF for the interim?
Good news! I found a Dr who specializes in mammograms and has her own center/practice. She does 3-D digital mammo with ultrasound, reads results immediately and does biopsies as necessary immediately. The bad news - does not take insurance. Its obv important to go to someone who understands false negatives and is 'abreast' on the topic of BC. I think this is more important that a buying a new winter coat this year. My apt is wednesday and Im sooo nervous with all of the breast pain Ive been having. Wish me luck!
Bayy, your obgyn sounds great, will you pm me their info??
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PS - good luck with your appointment on Wednesday. Let me know what you think of the Dr. we are both in Bergen County and I would love to hear if you like her. I have a lot of breast pain too, especially on the breast that I had my lumpectomy. All of the doctors say it is normal and that it take several months, maybe longer to heal completely. I just had a PET scan and everything came back OK. My onc even scolded me for getting the PET scan so early. He thinks I should have waited a few more months until I gave myself more time to heal since my last surgery was at the end of June.
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Deni, definitely - Im also pretty relieved that the mammo is 3D since shmammograms scare the bajeezez out of me.
[soapbox] ..Oncologists should spend less time scolding their patients and more time finding all the clinical papers that their patients request ;p So happy for you that your scans were fine, I know you were nerve racked over it- phew!!!! How is your husband feeling? We should hang one day girlie!!
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Yeah we should hang out sometime! We are neighbors - navigating this scary s#*t together! My husband is doing OK. He is in and out of work until the surgery. My onc actually convinced him to get a second opinion at Columbia in NYC as they are THE kidney cancer specialists. So, we are going on Tuesday. He advised against laproscopic surgery for him because his tumor is 6.2 cm. He said for a tumor that large, laproscopic could be a mistake. When they open you up they can see what is going on in there. With laproscopic, something could be missed. It was actually really nice of my onc to spend considerable time talking with my husband since he is not even a patient - yet! He gave us some good advice.
I don't care that he scolded me. I actually have a prescription from my other doc for an ultrasound in December. I cannot wait until April, it is just too long. I understand his point - I have had 3 surgeries total and after the last one in June I developed a rock hard hematoma the size of a baseball. He said there is most likely still residual from the hematoma and scarring in there and to give it more time. Who has more time!!??
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ps73 - Did you have the new 3d mam called tomosynthesis???? Here is site that tells all about it:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/0907-pain_free_mammogram.htmIt sure sounds good. I wonder how much radiation is involved.
Patty
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Patty - that does sound good. I'm curious to know if PS's doc uses this technology also.
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My Pink Nightmare!!!!!
I took my students to the Super MacD in Chicago today. It was bad enough that I had to go across the street first so I could buy myself something healthier to eat. But when I brought my salad back to the BigMac to eat with them, I almost lost it. I have never in my life seen such a disgusting display of corporate overload. There was pink everywhere! The escalators were lined with tacky pink plastic ribbons and the whole ceiling was dripping pink hearts and whirly gigs. There were masses of pink balloons everywhere and all the employees, even the guys, were wearing pink form head to toe. I sat down and almost started to cry. I could barely eat my food I was so furious at this hideous display. It was as if they were CELEBRATING breast cancer. Well I have news for you McDonalds: Breast Cancer is not a friggin party!!!! No matter matter how many cutesy pink ribbons you hang up, cancer is not cutesy pink hearts and bows!
If they really gave a damn about US then why don't they have one thing on the friggin menu that is safe to eat?
Needless to say, they are getting a long scathing letter from me. And since their headquarters is near me, I just might hand deliver it!
I am letting loose a litany of expletives now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
%*!#@#*^&!!!!
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Hey Patty, I have it on wednesday. Not sure if its tomosynthesis or not. Good q about radiation, I can't find any info on it but Ill ask. Im just happy to have the results immediately and will not have to wait weeks on end again.
Deni, good luck to your husband, Columbia is a great hospital!! Also, nice of your onc. to do that!
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Hello ladies...
Firstly l would like to say how saddened I was to hear of FloridaLady's passing. I enjoyed reading many of her posts - my sincere condolences to her friends, and loved ones. She will be missed...x
I have been reading most of your well researched/heartfelt posts for some time now, and learned sooooo much. I am honoured to meet you all.
I am had a lumpectomy almost 91/2 weeks ago and l'm still waiting for radiotherapy. Apparently two of the radiotherapy machines are not working, and l have not been placed anywhere else. I was told yesterday that they should have an appointment for me by the end of next week. To my understanding, RT has little effect after 12-14 weeks. I have almost completely healed, and my scar is already fading. The only pain/itch l get is where the biopsy needle entered. (it was a bl***y mess...I bled profusely) I wish l had the option to have had a biopsy track removal...but my onc said that it was not necessary for breast cancer patients - only for other types of cancers. I asked him if l could have partial breast radiation...and he wondered where l had heard of the procedure as it is only just being tested on 50 women here in Australia, and not anything he would even consider offering me. When l told the half-wit that tamoxifen was not an option for me as l was already taking sulforaphane, 13C and a plethora of natural goodies...his reply was... "pfft." (No kidding) He was not in the least concerned about me possibly changing my diet and adding supplements.
Well this guineapig jumped off the conveyer-belt, and my golly, he didn't like it one bit...nor did my doctor. They both think that anything natural is money down the toilet. (dear me) Lumpectomy, radiotherapy, tamoxifen...NEXT! It's not a one-size fit's all treatment. I understand that there are people that prefer to take the pharmaceutical route, and l respect that totally. But that's just not the road I wish to take. I did have a pi**ing contest with my onc, and gave him a verbal shellacking, when l realized quick smart he was shooting blanks and had nothing to offer me but patronizing sarcasm. (worrying) Some of us simply prefer to heal naturally - where did it all go so terribly wrong? I myself have always preferred natural alternatives, my entire life. I'm not going to stop now.
However, what l have stopped is eating copious amounts of red meat and full cream dairy products. I also stayed out of direct sunlight for almost five years and did not increase my vitamin D intake. If I would go to the beach or potter in my garden it was mainly in the morning or early evening, in fear of contracting skin cancer.
Five years ago, l was diagnosed with atypical ductal hyperplasia, had a fibrous lump removed and was told not to worry about it...just to have a yearly mammo. Three months ago l was diagnosed with BC. My BC tumour was sitting up high on my chest wall, and l am really not sure if l should be having my whole breast radiated. l am absolutely petrified of the long term side effects. I am premenopausal, ER positive3+ PR positive 2+ HER2-, my tumour was1.5cm, with clear margins, the closest being 14mm...and no nodes affected, 0/1. My RT told me that my lymph nodes would be in the pathway of radiation, as will my heart and lungs. I feel really healthy at this point and l'm very confused about the outcome of all this.
My list of supplements:
Fermented spirulina and passiflora to keep my digestive tract spick and span so that l'm not malabsorbing any of my nutrients... I3C, sulforaphane, chlorella, calcium-d-glucarate, curcumin, coQ10, ultra clean omega3, essiac tea, prebiotcs-probiotics, d3 drops, iodine drops, olive leaf extract, brewers yeast, biotin, silica, vital greens, phyto reds, trans-resveratrol...and drink it down with Kakadu juice or other potent anti-ox drinks. I have wonderful fruit trees in my garden, and l am planting many more vegetables this year.
I am having a hard time obtaining Zeolite enhanced with DHQ, and DIM. The guidelines in Australia are quite strict when it comes to nutritional supplements. Mind you it's okay that the farmers can poison the cr*p out of us! Lately l've had a tough time trying to get 13C, and calcium-d-glucarate. Apparently there are only a couple of companies that supply these two supplements, and my Naturopath, and health store are having a difficult time ordering them.
*stretches*
Have a lovely day
Victoria0 -
HI THERE LADIES
ive never posted on this site before but am very interested in your forum yes i do respect your values and i think it is great that you have support in oneanother and it saden me to read some womens post in the way they are in attack of some of you guys well any way i was diag in aug had 2 surgerys second a clear margin now doing chemo then rads then horm im 8 days from my first tx and im just sooo tired any tips on any think that will help me through this tiredness i dont want to stop treatment so if you guys can give me any ideas ill be so gratefull all the best
JOANNE
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Aschercut whereabouts in Australia are you? I am in Melbourne and doing the I3C thing. Told my onco by email that I won't be taking Tamoxifen. He freaked and has told me to make an appointment to discuss. Haven't done that yet.
Jennyi! for bone pain I used tumeric extract (curcumin) and it made a really big difference.
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Welcome Victoria and Joanne.
I had a very good naturpath suggest Citrus CoQ10 to boost energy during chemo. It can be hard to get, though, because it's made by Douglas Labs and they have weird rules about who they will sell to. Their website says, "ask your healthcare professional", so my doc gave me a prescription but apparently pharmacies are not "healthcare professionals" according to Douglas Labs. So... I haven't been able to get a refill... Maybe it's easier in Austrailia?
Victoria, I am wondering where you heard the information about rads not being effective after 12 to 14weeks. I am finishing chemo and scheduled to go for RT and your info has me worried. (Or maybe celebrating? If a reason came along why I shouldn't do rads I don't think it would break my heart!
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Pill, see the higher risk of radiated pts dying of other causes. And very low advantage for bc survival.
"Risks of Radiation May Outweigh Benefits in Some Breast Cancer Patients "
By Merritt McKinney
WESTPORT, May 19 (Reuters Health) - A meta-analysis of randomized trials of
radiotherapy in breast cancer patients shows that the treatment is
associated with reduced local recurrence and breast cancer mortality, but
also with increased mortality due to other causes.
For older women as well as women of any age who have a low risk of
recurrence, the risks of radiation may outweigh the benefits, researchers
report in the May 20th issue of The Lancet.
Dr. Rory Collins, of the Clinical Trial Service Unit at Radcliffe
Infirmary, in Oxford, England, and other members of the Early Breast Cancer
Trialists' Collaborative Group reviewed the 10-year and 20-year results of
40 unconfounded, randomized radiotherapy trials that included 19,582 women.
All of the trials began before 1990.
Overall, radiation prevented about two thirds of local recurrence,
regardless of patient characteristics or radiation type, Dr. Collins told
Reuters Health. According to Dr. Collins, radiation therapy appears to
translate into "moderate improvement in avoidance of breast cancer deaths."
He noted that the benefits of radiation tended to be greater in
node-positive women.
When the results of all studies were combined, women who received radiation
did not have lower breast cancer mortality in the first 2 years, but after
that, the annual breast cancer mortality was about 13% lower than that of
women who did not undergo radiation, according to the report.
Despite the reduced breast cancer mortality associated with radiotherapy,
however, overall mortality was actually higher in radiation-treated women.
Beginning 2 years after randomization, the annual non-breast cancer
mortality rate was 21.2% higher in women treated with radiation. [YIKES}
This increased mortality "appeared chiefly to involve an excess of vascular
deaths, perhaps due to inadvertent irradiation of the coronary, carotid or
other major arteries," the authors write.
Overall, the 20-year survival rate was 37.1% in women treated with
radiation and 35.9% in controls.
Based on 20-year survival, "There's a modest benefit [of radiation] for
younger women with node-positive disease under age 50," Dr. Collins said.
"For women who are at low risk of local recurrence...any benefit is small,
less than 1%."
According to Dr. Collins, for older women with node-positive cancer,
deciding whether the benefits of radiation outweigh the hazards is difficult.
But in the report, the researchers state that if radiation techniques,
including ones that reduce carotid and intrathoracic exposure "can be shown
to yield most of the benefit while avoiding most of the hazard, 20-year
survival could be moderately improved in a wider range of patients."
In an accompanying editorial, Dr. John M. Kurtz, of University Hospital in
Geneva, Switzerland, notes that the radiation techniques used today differ
greatly from those in the studies included in the review.
Despite the differences and the lower overall mortality associated with
radiation in the review, Dr. Kurtz concludes that "the results of the
overview should be considered good news for radiotherapy, since they firmly
establish the reductions attainable in the risks of total recurrence...and
breast cancer mortality."
He notes that the risk of vascular morbidity can probably be reduced by
refinements in radiation technique.
However, Dr. Kurtz believes that the results of this meta-analysis "should
not dissuade clinicians from continuing to favor conservation surgery and
to provide patients with the advantages of breast irradiation with
tangential photon beams, which have not been clearly implicated as a cause
of vascular mortality."0 -
Welcome to our Aussie sisters. It will be interesting to have you input added to our conversation.
Victoria-I had the exact same dx as you, and outcome, except I was just starting menopause so the drug of choice for me was arimidex. It was my fear of this drug that got me to researching on my own. I just wish I had done it sooner. I was such a good little patient because I really liked my doctors, and I still do, but I wish I had questioned the rads. I will never get over the regret that I did not look into radiation more, before I went through. I believe if I had, I would have said no to rads. I think my daily meltdowns for every treatment, was my subconscious telling me it was the wrong thing to do. We each have to follow our own gut on these decisions. I just take some solace in knowing that my rad onc was top knotch and the faciilty was state of the art, so I am hoping they did not do me too much harm. I have spent the two years since, trying to undo the effects nonetheless, by detoxing and building my immune system. Have you gals heard anythng about using iodine in Australia?
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Welcome lovely ladies from Australia. Isn't this a great site where we can meet people from all over the world and share experiences? You all are going into summer now, aren't you? I envy you for that.
Lucy88 - thanks for posting the rads article. We cannot hear it enough that the dangers of rads can clearly outweigh the benefits. I had never heard before that rads is more effective for node-positive cancers - which is a little confusing since at that point it is no longer a local occurance. Interesting...
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Hi everyone.... I have a question. With everyone taking so many supplements (myself included) are there any hard and fast rules of which supplements to take at the same time or not to take at the same time? For instance, I'm taking my synthroid, Vit D3, Vit C, Glucosamine, and a multi all at once in the morning. In the evening I take another Vit C, Biotin and Sellenium and before bed I take a baby aspirin and my tamox ( I will be getting off the Tamox when I start my DIM & COQ10). I guess my question is: is there any specific order to take these supplements or are there any that shouldn't be taken together at the same time.
Terri
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Welcome Victoria and Joanne!
Vivre, I can't believe Micky D's did that! I am sure they meant well, but you are right, its almost like they are celebrating???? I think MOST people who do the pink thing to that degree are missing the point, its become ridiculous to say the very least. I am anxious to see if you get a reaction to your letter, if I were that close to their HQ I would definately hand deliver!!! I saw on some show last night that Jessica Simpson makes $400million per year from her shoes, bags, perfume blah blah, and has so far donated $30million to BC research, where is all this money going?????
L
ox
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Terri - I have tried asking all of my doctors the very same question. No one seems to have a clear answer for me. The most I could get was that most should be taken with food. And, to separate the pills into morning and evening popping sessions. I couldn't take them all at once anyway - there is way too much! I do know that for curcumin you need to take it with pepper and oil. I learned that hear and also from the book Anticancer. I am curious to hear if anyone knows more about this too.
Viv - no kidding with the Micky D's experience. They are most certainly missing the point. I can guarantee that anyone of those employees wearing that pink and handing it out have absolutely no clue as to what breast cancer is really all about. It seems like those big corporate sponsors have lots of $$ at stake in one way or another.
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Welcome to the aussie sisters. Good on ya mates for finding us!
Vivre, the mental image of you setting foot inside a McD's at all makes me chuckle, and to be greeted by a sea of pink, omg. It reminds of the Towanda scene from Fried Green Tomatoes. Towanda! Maybe that could be the rallying call for the prevention convention!
Oh, I just found that scene on youtube. ROTHFLMAO!!! Towanda!! This is a MUST SEE. LOL LOL
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Oh Althea how I sometimes wish I could pull a Towanda!!!
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Oh! don't we all!!
Ladies take a look at the
Tocotrienols thread, very interesting!!!!
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Robyn and Fairy,
I am interested in the Estriol cream. (I am half way through Dr. Lee's book). I would need it for the same reason, except I have no UTIs, but from what I read, it will help with that as well.
Fairy, where are you getting yours?
Robyn, the only place you could get it was the internet? No compounding pharmacy near you?
Do you need a prescription?
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Spring! I haven't bought it as yet, still researching, I DID read somewhere (can't remember where) that estriol can turn into 16 hydroxyestrone........which of course we don't want.........so.......still trying to figure it out!!
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