natural girls
Comments
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Amber,
Thank you so much for starting this thread. It seems to me that women are not disregarding modern medicine, just looking to have their bodies in the best possible condition to deal with this cancer. I bought my juicer from Costco. It's cheaper their, and they usually carry the best products. I love it. I started blending carrots & spinach in a blender; but it was much too thick for me, so I juice instead. I found adding carrots & apples together make a great tasting juice. I even add spinach & blueberries.
I also believe Raw fruits & veggies are the way to go because of the enzymes that are typically reduced in cooking. I'm on my last chemo tommorrow, so I plan to add B6 & B12 from TriVita. I did a little after 5 or 6 chemos and it helped with my energy levels & reduced my neuropathy a lot. I did not want to stay on anything however that could possibly interfere with my chemo. So I plan to take this as well as Nopalea, from Trivita for my inflammation from IBC and IP-6 which helps with inflammation.
I'm not phenatical (not sure how to spell it), being stage IV; I need my body in the best possible shape especially since we have to be on toxic treatments that cause other side effects. I read some on the Gerson diet--juicing 12 X a day ; but that might be too extreme for me. As long as you keep this thrread active; I will let you know how my scans are in the future while on hormonal therapy. I'll be on Femara & Zometa for the bones. Zometa has healed my bone lesions in 6 months.
My best to all of you and keep informing us all of what's working for you.
Terri
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I will be seeing my pcp wed because I have been having some pain in my shoulder area. She will probably want some kind of scan done. So, my question is: Out of all the scans (pet, ct or mri) which is the best and the safest one??
Thanks, Patty
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Patty, I would think a plain bone scan would be best to rule out mets. That's if the pain is localized over a boney area. If it's all in the shoulder joint, like rotator cuff, then MRI.
I hope it's something simple. It's so hard waiting to know what it is you have to deal with.
Anne
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Patty, so sorrry about your tough week. I hope it gets better soon. Have you been to a chiropractor? I know every little pain is sometimes worrisome, but it is probably stress. Be careful about getting unneccessary scans. They just subject you to more radiation. My regular doc kept sending me to the hospital for all kinds of tests because of some chest pain I was having, pre dx. I kept telling her that it felt like it was more on the surface. All those scans, all that money, and all that time, and the tests showed nothing. Plus I think it is no coincidence that I ended up with bc right after. After bc treatments the pain was still there, only worse. So I went to a chiro. He figured out I had condritis in about 5 min. and after a few deep tissue treatments, the pain went away. I am just saying that it seems regular docs start with the scary stuff and work their way down. Chiros start with the simple stuff and work their way up. If they eliminate the pain, you know it is not serious. Just a thought. Bless you
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Welcome IBC-We hope we can help you in any way possible. Make sure you go back and read some of the research that FlaLady has under her name. She helped so many of us. Please keep us posted on how things are going.
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Thanks ladies. I have something new to worry about. The past couple of weeks I have been awaken by a sharp shooting pain. Last night it seemed like it was behind my breast that I had my lumpectomy. All this stuff is freaking me out. I'm wondering if I should have some kind of scan. I know the radiation is not good but it would show if I had any cancer, right????
Patty
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Nighttime shoulder pain is often rotator cuff. I sure hope that's all it is. Night pain makes the demons come out more!
Sometimes you have to have the imaging/radiation to determine what's going on. I'm sure your doc will guide you. Let him/her know you want the test that's going to be definitive, that you don't want multiple exposures.
Anne
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Are canned Hearts of Palm okay to eat or should I not?
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Patty, thinking of you... Yikes.
Ladies, have any of you seen this article on acupuncture? I thought it was fascinating!
"Not only is acupuncture as effective as drug therapy at reducing hot flashes in breast cancer patients, it has the added benefit of potentially increasing a woman's sex drive and improving her sense of well-being..."
"...The study found that both groups initially experienced a 50 percent decline in hot flashes and depressive symptoms, indicating that acupuncture is as effective as drug therapy."
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Hi Patty,
I had occasional shooting pains too every once in a while. I don't know what caused them. Then they would go away and come back months later. I still get surface sensations in the scar area but they go away.
Does a warm bath help?
xox
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shooting pains can be nerve endings regenerating?? I had some too, and since, I have got some feeling back in the skin on my "foobies"!! Epsom salts in the tub helps!
My naturopath called me the other day, she feels there is no reason NOT to prescribe me some Estriol, soooooo I will be meeting with her in a few weeks to discuss further. I found some good research yesterday, which is saved on my home computer, which I will post when I get home, which just further convinces me that we should supplement with estriol/progesterone and testosterone if its low.
My brain is a bit foggy, which is not something I am used to, and something that is hard to have in my business - wedding planner! the other day I found myself snapping at a few clients and also ordered wrong hors d'oeuvres S..it!!!!!!! not good ladies!!!!
L
ox
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Thought I'd share these links from a healthy newsletter I get from Dr. Janet Starr Hull. Her expertise seems to be in environmental health concerns, but some of her offerings might interest you if you don't have any alternatives doctors where you live. I'm a bit intrigued by the hair analysis. Has anyone had one of those done?
http://www.hairanalysisprogram.com/
http://www.hullisticmarket.com/pc.html
http://www.alternativecancerdiet.com/
Patty ~ Hopefully, all the stress you've been under is what's somehow causing the pain in your chest. I'm sometimes amazed at how ominous unexplained pain can seem, only to have it disappear as suddenly as it started. But if yours doesn't go away say in another week, just have it checked out so that you can stop worrying about it. Deanna
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Deanna! Thanks for the links!
I may have missed this elsewhere, but found this:
Chrysin found as effective as aromatase inhibiting drug
Chrysin is a flavonoid from Passiflora incarnate, commonly called passion flower. In a study at the University of Minnesota, published in 1993, chrysin and several other flavonoids were compared to an aromatase inhibiting drug used to treat hormone sensitive cancers. Chyrsin was found to be the most effective of all the flavonoids tested, and was found to be equal in potency to the drug.
Chrysin provides several other cancer fighting benefits not found in drugs
Chrysin has additional benefits that aromatase inhibiting drugs do not have. It a potent antioxidant that possesses vitamin-like activity in the body. It is an effective anti-inflammatory through the inhibition of the Cox 2 pathway.
Chrysin has recently been found to block the suppression of natural killer (NK) cells that are seen during surgery. NK cells are part of the immune system. They go after cancer cells and destroy them. During surgery the production of NK cells is suppressed by the body because of the traumatic nature of the event. However, during cancer surgery is the time when NK cells are needed most, so they can go after and kill any cancer cells escaping into the bloodstream that may seed new cancer growths elsewhere in the body. Additionally, chrysin is a potent inhibitor of breast cancer resistance protein, keeping patients who have chosen traditional drug treatments from developing multi-drug resistance.
Since the landmark study published in the September, 1993 Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, many other studies have confirmed the conclusion that chrysin is nature's most effective aromatase inhibitor. A study reported in the May, 2006 Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry studied the effects of several polyphenols on aromatase activity. Again, chrysin was found to be the most capable at inhibiting estrogen production. This study showed red wine, green tea, and black tea also significantly impacting aromatase activity, though to a lesser degree than chrysin.
The ability of chrysin to inhibit aromatization has not been lost on drug companies. Studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of altered forms of chyrsin that could qualify to be patented. Because natural substances cannot be patented, drug companies must alter them in some in order to stake a proprietary claim on them. The most recent of these in late 2007 studied methylated forms of chrysin for their effectiveness.
Chrysin should be taken with Piperine for enhanced bioavailability
Piperine is an alkaloid from black pepper that has been shown repeatedly to substantially increase the bioavailability of nutrients from supplements and foods. It has been found to significantly boost the bioavailability of chrysin according to the Life Extension Foundation.
Diet and lifestyle have a lot to do with aromatase
One's chosen diet and lifestyle are large factors in determining the amount of the aromatase enzyme in the body. Although chrysin is found in flowers, many flavonoids with lesser aromatase inhibiting abilities are found in common fruits and vegetables. Apples, cabbage, onions and garlic are good sources of quercetin, a powerful flavonoid. The flavonoid apigenin is found in parsley, celery and chamomile. Genistein and diadzein are isoflavones found in fermented soy. Red wine is still another source of healing flavonoids. Although alcohol may increase aromatase activity, the flavonoid components of red wine more than make up for it. Chrysin and other flavonoids from flowers are found in significant amounts in bee propolis and bee pollen. Any woman with signs of estrogen dominance may benefit from adding these flavonoid containing foods to her diet.
The aromatase enzyme resides in fat cells. This is why overweight and obesity are linked with breast and other hormone sensitive cancers. With fewer fat cells in the body, less unbalanced estrogen is produced. High levels of insulin, a big factor in weight gain and fat mass accumulation, promote production of the aromatase enzyme. Keeping insulin levels under control by avoiding processed and chemicalized foods will result in lower levels of aromatase and as a consequence, lower levels of unbalanced estrogen in the body. Maintaining adequate zinc levels also helps inhibit production of aromatase.
Grapefruit is a special case
A compound found in grapefruit and grapefruit juice produces an amazing effect according to research from the University of Hawaii. This compound, known as cytochrome p450, inhibits an enzyme group in the same complex as the aromatase enzyme. This enzyme inhibited by grapefruit is involved in breaking down and metabolizing sex hormones. If estrogens are not metabolized, excessive levels can accumulate in the body.
This prospective study, reported in the British Journal of Cancer, July 10, 2007, was based on data collected for the Multiethnic Cohort Study that involved 50,000 postmenopausal women spanning five ethnic groups. It found that grapefruit intake was significantly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. The increased risk was comparable to the increased risk seen in women taking hormone substitution drugs as part of traditional HRT.
For more information see:
http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/arindom.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/024829.html0 -
Thanks soooo much ladies. All your posts have made me feel better. I guess I will cancel my funeral plans for now!!!!
Love to all
Patty
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Wow, Lorraine! That's amazing info' re. passion flower. (And I like it's name a lot, too! Certainly more appealing than "DIM.") And that's interesting about grapefruit, which I've read elsewhere may not be good for us. Shortly after I was dx'd and had to go off HRT, I was craving and eating a lot of grapefruit, and I think what you posted may explain that. Deanna
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I'm sorry for being obtuse.....I have read those paragraphs about grapefruit a few times, and at first I thought it was recommending grapefruit....Now I read it again, and I think I read it wrong! Sorry I have brain fog too! Could one of you please help me translate this? I have been in love with fresh grapefruit juice lately.
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Suzanne, what I think it says is that something in grapefruit blocks aromatese inhibitors (compounds that break down estrogen) from working the way they're supposed to. In other words, it counteracts something in aromatese inhibitors, allowing more estrogen to stay in our bodies. It makes sense to me because when my estrogen dropped dramatically due to stopping HRT cold turkey, I probably craved grapefruit because my body knew it could help me retain what little estrogen I still had. And I recall others saying they craved grapefruit or grapefruit juice during chemo, when estrogen levels can plunge low enough to create chemopause. Deanna
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Thanks for the great info, Fairy. My doc said melatonin is also an aromatase inhibitor.
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So...maintaining adequate zinc levels helps inhibit aromatase...YAY for Coldeze!
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My doc said I should taske 500mg of Jarrow Chrysin daily. Fairy's info says we need Piperine with the Chrysin for enhanced bioavailability. Nature's Plus makes Bioperine 10 mg soy free....but there are sites that caution us against more than 15 mg of Piperine a day ... so be careful if you are taking other things like Life Extension Super Curcumin with Bioperine (5mg). Or maybe take the Chrysin at the same time so the Chrysin can use the Cucumin's Bioperine.
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My compound pharmacist told me that I would have to take 3000mg orally of chyrsin to get absorption. I will have to ask him if he was considering the fact that I was already taking piperine. Both my functional med doc and the pharmacist suggested using chyrsin cream vs capsules if I decided to go on it. Right now I am using other aromatase inhibitors(melatonin, quercitin) and pending the results o f my Estrogen profile test, then I will decide if I will switch.
Beth
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Luna 5-
The zinc is interesting factor - I did not know until recently that too much selenium can adversely affect zinc levels.
When I originally tested my nutrient elements -my zinc levels were low and my selenium was high.
I eat a lot of brazil nuts,which are a high source of selenium, as I am allergic to most other nuts. My functional med doc said that there is a relationship between the two and that the high selenium was causing my zinc to be low. It is tricky - because both nutrients are considered important for anti-cancer benefits. I did drop my consumption of brazil nuts, and low and behold - my latest test showed normal levels of both zinc and selenium. Just something to monitor for those of you taking selenium as a supplement.
Beth
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Interesting on the selenium and zinc. I think I read the recommended amt of brazil nuts daily to get the right amt of selenium is like 2 nuts--so easy to over-do. (Look it up for the exact amt...) Sounds like you found the right amt yourself....
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Vivre,
You are right on target with Monsanto. I would encourage everyone to watch the movie "Food, Inc. " This will show you what's in the foods we are eating without knowing. There is too much hormones in milk, dairy products & beef & chicken. There are also a lot of pesticides in growing vegetable. Go organic and buy in your local area and eat hormone free meat products. Get more enzymes from juicing. Sometimes the simple and basic things are what will bring us back to health.
Terri
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rfguiff... Thanks for your input. I meet with my OBGyn in two weeks. BUT you see.. it is not definite i have the BRCA gene 1 as a Mutuation.. it is simply being looked at as if it is and is suspicious so it is being treated as such? I also would be getting a CA125 blood test and transvaginal ultra sound bi annually. I cannot see me doin a oophenectomy without hormone support. Like Spring.....it is that last part of having some ebb and flow and just am not seeing this as a must. 15% percent of ovarian cancer IF i have had bc already. I just feel at this time, i am focusing on rebuidling my body and getting stronger.
I had the BRCA gene test done to decide before my surgery for my mx and it just was enough to see that i would be aggressive there as it was on both sides of my family.
We shall see, for now, i am staying intact!! Keep me posted if you do have a gene test done! I can help!
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Now, this is exciting: "Not only is acupuncture as effective as drug therapy at reducing hot flashes in breast cancer patients, it has the added benefit of potentially increasing a woman's sex drive and improving her sense of well-being..."
http://www.hopkinsbreastcenter.org/artemis/201002/1.html
A dot Org finding acupuncture as effective as drugs!
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This gives new meaning to the phrase " please poke me" LOL
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LOL, You are freakin' hilarious Merilee. Man, there's nothing like waking up and laughing to start your day
.Big hugs,
Jenny.
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LOL, Merilee. That was a goodie. Jenny is so right, nothing like waking up to a good laugh!!!!
I have a question ladies. I will be getting a pet scan done soon. Does anyone know what supplements I should stop before getting the scan????
Patty
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Patty-Hmmm, when I had one done, I was not asked to stop taking any of my supplements, but as usual, each MD, have their own opinion and ways. How are you feeling?
Big hugs,
Jenny.
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