natural girls
Comments
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Oh..forgot...Terri Soooo Happy to hear your cyst is GONE YAY !!!
How wonderful to see proof that you are on the correct path! Love those winning ways!
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I need some assistance.... I have a girlfriend who went through chemo and rads last year for Hodgkins Lymphoma. The rads really burnt her up and it took quite a while for the redness to go away. That was last fall. She's still complaining of being VERY fatigued all the time. I'm not sure if this is PTSD or an after effect of the treatments but I'd like to help her get back on her feet again. She's very leary of anything not prescribed by a Dr and probably thinks all the supplements I'm taking are going overboard. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what she can take or do to help her get out of this slump and back to a "normal" life?
Terri
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Hey ladies! What kind and how much fish oil do you take?
Patty
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Hi Patty,
I take Genestra brand fish oil....4750 mg in the morning with some orange juice
Terri
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This is what I take EPA Ultimate, Pure Encapsulations
Store them in the freezer - that way you won't get fish burps
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terri, congrats here also on your disappearing cyst. Love to see things moving in the desired direction for ladies here. I too feel like it was rads that really knocked my on my butt, but I suspect many of my complaints were due to accumulated side effects of treatment. I don't know what area of the body they use for radiating lymphoma, but for bc the rads come dangerously close to the thyroid. I didn't have a doctor worth a damn helping me with what I feel certain is underactive thyroid.
Fortunately, at least in the most of the US, there's places where we can order our own labs. Cost is my big deterrent, so I haven't actually ordered any of my own labs yet, but for thyroid issues I'll want to get: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, TPO antibodies, Tg antibodies, ferritin, vit D, and B12 levels. Many places offer tests, and when I was price shopping, I think I found the best prices at lef.org. I don't know how different availability might be in Canada. There's a lot of things that can cause fatigue, and it really chaps my hide that I had so many visits to doctors where I got an occasional panel of labwork, nothing more than a TSH to evaluate thyroid health, and more often I'd get a shrug of the shoulders and an offer to take a scrip for effexor.
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Althea, thanks for your input. I think maybe she should get her thyroid checked as her lymphoma was very close to her collarbone. She then got a second one a couple of inches away from the first. They really blasted her with rads. I remember her coming over to my place a coupl eof weeks after her last rad TX and even though they did the rads on her chest, she was burnt straight through to her back. I had to apply some cream on her back for her.... it was almost black from being burnt. I can imagine what her insides looked like! It wouldn't surprise me at all if they damaged her thyroid. That's a very good point and thanks for pointing that out. I'll make sure to tell her about it and get her to get herself checked out. We don't pay for tests here in Canada so all she has to do is get her MD or ONC to ask for the tests.
Terri
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On another note... I'm having terrible hot flashes. I have quite a few during the day and ALL night long. I can't stand it anymore and am thinking about taking the script for Effexor that my ONC prescribed. Does anyone know if I can take it with all the supplements I'm taking? Is there any danger? Or does anyone know of something natural that I can take instead?
Terri
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terri, it's very difficult to find a doctor who knows much of anything about thyroid health. I hope for your friend's sake that she will get the tests she wants simply by asking.
As for hot flashes, I had really bad ones starting with chemo and they continued with tamoxifen. I can't recall if you take tamoxifen or not. I got to where I could feel them coming, and if I could gulp down a big glass of ice cold water, I could at least avoid sweat dripping from my face. I felt like the number one cause for global warming they were so bad. They seemed to improve somewhat also when I started eating fresh ground flaxseed with yogurt for breakfast. Ultimately, they stopped completely when I ditched the tamoxifen after 26 months.
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Terri - thanks for the input on the fish oil. 4750 mg really? that isn't to much?? I took Effexor for a few years but after doing some research I went off of it. My hot flashes are back but not as bad as there were before. Do some research before you start it. It is very addicting. It took me months to slowly get off of it. Are you using progesterone cream? Those flashes do s#ck!!! I find if I drink cold water and do some deep breathing it helps.
althea - I always wondered just who caused global warming. Since your flashes have stopped that explains why every state got snow this year!!!!
Love to all, Patty
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Hi Terri...it's been awhile since I have been on the site. Anyhoo...couple of things re the hot flashes...do you drink coffee, tea - anything with caffeine, wine or any alcohol at all. I find when I have coffee I will get the flashes even though I am almost 8 years post menopausal and when I have the odd glass of wine I will get them as well. There is a company in Vancouver called Saje - they have an online site and I swear by the roll on called Solace. When I feel one coming on I use the roll on, on the back of my neck and my temples and within a few seconds...blessed relief. If you are seeing a Naturopath check with him/her as well. Sage helps some women (tea or caps) but I am not sure about any interactions with other supplements. Acupuncture is also very good for hot flashes.
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Patty, I'm really hesitating to take the Effexor. I've had the script for about 3 months and haven't filled it. I just don't know what to do anymore. I've tried drinking cold water when I feel one coming on but it doesn't really help. I am using progesterone cream - a 1/4 tsp in the morning....maybe I should do a 1/4 tsp at night as well? I'm really flying blind here because I haven't had the saliva hormone testing done due to money issues at the moment. I did have my blood progesterone checked a few months back and it was very low.
PurpleMe: I've cut out coffe altogether but do have a couple of cups of organic green tea during the da. I don't really drink (wine) anymore, maybe 1 glass per week. I'll look into the company you mentioned - Saje and see if there are any products which I could use. I'd kinda like to not have the HF's at all rather than just take care of them when they happen....lol but wouldn't we all love to do that!
I've heard that flax seed oil and cottage cheese may do the trick...I think it's called Budwig diet. Not sure about the flax seed though, I thought we weren't supposed to have flax with estrogen + BC?
Terri
Terri
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Terri - ok, try sticking your head in the freezer or putting an ice cube down your bra, lol !! I too am concerned about the flaxseed and I totally understand the money issues
. Maybe you could try using the progesterone at night also. It really helps me sleep!!How much magnesium are you ladies taking?
Patty
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Terri have you considered asking your doctor to prescribe Prometrium for your hot flashes? The 1/4 tsp of creme may not be enough to control serious hot flashes/night sweats.
Dr. Jerilynn Prior, is an endocrinologist and professor at the University of British Columbia and has been researching natural progesterone for years. I first heard Prior being interviewed on a CBC radio program in the mid 1990's just after Prometrium had been approved in Canada (1995?). I found her ideas at that time about perimenopause/menopause very refreshing.
http://www.cemcor.ubc.ca/about/staff#prior
In the question and answer section on this CeMor webpage, Prior answers one women's question about what to do about night sweats if you have breast cancer:
http://www.cemcor.ubc.ca/ask/night_sweats_breast_cancer
Ask Jerilynn | What is Effective and Safe for Night Sweats in Women with Breast Cancer?
[small quote] "In summary:...Although there are many life style and alternative strategies that, singly or together, will decrease hot flushes, severe night sweats may not be sufficiently improved. If that is the case, oral micronized progesterone is a good option, is safe for a woman with treated breast cancer, and should be highly effective."
There is a reference list of the articles and studies footnoted at the end.
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Patty-
I take Metagenics EPA/DHA 720 fish oil - 2 caps contain 2.8g of Nat'l Marine Lipid COncentration which contains 860mg EPA and 580mg DHA. I also keep it in the freezer and take at the beginning of the meal and I don't get the burp.
As far as Magnesium - I take Designs for Health - Magnesium Glycinate Chelate- total 450mg a day. I think there is also some Magnesium in much smaller amts in some of my other supplements.
Terri-
I can't help a lot with hot flashes - I would suggest asking a good compound pharmacy - they usually have a pharamcist who is knowledgeable on supplements. Mine is actually a pharmacist and nutritional counselor and is amazing. I have not researched it - but think I recall that some were using Black Cohosh and Evening Primrose Oil - they might be worth researching.
Even though I am ER+ - I do take 2 T ground flaxseed every day. I think we all have to make those kind of decisions ourselves. I know that my entire protocol is keeping my estradiol extremely low, but it is impossible to know the specific effects of each supplement.
Good Luck!
Beth
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Hi, girls... I'm sorry I've been gone so long. I've been depressed and dealing with this in my own way.
The latest with me is that I'm FINALLY having my second surgery to hopefully get clear margins. My doctor originally told me I would need a mastectomy. It turns out that's not true... it's just that a reexcision is going to leave me caved-in-looking to the point of needing reconstruction, and he figured since I'd need reconstruction anyway, I should just do the mastectomy.
But, after a lot of thought and research and prayer, I am NOT doing the mastectomy. I just can't right now. Of course I want clear margins, but if he can get that with a reexcision, then that's what I want to do. So, tomorrow at 12:15 (after an 8am needle loc), I'm having the reexcision.
I'm nervous about what he'll find tomorrow. It's been almost 6 months since the first surgery. On one hand, I've been taking iodine faithfully for 5 months and have cut out the "junk" in my diet, but on the other hand, I've also been stressed out AND, worse, until a couple of weeks ago I had been drinking 2 glasses of red wine every night. So who knows what has happened to those remaining DCIS cells. I am sick to my stomach thinking that they might have been replicating all this time rather than disappearing.
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Oh Julia, I will be praying for you tomorrow. I pray it all goes well. I have been wondering where you were. I was going to pm you today. I am so glad you posted. Please let us know how the surgery goes.
((((hugs))))) Patty
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Julia it is so nice to see you! I am glad that you were able to arrive at your decision your own way, and to do what feels right to you. I will light a candle for you tomorrow and send you all my best energy all afternoon. I know you will do just fine! Blessings, Suzanne0
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Julia, you've also been on my mind a lot in recent days. I'm glad you're moving ahead with your second surgery, and I will be praying that you will have total peace tomorrow, as well as clear margins. (((Hugs))), prayers and strong positive vibes going out to you now and tomorrow ~ Deanna
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Terri, I want to second, third or fourth what everyone else is saying about the hot flashes. The Effexor did not work for me & took me forever to get off of it. It is very addicitng and the withdrawal was severe for me! I'm going to a Functional Medicine Doctor next week & am hoping she can provide me with advice on helping to relieve them. My onc recommended giving up sugar & others have told me that will help but sugar is so addiciting too! One thing at a time is hard enough, at least for me!
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Julia: So sorry you have to go through this but am glad that you decided to do this your own way. I'll be praying for clear margins for you tomorrow. Let us know how you are doing OK?
Hood: I'm holding off on the Effexor - too many have responded either here or privately about the evils that come with taking it. Please let me know what your Dr tells you about relieving the hot flashes. I've already cut out sugar a long time ago along with dairy and most meat except for chicken...not sure what else I can do!
Terri
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Julia, candles lit for you. You might want to rub progesterone into the breast in the hours before surgery--A tip from my doc from Dr. Chang's work. xox anon
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Just got an email back from Emerita the makers of my progesterone cream and they said it's OK to up my dose to a 1/4 tsp in the evening as well as in the morning. They also said that it would be safe to increase to 1/2 tsp in the AM and another in the PM for hot flashes/night sweats so I'm going to try that. Here comes another HF....where's my darn glass of ice water!
Terri
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Julia-
Good Luck to you tomorrow. I hope this surgery will bring peace of mind.
Beth
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hi gals... i just stopped all the hormone therapy, also. so, i'll be stopping in regularly..what was the GOP thread ther's son much animosity on all the sites now..what the &#@&is going on?.. well, glad 2 join ur ranks, they were out to kill me with h t.... light and love 3jaysmom
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Hi julia, good to see you checking in. I'm sending healing vibes your way. And for heavens sake, think positive thoughts about all the good the reservatrol in that red wine has been doing for you. Your diet is way cleaner than most by a long shot, so some indulgence in comfort is not going to do any harm.... unless you beat yourself up over it.
I'll be looking for you here for an update after your surgery. Best wishes. 0 -
Patty...Life Extension on their BC list of supplements says.....EPA/DHA with Sesame Lignans, 8 softgels daily in divided doses. Take with nonfiber meals. I have this product ...2 capsules equal 2000 mg Wild Fish Oil including EPA 700 mg and DHA 500 mg Polyphen-oil 300 mg.
8 of these softgels would equal 8000 mg.
I have not been taking that much, but apparently the 4750 Terri mentioned is not too much based on LE recommendations.
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Oh Julia, prayers for healing and clear margins coming your way.
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So hard to know what to do to balance our hormones and it probably takes months to feel calm.
I read that lavender has a calming effect on the body and thereby reduces stress and thereby promotes health. So this past week I have been listening to relaxing music and rubbing lavender essence mixed with pure olive oil over my arms. Boy I sure felt relaxed.
This morning I googled foods that are high in progestrone; there is a long list and I noticed walnuts are good among other foods. In the next para. I noticed foods high in estrogen and OMG on the list is lavender. RATS. I have been literally soaking in it all week!!
Back to the drawing board. (May try the walnut oil - although it won't have the nice aroma)
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painterly - As I was reading your post about the lavender I was thinking 'oh my she needs to be told about that being high in estrogen' but thank goodness you found out!!!!! I love my walnuts. It is a very good anti-inflammatory as well so enjoy
.Love to all, Patty
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