natural girls
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...when another patient asked him if there was something in particular she should change about her diet now that she knew she had IDC. His reply? "Not really, just make sure you don't eat more than 2,000 calories a day."
Does anyone know if there has ever been a "general post" asking how many of us switched to a more organic, no factory farmed, no GMO, no growth hormone life style after our diagnosis and treatments? I'm curious to see since it seems that the common denominator for many of us is a new life style: no growth hormones, no factory farmed, more organic, very limited dairy and organic meat diets. (I'm trying to keep it simple so we can focus on supplemens in a latter post?)
Would welcome the chance to put something together. Any suggestions?
Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food. - Hippocrates
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SuperMom, there is a thread like that, but I can't remember off-hand what it's called... will see if I can find it when I get back home!
Deanna, REALLY interesting thread... thanks for linking that!
Girls, I'm having a mammo-guided biopsy this afternoon to see what those remaining calcifications are... I know they're going to be more DCIS and that I'll have to have a mastectomy in spite of clear margins with my re-excision, but I'm praying for a miracle that they're benign... I haven't had a mammo-guided biopsy before (my previous ones were ultrasound- and MRI-guided) so I'm a little nervous all of a sudden. *sigh* More harmful radiation to my boob, yippee! I'm popping extra iodine today to make up for it!
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This is the kind of food-related news I like!
http://www.pharmpro.com/News/2010/08/Chocolate-Linked-to-Lower-Risk-of-Heart-Failure/
SuperMom, there have been recent threads about the diet changes we've made post-bc dx, but I don't think any of them have been limited to dietary changes alone. Usually supplements or gardening or recipes or eating for your blood type (which might lead some to include or exclude certain foods) or some other aspects of what we're doing are part of the discussion. Many of us have read the same books (Sevan-Schreiber, T. Colin Campbell, etc.), as well as consulted with integrative or naturapathic doctors, and have come to the exact conclusions you've listed, though some more strict than others. But I would love to see a new thread that is specific to dietary changes only. I think it's extremely important and can't be repeated enough for anyone who is searching for things they can do to cut their future risk. Deanna
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Crunchy,
I had a mammo guided biopsy. It is called a stereotactic biopsy. The biopsy was to check out calcium deposits that appeared on my mammo but not on previous mammos. The hospital had just installed a new machine so we didn't know if these were new or had been there for a while.
Radiation treatment for BC increases calcium deposits in the breast. Most calcium deposits are benign. My breasts have so many calcium deposits that my mammograms look like they are covered in small stars. The number of calcifications is not an issue; it is the pattern they form. If they form dense clusters there is a higher chance of them being cancer. My mammogram showed a small dense cluster but the tissue was clear of cancer.
The one tip I can give you is make certain that you are as comfortable as possible before they put your breast in the gripper. Once they start the process you must remain absolutely still. The process takes anywhere from 45 min. to an hour. You will have an incision the size of a pencil eraser and probably be a bit stiff from laying in one position so long. Be sure to bring one of those twist-it ice packs to prevent swelling.
Oh, by the way, you will have a tiny metal tag inserted in the area of the sample. You won't even know it's there. Here is a link. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastbixr
Best wishes.
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Thanks, notself - I'm back now and wish I'd seen your post before I went!
It went fine... not an ounce of pain (even less than with my ultrasound-guided biopsy -- which they also called stereotactic biopsy). Dr. Fine in Marietta, Ga. is AWESOME about pain-free procedures (how does he do it?!!)... and the staff were so funny, we were joking around the whole time. *sigh* So glad it's over... it really ruins your morning and early afternoon knowing you've got to go through that later in the day!!
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This is a bit off topic, but I was wondering if any of you ladies were taking Vitamin D and if so what dosage? I heard it may be helpful in preventing breast cancer. Thanks for any help. Gloria
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Marcy4 - I take 3,000 iu a day plus more in my multi and Cal pills. My DR wants me have a blood D level of at least 50. Some of the ladies on the thread take more. Check w/your Dr to see if you can get a blood test to see where your levels are.
Best of luck
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Marcy, I take 5000 iu and so does my husband. I had a very low vitamin d level (his was lower) and so my integrative doctor told me to take 5000 units.
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Marcy, I am taking 2,000 D3 at the moment but am going to up it to 3,000
Terri
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I have been trying to get through the last of my radiation treatments and have found so many brilliant, supportive women on this board to support me through this initial part of my journey. I have been posting since my diagnosis in May. I seem to keep finding myself back on this natural girls thread and have decided tonight is the night I post.
I have been reading and researching since my diagnosis and have made tremendous changes to my life and my DH's by association. We juice everyday, all organic food choices, very limited (1-3 X per month) organic, grass fed, chicken, salmon/fish on occasion, but primarily vegetarian and probably 70% raw. I have read many amazing books - anti-cancer, foods that fight cancer, cooking with foods that fight cancer, cancer fighting kitchen, crazy sexy cancer tips and many others - and I feel mostly like I have a handle on things in relation to my diet. The benefits have been awesome - both my DH and I have lost weight, gained strength and vitality, skin has improved etc. I am eating no soy but I keep finding negatives about flax - though I am eating it daily - is that ok - I feel like what I have researched is telling me it interferes with the estrogen and in fact doesn't allow estrogen to function in an out of control way as it has been doing to create my ER+ cancer?
I could really use some of your well educated and brilliant minds to weigh in with thoughts: I am to start tamoxifen and I don't want to and I'm too scared not to. My last radiation session is tomorrow, I live in Canada and didn't have the oncotype test, didn't get chemo because of my ER+++ status and I feel like I must give it a shot. I have researched iodine and am taking Iodoral - have been diagnosed with fybrocystic dense breasts as were both my mother and sister as well as many maternal cousins. My aunt (paternal) and my mother have both had breast cancer and my mother took "t: and was 6 years out when she was diagnosed and died of primary lung cancer with mets to liver (she was 81). We have a very extensive family history of cancers (as well as major red meat/dairy - corn fed (growth hormones etc. ) family history with lots of pesticides (family full of farmers). I feel with my history I should take "T" but I also feel with my lifestyle changes, Vit D, Omega 3 oils, and an ongoing quest to find someone who can help me balance my hormones (minimal + progesterone). I have just found I3C in a health food store and can't seem to find anyone who is willing to have an opinion about it on my medical team. I bring these issues up with my Doctors and they all stare at me blankly and shy away from any discussion about it (clearly they have no idea) about how these things could be used instead of tamox.
Question: if I do take tamoxifen, should/could I also use I3C or DIM or introduce a progesterone cream??? to balance my estrogen? while taking tamoxifen? How do I find someone in Vancouver BC who might be able to answer these questions? Thoughts anyone? So sorry I am so long winded. Thank-you for taking the time to read and respond.
Sonia
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Oh Patty! I am so sorry you are dealing with so much at the same time!
2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery...avoid Fish Oil, Vit E, garlic, gingko, ginger
I agree that calling Life Extension for answers/suggestions makes good sense.
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Marcy4...I had to take 15,000 to 20,000 mg of D3 per day to get my level up to 61. I am now taking 10,000 to 15,000 per day and will re-test soon to see if I am maintaining.
You should get the D3 blood test the next time you have blood work done...ask for the 25 Hydroxy D3 test.
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Marcy4,
Do not self medicate with Vitamin D. Get a blood test first because too much Vitamin D can also cause problems. My level was low (22) and I took 4800IU per day until it reached 54ng/ml. I am now taking 3800 IU per day and should have my latest test result back by the end of the week.
You should also be taking at least 1000mg of calcium as well as magnesium if you are not getting enough in your diet. Too much magnesium will cause problems, but you need 400mg from all sources including diet.
There are no randomized double blind studies proving that Vitamin D prevents cancer or prevents recurrence. However there are some indications that it might. What it will do is help prevent osteoporosis which can be a side effect of cancer medications.
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Marcy- You should get your blood serum level tested. It is recommended the level to attain for us who've had cancer is between 80-100ng/ml. It takes 1000mg per day to raise your level by 10. Here is a link to the study done at the UC San Diego Moore's Cancer Center http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ-qekFoi-o
I was advised NOT to supplement with calcium. Magnesium is beneficial. I was taking 250mg per day.
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bailey1958 - just read your post and have a couple thoughts on I3C in Canada. Too bad I'm in Ontario, but surely there must be perhaps a gynecologist who specializes in non-HRT using nat. progesterone cream etc. in Van? Here in ONt there is Dr. Alvin Pettle in Toronto. He runs a private gynecology clinic and long ago switched from HRT to bioidenticals. I'd been his patient at menopause, so saw him when it came to my bc diagnosis 2 yrs ago. He's part of a group that developed formulas for a women's line of supplements called FemMed and you may have seen them if you have Shoppers Drug mart, also other major drug chains like Rexall etc. before even my biopsy he suggested taking their BreastHealth (I3C + other stuff) also HeartHealth (Omega 3 ETC) , losing weight, exercising etc. Except for one gp, who herself exercised like crazy and followed the Beliveau books, it was the only advice re looking after myself I ever got.
Once Dr. Pettle got a copy of my pathology report he also said not a good idea for me to take nat prog cream as I'm pr+. ( some posters in bcan.org were a bit ruffled that I believed him)
If only he had a colleague, or someone he could suggest from Vancouver. he does teach other drs about bioidenticals and is knowleadgeable about supplements and being proactive.
he has a website - just google his name.
You can also go on the Femmed website and email the founder Shawna Page and lo & behold she answers! She might have ties in Vancouver.
About all your family history. if you have 2 close relatives who have had bc you are eligible (at least in Ont) for BRCA testing. you could ask your oncologist about that.
Best of luck & feel free to pm me..
Arlene ps picture ancient must update!
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Marcy -- Just want to advise you that the Vit D test done in Canada is in nanomoles/millilitre. The recommended level is 125-150. In the U.S. the test is done in nanograms/millilitre and 50 or above is the recommended level.
I've had the test and my level was 73 nm/ml so I've upped my intake from 1,800 to 5,000 IU daily on doc's advice. There is some talk of the Ont. gov't stopping paying for the test, (due to a great deal of "hype" but very little clinical evidence for healthy people) but I believe if you're a cancer patient, or have osteopenia or osteoporosis, or a few other chronic conditions such as MS, it will still be paid for.
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Sonia, welcome! I'm a post-menopause I3C user (in lieu of tamox or an A/I). When I read your post, I wondered if there was an organization of integrative oncologists in Canada, and found this for you: http://www.incamresearch.ca/index.php?id=40,0,0,1,0,0&menu=0
As you probably know, doctors who practice integrative medicine combine the best of conventional and CAM treatment, so I'm thinking an oncologist like this might be able to best evaluate your questions and concerns re. tamox and I3C. It doesn't look like you can access the list of members via the website, but I'll bet you can call them and get referrals in your area.
Re. the vitamin D discussion, I was one of the few I've read about who tested high for Vitamin D prior to any supplementing, which probably has a lot to do with living in sunny So. CA. But my integrative doctor @ UCLA still suggested some supplementation, just to be sure. I had been taking just 400 IUs, but recently switched to a calcium-magnesium-D3 supplement that has 1,000 IUs of D. Deanna
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lindasa,
Thank you for again pointing out that there are two ways of measuring Vitamin D. The measurements are like comparing inches to centimeters.
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I need some help and advice. I have just had my thyroid tested and it is slightly low (hypothyroid). My doctor said that Arimidex suppresses the thyroid. I do not want to take thyroid medication because it has many of the more serious side effects that Arimidex does.
How can I perk up my thyroid the natural way? It can't be too complicated because I am very simple.
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Hi Notself,
My thyroid was on the low side and I take selenium which keeps it in the normal range. (I didn't want to take a med and prefer over-the-counter tablets, especially as we spend 6 months in Fla. every year and its a pain dragging medication over the border - this way, I can buy it in Fla.). It works for me.
Glenis
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Does this make any sense to anyone: I had stopped using progesterone cream about 4 months ago. My hot flashes stopped after about 2 months. I started using it again and now my hot flashes are back
. Anybody??????Peace and Blessings to all, Patty
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Glenis,
Thanks for the advice. I will get some supplements if my levels are not normal when I retest in six weeks. I am just at borderline low.
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my560sel - Yes, when I was taking Vitamin B Complex pills I certainly had this problem. Once I switched over to sublingual B-Complex, I no longer have any problems. I have heard it's better for absorption of the vitamins, as well.0
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How does everyone take their vitamins? All at once, or spread out throughout the day?
I take synthroid and can't take anything for at least 3 hours after it, so that leaves me into lunch.... when I'm at work and try not to forget the pills the acupuncturist is giving me... then I try to remember the rest. It's getting so it's late at night and then I take all of them at once! I so need a routine.
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Thought this was worth sharing. The molecular explanation is over my head, but the gist of it re. the inflammation is simple, and sounds like it could be a pretty significant breakthrough in unraveling the mystery of cancer progression:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100816170837.htm
samsue ~ I take my Iodoral first thing, by itself, because I read somewhere to do it that way. Then I take several things, including Turmeric, after I've eaten something because otherwise it upsets my stomach. Other than the Turmeric and sometimes a natural water pill, the ones I take in the a.m. are just because I feel like it -- no special reason. I take the others, including Melatonin or another stress relief blend for sleep in the evening, before bedtime when I think of it, otherwise when I go to bed. When I was at UCLA for that integrative app't., I'd asked if it matters when or how I combine my supplements, and was told it does not. But I'd be curious what others do, too. Deanna
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I have been reading that when it comes to Vit D3 you should take it with the largest meal of your day - not necessarily at breakfast unless that is your largest meal.
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The only thing I take on an empty stomach is: IP6. Strontium, and Modified citrus pectin. Everything else I take with food. It makes everyday very exciting on how I get this done!!!!! I did not know the lodoral should be on empty stomach! Oh no, not another one!!!!
Peace and Blessings to all, Patty
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Well, I take my supplements unscientifically: I take them all at once in the morning. I only take turneric, DIM, grape seed extract, B12 and D3. I have an appointment to see my PCP in 2 weeks to review my supplements and recent blood work. May need to add calcium and magnesium.
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Patty-
I have not heard about needing to take Iodoral on an empty stomach. I believe that Steph, the moderator of the IOdine Yahoo group takes all of her supplements, including Iodoral, with breakfast. WHen I had my consult with Dr. Fletchas - he said that you can take Iodoral with food and with any other supplements, incuding DIM. I have another consult coming up and will ask him again. I do wait 1-2 hours after my thyroid meds before eating or taking supplements.
I have not added strontium yet to my regimen. FYI- Dr. Jonathan Wright says that you should never take more strontium than calcium. He says that otherwise you can develop bone deformities.
The only supplements I take on empty stomach are NAC and modified citrus pectin.
Beth
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When I had my blood tests done a couple of months ago, I was upset to see I was still lacking in many nutrients, since I was feeling so well, and thought I was doing everything I possibly could. My ND wanted to sell me all kinds of individual nutrients, and when I saw the price, I choked. That is when I started to research again, the Usana products that I had heard about a while ago. I realized that their essentials, an antioxidant and mineral combo, had most of what my tests were saying I needed in them. They also have a wonderful liver support that contains several ingredients I was taking separately, like green tea extract, milk thistle, and brocooli, and a fish oil that is guaranteed to be mercury free. They allow you to put together your own "health pak" that contains exactly what you want in little packages you can grab and go. It has simplied my life. I take a lot less pills and get all I need. No more reading labels, shopping for this and that and opening up 20 bottles a day. I know I am getting what it says on the bottle because they are one of only 4 companies in the world that follow pharmceutical grade manufacturing standards. Most others have food grade standards, which only demand they contain 20% of what the label says. If anyone wants more info, please let me know.
My routine is- I take my iodine with a usana mineral supplement at breakfast because it has the companion nutrients such as selenium and magnesium. I take one of my health paks at lunch and one at dinner, always with food.
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