natural girls
Comments
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Sherryc-
I had Vitamin D levels at 32ng last year at this time. I started taking anywhere between 2,000-5,000 IU daily (Carlson's Vit D drops), and I also started taking magnesium. I got retested in July, and my levels had reached 70ng! I was also bike riding every day, so got some natural Vit D as well...
One thing to add about the Vit D- the supplements made me feel so much stronger and energetic. It's made a huge difference in my mood, strength and energy.
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marianna-thanks I have been on them for three weeks and I think I already feel better. Will be interesting to see my levels when I test again in two weeks.
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Thank You for all the advice. All the tests are back and all is well. It apparently was the meds that were causing all my problems because I feel so much better, almost normal again. My husband and I have talked about it and decided that quality of life is important so I won't be taking tamoxifen or the AI's anymore. I do believe that when you are in that much pain it's your body signaling you that hey, you're harming me. I'm going to the health food store today to start doing everything I can to reduce my chances of recurrence naturally. I also need to lose some weight because I've heard estrogen is stored in your body fat. There's a women's gym right behind my work so I'm going to check them out. Thanks again. You're all such a great group of caring, supportive new friends, Susie
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Sheila, I value your wisdom, though I don't post much. I also read the studies being done at City of Hope and even lobbied my onc to get me into the white button mushroom one. I do not qualify since I am not 5 years out having taken arimidex. So after exhaustively searching for white button mushroom extract and failing, I am attempting to eat a minimum of 2 cups per day. No easy task, that. They say the efficacy is the same whether cooked or raw so I am eating them with everything. Additionally, I am taking 300mg grape seed extract per day along with turmeric, myomin and other things.
I chose not to take arimidex for a variety of reasons, among which are familial history of stroke, heart attack, high cholesterol, blood pressure, osteoporosis. etc (none of which I now have). So I took my supplements since diagnosis (last April) and got hot flashes like crazy until just a couple months ago. They seem to be tapering off, much like they did when I went into menopause.
This was the best decision for me and coupled with eating nothing white and no dairy, I believe it will work for me.
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Susie: If you go to the breastcancerchoices.org site and read up on their Iodine thread, taking an Iodine supplement can also reduce breast density. Best of luck to you!
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barbara- are you talking about the white mushrooms you buy in any grocery store? Or is there another kind of white mushrooms? thanks;)
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Annette, those are the ones. After they tested many kinds, these have the best AI-like effect.
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I know I originally read why no dairy...and I stopped for a few months. I still don't do milk but do have cheese occasionally. Tell me again why NO to dairy?
The white button mushrooms I have just added back in. Had stopped because of the 'fungus' thought. But I love mushrooms so I happily eat them again.
Also, anyone here take IP-6 & Inositol? I have some and have taken it just not regularly. I researched like crazy when I was first DX 6 months ago but it's a blur to me on some of the things I read now as to why! My head is spinning.
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ECG, I take DIM instead of IP6. Just seemed like a better supplement to me but JMO. Dairy is hard to digest and cows in the US are kept artificially pregnant so as to produce milk. How do they do that? Hormones. Hormones are bad so when I need a dairy fix, I get unpastuerized goat cheese. For yogurt, I eat So Delicious cultured coconut milk. I do cheat but not often. I did have pizza a few nights ago but hadn't had any in 8+ months.
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Where do you find unpastuerized goats cheese? I love goat cheese! I have read that it is much less affected by the hormones though anyway. Is that true?
Do you mind telling your thoughts on why DIM is better? I don't know much about DIM and would like to learn.
Yes, I have seen the SoDelicious yogurt. I should pick that up because I do think yogurt is important for the probiotics.
I drink (and LOVEEE) the Silk, unsweetened Almond Milk.
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I get my goat cheese at the local farmer's market from the folks with the goats. It is yummy! I did a lot of research around DIM and IP6/inosoitol and from what I remember, DIM worked better with my other supplements and IP6 sort of contraindicated one I really need for another problem I have. Can't remember exactly what that was, though. If I can dig out my research, I will let you know.
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I chose DIM as it is what is being used in clinical trials. Made sense to me. I think it, along with the grapeseed extract and turmeric might actually be working a bit too well! Have had some harsh menopausal symptoms that I thought were long behind me. I am off everything right now leading up to my exchange surgery but will go right back on it next week. Thanks Barbara for the mushroom info- i love those buggers! I like to spray a touchof olive oil ( i make my own spray-bought a thing called a mister and fill it with extra virgin olive oil-figured healthier than an aerosol) in a pan and throw some mushrooms in there with garlic (lots of garlic:) and then toss some fresh spinach in there for a couiple of minutes...tastes fattening and i love it.
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I wonder how taking the DIM (I do the Tumeric also and occasionally the GSE...unsure on that one) would affect the Tamoxifen...which I am unsure how well I can tolerate still. Have not made it to full dose yet and so far SE have been minimal but one for two that concern me.
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ECGirl, if I remember correctly....The IP3 turns into the same properties as DIM. My Dr took me off the IP3 and put me on straight DIM. The previous capsules that I had gotten from a natural pharmacy had both in the formula.
Glad to hear about the coconut milk yogurt.
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There are two completely different supplements - IP6 and I3C. I3C is the one related to DIM.
If you do a search you can find past threads on both.
Beth
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Hi East Coast Girl,
Went dairy free (with limited amounts of organic meat) when first diagnosed and treated over 10 years ago (except organic eggs) after reading Jane Plant's book: Your Life in Your Hands: Understanding, Preventing and Overcoming Breast Cancer. Here are two links that might be helpful on the dairy free world. Have plenty more, let me know if you're interested.
http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/nutrition/ask_expert/2005_07/question_11.jsp
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/2006/12.07/11-dairy.html
Best health always!
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Ok, I've been awake since 5 am..couldn't get back to sleep.....so lots of time to think. Question for those of you who are estrogen+ but have chosen not to take Tamoxifen. I understand that the IC3 and the DIM are supposed to lower the amount of estrogen in your bodies, right?? Which is a good thing yes. But my understanding of Tamoxifen is that it blocks the receptor in the cell ....... what do you take that does that? What blocks the receptors of cancer cell, if there are any, if not taking Tamox? (ha, think I worded that better in my mind at some point laying in bed this morning wide awake)
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Thanks so much Supermom, I will take a look at those links. I'm very interested in this as well as anything else I can do naturallly. I should've made my username "natural grl" because that describes me better!
Really, though, I have always been into health and eating right and researching health and doing the right thing. To have been hit with cancer was a shock to me because of that. My dr just said there is no rhyme or reason but my lifestyle may have helped me so don't discount it. Anyway, it goes against everything to take the Tamoxifen....I don't take anything else prescription (or even OTC)....but I don't think I'm brave enough to not take it. I would like to do anything else I can to help my body however!0 -
Just a comment about Tamox...It is my understanding that IC3 and DIM do exactly what Tamox does WITHOUT the horrible side effects. I decided Tamox or AI's were not for me and am going with the alternatives. I do have a question for everyone....Have any of you been through Heavy Metal Testing?? I am scheduled to have it tomorrow as my HCP feels my heavy metals are very high and could be a huge factor in my BC. Any thoughts? Thank you all for the wonderful information sites and for you caring enough to share with all of us.
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Irish, I would love to have all kinds of testing done. Evaluating heavy metal status is very important, but it wouldn't be at the top of my list. A year or two ago, I went through several sites that offer lab tests and my 'wish list' adds up to $800, and that was the best price option. One place it would've been over $1000. ...but, my list is LONG. Getting my thryoid tested is at the top of the list. Ladies, if your doctor looks at TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) ONLY to evaluate your thyroid health, you're dealing with someone from the dark ages. I haven't found anyone locally who isn't in the dark ages. Thyroid testing at minimum should include TSH, free T3 and free T4. I would also want testing for vitamin D, ferritin, B12, arendal function. That's all I can remember offhand, but I'm pretty sure heavy metal testing wasn't even on my list.
I spent many weeks putting together my shopping list. Then I found someone who could help me interpret the results by phone. When I made an inquiry, I felt incredibly validated. I received a list of what labs the doctor (ND) would want me to have done, and it was nearly identical to the list I had compiled on my own. Unfortunately, the cost is sufficient deterrent standing between me and proceeding with the tests.
In the meantime, I was just visiting this ND's site with the intent of ordering more sublingual B12 spray and got sidetracked by an excellent article she wrote about nontoxic household tips for eliminating odors and cleaning products. I'm sure others will find it helpful too, so here's the link: http://www.oasisadvancedwellness.com/health-articles/2011/02/20-non-toxic-ways-to-have-a-fresh-smelling-home.html
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Althea, I've had the other testing done already and yes, thyroid was checked for T3 etc. I have improved my D3 level from 24 to 101 in three months and am still doing B12 injections twice a week. I've had a very rough month physically, and this is the next step my HCP has prescribed. She feels that if I can remove the heavy metals from my system with chelation, that I will be able to balance my thyroid and hormones more effectively. Thank you for the site....very interesting. I'm amazed at all there is to learn out there.
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post edited...later, tonight after posting, I felt that perhaps venting conventional protocol, I was insensitive to those who have made more conventional choices. For that reason, my aim to be sensitive to those with differing opinions, I've decided to delete this post.
In summary, I' have surgical regrets.Diagnosis: 1/7/2011, IDC, Stage I, Grade 1, ER+/PR+
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evebarry, I'm sorry you are feeling as you are. I didn't realise they were taking tissue from both breasts. I know it can look very scary when the stitches are fresh. Just realise as it heals the scaring becomes less noticable. Let yourself rest, and heal emotionally as well as physically. You have had quite a stressfull time of it with you BS not doing what you wanted as well as the surgery it self.
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Kira...I only had surgery on one breast. This surgery was the only one on the left breast. The other breast lumpectomies were done a few years ago. This was my third lumpectomy. Having three lumpectomies is confusing.
Also fear LE...my left arm really hurts...but I think the sentinal fluid is draining into the breast as it feels as if so....hopefully.
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evebarry, Do you know how many nodes were taken out? I know in my case I said only 1, in fact I wrote it in the paper work I signed the day before. I can't believe you BS had you sign those papers after meds were given.
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yes, I am surprised you had to sign anything after meds. All 3 of my surgeries they have been adament about having me sign before they give me anything....and the doctor also had to come in and talk to me before giving me anything as well. (I was hooked up to IV just nothing given until those two things happened...signing and seeing dr first)
I had 3 sent. nodes removed and I'm ok with that. I'm thankful thats all they planned to take anyway because I didn't know the difference then (only 6 mos ago!) and if they'd of wanted to take more I would of thought it was necessary. Thankfully my surgeon said they believe it is not. I am ok with it because it gave me a bit of peace of mind...sort of ha.(does anything really in this BC thing?? )
I'm sorry they took yours and you didn't want them to though.
It is a hard thing...dealing with feelings like this. Don't beat yourself up....we all do this at times. I know I am the same way. I have a similiar thing with PS and I like him but maybe would like to get a second opinion on a few things recently but I have a bit of a hard time with that. But ulimately it is my body, my life.
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Eve, I so relate to what you say about wanting to please the Dr. So many times I've gone along with people to keep the peace or for fear of offending them. I bet everyone here has had the same regrets about decisions made to suit others. It's human nature so I guess that makes us all silly. I hope it all heals and settles down so you can get on with your life.
Hugs, Sheila
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East Coast Girl...for anyone questioning whether or not they want to take Tamox...I suggest you have the CYP2D6 blood test to see if you even have both alleles on the CYP2D6 gene. The onc I was referred to refused to run the test...said "Tamox works for everyone." Anyway, long story short...my BS ordered it for me...I am missing one of the alleles (by the way many other drugs like Benedril also use the CYP2D6 gene...and you shouldn't take any on that list unless you want them to interfere with Tamox)
Because I am missing one of the alleles, I am considered a moderate metabolizer. If you have both, they call you an extensive metabolizer which seems to me should just be "Normal Metabolizer". If you are missing both alleles..then it may be that Tamox will not do whatever it is they believe it will do for you.
I didn't want to try Tamox anyway...so this lack of one of the alleles on the gene gave me a convenient excuse.
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Well, the oncologist is out of options for my father (stage 4 prostate) He is very frail and the one drug that he thought might be safe caused way more harm than good. They couldn't even drain his lung - and made him very sick trying. I have to credit him and my mom in that they have made significant diet changes, but I just couldn't get him to do any of the herbs or enough of the tea or powdered supplements I researched for his individual situation. My mom basically told me, don't send any more of the natural stuff. So guess I gotta back off.
On another note, yesterday I learned my best friend has leukemia - too sick for the bone marrow biopsy at this time and am hoping to find out it's better than it's sounding.Do any of you know of CAM that can make a difference with any of the leukemias? There's solid evidence that green tea and turmeric target acute leukemia, but was wondering if any of you could point me toward anything else?
Rachel
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Luna5, I have actually had that test and am an "extensive metabolizer". I asked my Onc for it and she did it. She said they don't really rely on it anymore but she would do it for me.
Rachel....so sorry about your father and your friend.
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