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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 323
    edited May 2011

    Kira, Vivre is a real expert on hypothyroid, she,s the first poster on this page. I,m sure she would not mind you sending her a PM. Good luck with your thyroid. I,m really upset with my endo who i saw on Thursday, did not do the whole profile, just t4 and TSH post chemo and rads. A real idiot. Will have to find me another endo. He said he,s concerned with my mental state !!!! I could have screamed at him. Mental state, ouch,how about Grand Frustration with his paternalistic attitude, probably has shares in some antidepressant pharmaco. Sorry for the rant....must be my thyroid LoL

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 754
    edited May 2011

    Luan, your endo sounds like he is the one with issues. Must say though I have the same issue with mine he only does the T4 and the TSH. I've been told by a friend I need to see someone who looks outside of the box for the complete test. I'm also learning how so much cancer is related to iodine levels in our bodies. As far as our mental states, for heavens sakes we have cancer what does he expect us to be happy all the time.

  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 362
    edited May 2011

    Marianna, I got rid of my heel pain using this simple method.  Worked like a charm and after a week or two it never returned. If it returns just repeat for a few days.

    http://www.abc.net.au/rn/healthreport/stories/2006/1784908.htm#transcript

    Here's an excerpt, but read the whole article to understand why it works:

    Well the key thing is before that first step in the morning or any time you've been less active and you you're going to stand up and have that sharp ouchy pain, what you want to do is, and the way I instruct them to do it is to cross their legs kind of like a guy does. So if it's your right foot you put that right foot and ankle over your left knee and then what you want to do is with your right hand, if it's your right foot, you pull up on your toes - you grab just the toes, not the ball of the foot, grab those toes and pull it up towards your shin and towards your knee. And what that does is that you've got the toes pointed up and that ankle pointed up and with the other hand you feel the structure in the bottom of your foot in your mid arch area and that's the plantar fascia. It'll feel like a firm nice tight guitar string, typically if you have a good stretch. That left hand, the opposite hand, kind of feel that area making sure it feels nice and firm like a guitar string. And what I actually ask patients to do then is to kind of let go of the foot and the ankle and then while the leg is crossed to feel for that structure, you can't feel it anymore. And then I have them again pull up on those toes, point it towards the shin and the knee, using the other hand to make sure it feels nice and firm like a guitar string and then you hold it there for a count of 10 and then you kind of let it go, let the foot relax, pull up on it again, hold it for a count of 10 and do that ten times before you take that first step in the morning, or any time you've been less active, and you're going to take that step and have that sharp ouchy pain, do the stretch again. 

  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 166
    edited May 2011

    Thanks, JoyLiesWithin. I will give this stretch a try. I'm tired of the heel pain, which seems to becoming chronic.

  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 624
    edited May 2011

    Thanks from me too, Joy!  I was getting desperate, so I'll start these simple little exercises today.

  • DesignerMom
    DesignerMom Member Posts: 730
    edited May 2011

    marianna-  I suffered from plantar foot issues like crazy.  I think Joy's stretching tips make a lot of sense.  It is inflammation of the tissue on the bottom of your foot that needs to sort of heal.  I used to fill a small plastic water bottle with water and keep it in the freezer.  When I was sitting I would roll it under my bad foot.  I think it helped.  I will say that my mother's saying was true with this condition too "give it time, your body will heal". 

    This is off topic, but I know you ladies will "get it".  We all hear lots of news of the new job hires indicating economic recovery.  I just read that 25% of those jobs were McDonalds hires and McDs only hired that many because they got an Obamacare waiver and don't have to provide health insurance.   Is it just me, or is this insane!  McDonalds (who promotes such healthy eating!) gets a waiver from having to provide insurance?

     http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/266629/were-obamacare-waivers-responsible-25-percent-private-sector-job-growth-wesley-j-smith

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 323
    edited May 2011

    Kira, re: Astralagus, you may want to maybe further search given you're estrogen pos.:

    "Breast growth supplement usually enclose herbs with normal estrogenic properties as of sow sources (phyto-estrogens) that work by regulating hormones & promote healthy tissue growth.  One of most usually used aromatic plant in breast development enhancements is Astragalus Root"

    re: Thyroid

    These are the tests I'm going to try to get my "caretakers" to do, wish me luck:

    • 1. TSH
    • 2. Free T4 and Free T3 (note the word "free"-important since it measures what is unbound and available.)
    • 3. Reverse T3-to be done at the same time you do the Free T3. Then calculate your ratio with the results and measurements.
    • 4. Thyroid Antibodies (anti-TPO and TgAb. need both.)
    • 5. Ferritin, % Saturation, TIBC and serum iron (all iron related labs)
    • 6. Adrenal Cortisol levels (but we strongly recommend saliva tests, not the one time blood test your doctor will do. See below, because you don't need a prescription)
    • 7. B-12 and Folate
    • 8. RBC Magnesium and Potassium (rather than serum), plus Calcium, Sodium, Glucose (part of Metabolic panel, though you'll need RBC for above)
    • 9. Vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D
  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 754
    edited May 2011

    Luan, Thank you for catching that Astralagus properies that would effect etrogen positive cancer. That is why I am trying to get rid of soy in my diet. I have also stopped using TeaTree oil which I've used for the exema.

     Good luck with getting all your Thyroid levels checked. I think I am going to use the lowest dose of Iodine, and see how it goes. I will be having a blood test in June, and will see how it looks. I am still on Synthroid, but would really try to get my thyroid working rather than replacing it's job with drugs. Wish I understood why our Dr's would rather mask symptoms rather than fix the problem.

  • Sherbear
    Sherbear Member Posts: 68
    edited May 2011

    Luan~ is this the article that you are referencing?

    http://www.positivearticles.com/Article/Does-utilization-of-aromatic-plant-Astragalus-Root-actually-affect-Your-Breast-volume/45998

    I was one of the women who recommended astragalus (either in this thread or elsewhere) and while I didn't do any actual research into whether or not it was phyto-estrogenic, when I googled it, this is the first reference that came up.  I'm all for researching, and it's not that I do not believe this (you've piqued my interest so I'm going to look into it more), but I just don't see this as a credible article or even site for that matter.  There isn't really an author, there are spelling mistakes, and it repeats itself.  Like I said, I'm definitely into researching (and I may not be the best at it), but I think we all have to be careful with what we find on the internet.  Sorry, I hope this doesn't come off as berating you as I know you are just offering info and help and everyone appreciates that.  I just tend to tread a little cautiously nowadays with regard to what I find on my computer....... Smile

    edited to add: I NOW, after almost a year of mind-numbing research, am Trying to be more cautious ;) 

  • samsue
    samsue Member Posts: 599
    edited May 2011

    Kira, I was on synthroid for about 8 years. I went on natural Armour about 5 months ago and I'm noticing such an improvement. I get, or try to get all the thyroid panels done. Good luck.

    As anyone heard about the herb Bing di ling? Apparently Moffit is researching it and giving it to cancer patients.

  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 218
    edited May 2011

    Very interesting discussion on Boswellia Serrata in this link:

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topic/768536

    Very good news for everybody, I am sure, and music to our ears, I guess, for us, natural girls. 

  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 362
    edited May 2011
     
    DNA Cell Biol. 2000 Aug;19(8):515-20.
    Bing de ling, a Chinese herbal formula, stimulates multifaceted immunologic responses in mice.
    Niu G, Tan J, Turner JG, Brabham JG, Burdelya LG, Crucian BE, Wall-Apelt H, Zhao RJ, Yu H.
    Source
    Immunology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, USA.
    Abstract
    Bing de ling is a Chinese herbal formula most commonly used in complementary medical settings against viral disorders. We have found that bing de ling potentiates upregulation of immune activity when administered to mice in dosages proportional to those used clinically. These mice demonstrated significant elevation of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production in splenocytes and enhancement of macrophage, natural killer cell, and lymphokine-activated killer cell cytotoxicity. These data are consistent with bing de ling's clinically observed efficacy against viruses and identify the formula as a promising candidate for clinical trials against diverse diseases that may respond to increased immunologic activity.

    PMID: 10975469 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


     
  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 362
    edited May 2011
     
     DNA Cell Biol. 2005 Jul;24(7):470-5.
    Chinese herbal formula, Bing De Ling, enhances antitumor effects and ameliorates weight loss induced by 5-fluorouracil in the mouse CT26 tumor model.
    Xu Q, Brabham JG, Zhang S, Munster P, Fields K, Zhao RJ, Yu H.
    Source
    Department of Oncology, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 36112, USA.
    Abstract
    The use of complementary and alternative medicines-including a variety of herbal therapies-by patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy has been well documented. Despite such widespread use, however, the benefits and potential mechanisms of such herbal medicines remain largely anecdotal. In this study we examined the effects of a Chinese herbal formula, Bing De Ling, when administered as an adjunct to chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the CT26 mouse colon cancer model. 5-FU and Bing De Ling were administered to both nave and CT26 mouse colon cancer-bearing BALB/c mice. Our results indicate that although the herbal formula alone did not result in antitumor effects under experimental conditions, it significantly enhanced 5-FU-induced tumor growth inhibition. Oral administration of Bing De Ling also increased survival rates of both tumor-bearing and tumor-free mice treated with 5-FU. Furthermore, oral administration of Bing De Ling reduced weight loss in tumor-free mice receiving 5-FU when compared to tumor-free mice that received 5-FU alone. Our data further show that 5-FU upregulates serum levels of IL-6, known to contribute to weight loss, in tumor-free mice, and that this increase in IL-6 is significantly less in mice that received Bing De Ling in addition to 5-FU. These data show Bing De Ling both enhances the antitumor responses of 5-FU and ameliorates side effects.

    PMID: 16008516 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

  • barbaraa
    barbaraa Member Posts: 3,548
    edited May 2011

    Here is another study from 2010.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20036872

  • hlth4513
    hlth4513 Member Posts: 161
    edited May 2011

    Joy-

    Small world. I take Bing De Ling. My TCM doc is the one who developed it and did the clinical study with Moffitt Cancer Center.  

    Beth

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503
    edited May 2011

    Kira if you did chemo that could be why your WBC is low normal.  Mine always tends to me on the low side but I was 2 months out of rads when my last WBC was taken so that could also be an effect.  Will be interesting to see how it is when I go in June.  I will be 5 months post rads and two months taking Astragalus.

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503
    edited May 2011

    Luan, where did you find that estrogen info with Astragalus?  I read alot on it and never saw that.

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 323
    edited May 2011

    Sherryc, don't know if you're looking for "science-based" info here......., but I just googled "astragalus phytoestrogen" and all these sites for breast enlargement appeared !  This is where I got the quote from in my previous post

    http://www.positivearticles.com/Article/Does-utilization-of-aromatic-plant-Astragalus-Root-actually-affect-Your-Breast-volume/45998

    "There are more than 300 plants, which have been identified as possessing estrogenic or uterotropic activity" from

    http://www.planetherbs.com/theory/phytoestrogens.html

    http://www.planetherbs.com/search-2.html?searchword=astragalus

    Don't know if u're on Tamox:

    "Practitioners should be cautious giving phytoestrogens to patients on tamoxifen or other anti-estrogenic drugs since the phytoestrogens could (theory, not known) interfere with the drug therapy"

    http://home.caregroup.org/clinical/altmed/interactions/Herb_Groups/Gynecological.htm

    and it goes on an on  :)

  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 2,701
    edited May 2011

    Yazmin ~ I had picked up Boswellia Serrata on Saturday (after reading about it here), and the instant relief I experiened from joint pain is nothing short of miraculous.  Not sure if it's due 100% to the Bosweilla, or if stopping DIM (which I'd tried again and now know for sure I can't tolerate) is part of the equation.  But the lessening of joint pain was instant (overnight) and totally unexpected.  It will be interesting to see what happens when I put I3C (which I'm going back to) back into the mix.  

    Hope everyone had a beautiful Mother's Day!     Deanna

  • Sherbear
    Sherbear Member Posts: 68
    edited May 2011

    I think the article on Astragalus is talking about trying to take it to increase your breast size, but also saying that it probably isn't effective just alone.  My interest is piqued on this as I take it if and when I am feeling a cold coming on, but I really try not to put a lot of faith into articles like this that have spelling errors, repeat themselves, and are just written by anyone.  JMO, it's good to know and like I said, it has interested me now to look further into it, but like all phyto-estrogens (such as flax and soy) I now take them in moderation and will probably continue to do so.  I agree, it goes on and on lol.

  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 166
    edited May 2011

    Does anyone drink Green Goodness juice ?  I give this to my 8 year old son for his ezcema (he has it around his mouth), and it works wonders on the excema. It does contain Astragalus, and I don't usually drink it myself, but am curious to the benefits. I am unsure if the astragalus or if it's the zinc that is helping my son, but this drink does wonders for his skin condition. Interesting to see that you are incorporating it into your regimes here, but now am a bit uncertain about it, as it seems to be estrogenic? Or did I read wrong?  I certainly don't want to give my son that if that's the case.... or myself for that matter!

  • kira1234
    kira1234 Member Posts: 754
    edited May 2011

    Sherryc you might be right about the white count. What is funny is it was fine in January, and has gone down by about half between Janyary and April. Another thing is I only had one chemo treatment because of really bad SE's.

  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 218
    edited May 2011

    Deanna:  Wow! What you are describing is truly fantastic. Yes, let's see what happens with DIM (which I decided not to try, after all).

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503
    edited May 2011

    Luann thanks for the links

  • Sherbear
    Sherbear Member Posts: 68
    edited May 2011

    Sherryc~ I've been looking into the astragalus issue and while I think it can be classified as a PE, it's more than likely fine in moderation.  I do not use it every day, only when I feel a sickness coming on or I will use it if I end up getting sick.  I also use the pill form from my ND that is very concentrated so I usually only do 1 pill instead of the recommended dosage.  Just my thoughts here, if it's something you are concerned about, keep looking into it.  :)

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503
    edited May 2011

    thanks sherbear--I read quiet a bit about it before taking it and I did not see anything that really bothered me.  When I did read about the Phytoestrogens it talked like it needed others to really have an estrogen effect.  I never intended to stay on it long term just wanted to see if it would make a difference in my WBC.  I am going to continue taking it until next month when I get my bloodwork done and see if there is an increase.  If there is then  it did what I wanted it to do and see no point in continueing it.  If it does not there again no point in continuing it.

  • DesignerMom
    DesignerMom Member Posts: 730
    edited May 2011

    Just when I am starting to wrap my head around things, you guys go talking about things I have never heard of before, astragalus!!  I guess I will just be in a perpetual research mode.  Timothy (who seems very scientifically knowledgeable) put this link to a site about cancer alternatives.  There is lots of info on astragalus and other things.  Sorry, my linky thing won't work, you have to copy and paste.

    http://www.cam-cancer.org/CAM-Summaries/Biologically-Based-Practices 

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503
    edited May 2011

    I appreciate all the links that everyone is providing.  You think you have search and read and then someone provides more for you to read, which is always a good thing.

  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 3,671
    edited May 2011

    Deanna:  Wow, I am intrigued!  I looked up some research done at Sloan and it didn't confirm help with arthritis but I don't know how involved a study they did.  I would like to hear more from others to see if this helps.  I just limp around all day from all of the SE's from chemo.  It would be nice to eliminate them. 

    Thanks Joy, for the planta fascia info.  I have this in my right foot which appeared about 8 months after finishing chemo.  I also now, after a year, have a problem with my thumbs locking, too.  Anyone else have this?

  • GirlFriday
    GirlFriday Member Posts: 203
    edited May 2011

    How are your thumbs locking?  Does it happen when you grab something and your thumb won't raise back up, and stays in towards your palm?

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