Survivors who had chemo etc and are into Complementary medicine
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I love this thread. Lots of what is being suggested, I found out the hard way. I've gotten my Vit D3 level from 32 to 64. I'm on femara and this helped so much to get rid of most of the pain. Athena, I also changed to only organic milk and eggs with no hormones, etc. I love veggies and fruit, but I'm a type II diabetic and really have to watch what I eat. I gave up anything with sugar, honey, etc 3-4 years ago. I do a little bit of sugar free stuff, but you have to be careful with that stuff--the SE can be rough. I don't like exercise, but my DH and I walk our two "girls" each night - 2 female black labradors. I'm a clinical social worker with the VA. My stress level is too high. I'm tryiing very hard to get a handle on that. I also have problems with my sinuses and migraines, but the weather in Florida does play havoc with that.
I started taking B12's about 3 months ago when I realized I wasn't able to remember things like before. It is amazing how much that has helped. I love all the suggestions, comments. Great thread.
Edited to add: I'm 57 years old
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AlaskaAngel,
I was diagnosed 4 years ago age 62. Overweight when diagnosed ;-) I had just moved, by choice, to a very rural community in western MA, didn't know anybody, and "flunked" my first mammogram after I got here. It had only been a year since my last one, but I'm a grade 3.
I remember laughing WITH my wonderful doctor at Dana Farber, when I finished chemotherapy, and was about to start Arimidex. I told them I was eager to lose weight when I had the strength to walk again - I was really tired. We laughed together when I was told, "well, we often find women gain weight after chemotherapy, and Arimidex may ( grinning when they said this part) cause weight gain - and, oh "by the way, we do want you to lose weight."
I've had to reduce the amount of food I eat to lose any weight. Now I eat so much less than I did I've lost my appetite. BUT, BUT, AlaskaAngel - it's so different than it was even 10 years ago, and so very different than before bc. I have said to friends who knew me years ago, that if the Pillsbury Dough Boy ever wants a "sister" - it's me. Truth - as long as I have energy, am pain free, and free of BC - I am fine with how ever I look.
And the joke, to me, about BMI is that the British man who first started using it said it should EVER be used as an "individual" measurement - but only for a "group." I still laugh about that one.
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Sandy
meant to say - re: your needle phobia. The acupuncture uses such very VERY narrow "needles" that I almost can't call them needles. I'll bet that if you call an acupuncturist and ASK about it, he would be very honest and tell you what she thinks. I NEVER NEVER watch when I'm getting blood drawn, or getting a flu vaccine, or any kind of needle. But acupuncture is just different, doesn't seem like needles - hard to describe, but I'm sure somebody else can explain it better.
Acupuncture has made SUCH a difference for me. Eased joint pain, and so MUCH more energy. I go once a month now. Went more often when I started.
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I just wanted to respond... I am not done with treatement yet - I need to work on all of the above afterwards...
However, a thought on smoking. I quit the day after I got the diagnois. I knew I had to quit, but I did not want to do it. So, I went out - had a smoke and then told my pack that "they were a bad boyfriend, and I need to break up with them". I pictured a greasy, nasty guy, the type that your parents are horrified to come to the house... It worked. Every time I am tempted to smoke, I picture the guy and then no more. And if needed, play some country "He is a bad boyfriend" music- the song from Carrie from American Idol works...
At any rate - if this helps for someone..... Please use it. Just don't tell your husband or boyfriend....
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I have been getting acupuncture from the acu therapist at our cancer center since last summer. It is pokey sometimes and sometimes I get little bruises where the needles go in. It helped a lot with heart burn and with general health. I still go but am going to scale it back now. During chemo I went once a week. My therapist is very kind and she spent most of the time talking to me about my symptoms so she knew how to treat them. I think being able to talk about everything helped a lot too!
I highly recommend foot reflexology. It's great for general well-being and for my feet. I have neuropathy from chemo and I think the reflexology helps increase the circulation.
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I am 45 years old - FYI.
I also wanted to share a link about modified citrus pectin - my holistic MD put me on it...FYI in case anyone is interested:
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Omaz
those little bruises are where some of the needles may have broken a capillary. My acupuncturist immediately puts some ARNICA GEL on that little spot when she takes the needle out, and it prevents it from becoming a bruise.
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I haven't noticed any difference in maintaining weight either before or after diagnosis. When I am excited and engaged in what I do, I lose weight. When I am bored.....well, guess what is interesting and exciting.....FOOD! So I tend to gain weight.
I do the same endurance events I did prior to diagnosis. I am more strict about my weights/crunches routine though. I haven't made any major changes in my diet. Ate a ton of fruits and veggies before and still do.
I did the whole deal.....lumpectomy, 12 rounds of chemo, radiation, and so far one year of Armidex.
I am toned and fit. Exercise energizes me and keeps my brain tip-top. I don't take any other meds other than aspirin as has been shown to have a reduced risk of recurrence, and of course vitamins and calcium.
I was 59 when diagnosed.
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I agree with Iago---about Gilda's Club--I love my time there, so good for my mental health, which is important to getting well and staying healthy.
Smoking--I am a former smoker, who for the past 20 years has been helping others quit. I've made this offer on the Stop Smoking thread as well--I have 2 books about cessation that I will send to anyone (free--no strings, no spam, no hidden agenda--just want to help--if you don't want them for free--both are available through Amazon
One is 50 pages--"Tip" book and the other one is more of a "How To" at 160 pages. Just send me an email to VJSL8@cs.com and I'll send you a PDF of which ever one you want, or both if you're really into reading.
I'm not about any particular method--more about the process a smoker moves through from not wanting to quit to becoming and staying smoke-free. but lots of good information. I've been trained at the Mayo Clinic as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist and have a Masters in Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine.
Good luck to all in your quest to be and stay healthy. VJ Sleight
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If you want to lose weight at an older age it has a lot to do with what you eat, how much you eat and how much muscle is on your body. I don't lose weight from power walking everyday. Even at 50 I can't eat as much as I did at 45 and be the same weight.
So yes your portions will get smaller as you get older in order to keep your weight down. If you do strength training (muscle building) it will help a lot with your metabolism and you can eat a bit more.
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Wow, this thread is moving quickly:
Omaz: I use Nature's Made for most of my supplements, including CoQ10. Supplementation is difficult because there is so much variety and so little regulation.
Tip: US Pharmacopeia is the organization that certifies the "purity" of prescription drugs. Over the counter products do not have to be certified BUT some makers of supplements voluntarily submit their products for certification. In such a case, it will say "USP certified" on the label, or some such thing. To find out which OTC products have been certified, visit http://usp.org .
Having said all that, I have used different brands for my Vitamin D3. I get my onc to test my levels all the time - he nicely obliges. It took me about a year to get the levels where I felt comfortable. I am amazed at how much better I feel. My bones and muscles seem to be so much better able to cope with exercise and they do not get as sore. Vitamin D3 has been a Godsend for me. My nails are also stronger.
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To Iago's point of stress being anti-cancer: Getting and keeping my other illness under control has been something of a fine art, but crucial to my overall health, IMO. Lithium has stabilized my sleep in the way that no sleeping pill or other method ever did before. Nice, unexpected side effect. If chaotic sleep-wake routines can indeed cause BC, than hands down that is how I got it.
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Mdg~ I have modified citrus pectin, but it's so damn awful I almost can't even choke it down lol. I'm already on enough pills, but I wish this came in one (ND told me it doesn't). Here I thought it would be some orange flavoured drink and it's basically clay! AOR, a Canadian brand is the one that I have (and should probably be using).
Adding because I didn't before when I listed what I'm taking: I'm 37
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Thanks Athena!
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Great idea! Have been juicing veggies, mostly greens, watching eating acidic forming foods. Citrus fruits like lemons & limes become alkaline when digested. Alkaline system is best. egg whites are high in protein, ..Greek Yogurt is alkaline forming & higher in protein than American yogurt. Still have a glass or 2 of red wine occasionally. I love Yoga and walking but since my energy level has been low the past few weeks have been slacking off as I finished 4 A+C treatments last month and now on Taxol for 1st time today once a month for 4 months.
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Pebee...never heard that song from carrie underwood. I'll have to go to itunes tomorrow and listen to it. I am a big country music fan and I love the way you broke up with cigarettes. Maybe, they can make a country song about it. 0
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VJ....I just emailed you with a request for the books. Thanks for offering this.
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Make sure if you give up dairy that you get your calcium and vitamin D elsewhere.
I'm 58, but I think it's because I exercise religiously and have tried to eat better (although that is still my downfall!) I was able to lose about 10 pounds and keep them off even with chemo and arimidex. A great free website is www.loseit.com It helps you track your calories, breaks them down into how many of them come from protein, fats, carbs etc., has a place to enter the exercise you get (and gives you back calories for exercise), graphs your BMI. Very helpful!
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I lost 22lbs just from stopping HRT and having chemo. I may have put a little on but I am in a smaller size of clothes.
Lago - I meant naughty things that taste good - cake, choc etc
Sue
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VJSL8 - I will email you from home and get you to send the books. If you have any magic way to get me to the point of wanting to stop, I'd love to know about it. Thankyou for posting!!!
Sue
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Hi all I have a question on Vitamin D3 how much are you taking? My onc said my levels were slightly lower than normal and told me to take some but never said how much so I've just been taking one pill a day with my multivitamin. Also, I was curious about B12. Is that something I should take?? I thought about it for my allergies (I just had sinus surgery) but my ENT didnt recommend it.
Susieq..I quit smoking October 31, 2009. You have to do it when you are ready..no books..patch ..or video can make you want to quit. I was so done with smoking I didn't even enjoy it. I smoked many when I went out with friends so when I quit (Halloween being my last hoooraah) I had to stay home for a while but once I got my diagnosis i didn't want to go out for a while. I have been out a few times and all my friends smoke and honestly it doesn't digust or delight me. I know its hard, but when the time is right you will know.
Ok bedtime...Good night all
Diane
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Wow so much to keep up on. Peebee congrats on the smoking cessation that is worth a trophy! I am just one week out of chemo, feeling very beat up and trying to put one foot in front of the other to get back to where I want to be. Reading about all of you has helped me see that it gets better from here. Thank you
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hillck the last 6-10 pounds are the hardest. I know I can't lose them unless I have muscle on my body (strength training). It took me 5 months to lose all 6lbs last year. Of course now I have to lose them again but I must not be doing do badly. I had my exchange with fat grafting on Friday… My PS only did a little fat grafting because he couldn't find enough
And of course you have to cut down your calorie intake. That can actually mean eating things that might be higher in calorie, lower in sugar but fill you up like nuts instead of fruit all the time. Not that you should give up fruit but certain things will fill you up more and are worth the extra calories because you won't want to snack later.
susieq58 Got it. I won't tell you about my cookie recipe.They are very naughty.
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omaz: I like Jarrow
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Hi,
there's a new poster in the Chemotherapy Forum who has just started her chemotherapy - and could use a little support from those of us who have been through it
would be nice if a few more of us could post some words of comfort. She's HER2+. thanks.(which way to turn)0 -
Hillck - My club offers Tabata classes and I love them. The energy bursts really work for me. The class is called Tabata 20/10, I believe. Twenty second intervals of intense exercise interspersed with 10-second rest periods.0
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I agree with Lago about weight training. Your body loses 5% of muscle mass every 10 years after age 35...so you have to keep doing weights to keep that up. The other added benefits of doing weights is that it helps with bone strength and muscle also burns more calories than fat does even while the body is at rest......So if you can do weights 3 days a week there are some great benefits. I also know that removing the refined foods from your diet can impact weight greatly. I have cut out refined sugars, white flour products, white rice, potatoes, etc.... I lost 20 lbs with my diagnosis and have managed to keep most of it off even through chemo and I have been eating a ton! I just eat healthier foods and more whole grain things. I thought for sure I would have gained weight by how much I was eating, but I only gained back a few pounds of the 20 I lost. It is super hard to make several drastic changes at one time....be kind to yourselves and try to make one change at a time. Soon you will be on your way to being healthier.
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mdg I agree about the refined food thing. I used to say stay away from white foods (except cauliflower and the occasional small baked potato with skin).0
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For those taking supplements...how do you take them? All at once? In groups? With specific foods?
I also took reiki healing training so I could do this for myself as part of my recovery.
Jana
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Thanks for starting this thread. Now I can go back and read it from the beginning.
With all the fighting who could and could not post on some threads I felt lost.
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