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Supplements with treatment

is this a topic we can talk about here or is it taboo? I’ve read a lot of things and I want to support medical treatment or enhance - not replace or interfere….

Comments

  • mugsy44
    mugsy44 Posts: 6

    thank you for the links! Now that I’m done with chemo and surgery and will shortly start radiation….what are folks taking? I know antioxidants are a no no during radiation but wondering what’s you can take if anything

  • salamandra
    salamandra Posts: 778

    I don't think I took anything during radiation, but my brother found a really nice salve/lotion that I used in addition to the prescription cream. The prescription stuff is great but smelly and not at all luxurious feeling, and having that salve was really nice.

    Now that I'm done with radiation and in ongoing hormonal therapy, I do take a bunch of supplements. For me, treatment put me into early and abrupt menopause, so a lot of what I take is trying to help with that/symptoms of it, for hot flashes, dryness, etc.

    Two sites I find really helpful for learning about possible supplemtation are:

  • maggie15
    maggie15 Posts: 2,603

    Calendula cream/ointment was very effective and recommended by my RO’s nurse. I also used a cream designed for those undergoing radiation called My Girls which was well absorbed by the skin, effective and less messy. Don’t apply anything topical within two hours of your treatment time but you can bring the cream with you to apply afterwards. A well balanced diet with plenty of protein was recommended so supplements would not be needed. After treatment ends they can be taken again.

  • theprez
    theprez Posts: 1

    My daughter starts Chemo in 10 days. She will suspend taking vitamins during, but would like to take Vitamin C and Lions Mane (for brain fog) after 72 hours has passed, until her next session. For those of you who do take supplements, do you see problem with this plan?

  • mexicanmary
    mexicanmary Posts: 47
    edited June 5

    I stumbled on this older post from March 2025 while digging into forum discussions about whether it's safe to take over-the-counter supplements during medical treatments. OP is right to ask, as heavy synthetic fillers can put extra stress on your system or interfere with prescription meds.

    When I was trying to figure this out for myself, I realized the biggest issue is finding formulas completely free of hidden additives that could cause interactions. That's why I eventually went with Performance Lab, since their stuff is ultra-pure and gentle on the stomach, making it much easier to support your body without worrying about synthetic junk clashing with your main treatment.