Can you take vitamins supplements during or after chemo treatments?

• By sweetiepie
• Posted November 12, 2008 at 5:28 am
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Hi,
I take supplements and lots of vitamins everyday except on the day of chemo. I am under the care of a doctor who is also specializing in complementary therapy. During my week off chemo I am also having high dose Vit C transfusion. Hope it helps.

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• By Ramona
• Posted November 12, 2008 at 10:47 am
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I agree with chessie-too. "Natural Stratagies For Cancer Patients" by Russell L. Blaylock, M.D. is where I got my advice. He does address the issue of pros & cons head on. I chose to agree with him. In the end it is your life and you decision.

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• By KatInNM
• Posted November 12, 2008 at 11:29 am
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I took a *lot* of vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc. during chemo and radiation at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, under the direction of a naturopathic doctor, with the knowledge and approval of my medical and radiation oncologists. They say that patients who take supplements generally do better than those who don't. But there were some I didn't take during chemo. I think it was the immune system boosters, like echinacea, if I remember correctly. I took a lot of antioxidants during treatment, though, and it worked for me--I've had a complete recovery from 3B inoperable adenocarcinoma, 7 by 8 cm, dx 3/1999.

The safest course, in my opinion, is to work with a medical person who is up on the latest research on supplements and cancer treatment, to work out an individually tailored supplement program.

Good luck!

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• By BetsyT
• Posted November 12, 2008 at 12:23 pm
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I was a bit skeptical when I started listening to this online audio discussion, but it makes more SENSE to me than anything I've heard. It's 77 minutes long & well worth your time.
http://www.gildasclubtx.org/resources/mp3/BeckyWright_Lung.mp3

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• By Alisa
• Posted November 12, 2008 at 1:00 pm
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This is a very controversial subject. I've researched it extensively, along with my Integrative CAM provider (Dr. Raymond Chang, www.meridianmedical.org) and from what I understand, it's safe to take the following with chemo: melatonin (high dose helps enhance chemo, protects good cells but does not protect cancer cells); CoQ10; astragalus, reishi. Any high doses of antioxidants, like A, E, C, etc. are too controversial and best not to take during chemo until more is known. And if you can consult with a CAM provider who specializes in cancer, like Dr. Chang, that would be great.

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• By hermanade
• Posted November 12, 2008 at 2:31 pm
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There is some belief that anti-oxidants can be used on behalf of any rogue cells to enable themselves and "go forth and multiply." My father had gastric (stomach) cancer and was told under no circumstances did his g.i. oncologist want him taking any oxidants for the reasons of possibly enabling the cancer, and his oncologist was pretty entertaining, too, of alternative therapies.

Good luck with your decision.

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• By hermanade
• Posted November 12, 2008 at 2:33 pm
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I also read, I think on the MD Anderson website, that anyone with a lung neoplasm should not take supplemental Vitamin "E" or "A" (something about its being converted into a free radical (?)) and, even, limit the intake of E-rich food like nuts or A-rich foods like yams.

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• By chessie-too
• Posted November 12, 2008 at 3:26 pm
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Hermanade, you are right about those 2 vitamins. I cannot take those while on tarceva either. I don't use them so had forgotten about that. Thanks for the reminder.

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• By liznj226
• Posted November 12, 2008 at 9:27 pm
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I suggest you do a google search for your area on holistic healing, homeopathic or natural health centers. Most doctors aren't educated in supplement use or natural health. They only deal with pharmaceutical companies and chemicals. As such, most medical doctors prefer not to cross the boundaries of natural healing and supplements.

My mother took grape seed extract, green tea extract, flax seed oil, whey protein and a natural (not chemical) vitamin. I think there were one or two others also. She took these every day except within 24 hours before and after chemo. After her second clean scan she stopped most of the supplements except the vitamin but she continues to eat foods rich in antioxidants.

Liz

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