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My daughter has had but one chemo..carbo/taxol combo, and it was done IV. She is still leaking ascites fluid and they cannot do the IP catheter until that stops.
She is worried about neuropathy and anemia and bone loss and is wondering what she should eat or take for strong bones, red blood, immune system[white cells], and nervous system. Her next IV chemo is July 17th.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Anxiety Exercise Cancer Premarin Surgery Pain Colace Warfarin Anemia
I take a multi-vitamin very day, and have been cooking in an iron skillet to help with the red blood cell counts. So far it has been within the margins.
My wbc was too low after the first chemo; so, the second was delayed a week, and they started giving me the Neulasta injection which helped tremendously. I've since read that shiitake mushrooms and garlic are supposed to help; so, I've been eating them as well.
I've not been troubled so far with neuropathy, but my diet is already pretty heavy on foods rich in vitamin B12 (red meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products). I should add that these foods are high in calcium and protein, hence good for the bones and for healing from surgery.
Hope this helps.
Minnie
Yes..that helps very much. She just had labs done yesterday, following first chemo on Friday, so don't know about WBC or RBC yet. I don't know if she will eat mushrooms, but she loves garlic.
Thanks.
Be sure to discuss these concerns with her doctor. Usually for low white cells you need a Neulasta shot the day after chemo. For anemia or low red cells, they give a shot of Procrit. Those shots cause the cells to build themselves back up after the chemo assault. The cells can do it on their own, but sometimes they need a push.
Always check with the doctor before adding anything new or unusual to the diet since some things can be harmful and cause interference with the work of the chemo, even supplements. Also, if there is a nutritionist at her cancer center, you might want to speak to her about diet. I know the one time I did, she was very helpful.
The neuropathy issue is something her doctor needs to monitor if she does experience it. Usually the symptoms dissapate by the time of the next treatment. If they do not, and that continues in a pattern, her doctor needs to know. I didn't have a problem with it the first time I got Taxol/Carbo but for my first recurrence, I started with Taxol/Carbo and had to get switched midway to Taxotere/Carbo because it was better for neuropathy. That is something for her oncologist to decide. I'm sure he will ask her every time she goes about what she has been feeling. Tell her to give all the details - that's the only way they can help.
Be very, very careful with any vitamins, diet and supplements. I was told that anything that strengthened the cell walls made it harder for the chemo to kill the cancer cells. I was also on Warfarin for the portacath, and my pharmacist told me certain vitamins and foods would interfere with its effectiveness.
I'm now seeing a naturopath. (I'm 20 months past chemo.) I do still have neuropathy. My doctor never offered me anything to help lessen the effects, just told me it would improve or not, but except for the first treatment, I never had intense pain, just annoying numbness and tingling. Other ladies have taken supplements and had special diets, so listen to what they say, too.
Ultimately, run everything by the oncologist to make sure it won't interfere with treatment.
I was told by my nutritionist not to take supplements during chemo. Any supplement that is meant to boost the immune system,(even vit C) can interfere with chemo. Chemo is designed to destroy the cells, cancer and unfortunately the good cells. By building up your cells with vitamins/mineral supplements, chemo cannot do its job, or its effects may be comprimised.. I had low blood counts and was anemic even for several weeks after chemo. I was not given any shots to counteract the problem. I did the best I could with rest and as healthy a diet as I could. It takes time but you do bounce back.
Thanks so much everyone!!
Kim's oncologist did tell her not to take supplements for now. He just has her on iron tabs and xanex for her anxiety. She takes colace as needed. And, of course the pain meds. Sometimes he just does not tell her the why or why not. She just needs to trust the oncology group and do what they tell her. The only thing that is bothering her now..one week after first chemo, is discomfort from the surgery they did Monday to put in the portacath. I'm sure that is normal and will be better for her 2nd round on the 17th.
All seems good to go...Happy 4th to all of you!!
Hugs!!
There are two supplements that will protect the red cells and white cells and will not interfere with chemo. They are: Maitake - D which is a mushroom extract in capsule form. Dose is 2 capsules 2 times a day. The other is shark liver oil, 500 mg capsules. Dose is 2 capsules 3 times a day. Since I have been on these vitamins, have needed only two Neulasta shots and no Procrit since February. Have been on Gemzar and carbo since January,. There is still a lot of controversy about supplements and chemo. There is more evidence in favor of them than against. I take a lot of antioxidants but not the day before, the day of, or the day after chemo.
Definitely start her on B12, it will help to ward off the neuropathy or at least lessen the effects of it. Tell her oncologist that she will be taking it and ask him what dose she should be taking each day. It does not interfere with chemo and there is not one oncologist out there that I have heard of that disagrees with someone taking it (sadly most don't even realize that this can help). It also helps in the formation of red blood cells, but from my experience if someone is having a real problem with their blood counts from chemo, B12 usually isn't enough. But to ward off the neuropathy this is it!!
Hope this helps..
xo,
Kathy
Thanks Kathy!!
This is why it is sooo important to start asking questions and networking BEFORE problems arise.
I'll tell her to get some good B12 right away and then ask the gyn/onc how much each day.
Neuropathy seems to be the one thing that is sometimes irreversible.
Happy 4th!!
Neuropathy does not have to be irreversible. I had it for a time with taxol/carbo and it got better when I was switched to taxotere/carbo. After my treatments ended that time, the neuropathy went away. It can and does linger for some, but it can go away.
You mentioned earlier that your daughter does not always get all the information she wants from her oncologist. They don't always think of telling you everything, so you have to be proactive and ask questions. You'll find most are very good about that.
Hope she's getting more comfortable with the whole process and does well.
I think she is getting more comfortable. At least she is asking what the name of her cancer is, and seems to be researching a few things. She is questioning taking the premarin, and said everything she reads says it is not good for ovarian patients. Maybe one day she will get on team inspire.
Thanks so much.
Green stuff builds new bone cells...avocado, dark leafy such as spinach, brocolli. Regarding neuropathy.
I have found that if I can walk every day....one, two,
three times for a total of a mile or two, that I have not
had any neuropathy in hands or feet. I think it has
everything to do with circulation. I had it for a few
minutes in my hands but I shook them a lot...weird
but it worked. Walk, walk, walk....I think that is the
secret. I have been on various chemos for 21 months
now...so I speak from experience of sorts.
That makes a lot of sense..and I'm sure the better circulation oxygenates the blood and tissues and hopefully kills more cancer cells!
Thank you very much for sharing.
When I was going through chemo, I was advised not to take any supplements, other than my daily multivitamin. So, I concentrated on eating very healthy, eating mostly fruits and vegetables. I ate a large salad everyday with spinach and a lot of other veggies, including 3 or more cloves of garlic. I had read that they would pump up the immune system. I also ate a large bowl of sauteed shiitake mushrooms every night. Shiitakes are known to increase your white cell counts. I went through 8 rounds of chemo and my cell counts were always good.
The shiitake mushrooms are found at grocery stores?
So many people mention those. That's great that you did the fresh fruits and veggies. I will tell her that right now. Oh, how I wish she would get on team inspire soon!
Thanks!
I just started my second round of chemo my first was in 2006 and now I am starting all over. I too had trouble with neuropathy, but started taking (with my doctors approval) 15 grams of L Glutamine, which help me last time. I think that over all healthy diet along with daily exercise that helps both mentally and physically is a must. But please check with her doctor before starting anything new.
Thanks. She is going to dr today b/c she is leaking a lot of what they say is ascites fluid. She had her first chemo on June 26th, and now says the fluid [that had almost stopped] is back heavier and pinkish now. Hope it's not the cancer coming back strong after chemo!!
She may have an infection in the peritoneal cavity causing the fluid build-up. She was so excited about not having to wear pads for periods and now has to wear em for all the vaginal leaking of ascites fluid! Oh well, it's only 6 weeks since she was diagnosed..just seems like 6 years!!
Thanks and I wish you total remission this time!!
Hugs and prayers
I live in a small city, but I can find Shiitake mushrooms at the local grocery store. Hopefully you will find them where you live. When your daughter feels up tp it, please encourage her to come on here. We'd love to talk with her !
Premarin isn't good for anyone IMO. Cancer or not. And it is made from mare urine. Not only is this drug dangerous but the mares used have a horrific life.
I would like to know if the vaginal leaking of ascites fluid can give you burning like when you have a urinary infection. Kimsmom mentioned something about that in her reply.
Blessings
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