Help with fighting fatigue after treatment

lam

I finished up chemo & rads a year ago, been on tamoxifen about a year. One of the most bothersome ongoing issues for me is the fatigue. Last week I saw a new primary care physician and mentioned my overwhelming fatigue to her. She told me that a number of her ovarian and breast cancer patients drink FRS, an antioxidant energy supplement. My husband is also a cancer patient and battles fatigue. We have both been drinking it for about a week now - 2x daily. I wanted to share my experience with this as I have found it to be a great product. I get through my exercise routine easier. I usually start to crash around 3pm every day and within a half hour of drinking the supplement I feel a renewed sense of being able to get through the rest of the day. I do drink the low cal version - like a lot of you I don't need the extra calories! It is also helping me tame my sweet tooth. I've posted a bit about the product below - the main website is: www.frs.com where you can read a lot more about the product. Lance Armstrong is a fan of the supplement.

Hugs,
Les-Ann



The Effects of Quercetin Flavonoid FRS® on Quality of Life indices in advanced Cancer patients: A double-blind randomized pilot study.
Eric P. Durak, MSc, Medical Health and Fitness, Julie Taguchi, MD, Department of Oncology, Sansum - Santa Barbara Medical Clinic, Santa Barbara, CA

We tested the hypothesis that ingesting a liquid anti-oxidant drink mix (FRS® - Free Radical Scavenger) would improve quality of life parameters in patients with advanced cancer. These reportable 15 patients (age range 49-69 years, years after diagnosis 1.6 + 1 years, cancer stage= advanced) drank a ready-to-drink blend of antioxidants, quercitin, and vitamins in a double-blind cross over study for three months. During this study patients filled out three validated quality of life surveys addressing physical issues and quality of life while consuming the anti-oxidant drink. Outside of chemotherapy regimes, there were no other changes in patient routines or supplementation during this time period.

Results indicate moderate improvements in the following areas:

Perceived levels of fatigue and energy showed a cumulative improvement of over 23% in three survey questions (p=0.042). Two of the questions relating to fatigue (feeling fatigued and feeling tired), showed improvements of 29% and 33% respectively (P=NS, P=0.04*) Physical measures such as enhanced appetite and sleep both improved over the course of the study (4.5% increase, P=NS). Two separate questions on energy levels revealed improvements of 89.8% and 15% in both areas.

Lastly, concentration ability improved by over 14% during the study (p=0.038*), independent of time on chemotherapy regimes

Anonymous

Les-Ann...Thank you for posting this info! I've never heard of FRS, but will certainly look for it at Whole Foods and give it a try. I don't have fatigue other than the kind that more sleep won't ameliorate, but FRS will sure beat my daily 'fix' of Red Bull!

~Marin

Anonymous

This looks really good.

Have you looked over the free trial? I don't have time right now, but would love to try that before buying it. I just don't want them to mail be more product after trying the free trail. I have a GNC here and they're supposed to sell it.

Thanks for the link. I SURE could use the energy. I complain constantly about being tired. It would be wonderful not to have to complain about that ONE issue.

Shirley

lam

Shirley I bought some out of desperation - my fatigue was locking down my life. So no I did not take advantage of their trial offer. I just went into my local health store to get some. I have had such success with this product - in my books it should get the "Product of the Year Award". The downside is it is not cheap... However I'm looking at it as an investment in my health right now. I've been shopping for the best price and so far Amazon.com seems to have the best price out there with free shipping. The low cal version is only 25cals and I have to say I usually don't enjoy the flavor of these type of drinks but so far I have loved them. I have tried the Peach/Mango, Wildberry and the Orange. Have not yet tried the Lemon/Lime as I couldn't find the lo cal version. I hope that if you try it you have the same success as I have had. I find that around 30 minutes after finishing the drink I am able to shake off the crushing feeling of fatigue. I can honestly say that I have not felt this "able" since prior to my dx.

Lots of hugs to you,
Blessings,

althea

Thank you for mentioning this. I feel reassured that your oncologist is in favor of taking this product. I just signed up for the free offer. There were only two cities in texas listed for stores that offer it. Otherwise, I'd be trotting to the store to get some today.

I'm 21 months into tamoxifen now, and I'm tired of being tired. It's not as bad as when I finished rads. The phrase 'bonecrushing fatigue' was suddenly my reality. It felt like my very bone marrow was being squeezed within an inch of its life. So I'm thankful it's not so bad as that anymore, but it's plenty bad enough for me to complain! We've survived cancer and its treatments. It's high time to do some rejoicing for a change.

lam

Althea & Marin I hope that you also find it lifts the fatigue for you. Hugs to both of you.

althea

lam, I just got my free samples!  That's the good news.  I decided to try the powdered drink first.  Now for the bad news.  BLECH!  It really tastes dreadful.  I hope it can become an acquired taste. 

Jaybird627

Marin, I don't think W.F. carries this product. I've never seen it anyway. You might try GNC? I think I'll buy one and see if it truly does 'work' but I'm skeptical.....

Jaybird

Anonymous

My daughter received her free trial today.  She tried one of the "chews" or whatever they're called.  She said it wasn't too bad.  I told her to keep them in her desk drawer.  Will be interested in what she thinks of the other products.  I think the peach/mango sound delicious.

Shirley

althea

Today I tried the liquid concentrate and it was much better.