Complementary and Integrative Approach to Healing

bluedahlia

CS, thank you for starting this thread.

3monstmama

Answering Athena's question first, the hardest thing has been remembering that I need to take care of me.  I have always eatten pretty well (except this new office and the damned candy dish!!!)--but lots of organics, lots of veggies, no processed stuff, etc.  So that part isn't hard.  But the taking care of me part--that has slipped.  Going to bed on time and getting enough sleep, taking my Vit D, making time to get my exercise, taking time to go to my cancer support knitting group etc, I am not sure if the problem is a lifetime of not paying attention to my needs or a desire to pretend this whole silly cancer thing never happened.

As far as the eatting healthy, I have a different opinion.  I think most americans are not willing to pay for good healthy food--we want "lots" and we want a bargain.   We pay a $1 for a can of soda---nothing but a few spoons of sugar and water---and think thats fine but get stunned by the price of a same sized can of juice that some one grew.  We are okay with paying .99 for a song on Itunes but not paying .99 for an organic apple that fuels our body.  Plus there is a lot opportunity for healthy eatting lost by NOT teaching cooking.  A poor mom with several kids can feed her children very well on healthy beans and rice and veggies if she knows what to do with the bag of dried beans.  The problem being most people--rich or poor---don't know what to do with raw ingrediants and the processed ones are slowly killing us.  I still remember going shopping in grad school in a poor neighborhood and watching the moms with food stamps buying all the processed food. I spent the same amount of money but came out with more because I was buying all fresh stuff.  I even had people ask me what I was going to do with that--they had no idea how to cook it up.  so sad.

Off my soap box.    oh and yes, all 3 monsters know how to cook!!!!

I am on tamoxifen and between that and the office candy dish, my weight is creeping up.  My new exercise plan ---as I have already told Claire---is to walk home from work.  I checked the mileage and its about 4 miles or so.  I'm not doing it all at once but I am going to start getting off the bus farther away from my destination.  I have had some achy joint issues---mostly in my feet--but I think the walking will help them.

1Athena1

By all means, CS!

I'm interested in the struggles we went through as much as the solutions.

For instance, for me not smoking was pure agony and my health also suffered greatly as a result of stopping. It improved, so in the long term it was worth it. The least bad health worry I had because of not smoking was weight gain.

The worst health consequence is in my profile.

That --and that alone-- is why I say, "If I can do it, anyone can."

It just makes me prouder that I managed to do it. Had always considered myself somewhat weak-willed until then. I still consider myself a bit of a slouch and drifter, but I suppose I'm not too bad if I work like I do (7 days per week, usually).

I LOVE that thread heading that someone started called "Coming out of the closet as a slouch" or something like that.

1Athena1

3monst - with three "monsters" I am sur it takes all the energey you've got to do as much as you do.

ruthbru

 AfI once heard Richard Simmons say that a person needs 4 hours of aerobic and 3 hours of toning a week to be healthy. I got myself a notebook and divided the lines into 15 minute blocks, which I check off as I finish my exercise. I have done this for years and it has really worked for me. And it doesn't have to be intense, exercise until you drop stuff; it's the consistency that matters. For instance, after surgery I counted the stretching exercises they gave me as toning, and I would lace up my sneakers and walk slowly around the house for 15 minutes at a time and count that for aerobics. But it kept me moving and limber, which made for a quicker recovery.

For those who live where it really is too hot and humid to exercise outside right now (I just spent a week in North Carolina where I was either in the ocean, the pool or the house!), check out an air conditioned gym or pool and/or there are many great exercise DVDs that you can do in your home. My favorite are the FIRM series. They are HARD (which I like), but people like Denise Austin, Leslee Stalone, and Richard Simmons (to name a few) have some great DVDs for people just starting out.

Sherryc

for Athena's question quitting sweets has been the most challenging for me.  I think I am an addict, but feel so much better when I do not eat them.  I know I cannot even have just one cookie it leads to another so I just stay away from it all.

ProudMom_Wife

A few folks have mention problems with sleeping.  I have problems with falling asleep and staying asleep ever since my diagnosis.  I have been trying to ween myself off of Ativan.  This is my third attempt (5 nights in a row now without Ativan), but not sleeping more than 4 hours straight.  I tried taking Melatonin, but the next morning I was nauseous.  I saw my acupuncturist yesterday and he gave me a homeopathic medication called Neurexan.  Has anyone used it to help with sleeplessness?

Anonymous

Proud

The only homeopathic I have used to help sleep is Valerian Root.  I don't know if it's contra-indicated for any medications.  I took it b4 I had bc.  A few drops under the tongue,or in water.  It really worked for me.

mscal02

Being able to pass up the cookies. I have started walking and it is fabulous. I moved my elliptical from the excercise room to the den. I have to go through there to get to the kitchen. So It is not hard to stop and get a few minutes in.I have a few walking tapes and dance tapes that I pop into the dvd player also. I have been comtemplating looking up a place that gives dance classes.( for old people)

thenewme

Claire and Ruthbru, you ladies are amazing.   It's so good to hear that you too struggle with motivation!  It's easy for me to assume people like you (healthy, fit, active) are just naturally that way, and that I'm somehow genetically exercise-deficient or something, LOL!  Ruth, your idea of breaking it up into doable blocks to monitor progress is great! 

ProudMom_Wife

Thank you Caerus-Sunflowers, I will look into that.

Member_of_the_Club

I've changed nothing because I was pretty healthy before, a vegetarian and a runner.  I did increase my running a lot after cancer because I always wanted to run a marathon and, after cancer, I approached everything with a "if not now, when?" attitude.  I'm now training for my second marathon.

mscal02

I drink tart cherry juice 1 hour before bedtime and I sleep like a baby.I don't have to drink it every night. I believe that it also helps with my hot flashes. I have not had to sleep with the fan blowing on me. I take probiotic multi-enzymes with meals to help with digestion.

Christine2000

I love this thread! My supplements:

vitamin D, Calcium-d-glucarate, green tea, iodine, indolplex, immunotix, tumeric, baby aspirin, multi vitamin, and of course aromasin! just now adding black cohosh and OncoMar to try and deal with hot flashes and the (slight) weight gain since my ooph-- 

sewingnut

This question is or anyone doing acupunture.  Does it help with the neuropathy caused by the taxotere?

thenewme

Member_of_the_Club, you're amazing too!  My DH does triathlons and one marathon, and he tries to help me understand the "drive," but it's lost on me!  I have a perfectly good CAR that takes me 26.2 miles - why on earth someone would choose to run it is beyond me, LOL!   Seriously, I think I'm missing that gene, and I'm envious of you who have it!

Major, major congrats on the 26.2 and best of luck on the next one!  

3monstmama

I would also be interested in knowing the impact of acupuncture on neuropathy.  Our good family friend is doing chemo for his lung cancer and the neuropathy has been a BEAR>  It makes it so hard for him to walk and get the exercise he needs.

I also do not get running.  DH runs.  DH loves running.  DH aspires to do a mega run or whatever they call it--you know, where instead of taking 2 days to bike between Seattle and Portland, you run it instead. . . .I find I nod a lot and say HMMMMM, interesting . . . . .

I am confused on the alcohol front---I hear its all bad, I hear a little is okay. . . .sigh. 

otter

I've come up with a solution to my "climate" problem:  I'm moving to Seattle.  (Just kidding; but it's a thought worth thinking!)

otter

1Athena1

Seattle's weather sounds heavenly, Otter. Lots of rain (which protects agains the sun - lol) and quite moderate summers.

ProudMom_Wife

I did acupuncture throughout chemo and am still doing it.  I did DD AC and DD Taxol.  I don't know if the acupuncture worked or not to prevent neuropathy, I also took L-Glutamine and B6/B12 during chemo, but I only had tingling in my thumb once and that was when I didn't take my L-Glutamine.  I still continue to take B6/B12 and acupuncture, and have no problems with neuropathy, although I know it can always it later.  My acupuncturist says he treats several patients for neuropathy, all with good results.  Hope this helps.

Texas357

I'm eating more organic foods, and hormone-free proteins, whenever possible. I also do my best to get 30 minutes of exercise daily, and not to allow stress to overpower me. I used to thoroughly enjoy one glass of wine while fixing dinner and it was super hard to limit it to once or twice a week (or less). But it's gotten easier as time goes on.

I've also added Vitamin D supplements to my regimen.  And I dumped a garbage bag filled with cosmetics and lotions, and replaced them with paraben-free products. Finally, I'm trying to limit my exposure to other harmful chemicals.

I strongly believe in integrative medicine: taking the best of both worlds, and using natural when at all possible. 

My oncologist does NOT believe in anything but pharmaceuticals, and won't even test my Vitamin D levels because he thinks it's a fad. I know I've got to be my own best advocate.  

ProudMom_Wife

Here is a link from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering site about acupuncture.  Down at the bottom is a whole list of references if you want more detailed information specifically re: acupuncture and neuropathy.  http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69111.cfm 

thenewme

Re:  acupuncture for neuropathy:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17355547

pip57

Ruth, I agree with you...keep moving.  I will start doing stretches and exercises anywhere at any time.  People must wonder what I am doing!

Gluten free happened accidentally for me but has been a very good thing.  I gave up most dairy, which was difficult at first, but again was helpful.  Sugar and salty snacks is another thing I have put aside.  Red meat on rare occasions.  Mostly fish and lots of veggies, which I have always loved.  I do not consider my diet changes a hardship at all.  I love the foods I eat.  When I am out I may indulge but my body is not as forgiving as it used to be.  And I am a polite guest and eat what is offered at friends homes.

And don't forget.  Dark chocolate is a must.  I have my 4 squares of 85% every day.   

starbeauty

For me, it is not a single thing, but rather consistency in any or all of it. I exercise, but fall off the exercise wagon frequently. I eat healthy until I go out to eat somewhere and the next thing I know chips and other crap is back in my diet. I ditched diet coke... Oh the sheer torture... And find myself giving me permission to have just one. Truly, I get on my own nerves with this total lack of self discipline!

Letlet

My "integrative" medicine doc advised me to take Green Tea supplements and Turmeric supplements. He told me that there is research out there that it can help prevent a recurrence. I forget which one of the two but I read a paper that one of them actually makes Tamoxifen more effective.

I take Vit D daily because like Caerus, my Vit D levels were in the toilet when I was diagnosed. I was just tired, tired tired all the time...although these days I can't tell the difference!

What do you ladies think about this supplement called Transfer Factor? My integrative doc doesn't believe it helps and pretty much told me not to bother but I have relatives who say the usual....

I also take Melatonin at night....I think it calms me or helps me go to sleep..

1Athena1

thenewme

Despite the controversial "evidence" of chiropractic therapy, I swear by it for musculosketal aches and pains.  There's a massage therapist in the same office, and the combination of the two is dreamy.  I also went to my chiropractor for "acupressure" treatment for my debilitating menstrual cramps, and my relief was immediate and complete. 

I do have serious doubts and concerns over any chiropractor who claims to treat cancer.  

ETA:  Starbeauty, "Truly, I get on my own nerves with this total lack of self discipline!"   Too funny, and I resemble that remark too, heehee!

orange1

I've got a weird issue - I don't go to bed at night even though I need the sleep.  I think its some combination of feeling I want to accomplish more in the day (even though I'm too tired to do any more) and being too tired to get off the couch.  I DON'T have insomnia - once I go to bed, I am out instantly.

Weirdly exercise is not a problem for me... I've been excersising at high intensity 4-6 days/week for the past 17 years without missing more than a week (except for surgery), even during chemo.  Maybe that's why I'm too tired to get off the couch.

mscal02

Has anyone tried Juven? My friend's oncologist's office gave out samples there, and she  purchased some and said that she got great results.She still drinks it 3 years after chemo.