Early Stage Natural Girls!

Kaara

MariannaHB:  "It is what it is".....I took mine for 20 years and then HRT for another 20, so I can't change that.  We are fortunate that our bc was caught in the early stages, and now we can make changes to prevent it from happening again.

suzieq60

Kaara - what was your ER percentage?

Kaara

susieq:  My ER percentage was 87 and my PR was 78.

suzieq60

Interesting - I think I was 98% for ER and 95% for PR

kira1234

Mine was 97% estrogen and who know on the other. It went from 67% to 37% to not al all by the 3 places that checked it.

Kaara

I'm not sure what any of that means, but my BS said the higher the better??  On the other hand, when I had my estrogen levels checked by my bioidentical doctor, they were well below the normal range, so guess it was coming from somewhere else...not my body.  Now since I'm off the hormones, they are probably lower still.

I'm suffering from hot flashes, sleeping issues, and now a little joint pain, but my integrative physician is going to be starting me on Meyer's cocktail which is  a high dose vitamin infusion that contains magnesium, calcium, B vitamins and other things that might offset those symptoms.  I hope so! 

vickilf

Kaara I have high dose vitamin infusion too, I wonder if we are having the same Iv's, it looks like it. I get severe breathing problems and they help with my breathing issues instead of using harmful Advair. This coctail sure has helped me a lot.  Funny I've been going to a lung specialist, medical doctor, every since I took Statin drugs and have permenant damage to my lungs and none of the prescription drugs like Advair have helped, yet a natural vitamin IV has made it so I don't have to get Kenelog shots (to help my breathing when very severe) anymore. Before my medical doctor was giving them to me just about every 3 weeks. (Kenelog shots should only be given once a year I am told now), 16 year later now that more damage is done.)   I am so thankful I found a doctor that believes in these Iv's)  Wonder why BC insurance and other insurance co.'s don't pay for any natural alternatives, so stupid not to pay.

So you are getting the Meyer's coctail for your hormone levels?

Noticed our breast cancer is almost the same.

Were you put of Tamoxifen or anything else?

I tried Tamoxifen for 8 days, I hurt so bad and felt I was getting more nerve damage, depressed, sleepy all they time.  I already have a lot of nerve and muscle damage from taking Lipitor, I don't want more.

Sherryc

My ER % is just above the rate to be positive (can't remember without looking).  Kinda scary since I did not do chemo, but 2 MO's both said positive is positive.

Kaara

vickilf:  Actually I'm getting the Meyer's cocktail to boost my immune system so that I can better fight off disease and keep bc from recurring, but a side advantage is that it might ease my symptoms of being taken off hormones.  My boyfriend has MS and he is getting chelation therapy one week and the Meyer's cocktail the next week. The chelation is to remove the metal toxins from his body which probably contributed to his MS.

It's so nice to have a doctor that believes in treating disease the natural way instead of prescribing a drug to mask the symptoms.  I am so tire of being handed a prescription drug every time I go to a doctor's office...most of which I never have filled!  I would never take statins, sleeping pills, anti anxiety pills, and only take antibiotics when absolutely necessary.  I was on a beta blocker for heart palpitations, but this doctor is weaning me off those as well, because it was causing my heart to beat too slow.  Always a SE!

The oncos are already pushing radiation and chemo, but so far I have resisted.  I am waiting for the results of my oncotype test.  I will never have chemo, and rads are questionable because of my heart valve problem.  As far as taking anti hormonal therapy, I'm still doing research on that. 

Merritmalloy

Hi everyone!  I'm so happy to have found this forum.  I've been lurking on the various boards for a while since my diagnosis in September of DCIS.  Everyone found it ironic that I had the big C since I'm the one who cautions people against trans fats, HFCS, antibiotics in food and so on. 

While I was on a journey to educate myself and become healthy, the one habit I couldn't/wouldn't quit was sugar.  I love me some sugar!!!  I stopped even before my diagnosis because I finally had an epiphany about sugar/yeast overgrowth being linked to my constant sinus infections.  I went sugar free and lo and behold nothing but some sniffles here and there. 

I continue to educate myself and now read anti-cancer cookbooks, make veggies as much of a percentage of my diet as possible, exercise as often as possible, etc.  I mean no disrespect to doctors, but wow are they clueless about prevention vs. prescribing.  I'd ask my BS and PS questions about nutrition and they'd look at me like I was from another planet <sigh>.  So I've resigned myself to let them do what they do best - perform a uni mastectomy and breast recon and I'd figure out the rest.

 I really look forward to participating in this board - sharing things, learning things and asking questions.  One question I'm hoping someone can answer is about finding a naturopathic doctor.  How did you find yours?  Does insurance cover visits?

Thanks in advance.

Merrit.

Kaara

Merrit:  Welcome...you've come to the right place!  We are all on this site to receive comfort and support and to educate ourselves as much as possible about preventing the return of bc, or at best, keeping it from taking us down.

After my dx, I decided to take matters into my own hands and really tweak our diets and supplementation program.  We were always healthy, but there is room for improvement.  My boyfriend has MS so we both have a reason to practice good eating habits.

 We are also seeing a holisitc integrative physician who is helping with vitamin infusions to boost our immune system so that the body can do its job and fight off disease.  I found my doctor in Suzanne Sommer's book Knockout.  In the back she listed names of physicians that practiced holistic and integrative medicine and there was one in the Ft Lauderdale area.  We are very impressed with his knowledge and willingness to help.  Only some of the bloodwork is covered by insurance.  Conventional medicine and insurance companies apparently are in the weeds when it comes to practicing wellness!  It's expensive, and we have had to rearrange some of our priorities to make this happen, but I don't think we'll be sorry.  

All the best to you in your quest for health...sending you positive energy! 

Merritmalloy

Thanks Kaara!  Do you happen to have the book and does it happen to list any providers in New Hampshire or Massachusetts?

MariannaLaFrance

Welcome Merrit-

My oncology team's reaction to my request for a nutritionist was actually funny. My onc looked me over, head to toe, and told me that my BMI looked fine, why did I want a nutritionist???

LOL

Okayyyyyyy............ 

MariannaLaFrance

Interesting reading about the percentage of ER+PR+.  Mine was 97% Estrogen, 98% Progesterone.

vickilf

Kaara, I'm doing the Iv's for my immune system also, I have chronic breathing problems from the Statins I was told I HAD to take the Statins or I would die of a heart attack or stroke, I was left on them for 8 long years. I got the muscle and nerve damage, permenant lung damage and CLL cancer of my immune cells and I got IDC breast cancer, if one cancer wasn't enough for me. I also got type 2 diabeties and high blood pressure and diverticulitis all from taking those wonderful Statins.I've learned to control them all by juicing and eating right, I'm off the prescription drugs.

 Don't forget a lot of times prescription drug studies are done by the drug co.'s selling the product, the results of the studies are  turned around so they can sell more of their drugs. Money talks ! A lot of the times the drugs haven't been tested long enough to really tell what all the side effects are, then it could be too late.  We are getting more and more cancers and I believe a lot of them are coming from the food we eat the prescription drugs we take, chemicals on our foods and elsewhere, microwave ovens, to mention a few.

  So I am on the IV cocktail to help my immune system also, my doctor calls it Monkey blood instead of Meyer's cocktail.  I have two cancers in my opionion (I have to say this to protect myself from a lawsuit)  from taking Statins (Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacore) the wonderful prescriptions, one prescription Statins led to another prescription to another to another.............. I too try not to take prescription drugs anymore if I can really help it. I am trying to do natural things, the vitamine IV's and other things.  Next I'm going to get the Vit C IV (the gov. is trying to get rid of) , then the Hydrogen P IV.  I've done the Gerson Therapy for around a year now.  

Your boyfriend has MS, I sure hope something helps him, I am so sorry. .  When I was on the Statins, I got so I couldn't walk, I hurt so bad I couldn't stand it, I couldn't remember things anymore, they thought I had MS, then Lupus, it's wonderful what those prescription drugs can do for us. Everyone says, well all prescription drugs have side effects, well true, shouldn't we be warned more, or maybe medical doctors should know the signs of prescription side effects more and pay attention.

 I too am still cleaning out my body of harmful  metals, the many many  prescription drugs I was put on, my amalgam fillings.

I'm very interested in what others are doing. 

I still want help with my hormones, I can't find anyone around here. You are so lucky if you have someone close by you to help.

vickilf

Merritmalla:  I also go to a Natuopathic doctor, my Blue Cross paid all but the co-pay of $15.  She spent 2 hrs. and 45 mins with me.  Call your ins. co. and ask them that is what I did. 

 My Monkey blood IV, or Meyer's coctail I have to pay for myself, it cost me $35, well worth it.   Insurance co. don't pay for things that heal you naturallly I guess, how sad! Ialso had to pay out of my pocket to have metals in my body tested. 

Merritmalloy

What is a monkey-blood IV?

vickilf

monkey blood IV or as Kaara said, Meyer's Cocktail is a high dose vitamin infusion that contains magnesium, calcium, B vitamins ( mine doesn't include B12 so I give myself B12 shots).  Both Monkey blood and Meyer's Coctail sound like the same high dose vitamin infusions.

I also get my Vit D3 and B12  levels checked.

Kaara, Thanks for posting about the bioidentical doctor, I spent some of the day finding one in my area and calling them.  I didn't find a  bioidentical doctor, but a bioidentical pharmacy and they had a list of what test I needed to have done, then call them.  Thanks!

Here is what needs to be tested for if anyone wants to know, now to get my doctor to test for these:

How to get started with Bio-Identical HR          1. We recommend having a complete lab panel to include the following hormones:          a. Fractionated Estrogens          b. Progesterone          c. Testosterone          d. DHEA          e. Morning Cortisol (fasting)          f. TSH          g. Free and total T4          h. Free and total T3          i. 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Merritmalloy

Has anyone tried an elimination diet to see if certain foods cause a reaction (either minor or major)?  I'm thinking about going off of dairy, gluten and sugar for 14 days, then reintroducing one at a time to see what happens.  I don't have any major issues.  I am prone to sinus issues though.  Curious to see what might happen.

Kaara

Merritmalloy:  My boyfriend who has MS just went through the testing to find what foods he might be allergic to.  We were already on a gluten free diet, so the additional items he has to remove from his diet aren't that bad, although he is complaining bitterly about them!  Eggs, bananas, tomatoes and a few others.  Two weeks won't do it, because your body has to detox from what is already built up in the system.  He had to do a detox program along with this.  He is also doing chelation therapy to remove the metal toxins from his body, which probably triggered his MS.

I have not read his book that he got, but I will, and if I learn anything significant, I will post it on here.  I think almost everyone has some food allergies.  When I went gluten free, which includes sugar, my body felt much better and I lost about 12 pounds.  I really didn't think I needed to lose weight, but I lost it around my middle, which had always been my area that was a problem.  Personally, I don't miss the bread, pasta or sugar all that much.  The diet eliminates your cravings big time!

Anything you do to improve your health is a bonus!

Vickilf:  Good luck with your hormone testing.  No conventional doctor ever tested mine.  I think it's an insurance issue...most won't pay!  Of course, they will pay for viagra for men!  That kinda lets you know whose in charge of the medical profession these days! 

Sherryc

Merrit when my son was little he had bad food allergies.  We hot him tested and then did the elimination diet to see what bothered him a little vs what he could not tolerate at all.  He was allergic to eggs but could have a scrambled egg every now and then and have a little runny nose, but if he ate oranges or anything with orange juice in it watch out.  He would have the worst diarrhea for days. I had to be very creative in feeding him.  Luckily he was not allergic to any vegetables and he loved them so that is what he mostley had.

GiGiL

Hi there!  I am not new to the site, but new to this thread.  I am at a point where I need to get back to my oncologist to talk about Tamoxifen/AI treatment.  I have done a lot of research, and I don't see either as a good option.  The side effects do not, in my mind, outweigh the risks.  I have been following an anti-inflammatory diet and I have decided to work turmeric into my daily regimen of vitamin D (I am seriously deficient) synthroid (I am more hypothyroid after radiation), vitamin C, vtamin B, and Emergen-C (which seems to help me sleep).  I am working on getting a regular exericse program and meditation.  My instincts tell me that will do me more good than taking those toxic meds.  Does anyone know of a good integrative oncologist?  I would really love to consult with someone like that.  Thanks for all of the information you have all shared.  I have read some on this thread and I will read more.  GiGi

Kaara

GiGil:  Integrative Oncologist...that's an oxymoron!  Seriously, I'm sure they are out there, I haven't found one in my area (Fl) but did find a good integrative physician that I am working with.  I got his name from the Suzanne Sommers book "Knock Out" in the back where it lists doctors that do holistic and integrative medicine by city and state.

It sounds like you're on the right track with your supplements and diet, so keep it up.  It's good to have a doctor that can guide you in the right direction.  I'm doing all this as well, and haven't yet decided if I will do rads.  No chemo or anti hormonals for me with my early stage, but that's my decision for me and I wouldn't impose it on anyone else. 

stage1

Anyone know anything about Tulsi leaf tea?  I googled it, sounds good, but as red tea, I was wondering if anyone knew if it is a phytoestrogen, like the herb teas.

GiGiL

Kaara thanks for the input.  As it turns out, my husband is an integrative physician, but he hasn't concentrated on the cancer area.  He has given me lots of input and information, and I have researched a lot on my own.  He would likely strongly advise me to take an AI, and I haven't even told him that I am considering not doing it at all.  He believes in keeping inflammation down, and he takes turmeric on a daily basis.  He is however a strong advocate of what has proven to work in the past in the medical realm.  I, on the other hand, am not so sure how well it has worked.  Thanks for reminding me of Suzanne Sommerr's book and the listings she gives there.   I will look into that, and maybe travel to see someone.  I spend a lot of time in Florida in the winter, so maybe I can find someone there.  It is a difficult decision, and like you, I wouldn't impose my decisions on anyone else.  I have spent hours researching the research and I am just not sold on these medications.  I am more sold on natural means to change the internal environment of my body to make it less hospitable to cancer.  

Sherryc

Received my water distiller on Friday and have been makeing good clean water all weekend and it taste so good.  It makes a gallon at a time and when it is finished and I clean out the canister it is amazing the junk that is there.  I told DH it even smells and to think I have been putting that junk in my body all this time.

dougbrimor

Hello, new to this thread.  I was diagnosed in July with stage 1 ER+ PR= 1 centimeter cancer, had horrible needle biopsy 1 hour of digging at small tumor, followed up with a lumpectonmy, extra wide margins, did not allow lymph node surgery, had clear margins, was told to take chem, rad, and arimidex, had onco test came in at 18 chem out, onocologist moved to rad, said no.  I am working with the Meridian Center and taking B17 and feel great, have lost 50 lbs eating vegan after reading Lorrian Day and the Hallejuah Diet.  Recent Bi Lateral MRI shows that both breast have cyst, tumor will have ultra sound Thursday, but I have peace about it.  Breast cancer is fear driven, and I believe that the body will adjust and heal.  I also believe that although they (doc's) are doing all they can to help that after researching, we need to use our God given common sense and seek the information out ourselves.  I know that I feel better than I have in the past 10 years and thank God I listened to where He was directing me. 

dougbrimor

Why is flax seed a big no no for ERpostive PR postive breast cancer, I just read that on this thread and I have been using it the past 6 months,and never heard of this befor  I am new to this sight and would love to know where the research is on this, thank you so much, Susan

sweetbean

Apparently, flax seed oil is estrogenic in a bad way.  My naturopath said to stay away from  it.   I generally don't worry about estrogenic foods, because I think phytoestrogens are different our estrogen.   A lot of the research around soy has found it to be beneficial because it is just enough estrogen to fool the cells, but not enough to actually feed them.  So soy works synergistically (sp?) with Tamoxifen.  However, my naturopath was very firm on flax seed oil.  

sweetbean

If someone is looking for an integrative oncologist, check out Dr. Block.  He is based out of the Chicago area, but he has a book that I have found invaluable - Life Over Cancer.  He also has a blog of the same name.  Great info.