Done with 3 years of post cancer drugs

caroleb66

Well I am glad I have found this topic. After being diagnosed with stage II in march 2010, chemo, bilateral mastectomy, several surgeries. I must say chemo was a breeze compared to the side effects of 3 years of Arimidex/Tamoxifen. I was even diagnosed with an incurable disease that surprise surprise has been getting better since I decided to stop all meds. I feel so much better, memory is better, mood is better. I eat less and less processed foods, Adding super foods to my diet, and keep researching. Any tips would be gladly accepted.

bluepearl

Quality of life is very important. Keep weight down (fat stores estrogen), exercise (keeps recurrences at bay some of the time), drink little to no alcohol (increases recurrence risk) and there are some natural forms of estrogen suppressors...oh, and a small (81mg) a day (reduces recurrences up to 50%. Don't smoke. Anything. All foods are super foods and there is now significant questions about supplementing with antioxidants......cancer cells like them too.....so keep to good foods, try to stay very low sugar, and yes, keep the processed foods out....I am on tamoxifen with very few side effects but in a year, switch to A.I....which rather scares me given it comes with some nasty s.e. but friends seem to be doing fine with it. The worse place for fat is abdominal because it is the fat that tends to store estrogen unlike fat on thighs. My friend didn't do chemo, rads or hormones.....stage 2...2.5 cm, grade 3 one node positive. She';s in her 8th year cancer free.....I can't say this is the norm, but it does happen!!!

caroleb66

Thanks for the feedback, I skipped radiation after a lot of research. I take turmeric in my morning smoothies. I cannot say enough about coconut oil, I is am amazing food. My memory has increased a ton since I started taking it. it was getting so bad I was starting to get worried about my job.

bluepearl

What has been your experience with coconut oil? Is yours clear? Mine is solid white. It's organic. I have always followed the rule that any oil/fat that is solid at room temperature shouldn't be eaten,. so am hesitant.  Yes, my memory is odd....can't remember words or go blank trying to remember a person's name even though I've known them for YEARS.  I am growing my own veggies and I buy dried organic seeds and legumes and sprout them myself...one can even make their own sprouted bread! You can even make your own green sprouts this way too, which have tons more good stuff in them than their "adult" counterparts.  I walk 30 minutes 6 days a week, and on Fridays I do my 5 mile walk. Make sure you have really good shoes..I use EarthSpirit which are kind to the environment and my feet (saved my feet from pain in the metatarsals).  Really good insoles if you can't get the shoes. I used to walk five miles a day and nearly crippled myself. Tai Chi if you can. I also bought a bike and low and behold, the powers that be put in a bike lane on our highway!!!!!!! I grow goji berries and autumn olives...very easy and productive and very good for you. EAT LOTS OF BERRIES of any sort!!!! Be well Carole66!!!!

CarrieBelongs

Carole,

A good, reputable naturopath would be great for post cancer drug recovery.  I have been on lots of forums and such where people give tips based on their layman knowledge which some has been good; but a naturopath can shatter myths and lead you toward better health.  I now see a naturopathic physician who is not very expensive at all and she has helped me learn a lot about what everything in my blood work means, proper supplementing, and nutrition.

Some general things are: staying away from white foods especially sugar and eat lots of veggies.  Coffee can increase estrogen in the body so it's good to stay away from that if you are estrogen dominant.  It can be a challenge to change from the standard American diet, but you can do it slowly by adding more good stuff and eliminating bad stuff as a process.  I've tried to eat healthier in the past but failed because it became more of a diet.  Now I've made a lifestyle change and unhealthy food is generally repulsive to me.  I even stay away from the toxic hygiene products by using coconut oil for a lot of hygiene needs and I make a real amazing deodorant.  I feel much better eliminating carcinogens and chemicals.  Things I wish I would have known in my 20s...

sdstarfish

Carol, I totally get it. I only took Tamoxifen for a few weeks, and I was miserable and anxious. 

I take a supplement called Brevail, which sits on estrogen receptors the way Tamoxifen would. I also take DIM and a high dose of vitamin D in addition to eating loads of veggies of a variety of colors.

Meow13

I count every day I have to take the AI. I hate the way it makes me feel 2 more YEARS!

I never did the chemo they wanted me to do so I promised I would take the AI ugh...