Probiotics?

LillieRose

I've read mixed things about probiotics during chemo.... My MO said it's fine but I thought I'd look a little further! Anyone take them during chemo? Any particular kind? Thanks!

Suladog

Lillie,

I had terrible diarrhea with taxol, I mean seriously thinking of moving my office into the toilet. Nothing seemed to do any good. I have taken a probiotic for years just for general good health reasons. Somewhere about 2 wks before I finshed my 12 Taxol/herceptins I wondered what would happen if I upped my probiotic dosage, so instead of two once a day I started taking 2 capsules 3x a day..for a total of 6..bingo, problem solved. I was shocked and would be kicking myself that I hadn't thought of this sooner except I was already sore enough back there.

I told my MO who took note of it, as something to tell his other patients, and my MO at UCSF who is head of the bc unit there, she noted it too. Also my oncology nurse was impressed that it worked, and was going to tell other patients they might try that. So far now that I have moved on to herceptin alone I have no constipation problems, as I told my doc, I have yet to meet the medicine that plugs me up.

MaryJC

I took it during chemo. Def do it! Make sure it's the live kind that needs refrigeration. I used Raw brand. Many mistake a sluggish GI track for nausea. Chemo kills the natural flora. Probiotics helps rebuild them and will relieve constipation naturally. Good luck and keep us posted

Mairs

Where do you buy the Raw brand?? Thanks!!

SpecialK

MaryJC - did you use Garden of Life Raw?

MaryJC

Special K, yes I think that's it. They have for women, for women 50+ and for men.

Mairs, I get it from Whole Foods. It's expensive

LillieRose

what kind did you use suladof? Thank you

rleepac

There is a prescription one called VLS#3 DS. It comes in a powder and needs to be refrigerated. I've been using the reg strength caplets - not the DS (got some samples) and it seems to have helped with diarrhea but I'm going to increase my dosage to the double strength and see if that regulates me better.

Suladog

Lillierose,

I get mine from Pharmaca it's their Super Blend live culture 12 billion live cells click here to see them

Magnolia83

I've had success with Nature's Way Optima (I use the Colon Support one). I buy it from my local health food store in the refrigerated vitamin section. I agree, the good probiotics are expensive! But worth it, I think.

MaryJC

very cool, I thought there was only a very few of us into the probiotics. Hopefully this thread will help other ladies. Any particular benefits you noticed? Also the oncology nutritionist approves of it too.

SpecialK

I was never constipated during chemo, only had the Big D and it lasted for 10 days following each infusion. This seemed to continue on Herceptin only until I started a probiotic. Problem solved

MaryJC

hey Special K. I may have asked this already. Pardon my chemo brain😤... I see u were on taxotere. When did your hair start to regrow? I'm so anxious.

SpecialK

maryjc - not for a bit, but I had enough at about 4 months to go without a wig, and I had actually cut it several times.  I never wore scarves or went without anything on my head or hats when I left the house - only a wig or the hairpiece I had made.  I finished chemo on 6/2 (still on Herceptin) and here is a pic from October - so 4.5 months later.  I colored my hair blonde prior to chemo (the color in my avatar is post-chemo, same as before) but my "natural" color is salt and pepper - heavy on the salt.  I had not seen my whole head be gray because I had been coloring it for so long, lol!  It was a bit of a shock!

My avatar pic is from about 18 months post-chemo with many haircuts, and my hair is now this length - this pic is from Jan of 2014, so less than three years, but with many haircuts - probably at least 6-8 inches of growth.  It would be much longer if I did not cut it monthly.

 

MaryJC

I think BOTH looks are georgous! Two diff looks indeed but both beautiful. Thanks thr sharing. I'm really trying to manage my expectations. But then another BC sister comes along 15 minutes PFC and has a buzz cut.

susan3

thanks for the info on probiotics. Was just recently wondering if I could take them.

Good luck with hair. It seems to take a long time to get to about 2 inches. You can make a style at 2 inches.thats where I am at. I think I will keep it real short.