Multivitamin use may cut risk of chemo-induced neuropathy

besa

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-09-multivitami...

"The researchers found that there was an association for multivitamin use before diagnosis with reduced symptoms of CIPN (CTCAE-adjusted odds ratio, 0.6 [95 percent confidence interval, 0.42 to 0.87]; FACT/GOG-Ntx-adjusted OR, 0.78 [95 percent confidence interval, 0.61 to 1]). There was a marginal inverse correlation for use during treatment with CIPN (CTCAE-adjusted odds ratio, 0.73 [95 percent confidence interval, 0.49 to 1.08]; FACT/GOG-Ntx-adjusted odds ratio, 0.77 [95 percent confidence interval, 0.6 to 0.99]). There was no significant correlation for other supplement use, either before diagnosis or during treatment, with CIPN.

"Multivitamin use could be a surrogate for other related behaviors that are the actual drivers of the association with reduced CIPN," the authors write."

Anonymous

Unfortunately my MO told me to avoid all supplements and vitamins during chemo because the same supplements that strengthen our immune system and build free-radicals also reduce chemo benefits.

Instead of a multi-vitamin to reduce nerve damage from chemo, I used powdered L-glutamine; my MO said it was okay.

ksusan

Most MOs say the same. The article is about using multivitamins before diagnosis.

BellasMomToo

My MO allowed me to continue to take my usual supplements during chemo, such as multi-vitamins and calcium tablets. (I didn't have any neuropathy and I didn't ice. But I didn't achieve pCR either -- perhaps my supplements were the reason? Who knows.)