AI versus mistletoe

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elisabeth
elisabeth Member Posts: 255
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

Hi.  I am interested in people revisiting the idea of taking mistletoe instead of an AI to lessen recurrence.  Does anyone have any experience with this or know of any recent studies?

Thanks.  Elisabeth 

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  • Jellydonut
    Jellydonut Member Posts: 1,043
    edited November 2008

    It is well known that Suzanne Somers went the mistletoe route but I'm not aware of anyone else who took this.  I believe it's expensive and am thinking it's not available in the US.

    You may want to check out PubMed for any studies.

    Good luck,

    Jelly

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  • elisabeth
    elisabeth Member Posts: 255
    edited November 2008

    Hi Jelly.  Yeh - there is a response.  I actually got a great book out of the library on mistletoe and am going to a doctor in Ann Arbor, Michigan just to explore.  The doctor is an MD but is also an anthroposophic doctor.  They believe in treating the whole individual and have a very interesting perspective on cancer and disease. They also, contrary to popular belief, do not suggest alternatives instead of conventional treatment (unless the patient decides this).  They think that it can complement conventional treatment.  My appointment is on Dec. 1.  

     Thanks so much for the post and I send you warmth and happiness.  I am also going to chekc out PubMed.

     E 

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  • sam52
    sam52 Member Posts: 950
    edited November 2008

    I am on an AI (aromasin) and also took Iscador (mistletoe), which was prescribed at the Royal Homeopathic Hospital here in London. One of the ways to take it is to self-inject, but I chose to take it in liquid form.I would still be taking it today, but my local PCT refused to pay for any more treatment at the RHH, on the basis that it is 'of unknown benefit'.

    We have socialised medicine here, so it was great while it lasted.......

    I would not consider taking alternatives instead of conventional medicine, but as a conjunct.

    All the best,

    Sam

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  • elisabeth
    elisabeth Member Posts: 255
    edited November 2008

    Yeh Again.  Hi Sam.  Thank you so much for posting.  May I ask you a few questions about the mistletoe?  I am wondering how it made you feel and how long you were on it?  Did it help you with the side effects of the AI?  Do you have side effects and how long have you been on the AI?  I am very concerned about the long term and, potentially, very serious side effects of AI (heart, liver, bone density, etc. issues).

    One more question.  Is the liquid form the same as far as the injected form - in other words are the benefits the same and are there any digestive issues because of taking it by mouth? 

    I love the picture of your kitty!!!  Thank you so much (again) for posting and thank you for taking time to answer my questions. 

     Purrrrrrrrrrrrr   e 

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  • Jellydonut
    Jellydonut Member Posts: 1,043
    edited November 2008

    Elisabeth,

    Good luck with your appointment and I hope h/she is the right doctor for you.

    I did find this page from the NCI on mistletoe:

    http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/mistletoe/healthprofessional

    Come back and let us know how you are.

    Good wishes to you,

    Jelly 

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  • JerseyMom
    JerseyMom Member Posts: 46
    edited November 2008

    I have been taking it for a year now. I am triple negative though. No side effects from it except a little hurting at site of injection. I am hoping it will benefit me.

    -Ren

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  • elisabeth
    elisabeth Member Posts: 255
    edited November 2008

    Hi Jelly.  Thanks so much for the reply.  Also, thanks for the web site.  I have looked at the National Cancer Institute, but they only have a little bit on it.  The book I am reading is called Iscador Mistletoe Therapy for Cancer.  It is a fascinating read and it isn't "goofy" or new agey.  It also sites some pretty big studies.  I'll be sure to report back.

    Take care!!!  e 

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  • sam52
    sam52 Member Posts: 950
    edited November 2008

    Hi Elizabeth!

    I took Iscador for about 2 years; it took me a while to get referred to the RHH and to find the right consultant there, otherwise I would have started it sooner.

    There were absolutely no side effects from taking it, although I thought perhaps it gave me more energy (maybe just a placebo effect?).I took tamoxifen for 2.5 years and had various aches and pains.....but when I switched to aromasin - no side effects at all! I have been taking aromasin since March 2005 and plan to stay on it for another approx 18 months ( so that I will have had a full 5 years of AI therapy, in addition to the tamoxifen).

    I believe most of the studies with Iscador were done with the injected form; however, my consultant at the RHH did not think it was an inferior method to take the drops instead. Absolutely no digestive effects......the only problem for me was to remember to take it away from other meds or food!

    I have actually had bone density issues - but have just found out that I have hyperparathyroidism, which causes loss of bone density.I think it is this rather than the AI that has caused the problem. I would be leery of staying on an AI for more than 5 years.

    Hope this answers your questions.

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  • elisabeth
    elisabeth Member Posts: 255
    edited November 2008

    Hi Sam.  Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions.  I have now found a couple of people on this site who have taken mistletoe.  Sounds like you are doing very well.  Yeh.  I have read that it does give one more energy and a better sense of well being.  I am very curious about your response to Aromasin - no side effects - that is great.  I hate Arimidex.  May I ask why you switched to an AI?  

    This may seem like a stupid question, but what is an RHH? One other question - what led you to take mistletoe and to explore mistletoe?

    Thanks again. I look forward to your response and will definitely keep you posted after I see my doctor (the one can dose mistletoe). 

    e 

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  • sam52
    sam52 Member Posts: 950
    edited November 2008

    Elizabeth....

    I switched from tamoxifen to aromasin for 2 main reasons:

    firstly, I was concerned that tamoxifen was inferior to an AI, and

    secondly, I had some endometrial thickening and was concerned about the (rare) side effect of endometrial camcer.

    Luckily, my onc was willing to switch me, and went with sequential tamoxifen/ aromasin, since this was the protocol that had been used in a large trial with beneficial results.

    The RHH is the Royal Homeopathic Hospital (in London); I have always used homeopathy and am used to researching anything to do with bc on the internet! I noticed that Iscador is widely used in Germany -  and so I asked my friend, ( originally from Germany), who is a bc onc in Sweden whether he advised me taking it.He said that the research was flawed, but that there was no harm in it. Apparently in one study, the participants who took Iscador all reported a sense of well-being.

    I look forward to hearing how things go for you.

    Sam

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