Anyone tried Herbs called Fucoidan?

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junekoba
junekoba Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Hi, this is my first time to build a topic so I am a little nervous...

I am 37 year old and I got breast cancer in 2006, had a surgical biopsy on my left breast and lumpectomy, Radiation therapy and Tamoxifen for 5 years( was supposed to be 5 years). And then I have found out it has recurred in Sep this year, I had a surgical biopsy again then mastectomy. So now I am starting going through chemo TCh, actually tomorrow is my first treatment.

I could not go to sleep so I started searching about it online then I found this Herb called Fucoidan. I am actually Japanese and we eat so much seaweed, Fucoidan is from seaweed and I read that Fucoidan helps cancer cell to cause apoptosis ( I am sorry I just found it out so forgive me if it is not right) Seaweeds are already known as a great mineral for the hair for long ( I am a hair dresser for 20 years,16years in Japan and 4 years in LA) So I am very afraid to lose my hair through chemo but I would really love to try Fucoidan as soon as possible so I would like to know if anyone has tried Fucoidan?

Ofcourse I will post when I try it but please let me know if anyone has tried fucoidan or any kind of herbs during chemo.

It is time for me to get ready to go get it done now.. Thank you so much for sharing and will look forward to hearing some information!!!

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  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 2,466
    edited December 2008

    Hi Junekoba:

    No, I have not tried it, but it sounds interesting.  Generally speaking they tell you absolutely no herbs or any meds (other than the ones you are already taking) thru chemo....now a naturopath would tell you different, ) but some herbs/meds can interfere with the chemo, for example zinc, multi vitamins (I could still take them, but they said not to three days before and after chemo)

    This is a very good question to ask your oncologist, but please do not take it until you do.  I'd download what the info is on it, and see what he says.  He may say go ahead, possibly no way, but either way, during chemo anything new should be run by the onc first anyway.

    Good luck to you!  I had the same thing, the lumpectomy/rads/tamoxifen/recurrence/mastectomy

    even the same size of the lump! I'm not HER+ tho, this time.  I think I was last time, but am not sure.

    I wish you lots of success with your chemo, it's not fun, for sure, but it is doable. 

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  • agelforlife
    agelforlife Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2008

    Hello,

     I read your posting because I was googling about "Fucoidan".  I knew about this herb because I have been taking it as an immunity booster, and recently gave it to my brother who. was diagnosed with nasal cancer 2 years ago.  During his radiation and chemo therapy treatments earlier on, he was hesitant to take any supplements; however, 2 months ago, another growth was found (i.e. inverted papilloma) and was told that chemo or radiation are no longer options.  I encouraged him to take the Fucoidan supplement I am taking, but in a much higher dosage (at least 5 packets a day).  This is because I heard other testimonials of cancer patients who took even as high as 12 packets to fight their cancer and had successes with them.

    On the day of my brother's surgery, my sister-in-law informed us that the surgery never took place.  We asked what the surgeon said, but he was no longer there, by the time we visited.  The attending physician could not answer our questions, on his behalf.  The week after the hospitalization, my brother met with his surgon and asked him why the scheduled surgery never took place, which was to make a cut by his nose and take out the tumor.He was told that when they went in with a camera, they noticed that the growth was a lot smaller compared to what the previous scan showed and that it was not necessary to do the planned surgery.  Also, when they did the biopsy of the tissue, it showed to be not cancerous..

     My brother did not do anything different, but take the Fucoidan supplements 5 times a day.  Another friend of mine who has breast cancer did the same thing, and her surgery also never took place after taking these supplements.

     We believe the Fucoidan helped tremendously.  I have been taking it for more than a year, and I can only say that I have not gotten sick for that period of time.

    I hope this answers your question.  I am sure my brother and my friend will be happy to share their experiences with you directly as they believe they are cancer survivors because of this herb.

    Smile

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  • nowheregirl
    nowheregirl Member Posts: 894
    edited December 2008

    Wow, I didn't know there is another Japanese on this forum. Welcome aboard but sorry you had to join us.

    Don't really know about Focoidan but my oncologist and his team have been studying the impact of apoptosis and actually are members of the society called "Japanese Society for Apoptosis". I meet with them every 4 weeks and have an appointment with them next Tuesday. I will ask them about Fucoidan and get back to you. 

    One thing though, as far as I know, not everything that is sold as Fuciodan is the same. The prices and quality vary greatly. You have to make sure you buy it from a trustworthy manufacture/supplier.

     Anyway, I hope your chemo kicks some cancer's butt and the side effects will be minimum. Feel free to PM me anytime you want, either in English or Japanese. I too am Japanese living in Osaka. Smile

    xo

    Fumi

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  • junekoba
    junekoba Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2008

    Hello, Annie, Agelforlife and Fumi!!

    Thank you guys so much for your messages, I am so happy to hear!

    About the herb I was talking about, Fucoidan, I think I am going to get it today even if I am not sure if I am going to take it right away, like Annie said I believe I should ask my doctor first as well. But I am sooooooo glad to hear those story about Fucoidan, Agelforlife, thank you so much. Also Fumi thank you so much for the information and I am so happy to talk to you another Japanese! ( ofcourse we are not happy to be here but I am happy to meet new friends! I am from Sapporo btw)

    Thank you thank you again

    I had my first treatment yesterday and it went well, I was very nervous ofcourse but I think I did great job. I was feeling a little dizzy but not sick, can't believe that. My boyfriend came pick me up and he was surprised because I was doing so fine.  And I was hungry so stopped by my favorite Brazilian restaurant and Boba shop before we got home Tongue out It took a long time to get treatment done and I was very nervous the night before but I found the information of Fucoidan right before I was supposed to get ready to go to the hospital and it encouraged me a lot even though it was a tiny information( because I JUST found it) so I was very excited about it to know there is hope. That's why I could be a little stronger during a treatment( I am that simple;)) I woke up this morning and I am feling fine as well, I am so glad. So maybe I am going to the store to get  more information about Fucoidan and something else and yes I will call my doctor also.

    I will keep post about it and I will look forward to hearing more information as well!!

    Thank you guys so so much again and all the best for you guys.

    Much Much LOVESmile Junko

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  • nowheregirl
    nowheregirl Member Posts: 894
    edited December 2008

    Hi Junko,

                

    Glad to hear you handled chemo well and that you didn't get too sick. Hope things will stay this way. By the way, this particular section of the forum is mainly for those who are going through cancer treatment for the first time and most people would talk about the conventional treatment. On the other hand, there is a board called "Alternative, Complementary & Holistic Treatment" where people with great interest in alternative treatment such as herbs, supplements etc come talk with one another. Also there is a board called "Recurrence and Metastatic Disease" that is specifically designed for those who have had their cancer back. You may want to post about this or your other concern on those two boards as well to get more attention from those who are in similar shoes as you. Smile

    xo

    Fumi

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  • junekoba
    junekoba Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2008

    Hello, Fumi! Thank you for your post again!

    And I checked those boards you told me. Sounds great! I am sure I will post there. Thank you so much for your help and sharing, Fumi. I am very greatful to meet you here.

    I have been searching those suppliments and I have gone to stores as well but I am not sure which brands I should get...Ofcourse I would love to try Japanese one but a little pricier. I have been looking for Modifilan and U-Fn..Hard to decide or Should I just try both? So undecisive!

    Anyways, Thank you for the information and I sure will try to post there.

    Much love, Junko

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