Vitamins

Edited to redact a post with personal information.

Debi -- There is SO much conflicting information about Evening Primrose Oil, and I suspect it simply hasn't been studied enough, or at least long enough, to say whether or not it's safe.

My story is that I took EPO daily for about 10 years to relieve PMS symptoms of depression.  My periods finaly ceased in 2004 and I was dx'd with BC in 2008.  Did EPO contribute to that?  Maybe, but I also had several other risk factors.

Now that I'm on Femara, I still get short periods of sadness/the blues, but I won't go back to EPO!

As for ground flaxseed, again there is conflicting info, but some extremely reputable scientists have been studying it for several years in relation to cancer and their findings are positive that it can be beneficial for both breast and prostate cancers.  Then again, one of our BCO sisters started using flaxseed after her first dx of BC and a few years later she was dx'd with a recurrence.  Was the flaxseed a contributing factor?

I was also taking ground flaxseed regularly following my dx, but after hearing her story, I'm wondering.....  At any rate, I've found a replacement -- grape powder, sold by one of our local (organic) wineries.  It's packed with fibre and other essential nutrients, so I'm sticking with it (a tbsp in my fruit smoothie every morning).

The only piece of advice I give anyone looking things up on the net is to avoid the sites that have .com in their name.  They are commercial sites, wanting to sell you their product, and are really not to be trusted for factual info.

Good luck! 

There are studies that suggest fish oil may help with depression. I work at a doctor's office and the standard dose is 1,000 to 2,000mg/day by the doc's here. Of course check with your onc if OK for you. If you are on blood thinners such as coumadin, amoung other meds, your Dr. may not want you to take. Also if you are having surgery, usually recommended to stop taking 2-3wks before procedure d/t risk of bleeding.

Julie