Vitamin C intravenously before or after their BC dx?

Thatgirl
Thatgirl Member Posts: 276

It's hard to find places in my area that offer this. Would love to hear experiences of others.

Comments

  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited April 2011

    I'm not taking a position either way because I'm not familiar with this, but I have heard that vitamin C, as an anti-oxidant, should not be taken during treatment because it can fight the chemo, and diminish its effectiveness.  My guess is that this effect is exaggerated but if you are taking it intravenously it might be a different story.

  • orange1
    orange1 Member Posts: 930
    edited April 2011

    Since vitamin C is well absorbed when taken orally, what is the advantage of getting it in an IV? Seems like you risk infection or infiltration (fluid entering tissue instead of vein), without any advantage over the oral route.  

  • sweetbean
    sweetbean Member Posts: 1,931
    edited April 2011

    The advantadge is that you can get a MUCH greater amount of Vitamin C when you get it in an IV.  I don't believe that anti-oxidants fight the chemo or protect the cancer cells.  That whole argument is predicated on the idea that cancer cells are like healthy cells, but they are totally different.  It's why they are cancer.   I don't know if anti-oxidants will help fight the cancer during chemo, but I do believe that they can help protect the healthy cells.

  • Husband11
    Husband11 Member Posts: 2,264
    edited April 2011

    As mentioned above, by using intravenous, the vitamin C concentration can greatly exceed that possible through the oral route.  At high concentrations, they no longer act like an anti-oxident, but instead have a cytotoxic effect.  Naturopaths can perform the infusion.  The proponents of vitamin c infusions claim that it is toxic to the cancer cells at high concentration, and not cytotoxic to healthy cells.  It's an area the probably should be researched to evaluate whether it is safe and effective.  I would be reluctant to try it unless it is further researched, or my last hope.

    http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/174/7/937

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2011

    thatgirl,

    please get in touch with a lady with a nick "wornoutmom" sometimes referred to us WOM, she is currently getting intravenous Vit C from a naturopath in California..

    she frequents the other thread "survivors using only alternative treatments"

  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited April 2011

    I routinely get vitamin c iv's from my naturopath. I also get a nutritional iv with b's, etc since I am vegetarian. I have no ill effects thus far from them, and feel great afterwards.

  • IrishInNC
    IrishInNC Member Posts: 31
    edited April 2011
    I started Vitamin C IVs after my radiation therapy...I am not doing Tamox or AI's....and now I make my own liposomal Vitamin C. It is true that IVs deliver a much greater amount of Vit C than can be accomplished with oral, but the liposomal is just as good as an IV....cheaper and 2 oz twice a day is like having a 16 oz IV. Keeping the Vit C level up at maximum is important as it is a water soluble vitamin and you have to replace it every day. This is one of the many protocols I use to prevent recurrance with no side effects. You can find the recipe at www.pdazzler.com. Great website with tons of great information for those who have an open mind.
  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited April 2011

    Kickbutt website. Thanks again Irish!!

  • Thatgirl
    Thatgirl Member Posts: 276
    edited April 2011

    Is it possible for us to self admin this at home?k

  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited April 2011

    I don't know anything about the at home version...but Irish's website lays out how to do it.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2011

    geewhiz,

    I cannot find the home version from the site-- can you help me and post it here?

    I also would like to know if this is safe for the liver..?

  • IrishInNC
    IrishInNC Member Posts: 31
    edited April 2011

    trasia, On pdazzler website look on the right hand list of items and go to liposomal Vitamin C. Open it up and the recipe and directions are there along with where to find what you need to make it at home. I order most from Swanson or PureBulk or Vitamin C Foundation. He tells you where to find the ultrasonic also.

    Thatgirl: Yes you can administer it to yourself at home because you drink it. No IV needed and the solution keeps in the frig for a month. I make a months supply at a time.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2011

    got it! thanks Irish1

  • Thatgirl
    Thatgirl Member Posts: 276
    edited April 2011

    Thank you for the information Irish...

  • Thatgirl
    Thatgirl Member Posts: 276
    edited April 2011

    I found a place! I will go for my first infusion on Friday.

  • Thatgirl
    Thatgirl Member Posts: 276
    edited May 2011

    My first attempt was unsuccessful because it was too uncomfortable.I have really small veins. The second time was better.

  • Angelight
    Angelight Member Posts: 4
    edited May 2011

    This is something that has interested me & I have researched there is a private Clinic here in the UK that does the Vit C IV ... what it does is it oxygenates the cancer cells .. which you'd think would make them grow .. apparently it does the opposite & by doing so it kills the cancer cells off

    there is some info here

    www.doveclinic.com

  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited May 2011

    FWIW, my RO said no antioxidant supplements during radiation Tx. My hubby (who studied physics in grad school) confirmed that radiation requires oxidation, so taking antioxidants during Tx would reduce the effectiveness.  But I think once you're off active Tx, it might be worth considering. (if you want to do research, you can try Pub Med. Not sure if anyone has a long term track record or test that have been replicated).

    Previously, I had read about that treatment. VIT C flush very quickly from your body, so I wonder how effective it is in mega-doses. Any potential side effects, like stress on your liver? ?? FWIW, I'd heard that Linus Pauling (Mr. Vit C) had his theories discredited. I did a quick google search and he's showing up on the quackwatch.com website. ;(  Just an FYI in case you're looking for other opinions. I don't know enough about this myself, but FYI.

  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 834
    edited May 2011

    Very interested in this. I take a large amounts of Vit-C trying to emulate this because I know of no one who does this. I need to research and find someone I trust in my area.

  • Thatgirl
    Thatgirl Member Posts: 276
    edited May 2011

    The amount of vitamin C given to cancer patients is an oxidant. The dose is very high.

  • crabbiepattie
    crabbiepattie Member Posts: 108
    edited May 2011

    I had some Vitamin C IV's at a doctor's office just before and after my lumpectomy.  I'd like to avoid the needles and the expense so I'm going to try making my own liposomal Vitamin C.

  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 834
    edited May 2011

    Crabbiepattie do tell how things work out, because I am very interested.

  • Carola32
    Carola32 Member Posts: 206
    edited June 2011

    Found an interesting article that supports my theory that moderation is key, and also the fact that I once heard that too much vitamine C is harmful. Now, this suggestion may only apply to non-cancer people, I'm by no means a physician, although very interested in ways to better our health, especially nowadays. My heart tells me that one should try bettering one's diet before taking supplements, which of course takes a lot of time, strength and interest if one chooses organic, raw foods.

    http://www.3.waisays.com/

  • Thatgirl
    Thatgirl Member Posts: 276
    edited June 2011

    @carol...Getting an infusion and .taking vitamin C orally is very different. Research it and find out more about it and then decide if it's for you. I don't think changing your diet is going to get you to reach the amounts of an infusion. If you do decide to try it, come back and post your experience.

  • Carola32
    Carola32 Member Posts: 206
    edited June 2011

    Thatgirl, I am researching as we speak, very interesting. I hade no idea one could get an IV of vitamin C, in France there's no information about it. I was more thinking about the oral intake though, and as Orange I wasn't really aware of the difference. Of course a good diet wouldn't replace a high dosage IV short term. I'm thinking long term..

    /Carola.

  • Thatgirl
    Thatgirl Member Posts: 276
    edited June 2011



    @Carol, vitamin c is water soluble. I doubt one could take enough orally to compete with an IV dosage without damaging something. It would probably make you nausea too. I did get a cleaning out after my fusion.

  • isee
    isee Member Posts: 105
    edited June 2011

    This is a very intresting article on Vitamin C...

    http://foodforbreastcancer.com/news/use-of-vitamin-c-and-vitamin-e-following-breast-cancer-diagnosis-associated-with-less-recurrence

    I'm think I'm going to get me some!

     I am editing this post as on further reading..I think rather then taking a Vitamin C suppliment, I would be much better off to get me some watermelon...or other food rich in this vitamin C....

    http://foodforbreastcancer.com/articles/can-vitamin-c-cure-or-prevent-breast-cancer%3f

  • Carola32
    Carola32 Member Posts: 206
    edited June 2011


    The articles say: "Vitamin C appears to act synergistically with other nutrients in the diet to oppose cancer. On the other hand, high doses of vitamin C may extinguish the anti-cancer effects of some other micronutrients known to be protective against breast cancer."

    "While various antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables and other foods have been shown to help protect against breast cancer development and metastasis, some of the same micronutrients might enable breast cancer cells to survive such treatment, especially if taken in concentrated form".

    Are they talking about vitamin C in diet only, or is this applicable to the IV aswell (as one receives a very high dose)?

  • 3littlegirls
    3littlegirls Member Posts: 853
    edited July 2011

    Funny enough I am sitting here with a Vit C IV running, I have been doing them twice a week since Jan? I feel great, more energy then ever and I am still stable.

  • sweetangel
    sweetangel Member Posts: 168
    edited July 2011

    Hi 3lilgirl, did you take the vit c infusion while on chemo? I am just curious if its possible to do that....

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