Survivors who had chemo etc and are into Complementary medicine

Ladies:

Thank you for the information on IDC/ILC and wine. 

I just started taking CoQ10.  There is a study going on right now to see if it protects the heart while getting Adriamycin.  I had that chemo and am currently getting Herceptin, so I thought it might be a good idea to take it.  I read a lot of good things about it.

I take red yeast rice with CoQ10. So far, my cholesterol has dropped below my usual borderline high and I am feeling fine. Great advice from you onc, V. I am taking those already and most of mine are Natures Way. Good info.

Can someone educate me on what CoQ10 is good for?

Just wanted to say I think Vitamin D3 helps a lot!  Got mine tested 3 months ago and it was only 27. I started taking D3 and my latest test came back a 67.  I think it has helped ease some of the SE's of Arimidex. 

Sherryc~

That is sort of funny because my left hip was hurting after chemo and finally stopped hurting after I started taking Vit D for about a month...

Trying to catch up.  Was on vacation, which was nice, but I am tired now.  Need a few days to recover. 

HappyTrisha - Welcome! I haven't tried the turmeric supplement yet, I am drinking turmeric tea w/ginger, but am thinking of switching, at least occassionally because I am not into drinking hot drinks during the summer. What brand are you taking and how much?

SoCalLisa - Yes I am taking CoQ10 on a daily basis per oncologist recommendation.  Started taking it before chemo started, and have been taking it everyday since.

lee7 - My oncologist had recommended Vitamin D3, since my levels were 17. Took 2000 IU a day, and now about 2 months later my levels are up to 29. She said to continue until my next appointment and then we might reduce it to 1000 IU.

I am still taking Vitamin B6/B12 to help prevent neuropathy, since I read it can still occur several months after finishing with Taxol.  But does anyone know how long neuropathy can occur after finishing Taxol?

Do you need to take the CoQ10 at the same time as the statin, for some reason I take them 12 hours apart.  Do I need to change that or does it stay in body a while?  

Someone on another thread mentioned that she eats molasses every day to build up her red blood cells. I did some digging and found some more interesting facts about molasses (I also just tried the recipe and it tastes pretty good):

Blackstrap molasses is an excellent source of manganese and copper. It is a very good source of iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium. In addition, blackstrap molasses is a good source of vitamin B6 and selenium.

Look for blackstrap molasses that is unsulphured since not only does it not contain this processing chemical to which some people are sensitive, but it has a cleaner and more clarified taste. Blackstrap molasses made from organic sugar cane is also available in some markets.

Molasses should be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator or a cool, dry place. Unopened containers should keep for about one year, while opened containers should keep for about six months.

ICED MOLASSES RECIPE:
1 TBLS Blackstrap Molasses
Hot Water
3/4 cup Milk
Ice

Add molasses to a glass and add just enough hot water to cover the molasses. Stir until dissolved. Add ice and then top off with Milk. Even yummier is to blend the whole concoction. 

Trader joes just started carrying some rolled oats from Canada, I had it this morning with slivered almonds and raisens - it was good.

One thing I have done to add more good stuff to my diet is create an interesting breakfast cereal.  I get a non-instant Irish oatmeal that can be cooked easily in the microwave, I add ground flax seeds, chia seeds, curry, walnuts and dried cherries and one more thing I can't remember.  Gives me a good boost of fiber, Omega 3s and anit oxidants and that only sugar is from the cherries and I try to find the unsweetened kind.  I usually forget one ingrediant each time I make it and might swich out the nuts or the dried fruit.

 I also try to cook grains in green tea. Not sure if it helps but it seems like it should.

I put raw apple cider vingar into lots of things, even mixing it with water as a drink, sometimes with chia seed, but I love vinigar.

 I do Reiki to myself every week day on the way to work.

I was exercising daily on the Wii until summer hit, have to get back to that.

I pay attention to my breath. Took me a year of weekly yoga classes at my hospital to learn to breath through my nose but I really think breathing this way helps me stay calm and healthy.  

 I have started eatting mushrooms even though I don't really like them.

I try to use lots of spices and eat more fruits and veggies.

Reiki is a form of energy work.  The idea being that you channel univeral healing energy into your or anothers persons body, life, ect.  It sounds weird but I I got myself attuned so I could channel the energy and I swear there are times I can feel the energy moving through my hands and everyone comments on how hot my hands are when I treat them, and most of the time I am not even touching them.  I gave it to a woman at work who hurt her knee and did not have time to go to the doctor. She swears I healed her and gave me a $25 gift certificate in thanks.  I gave it to a woman at the hospital freaking about her first chemo and she told me it was better than attivan. My husband is not a believer but admits he sleeps better on the nights I treat him. 

I thought it was the one treatment I would not go near when I first read about it.  Sounded like some silly hocus pocus.  I  decided to give it a chance after I met a woman who did not believe in it but let her mom and a church lady treat her to make them feel usefui but the week after the treatment her liver numbers, which had been totally kicked to the ground by the chemo and drugs that make chemo barable, recovered so much her doctor was shocked and wanted to know what she did.  Then I thought about my concept of G-d and how it is the interconnectness of everything and everyone.  Then I thought about what pray or wishing good to someone is.  And decided I should open my mind a bit more toward this weird idea, since it seemed to be another form of what I actaully already believed.  While there a many people who charge for the treatments there are others like me who just offer it as a gift when it seems like it might help. 

I have been adding slivered almonds and dried cranberries to salads, cereals, tuna or chicken salad sandwiches etc.

Tonight I made the most delicious roasted veggies. I cut up a bunch of different veggies, stirred together some olive oil and some taco seasoning mix, lightly coated the veggies with it, put it all on a cookie sheet and baked for 30 minutes at 450 (stirring once). Fantastic! You could try different seasoning mixes for different tastes (Italian etc.). I didn't even want to eat anything except the vegetables.....which is a rare statement for me to make!!!