R.O. Says vItamins are a waste of my money!

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Califgirl12
Califgirl12 Member Posts: 92
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

I just met with a second RO today after getting my 6th RAD treatment. I was trying to be a good patient and get their opinion on my multivitamin. They both had said a multivitamin was perfectly fine with getting treatment. They did advise against mega doses of any one supplement. Fine right. Today I came in with my multi vitamin to make sure she was ok with it. She barely glanced at them, in disgust, and said why did I feel the need to take these. Excercise should be good enough. She then went on to say any perceived benefits was surely just a placebo effect. At that point I gathered my things and started to walk out. She said why are you leaving? "Because I am done" I said. She then apologetically tried to rephrase what she just said, again. I just stood their biting (literally) my lip....a sure body language sign that I am trying not to explode! I left very agitated. Why don't these closed minded doctors see the benefit of supplements. Obviously, I am just trying to rectify what ever it is that went wrong for me to have BC in the first place! .....thanks for letting me vent.

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  • sweetbean
    sweetbean Member Posts: 1,931
    edited April 2012
    Seriously, chica, don't even worry about them.  
    Blech!
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  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited April 2012

    Vent away! What an idiot.

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  • madpeacock
    madpeacock Member Posts: 369
    edited April 2012
    Their loss if they don't get it. So thankful my MO is one of the good ones. She takes supps herself and we compare notes on different ones when I see her. I'm seeing my RO for a six month follow up after treatment next week. Actually the RO I had during treatment has since retired, so I'm seeing someone new. This is an in and out checkup, so I probably don't really care what she thinks! Tongue out
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  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 16,882
    edited April 2012

    OMG I can't believe how some Drs. react with questions--I don't care what they are about.

    I'm so so lucky all my Drs. have been so wonderful for everything-and i even ask really stupid questions, like U think I can be a pole dancer when i retire? Now that is stupid and I still got an answer, So hearing these drs. act so high and mighty just befuddles me--I don't understand it. Mu Drs hugged me hello and good-bye, I thought this was normal--untile I read how some react with people. Geeze I'm glad u'r seeing another Dr. Find huggers.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    I am AMAZED at how threatened some doctors can feel, when Complimentary or "Alternative" medicine is discussed.  If I cared about the doc, but that's really a stretch- I'd give her a copy of Anti Cancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan-Shrieber. Califgirl - it really is THEIR loss.

    VENT AWAY.  I am becoming more & more aware of just how wonderful the oncologists I see are - they suggested the ACUPUNCTURE to help with the SE's of Arimidex I had, and it has been a miracle, just made such a positive difference in my life.   Right now, I am having a real problem with my levels of Vitamin D dropping, even tho I take a large amount ( 6,000 ius a day) - and my oncologist is answering my emails with suggestions for what tests to ask my PCP to run.  My PCP doesn't  seem to think having a level of 26  "is much of a problem" - so, as of tomorrow, I see a new doctor.

    REALLY - we work so hard to LEARN what it best for each of us to be doing to HEAL, and having to fight with a doctor, just isn't right. Lots of great information in this Forum, thanks to all for sharing what has helped them.

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  • Califgirl12
    Califgirl12 Member Posts: 92
    edited April 2012

    Thanks Ladies, I knew as I drove away that I could count on you all for support. I have to say there is an up side to getting older. In my younger days (I am 48) I would have just stood there and took it. Today I just gathered my things and left and I think it shocked her. The funny thing about this is that every single nurse there are big proponents of supplements. We always share info on what brand we like. Oh well, whatever.....I have bigger fish to fry.



    thanks Ladies!

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  • debbie6122
    debbie6122 Member Posts: 5,161
    edited April 2012

    Doctor Oz would put her in her place!!  LOL!  My Doctor insist I take vitamins. Just keep on doing what you are doing and ignor her.

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  • Kathy044
    Kathy044 Member Posts: 433
    edited April 2012

    I don't take a multivitamin, vit D yes, but not a multi. I threw out my bottle several years ago after I followed up on a reference to a NEJM study on a vitamin webpage supposedly showing the benefits of taking a multi vitamin, only the study didn't show those findings, well maybe for alcoholics and some others, but not in general. And that's the best research they could come up with?

    'The only reason I'm responding is the mention of David Servan-Schrieber's book. I love this book, read a copy from the library then decided to buy it.. I don't think he actually comes out and recommends taking a multi either - not that it is likely to do any harm. Anyway, aren't multivitamins rather mainstream rather than alternative? 

    Anyone else drinking matcha green tea? My bet is that this will outmatch taking a general multivitamin anyday. Just saying. 

    Kathy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    Kathy - I think DS-S wisely speaks of GOOD FOOD.  Being lazy, lacking discipline, I rely on the very good quality vitamins I take instead...but I HEAR what you are saying.

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  • madpeacock
    madpeacock Member Posts: 369
    edited April 2012

    I eat good food - very good food actually, but I take my vitamins and supplements as well. My MO was THRILLED when my latest Vit D came back at 77 - she gets it. I take a multi in my mix that was prescribed by my integrative doc. My PCP is useless. He's a DO, which are usually more whole body in focus, but he was no help at all when I was trying to get my autoimmune problems diagnosed. I have no other chronic conditions like high BP, or anything like that, and I don't even get colds, so I rarely go to my PCP. However, my insurance has a new wellness program that requires you to have a basic checkup in order to get lower deductibles and rates (and who doesn't want that!), so I'm going to see their new NP instead. My DH saw her and liked her, and I talked to her on the phone, so we'll see. Should be an interesting discussion once she reads my med/supp list! 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    Remember that conventional medicine education doesn't cover anything other than tx by drugs and surgery...nearly always. That's why we have to be proactive about our own health.

    It's almost impossible to get all the nutrients we need from food these days.  Our soils are depleted (little to no nutrients) and so that affects the food grown.  Even organic food is somewhat affected by this. 

    If vitamins are useless, then why did my MO tell me to take Vit D drops (to allieviate any link between Vit D deficiency and BC)? 

    Anyway.  Doctors focus on conventional tx and can be somewhat arrogant in what they "think" they know. They don't know everything!

    Claire

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  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2012

    Claireinaz is right. Our food has lost a lot of nutritional value thanks to lack of crop rotation (think miles and miles of corn being farmed to produce ethanol for our gasoline, while the other parts are used to make high fructose corn syrup (which is added to almost every type of packaged food feasible).  It's all about $$$$ for agribusiness. 

     I don't talk vitamins with my doctors, as my docs all seem to be mainstream proponents of whatever they learned about their specialty.  I go to a nutritionist to help with my nutritional status, and have never mentioned a word about it to my oncology team or my OB-Gyn.  They really don't care about it, so why mention it to them.  When I once asked my oncologist for a nutritional consultation, her response was to look me up and down and tell me that my BMI looked fine, why did I want to talk to a nutritionist???

    Just educate yourself on the benefits of vitamins, find a nutritionist or DO to help you.  Your oncologist/doc doesn't seem to be interested or very open minded about the topic.

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  • Califgirl12
    Califgirl12 Member Posts: 92
    edited April 2012

    I really love all of your comments.  Thanks.  Yes today I went for treatment and jokingly asked the Nursed why they didn't warn me about the RO.  I had never seen her prior because she is not my regular Doc.  Mine is at some convention.  She just laughed and said "oh yeah"  she gets it. 

    I have to mention something about the power of supplements.  My daughter who is 6 has had a very mild but chronic case of eczema since about 2 years old.  Her Doc gave me a cream and said use it sparingly and put lotion on her whole body every hour.  Right. Have you every tried chasing down a toddler every hour to put lotion on them... anyways.  I would lotion her up once a day and hoped for the best.  Then I added the kids Omega Oil Lemon swirl.  It helped but not 100%.  Then since I invested in all these high quality supplements for me and DH, I picked some up for her too.  I gave her a liquid multi, Calcium, D & C.  Nothing outrageous, all made for kids and within the normal RDA ranges except for C it is like 400%.  Guess what?  Her skin is softer than ever, no more daily lotion tortures and no more flare ups and it took about 2 weeks. 

    Then I looked up the cream her Doc prescribed and it says to not use too much because it stunts kids growth!  Yikes. 

    Anyways, I am sticking to my supplements, Raw One for Women Multi, Calcium/Mag., Omega's and D.  And will see about a nutritionist that someone here had recommended at UCLA.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2012

    HOLY, MOLY - Califgirl

    I thnk you've just explained why I've been having a flare up of eczema - now I'm sure it's connected to my very low level of Vitamin D3.  First time I've had a real problem with it in a long time...

    all fits together....

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  • Raili
    Raili Member Posts: 435
    edited May 2012

    Caligirl, brava for walking out on that RO!!! :)

    Some of my doctors have been great about complementary medicine, while others are so dismissive and even antagonistic.

    A few years ago, I had severe, allergy-induced asthma for 4 months and finally went to a western MD - she wanted me to take a really high daily dose of inhaled steroids, for a few months, then gradually decrease it.  And when I inquired, she flat out told me that lifestyle changes such as trying to control the dust mites in my house or increasing yoga were "useless".  I was so mad!  I took only HALF the dosage of the inhaler for ONE month, and simultaneously encased my mattress in plastic, went to a chiropractor 3x/week, increased my yoga practice, got an air purifier, etc., and I was fine after that.  Needless to say, I got a new PCP.

    My BS is awesome - she's the one who recommended "Anti-Cancer" to me!

    RO was annoying - told me not to drink my herbal teas, but couldn't give me a reason why.

    Former MO didn't get it - when she saw that my current vitamin D levels were 77, she told me that was "too high" and that I should cut my supplement dosage in half.  I was thrilled to be at 77 - it took me 2.5 years of supplementing to get my levels up from 13!!  

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  • Califgirl12
    Califgirl12 Member Posts: 92
    edited May 2012

    Yes Raili, Congratulations on your Vit D levels! I am jealous. My labs from Feb came back for me at 27. I have been getting sun everyday when we have good weather and supplementing with 6000 iu to 8000 iu's. I feel noticeably better so I believe I am making some headway. I will get my bloodwork done at the end of month for my MO.

    it seems these Docs are all over the page when it comes to supporting their proactive patients. I totally hear you regarding them being very knee jerk reactive and prescribing powerful drugs at the drop of a hat. They must get incentives from the pharmaceutical companies.?? I don't think any body is there paying them to suggest vitamins and other helpful supplements? Food for thought.....


    Its funny that you mentioned your allergy problems. I have very mild symptoms and have taken a few steps to help alleviate them. I am going to try them out first and see how I do. I had read that vItamin C can help as an antihistamine. I plan to try once I am finished with the Rads. I also purchased 2 air purifiers and and a new hepa vacumn. I did a thorough cleaning of everything in my room. I hope this helps.



    I spoke with the wonderful nurses at the Radiology Center today. They are so supportive. I told the office manager today about my negative experience with their Lady Doctor. I told her I refused to see her again. I think my regular RO is going to be there tomorrow for my weekly check up. He is pretty cool. He is fairly young and fun to talk with. We joke around a lot. 9 down with 26 left to go.

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  • Raili
    Raili Member Posts: 435
    edited May 2012

    Caligirl,

    Yes, sounds like you're making headway with the vit D!  And all of those steps you've taken to help alleviate the allergies are great.  I have a HEPA vaccuum and really should use it more often... ha.  I hadn't heard that about vit C - interesting!  

    I'm glad to hear the Radiology nurses are so supportive and that your RO keeps you laughing...that helps a lot. :)  My BS was like that - always joking around with me.

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