Vitamins/Supplements to Take When Recovering from Treatment

Options
PamCA
PamCA Member Posts: 41
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

Hello everyone,

I finished rads last Thursday (had chemo prior to that).  But I am finding I am really tired if I do more than a few things in a day.  Last week our house closed (yeah!), but I had to push myself all week to get everything done to prepare for that.  At end of week I was totally stressed out and practically exhausted.

Do any of you take any vitamins or supplements that you find helpful to get your strength back, have more energy, feel better, etc?  Thanks. 

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2012

    Hi Pam,

    While you're waiting for others to post their experiences and advice, you may be interested in checking out the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Dietary Supplements.

    Hope you find this helpful!

    --The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited August 2012

    Yeah, the fatigue is hard. I was already taking supplements (and during rads I'd met w/ a nutritionist to review my supplements usage overall) so I didn't take anything special to help with rads. I did--based on my nurse's advice--make a point to walk 1/2 hr a day (she said it helps w/ fatigue and gives a slight boost to the immune system). On days I felt really tired I walked in the morning to make sure I got it in. I also ate extra protein to help the tissue heal (I was a vegetarian so I added in fish. You may already eat a lot of protein). And I made a point to rest. Take it east. Take a powernap during the day. I gave myself a couch curfew at night--on the sofa by 8 pm (no sitting at the computer etc) Best of luck w/ this.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hipline
    Hipline Member Posts: 195
    edited August 2012

    I think some type of exercise is important too but I do take supplements daily.  I take a green tea extract, curcumin, Vit C, Vit D, Fish oil, B12 and CoQ10.  I take a probiotic in the morning too.  But my favorite supplement is SAM-E which I take for joint pain but has the added benefit of acting like a mood enhancer.  So they say, maybe it's wishful thinking.  But I feel good and keep fatigue at bay.  Now if I could just find something to get the extra weight off...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tatina123
    Tatina123 Member Posts: 480
    edited August 2012

    Hi Pam,



    I spoke on the phone with an marine supplement expert by the name of Thierry Lerond (originally from France and now in the USA). He swears by shark liver oil Alkylglycerols. His company, Nutrilys Del Mar, is having another free tele seminar on Tuesday on August 22 PST. Carolyn Gross, an author and breast cancer survivor is interviewing him.



    Here's the info:

    http://www.examiner.com/article/free-teleseminar-on-how-supplements-can-strengthen-the-immune-system-august-22

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited August 2012

    My nutritionist put me on an immune system boosting regime, as I was extremely malnourished prior to BC diagnosis. I have been taking an iteration of this regime for the past 3 years:

    Vitamin A

    Zinc

    Multi

    Magnesium

    Fish Oil

    Vitamin D

    Biotin

    B Vitamin Complex

    Vitamin C

    Vitamins C, B, D, A are all immune boosting vitamins that work synergistically.  I buy all my supply from Whole Foods, and I try to buy the more "clean" Whole Foods" derived supplements I can.  My Zinc is Zinc Glycinate.  I love Magnesium-- it's a mood stabilizer, booster, and helps regulate calcium in the body. I gives me a supreme sense of calm, so I take it every day.

    I cannot guide you on dosage, as I started out with a higher dose of vitamins than most people do to combat my malnourishment. As time has passed, I have changed up the regimen to accomodate my lifestyle, and I don't have to take as high of a dose.

    I suggest working with a nutritionist to help change your diet, as the ultimate goal is to get to a place where your diet is the key to your nutrition, but when you are trying to ramp up your nutritional status, the supplements are a great choice.  I am a firm believer in supplementation. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories