For Informed People Using Alternative Treatments

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited January 2014

    i read that monthly self exam is the best way to go....but also heard some cancer has no tumor??

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited January 2014

    I found it strange that the letter didn't just flat out say "Due to your dense breasts we recommend further testing in the future."

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited January 2014

    Self-exam done on a monthly basis along with an annual mammogram - this is according to the local breast center guidelines.

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited January 2014

    just curious, how did you find yours? self exam?

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited January 2014

    Yes, both times. In 1982 and in 2010.

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  • lightandwind
    lightandwind Member Posts: 754
    edited January 2014

    Juneping, I think flaviarose who has frequented this thread, was just defending herself in response to your comment, (which I don't think was wrong by the way). Just intervening because I know what it feels like to feel like you have to defend yourself, and I'd like to find a way that we can all freely be ourselves, and no one feels like they need to defend themselves.

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited January 2014

    dogsandjogs - thanks for sharing

    lightandwind - thanks for explaining...i didn't notice her before..sorry. hope i didn't stir up unnecessary drama.

    personally, its my nurse friend and the book hipz mentioned really made me feel my intuition was right for me. i think even for the BC, there're so many diff diagnosis and each person knows her body and BC the best. i'll just keep talking about mine from now on.

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  • lightandwind
    lightandwind Member Posts: 754
    edited January 2014

    No worries, Juneping..

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  • GlobalGirlyGirl
    GlobalGirlyGirl Member Posts: 269
    edited January 2014

    we don't go into conventional treatment thread and tell them how wonderful alternative treatment is......it's so odd. i don't have that much time to wonder why ppl made their choice, i want to spend the time to do things made me happy (not causing other agony..lol)

    This x1000. I never understood this. I support everyone's choices because I support any way women are trying to beat this wretched disease. It's bad enough that we have cancer. We shouldn't make each other feel badly about the choices we make/made.  And we shouldn't have to defend our choices constantly - which I find myself having to do. It's tiring. This is why I read but don't post anymore in the Complementary forum - even though I chose surgery, which is conventional. I stick to the Alternative forum. I feel less likely to be attacked here, even though some conventional gals like stalking us here for some reason.

    And flaviarose - ITA about Herceptin. A Her2neu + diagnosis would be a game changer.

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  • peacestrength
    peacestrength Member Posts: 690
    edited April 2015

    I am using both traditional and naturopathic medicine.  I don't have any problems with people making their own choices for them.  I am learning the best route for me - what others chose is their choice.  I learn from many of bco discussions - I am trying to survive this horrible disease - for me, my attempt for survival includes both traditional and nautropathic approaches.  I am not here to judge or defend but to learn, find support, and give support.

    Lightandwind, you mention that you take Ashwaganda on and off.  Did you take it everyday before?  

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  • lightandwind
    lightandwind Member Posts: 754
    edited January 2014

    peacestrength,  yes, I've taken it daily much of the time, just run out and don't always refill everything right away, so have had some breaks from it, then start back up again.

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  • lightandwind
    lightandwind Member Posts: 754
    edited January 2014

    Global City, I understand what you are saying.  It really leaves a bad taste in your mouth when you see that people are treated differently based on their choices and that this is largely accepted. Reminded me vividly of the pain associated with discrimination, and oppression. I always sound out against that. It's hurtful, even in this online microcosm of society where we all happen to be very vulnerable.  I think several have effectively made their point. I can only do my best now and try to be a good example, and try to create the kind of safe atmosphere that we have been wanting.The comp/holistic forum is for everyone and I think there is a lot to learn there too. 

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited January 2014

    i guess i will be also doing a combo tamxo + chinese herbs. with my own personal ingredients: traditional foods...but i hardly call that's a treatment but more of a healthy diet. i am not gonna lie, when my neighbor at work  eating some chips, i felt like a kid just want to stare at him eating every piece...lol

    btw, how your oncologist was telling you the treatment plan, did they push for the radiation? mine put that on the table but barely talked about it at all. when i asked why i needed radiation (not ask her to know more about radiation), she said i'd need to talk to the radiation specialist....so strange. i didn't push for it bc i didn't want to have it.

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  • flaviarose
    flaviarose Member Posts: 442
    edited January 2014

    in terms of taking breaks from supplements - probably a good idea.  My nutritionist makes a lot of sense when she says that we need "enough, but not too much" of different minerals, vitamins, etc.  I think taking a little vacation - a weekend off, or whatever, from supplements allows us to not get too much of certain things.  It is hard to know, really.

    In terms of alternative vs. conventional - I don't see it as an either/or - I think one can do both.  There are a lot of "alternative" things that can enhance the effects of, or protect us from, things like chemo and radiation.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited January 2014

    flaviarose - that is called Complementary

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited January 2014

    flaviarose,

    Agreed! That's what the complementary threads are so good for. The only real quibble I have had on the alt threads is the tacit approval of self diagnosis of bc and the attempts at re-writing the history of some alt members who have passed away. That's my line in the sand. Two and a half years NED with both conventional (surgery, rads to femur, Arimidex and Aredia) and supplements. Excellent QOL so I'll stay the course until things change.

    Caryn

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  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited January 2014

    my line in the sand, for me, is anything that it seems going to make it worse with inflamation particualarly. as for rewriting I also would never say anything I hadn't noted from the particular woman & what she & her intimate people have said

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  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited January 2014

    someone here or in the complementary forum asked about gmo's.  as I remember nothing in the studies in the usa which only went to 5 years.  in europe they kept the studies past 5 years & horrendous effects began showing up after the 5 year mark

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited January 2014

    did anyone of your hear about this website ewg.org?

    it gives out guidelines of products from food to detergents and such....i am so overwhelmed. not going to throw out all my detergents but am going to slowly switch to cleaner products...what kind of world we live in...

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2014

    juneping, you can read more about the Environmental Working Group's EWG.org site, as well as some other resources, in this article on the main Breastcancer.org site.

    • The Mods

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  • hjpz
    hjpz Member Posts: 348
    edited January 2014

    dogsandjogs - I am in the same mammo boat as you.  BC twice - I found it both times.  I am upset about the amount of radiation I have been subjected to via mammograms considering for me they were a waste of time due to my dense breast tissue.  After reading more about mammograms I even wonder if they contributed to my most recent diagnosis.  There is nothing I can do about it now so I am trying not to focus on it too much.

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  • lightandwind
    lightandwind Member Posts: 754
    edited January 2014

    ewg.org is such an informative site. Thanks Juneping & Mods.

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  • GlobalGirlyGirl
    GlobalGirlyGirl Member Posts: 269
    edited January 2014

    My "line in the sand" is when a few Conventional gals gang up on an Alternative gal, hiding behind the "We want proof" defense. I think we Alternative gals want more proof than anyone since the stakes are higher for us. It pisses me off to no end because people don't understand that we are constantly having to defend our choices in real life. 

    Anyway, I love the "Consumers Guide" on ewg.org. ECOS is a great laundry detergent, juneping. For fabric softening, white vinegar, as strange as it sounds, works great. And, no, your clothes won't smell like a vinaigrette. =)  Larger, economy sizes are available at Costco. Just an FYI for when you've used up your detergents. =)

    I made a lot of changes myself. I had a whole house water filtration installed. We eat organic as much as possible. And I've cut out 95% of sugar. I tend to indulge on my vacations, though. My sweet tooth and I don't believe in complete deprivation. =)

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  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 3,610
    edited January 2014

    GGG-  I'm looking into a filtration system.  Do you have a recommendation?  Thanks.  (c:

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  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited January 2014

    reverse osmosis the best?  takes a lot of room?

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  • jojo68
    jojo68 Member Posts: 881
    edited January 2014

    We just purchased a Berkey water system and LOVE it!

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  • GlobalGirlyGirl
    GlobalGirlyGirl Member Posts: 269
    edited January 2014

    Adey - I love my Aquasana. Good warranty - 10 years. I added their softener unit too. The difference is amazing.

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  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 3,610
    edited January 2014

    Thanks all!  I will research.  I do know that I want a whole house.  Skin is the biggest organ right?  (c:

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  • GlobalGirlyGirl
    GlobalGirlyGirl Member Posts: 269
    edited January 2014

    Adey - Definitely! And it's awesome to fill up a glass of water and just drink up. =)

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  • new2bc
    new2bc Member Posts: 559
    edited January 2014

    Does anyone here use ALA (alpha Lipoic acid) to prevent a recurrence? I don't have a problem with neurpathy but wanted to add it to increase the production of glutathione. What dose are you using? Do you take it at night?    

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