Safe supplements to boost wbc?

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johnpar
johnpar Member Posts: 7
edited December 2014 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

My wife is being treated for BC with letrozol and another clinical trial drug that has apparently caused white blood count to drop below 1,000. What supplements are safe, and effective to help boost wbc that are not contraindicated? Doctor doesn't seem interested in discussing and I absolutely do not want to recommend a supplement that would cause any harm!

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

    Dear John, Welcome to the BCO community. While you are waiting for some responses you may want to check out a few links here to other sources of information on our website Dietary Supplements and Complementary Therapies. You also may wish to post this question in the forum that is devoted to Complementary Medicine Practices. let us know how things go for you and your wife. The Mods

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited December 2014

    I don't know that there are any specific supplements that will boost WBC - it is different than boosting RBC by eating iron and protein rich foods.  That is why many of us receive Neulasta or Neupogen injections during chemo to help manufacture white blood cells.  You also need to make sure that taking any supplements is allowed while enrolled in a clinical trial, but one rather innocuous thing that may help is taking a B-Complex supplement - the body needs B vitamins to make white blood cells - specifically B-12 and folate, so if she is lacking those taking some B-Complex may help.  Good luck!

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited December 2014

    Perhaps echinacea could be of some benefit.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited December 2014

    DO NOT TAKE THE OLEANDER EXTRACT WITHOUT MEDICAL SUPERVISION. Echinacea is pretty benign.

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  • johnpar
    johnpar Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2014

    Thanks SpecialK for your suggestions on B vitamins! I certainly agree on the b12 and folate. It seems for every article I read expressing a benefit from a supplement there is another claiming potential negative effects, so all a bit frustrating. I did find a great reference at Sloan Kettering for researching various supplements: http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/herb. For now I'm just compiling a list of potentially beneficial supplements and will proceed if the oncologist approves. I surely would not do anything to jeopardize the progress made this far. Thanks and all the best to you!

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  • johnpar
    johnpar Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2014

    Leggo thanks for the info on echinacea. I will add that to the list and hopefully get the OK to try it.

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  • Tallulah-Ray
    Tallulah-Ray Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2014

    "Juice Plus" is an amazing product that uses freeze dried fruit and vegetables in capsules. They have their farms and with over the whole process. Additionally I got three dark berries that have the most potent antioxidant for inflammation. As you take the products you're feeding your self on a molecular level. Began making strong, healthy cells that are your defenders. I did for whole year post tx. Surely made difference

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  • johnpar
    johnpar Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2014

    Tallulah- Ray did you use Juice Plus while you were in treatment? What are the three dark berries? Thanks!

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited December 2014

    John, sent you a pm.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited December 2014

    Talk to her Dr. I was told emphatically to not take any antioxidants during chemo as they can effect the effectiveness of the chemo. I was allowed to continue my Super B Complete and Vit D but not multivitamin/mineral suppliments either.

    Is she getting Neulasta shots? These are to encourage WBC production while on chemo.

    Oleander is a very poisonous plant so I don't see why anyone would take it at or it being sold. There are areas where it is illegal to even plant them in your yard.

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  • johnpar
    johnpar Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2014

    Kicks, she receives nothing without Dr's approval. D3 and B12 is all for now. Thank you for the info!

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited December 2014

    Oleander is so poisonous there are signs around here not to even BURN it.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited December 2014

    Editing my comment on oleander extract. Shouldn't have mentioned it on this forum. My apologies, John, for causing a stir on your very important topic.

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  • johnpar
    johnpar Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2014

    OK, so oleander has definitely been voted off the island! Thanks for that info!

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited December 2014

    LOL....sent to exile island :)

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