Conventional vs. Alternative vs. Complimentary Treatment

Ben,

If I had money, i would go for alternative...actually right now i am off tamoxifen because it gave me edema.

here is the place i would go...it's in NJ

http://www.mbschachter.com/

give them a call and they'll call you back. their CS is excellent and they didn't push me for any tx at their center. their protocol is pretty rigorous. not just supplements.....they're expensive. initial fee (consultation + tests) is 5K but the doc is MD so you can claim your insurance which you'll have to do it on your own. they give you the code etc.

since she's a vegetarian, did you consult with a dietitian or nutritionist? i read that protein is very important to help our immune system.

Was the tumor also ER+? If it is then the hormone therapy is also very important. Yes, some have side effects, but for most the se's are minor or none at all. These drugs can halt progression even at stage lV. They have saved or prolonged many lives often with minimal side effects.

The biggest complaint most have with herceptin is a drippy nose and some achiness. There is frequent testing to make sure there is no damage to the heart. If the LVEF drops herceptin can be stopped and the heart function goes back to normal. 

You probably already know that Her+ is a more aggressive cancer, that's why even  when detected early, chemo is often recommended. Chemo sure sucks for a few months, but you get through it and life goes back to normal. 

When I was first dx I didn't want to do chemo, then I read an article that changed my mind. It described what dying from cancer is like, noting that you can choose to forego chemo because you fear a few months of se's, but dying from bc can be slow process with much worse se's.

I think we fear the treatments more than the cancer  because they are more tangible.  For many, bc is nothing more than a white splotch on a mammogram and a bunch of big words on a pathology report. Often there are no symptoms. But losing one's hair during chemo is very obvious. (Truly not nearly as bad as I thought it would be).

If your GF decides to consider conventional tx, it will be important for her to know she has your full support and help. Women are so accustomed to taking care of others, we can't imagine being out of commission for months while others take care of us.

Good luck.

Hi Ben. First, I'm so sorry about your girlfriend's diagnosis. Other than this cancer diagnosis, it sounds like she takes good care of herself, which can only be helpful regardless of the type of treatment she chooses. In order to go into this with eyes wide open, I also recommend you do some research on the FDA and it's shortcomings and improprieties and the manipulation of data and statistics before making any final decisions regarding treatment. I think it's extremely important to weigh out all options. I couldn't agree more about having an oncologist whom you trust...one who is willing to disclose everything about treatments, the good, and more importantly, the bad. Ask a LOT of questions and expect honest answers. Good luck to Audrey in her treatment decisions. It's tough.

My advice is for you is to convince Audrey to find an oncologist she can put her trust in and follow the treatment suggested. Side effects are temporary compared to the suffering she will experience when, as it most surely will, alternative treatment fails and she finds herself in the terrible situation of palliative care.

youth is definitely a consideration. I've never seen much in dr mercola that I disagreed with. be aware friend that there's a group of women here who will come on rapidly in favor of conventional therapy & discourage natural remed[es

if we had socialized medicine we would not need to follow the money, but then talented surgeons, etc, would not become doctors

i think Ben has figured out that he landed in a very traditional forum and has moved on.

Abigail did you mean "women will come on 'rabidly' in favour of conventional therapy"?

Abigail, seriously? I grew up in a country with socialized medicine and we have some excellent and talented surgeons and doctors. I have also been mangled by a surgeon over there in the land of the free and libertarianism.

"When I first read that comment I was so flabbergasted, I couldn't even comment rationally. Do you read the boards at all? Do you have the slightest clue about how many women, including myself did all the required treatments and ended up in that position anyway? What an ignorant comment. Geezus."

Why complain about people expressing opinions based on their own experiences, when that's all you're doing.

And how about acknowledging that people who do the suggested medical treatments have a far greater chance of survival than those who battle through without it. Do you read the statistics at all?

Ben has every right to hear everyone's opinions before he makes up his mind.

HLB, if you are referring to my initial statement, I specifically said "proper" treatment, and I stand by that statement. Depending on the kind of cancer, the stage etc, "proper" could encompass many things and might not include chemo/rads, for example.

And then there's chemo brain or inability to relax.

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Chemotherapy+affects+patients+ability+focus+tasks+study+finds/11007719/story.html

June, Ben actually asked for statistics that show the efficacy of alternative treatment. His friend's problem is twofold, she distrusts conventional medicine/is afraid of SEs and her doctors so far have not done a good job taking her concerns seriously. Several people suggested finding a more understanding and flexible doctor, which is very good advice. Several of us have also explained that SEs may the lesser of two evils in many cases. Nobody so far has offered the stats and percentages that Ben actually asked for. To the best of my knowledge very little research exists and what research has been done (comparing groups of patients with similar disease stats, where the patients in one group refused or discontinued prescribed treatment) does not help in this particular context. Lastly, this is not the alt forum.

No No Momine, I was making a general statement there, not to anything you said. was hoping the new paragraph would make that evident. sorry.

No, Leggo, you are not. My comment in the page you linked had to do with something unrelated to BC or BCO. However, my conclusion in that post – that a lot of people have trouble reading and comprehending medical papers – stands. I know it is difficult for me at least. The question is what people do with that difficulty. Again, my comment had nothing to do with this place, and most people here are far more serious and careful than the poster I was talking about.

June, no it really is not, but I doubt anything I say will convince you of that. I am very sorry that you think that.