Building our immune systems with Stage IV bc

Bosco, Has your MO elaborated on anything? or just general excitement?  Thank you for your post and I agree with you. 

Thank goodness for this website that we can share what our MO's are doing.  MO is very nice but he is very cynical about these things.

BTW that article is almost pro-dying, we all will die some day but I found it a little strange to be putting down the latest medications and talking about an assisted death and how Asians look at death. Almost like saying since this is not likely to work, we have this for you. Any one else feel that way also or just me?

Thanks for the info, but, what is the mushroom? S it a pill form you can buy in the herbal store?

http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/nci-supported/nci-match

A trial on precision medicine.

I asked my Dr about metformin and he said he had heard of it's use for bc. But I don't think he is looking at the big picture because he agreed to order a test that looks at my long term glucose levels and if they were high he would consider using metformin. Well, I don' t have a problem with my glucose so I don't forsee it coming back abnormal. I think I am going to have to do some more reading about it myself before I present it to him again. Any thoughts?

Also, I keep wondering about how much sugar is a factor. If we know that sugar feeds on glucose more than normal cells (per PET scan results) why wouldn't the medical community advocate for low sugar diets? My Dr doesn't seem to think this is much to be concerned about. It doesn't make sense to me.

Romansma-I am anxious to see how the infrared saunas go. I had read about their use several months ago. I don't think there are any in my area but it seems like an easy thing to try if it is available.

I also read about the citrus pectin, I don't remember why now but I cracked up at the photo of the box of orange slices! Can't you get the citrus pectin already liquefied or is it more benefical to eat the whole slice? Let me know, I am really curious!

I have been trying to eat more vegetables that promote angiogenesis......like celery. It should be an easy thing to incorporate into my diet but I have to admit I just don't cook or eat much these days. It just seems like too much trouble. But I try to cut up veggies or fruit and that makes it easier.

And I do take a turmeric (cucurmin with pepper and something else) supplement everyday. It is said to be anti-inflammatory and I have always had severe allergies to everything fromd dust/pollen to gluten. I always wonder if this didn't somehow predispose me to cancer.

"Also, I keep wondering about how much sugar is a factor. If we know that sugar feeds on glucose more than normal cells (per PET scan results) why wouldn't the medical community advocate for low sugar diets? My Dr doesn't seem to think this is much to be concerned about. It doesn't make sense to me."

Starbrightly- I think this link from the Mayo Clinic summarizes the current medical thinking about sugar in our diets.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-causes/art-20044714?pg=2

Dlb my onc prescribes Metformin for almost all of his patients that can take it.  I am on the brand name Glucophage since I had terrible stomach issues with Metformin, but Glucophage produces no side effects for me and my insurance approved it.  Have heard, however, that there are some generics, particularly by Teva, that are tolerated well by most people.  I take 1000 mgs daily. 

There is also a supplement, Green Coffee Bean by Jarrow which helps regulate your Glucose.  I take that twice a day before meals.

The interesting thing about Metformin is that it tends to work better for anti-cancer on people who are not diabetic.  My blood sugar is so much lower than it was prior to the Glucophage. 

Pearlady-do you have a study I can show my Dr to back up the Metformin usage? He is open minded when I bring things up but bc is not his specialty (he is a general onc) so I feel like I need to be the one to show him the research.

I'm feeling very impatient about immunotherapy. I soooooo hope I will be around to see this come to fruition.

What do you mean by hydrotherapy?

Thanks for the update on Metformin. I was really interested in this a few years back, but the studies seemed to fizzle out. I have a bottle of Teva 750 mg ER. I've tried to start back on it a couple of times and I get nauseated for a full day each time. Any pointers on what I can do to make this a little easier? I should point out that I can take many side effects, but nausea seems to be a deal breaker for me! I hate feeling sick!

Thanks again for all the great information!

Romansma I never had the nausea, so I guess we're all different  I had horrible diarrhea from the Metformin and also from Glumetza (another generic).  Unlike other drugs where the side effects sometimes get better in time, this never did.  Was really awful. I agree with you that nausea is awful, but for me, the big D is absolutely the worst.  Hate to get caught with 30 seconds to get to the toilet which happened more than once.  

Are you taking the Metformin with a full meal?  That is absolutely essential.  When I initially stopped the Metformin due to the side effects I took a two year break.  My tumor markers did increase while off of the Metformin.  I started back on Glucophage and they did go down again.  For me, the brand name Glucophage has been great.  No big D.  I did a lot of research on this and it was recommended that if you failed on one brand of Metformin you should keep trying.  That they were all different.

A woman I know went for a second opinion recently to a top oncologist at Columbia Presbyterian here in NYC.  She is currently only taking 500mg a day due to other drugs she is on and also the big D.  He told her that the studies have shown for the Metformin to be effective you need to be taking 750mg. 

Leggo I would start by asking my Dr. for the Teva.  Not sure if all pharmacies stock all brands but I know a few women who are taking the Teva and it is readily available.   In the case of the Glucophage, which is the brand name, the prescription has to be filled in Dispense as Written (DAW).  Many insurances will approve the brand name if you have had difficulties with two generic. 

Thank you Pearlady. 

Ann, Thanks again.

There is a thread on this https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topic/819272?page=2#post_4067614 but it will be interesting to see if more women have read this book since this thread was started.  I have not read it as of yet.