Ashwagandha and ER+

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rrs
rrs Member Posts: 614
edited August 2015 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
Ashwagandha and ER+
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  • rrs
    rrs Member Posts: 614
    edited June 2008

    My dr. prescribed Ashwagandha (withania somnifera) for anxiety.  Has anyone heard of this and whether or not it is safe for ER+?  From what I can find, it has been shown to decrease tumor growth but I cann't find any reference to ER+.

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  • amberyba
    amberyba Member Posts: 608
    edited June 2008

    rrs, saw that you hadn't had any response, but I haven't heard of this would be interested. isn't ashwagandha a herb?

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  • rrs
    rrs Member Posts: 614
    edited June 2008

    Yes, it is an herb - there is a lot of information on the internet about it but nothing concerning ER+ BC.  I'll keep looking.  Thanks for your response.

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  • RSS
    RSS Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2015

    Did you find out more on the web directly related to ashwaganda and ER+ cancer? I'd love to know.

    I took Ashwaganda past 30 days for sleep ( on a recommendation of friend) and it helps for sure. I really like it... It gives me a lot of energy and less interrupted sleep ....and I don't have joint pain.

    In this time frame od 30 days, my hemoglobin increased from my chronic anemia of 10.2 to 12.... shocker as I have thalassimia trait of anemia and all my life it wouldn't go up.. except when I got blood transfusion after my 2 chemo.

    On the net iashwaganda is described as anti cancer...and sounds like a super herb... I just don't know if I want to continue it as my onco is unsure. He is not a big fan of herbs. :(

    I have ooferectory done along side of my mastectomy in may 2012, to eliminate all source of estrogen and progesterone and currently on Aromasin ( been 3 years)

    RRS: you said your Dr. prescribed it? Onco?

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  • mkinoly
    mkinoly Member Posts: 86
    edited July 2015

    The naturopathic oncologist I saw a couple days ago suggested ashwaganda to add to the supplements I'm already taking. I haven't looked up any information on it yet, though. But he suggested it knowing I am ER+ and he is an oncologist.

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  • RSS
    RSS Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2015

    Oh Thank you Mkinoly! I really like aswaganda!!! This is good to hear. I bought mine from Whole Foods.the makers are Gaia.

    Are you also taking aromasin? or are you going all natural? I'm doing seakelp and aswaganda. along with my amour thyroid and aromasin.

    I could use help in hair and nails department :) Biotin is not cutting it for me and i have bald spots and very very thin hair...like Gollum from lord of the rings LOL


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  • mkinoly
    mkinoly Member Posts: 86
    edited July 2015

    Hi RSS. I haven't had my surgery yet (seems like such a long wait--get this thing out of me already!!) so I haven't had any treatment. I won't be doing chemo or radiation (even though my regular oncologist keeps talking to me like I am going to). I'm 100% ER+ and PR+, so I'm on the fence about taking meds. I'm premenopausal, so my ovaries are still pumping out the estrogen. I'd have them removed, but my insurance won't cover it unless I turn out to be BRCA+ (still waiting for that result).

    So ashwaganda is for sleep? Is there something else it's for? I'm going to get cannabis oil today for sleep and anti-cancer properties. I'm willing to try anything to get good sleep every night to help myself heal.

    I don't know how to bulk up the hair and nails besides biotin. But if I come across anything, I'll definitely let you know :)

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  • pearlady
    pearlady Member Posts: 882
    edited July 2015

    I take Ashwaghanda on the recommendation of my onc and I am ER+.  I didn't know that it helps for sleep, but am definitely now going to try before bed as I have major sleep issues.  My onc prescribed it as its very good for helping low platelets.  I take it 2x a day before meals and it has helped, but will take one at bedtime.

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  • RSS
    RSS Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2015

    WOW Pearlady, just saw your profile! I salute you! You have done pretty well through out your journey by staying positive! I'm sure all this takes a toll but look at you ... a WINNER!!!! I was stage IIIb as well in dec 2011. Only difference HER2- so my journey and meds had some other variations. Did TAC chemo .. 6 sessions to some what reduce the cancer. It was locally advanced. I got my ooferectomy done along side my hysterectomy may 2012...wanted to kill the source of estrogen and did radiation 36 session. Now on aromasin ( generic) 25mg. All this messed up my Tyriod function and struggling with weight loss... in grand scheme of things ... that is better problem to have :/ ...so I just try to eat right and exercise


    RRS,

    Crazy! I hate when insurance company make such uneducated guess and jeopardize our long term welfare!!!! KNOWING that ovaries make estrogen!!!! and BRCA+ at this point will only show if your immediate family have a great % of chance for being cancer positive. Your case you are already cancer positive .. they( insurance companies) should be looking for solutions to be proactive in healing at this point. I know waiting feels like forever, stay strong and focused.. you will win over this disease and that's all that matters at the end of it all this circus! :) Every day "Tap" Tapping helps being positive. Sounds crazy :) but trust me .. its helped me a lot. Heck I was more positive than my family hahahaha :) .. AND NEVER SAY " I"M FIGHTING CANCER" that adds struggle ...



    RRS and Pearlady,

    this is one of the source I looked at once I saw increase in my hemoglobin and couldn't figure out why :). I know for sure my workouts have been awesome and my joint pain is gone. I have more energy and sleep better now. Its even said to increase immune....BUT my onco is so against me doing herbs. i will show him all your onco support .. hopefully he will agree. if not I'll have to stop ashwaganda.... and I know It is helping me...:'(

    http://examine.com/supplements/Ashwagandha/


    One more herb that helps sleep is melatonin.My mother in law swears by it. Seaweed is a good source of that and other trace minerals.


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  • RSS
    RSS Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2015

    RRS

    tapping videos on you tube


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  • pearlady
    pearlady Member Posts: 882
    edited July 2015

    RRS I know there are a lot of Drs. who don't believe in supplments, either vitamins or herbal. I'm not sure why. Many old school Drs. just haven't done the research and continue to be against it.  But when I was diagnosed in 1997 there were almost no oncolgosts who recommended vitamins and supplements. Today that has changed today and there are many who do.  I look around at some or my onc's BC patients.  Many have been stage 1V for years. 

    Would you really stop the Ashwaghanda if your onc tells you to? 

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  • RSS
    RSS Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2015

    Hi Pearlady, :/ I don't know .. I don't really want to stop... Ashwaganda really increased my hemoglobin so I KNOW it works.... only thing ... its does increase ( slight increase) the LH hormone ( the one that triggers ovaries to produce estrogen). I just need a confirmation from medical doc that it doesn't mean anything to menopausal women esp me since I have NO ovaries. My onco just refuses to even listen when I say "herbs" esp since it impacts LH hormone. I'm meeting my endocrine tomorrow. If I get confirmation from her about ashwaganda my onco might change his mind. So I'll take all my research to my endocrine...and then to onco.... I'm hoping to make my point with them :)

    really Pearlady, you are amazing.... true inspiration that a disease is nothing if your don't let it take over you. Good going and stay blessed always!

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  • mkinoly
    mkinoly Member Posts: 86
    edited July 2015

    I think in general doctors don't learn much about nutrition or anything to do with nutrition, including herbs, supplements, etc. I may be cynical, but there really isn't much incentive for them to learn about anything other than pharmacology because that's where the money is. Plus, I think many doctors don't veer much from standard protocol and sort of cookie-cutter advice because they're afraid of getting sued or in trouble.

    My regular oncologist is recommending chemo, radiation, hormone blockers, all in anticipation that my surgical pathology will show it's needed. However, I don't care very much what she recommends. I'm not afraid of going against the grain... maybe I'm just in denial and will feel different after surgery. Even the naturopathic oncologist suggests traditional treatment and all the supplements etc. as complementary to it. Did you know that chemo drugs are the only drugs where the doctor is allowed to profit off them? They buy them wholesale then sell them retail to their patients. It can be quite a large part of their overall income, I've heard. That's pretty good incentive to recommend chemo and not supplements.

    Anyway, my little rant there was to ultimately say that I think what we believe works for us is valid and should be paid attention to. If ashwaganda has helped various symptoms and hasn't shown any bad effects, and a couple of us have said our oncologist recommended it even being ER+, I think that's good enough reason.

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  • RSS
    RSS Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2015

    Mkinoly, I'm sorry to address you as RRS .:) chemo brain!

    And Good you ranted... makes me feel stronger of my views as well now. :) Yes, I really have seen a SIGNIFICANT difference while on ashwaganda... like iI'm on steroid, but am not.. it's natural :) Yes you are correct... the chemo therapy is part of the income ....

    I'm so glad that you Mkinoly and Pearlady responded to the blog, I feel so much stronger now :) to face the docs... armed with my natural research :)


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  • mkinoly
    mkinoly Member Posts: 86
    edited July 2015

    Ha! I had thought you were talking to me but then I got confused (and I haven't even had chemo)! :) Anyway, glad to know anything I've said helps someone feel stronger about her choices. Good luck with the doctors.

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  • pearlady
    pearlady Member Posts: 882
    edited July 2015

    I always knew that I would do standard treatment as well as complimentary. So I sought out a Dr who treated this way. I believe that the complementary treatments have enabled me to deal better with the side effects from chemo and is the reason I have been stable for a long period of tine.. I'm fortunate to be in the NYC area where there is so much available. My first onc didn't know anything about complimentary treatments and was negative about their potential. So I searched for an onc who treated the way I believed was best for me.

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  • RSS
    RSS Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2015

    Thanks both of you Mkinoly and Pearlady, your insights and experience is really helping me in choosing my direction here forward.

    When I got diagnosed I got numb but soon convinced my self I will live through this despite of the rough time.. and just sought out a good surgeon.. who just recommended the medical onco and they in turn recommended radition onco.. so I didn't even research for the 2 oncos :) That's because i knew I'd survive, but now I want my live back :) my radiation onco is young and more open my medical onco are the old guys in private practice.. so I could see they are really old school... and surprisingly my surgeon being old he is so in with the new generation it was awesome!

    once again gals, THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your feedback and great outlook. One can never have enough positive people around :)

    Loads of Love,

    Ritu

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  • RSS
    RSS Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2015

    Good morning ladies,

    So my endocrine say she doesn't know much about herbs so she is indifferent about my used and improvement. BUT my PCP says she doesn't know of the herb and won't recommend it as I was locally advance stage and they are doing the best to avoid recurrence. She is not too confident how the herb interacts with other enzymes and she fears it can lower the impact of aromisin; Any chance, how ever small, she doesn't want to take. On a healthier body, she says she would even observe foe few months, but not for me :(

    I'm trying to schedule an appt with a naturopath onco here. but this natropath is busy till end of sept!

    I wish I could find more research on long term interactions of ashwaganda.

    I don't want to stop ashwaganda... I am so sad! it's like I'm letting my best friend go lol... but I know I won't find piece of mind if I take it either! esp. if I constantly have this thought.." what if it's messing with aromasin" well not to say aromasin can 100% stop recurrence, but still studies show it improves the chances ......Oh well... next stop .. Naturopath... in a month!

    Ladies, do let me know if yall know more or find out more about Ashwaganda .....


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  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited July 2015

    check out wikipedia. it's a beladonna. used for a long time topically.

    want to say re various herbs conflicting with chemotherapy: chemotherapy is there to kill all your cells including the cancerousones & including the good ones so anything that will make you healthier is therefore contra indicated

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  • RSS
    RSS Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2015

    Thanks for your input Abgail48.

    I just made an appt with a Naturapath Oncologist. lets' see her view point. She currently works with many cancer patients dealing with main stream and holistic healing.

    Will keep you all posted with my findings.. I do realize cancer treatment is not one size fit all but it always helps to share our paths and directions on this journey called cancer... :)

    May we all not just survive but always Thrive...

    Loads of love.....

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  • mkinoly
    mkinoly Member Posts: 86
    edited July 2015

    I bought some ashwagandha and melatonin and tried it last night for sleep. Didn't sleep better, but it did feel relaxing. I'll give it a fair shot for a couple weeks to see if it helps me.

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  • DianaNM
    DianaNM Member Posts: 281
    edited August 2015

    I love this site. It has information on most herbals and supplements, along with what their purpose is, possible side effects, who should not take them etc:

    https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/treatments/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs

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