Hi there. I'm very interested to see what others are taking. Here's my protocol thus far (and I'm very open to suggestions)

Tamoxifen

Vit D3

Omega 3's

5HTP

Melatonin (well I was and forgot about it, need to get back on it)

Probiotic

Super Green tablets x 2

DMSA for Chelation therapy 3 x per week (I have Mercury poisoning and am attempting to clear about that crap from my system)

Humic Vulvic acid (Matrix Minerals)

MCT Oil

I drink at least 3 liters of alkaline water per day. A vegetable based, organic, non GMO diet. No fish at all due to mercury toxicity. I juice every day at least 16 ounces of Supergreens with Turmeric.

What am I missing? I cannot keep weight on..

Hi nina123. Welcome! You might want to look into adding Pectasol-C (a patented form of modified citrus pectin) for the mercury. It also has other benefits for breast cancer.

I take tamoxifen

an RDA multi-vitamin (no megadoses)

Pectasol-C

200 mcg selenium

30 mg zinc picolinate (I had high copper levels, which might contribute to angiogenesis - zinc reduces copper)

magnesium 400mg (for leg cramps and constipation caused by tamoxifen)

a whole food calcium supplement as needed to supplement my diet

CoQ10 100 mg (there was a study that it works well with tamoxifen)

an organic whole food blueberry softgel equal to 1/2 cup of berries (because the sugar is removed and I'm on a ketogenic diet)

Vitamin D3 5000 IUs 2-3x/week. This was daily until I started going in the sun more.

Fish oil (soy and citrus oil free - not that easy to find. I take Nutrigold Triple Strength Omega-3 Gold, 2 per day)

non-dairy probiotics

melatonin

daily baby aspirin (Not enteric coated, which means I have to take a chewable. Bayer makes a cherry flavored. I don't take anything with orange flavoring which is usually made from orange peel and oils. Citrus peel and oils contain tangeritin, which might deactivate tamoxifen)

green tea 4-5 cups/day

And I eat a grain free flaxseed muffin every other day. I also eat a lot of broccoli, no dairy and only hormone-free meat. Juicing makes me gain weight and I am trying to lose.

^^ Where does it say coffee increases estrogen?

This is what I avoid (as much as possible): refined sugar & simple starch (e.g., potatoes, rice, tapioca, cornstarch, processed grains including oatmeal), artificial sweeteners, conventional dairy, nonfat dairy (organic or conventional), beer (except non-alcoholic), processed cheese and “cheese food," sweet & fortified wines, hard liquor, seed oils, trans fats, grain-fed meats and non-organic poultry, processed & packaged foods. (Anything made IN, not FROM a plant), sodas except unsweetened seltzer. Any herbs meant as supplements rather than salads & seasonings. (Tossed the echinacea, forskolin, vinpocetine, triphala, garcinia, gymnema, etc.). If it's in a capsule rather than a teabag/tea tin, shaker, or flowerpot, out it goes. No bananas, carrots, turnips, parsnips--too much sugar & starch. (Carrots are higher-glycemic than some white breads like sourdough)! No herb teas other than camomile & mint. No processed soy foods such as tempeh and soy protein isolate (fake meats). No ketchup or sriracha--loaded with sugar. For heat I use chilis, cayenne or sugarless hot sauces like Tabasco, Panola, Frank's or Crystal.

This is what I strictly limit: natural sweeteners (honey, agave, maple syrup--though I am a bit more generous with xylitol & stevia); low-carb breads & grains (wild rice, whole-wheat breads w/<3 net gm. carb per serving, Alyssa's Cookies--no sugar, <4 net gm carb per cookie), organic full-fat dairy (though I don't consciously limit natural cheeses, my wallet & digestive system do), dry wines & champagne, non-alcoholic beer (carb-y); citrus (other than lemon/lime juice), tropical and stone fruits, grapes, apples & pears; sweet potatoes, beans (other than green), peas (other than snap and snow) and winter squash; dark chocolate (72% cocoa solids). Also true balsamic vinegar--surprisingly high sugar content. Also miso, tofu, edamame and soy sauce/tamari. If I do thicken sauces, I make a slurry of arrowroot & water and stop adding it when I see thickening begin. Veggie purees are preferable.

This is what I don't limit per se, but do keep portions & frequency reasonable: sea and kosher salt (for cooking), spices, seasoning & salad herbs, grass-fed mammal meats, organic poultry, fish (especially responsibly caught/farmed and high-Omega 3), eggs from pasture-raised chickens on small farms, organic butter, olive/coconut/nut oils, mustard (w/o starches & sugars), capers, vinegars other than balsamic, nuts (other than peanuts), nut butters, almond & coconut milks (unsweetened), seltzer (plain or unsweetened flavored), lemon & lime juices, berries, melon, green and other non-starch veggies not mentioned above, coffee (beans or espresso), brewed tea (black, green, white, oolong, camomile, mint), unsweetened cocoa powder, dark chocolate over 85% cocoa solids. I don't limit salad greens except as appetite dictates.

Meds I'm on: letrozole, Dexilant, Wellbutrin (okay with AIs but not tamox), Benicar HCTZ, Celebrex, arthritis Tylenol, montelukast, Zyrtec (will switch to Claritin if letrozole gives joint pain), baby aspirin for cardioprophylaxis. If letrozole makes me hyperlipidemic, I'll have to go on a statin; and if I do, then will add Metformin to counteract the hyperglycemia that statins cause. May also go on Prolia per the osteo specialist.

Supplements: multivitamin w/o iron, D3, magnesium, calcium citrate, GTF chromium (not picolinate) for glucose control, biotin, melatonin, zinc, krill oil, CoQ10. I might add turmeric & ginger, but I much prefer their edible forms (grated, ground or shaved) as seasonings. Ditto fresh garlic.

I haven't been told to avoid grapefruit, though I don't drink grapefruit juice because all fruit juices are basically liquid sugar despite their other nutritional value. As for tomato and veggie juices, I strictly monitor sodium content.

I have acid reflux so have been taking the enteric coated baby aspirin. Why is the enteric not a good idea?

OK beco1, I found a lay version from UC Berkeley. Oh and welcome! I just realized that was your first post.

Here's the money quote, but I recommend you read the whole article:

"An older Irish study published in the journal Stroke found that the coating reduces the absorption and bioavailability of low-dose aspirin, and thus may be less effective in inhibiting clotting, especially in heavier people. In that study, a 75-milligram enteric tablet (the dose typically used in Europe, similar to the 81-milligram "baby" aspirin used here) was equal in effect to 50 milligrams of uncoated aspirin. Previous studies by this research team had similar findings."

If you have to take the enteric coated you could probably take a higher dose to make up for it. In my travels around here I've run across women who were taking anywhere from a low dose 81mg to a whole regular strength aspirin daily for recurrence prevention on the advice of their doctors. Ask your doctor, but I'm guessing 2 of the 81mg pills would do it without causing other problems. Don't split a whole regular dose aspirin because that breaks the coating.

OK, Have my bottles here in front of me.....seems like a mini-pharmacy, but I see from reading that you all take a lot too.

Arimidex Bone Strength plant based Calcium with Vitamin D3 and K2 Glucosamine Chondroitin New Chapter whole fish oil 1000 mg. Biotin 5000 mcg. (trying to help my hair grow) Super B Complex Organic Turmeric Curcumin (with black pepper) - NativOrganics Baby Aspirin Lexapro 10 mg. Centrum Silver - I may stop this when the bottle is empty because I am really trying to eat healthy.....lots of green organic vegetables and other organic vegetables, organic fruits, organic oatmeal, free range chicken and eggs, wild caught fish, whole grains, organic olive oil, sometimes ground turkey to make turkey loaf, organic sweet potatoes and sometimes organic red potatoes (really good cut up and roasted with baby carrots and olive oil), nuts, 1 cup coffee a day, green tea

NO dairy, alcohol, red meat, sugar or sweets (occasionally I treat myself to a couple dark chocolate covered walnuts or almonds) I found once I stopped eating sweets, like cookies and pie, etc., I really do not miss it and feel a lot better. No prepared salad dressings.

I have probably left something out, but this is basically my diet.

I read that coffee is actually good for us. ?? Did I read someone said otherwise?

I would ask your RO if you haven't and go by what he/she says. I've never heard of such a thing personally. Many fruits have antioxidants and we're not told to stop any food item. Just like with chemo some MOs say no vits/supps and others like mine say my vit D, multivit and calcium are fine. Everyone has their opinion. If it were a hard fact, I would think it would be something across the board.

I think the no antioxidants during treatment idea is one of those better safe than sorry theories that has never been conclusively proven, but it is the general way of thinking for most oncologists. Here's an alternate view:

Hey Doc, Can I Take Antioxidants During Chemo and Radiation?

I didn't need chemo or radiation (BMX with widely clear margins and low Oncotype) but I don't personally take megadoses of antioxidants because there is some evidence they might interfere with tamoxifen. I think the evidence is pretty weak, but because I didn't have chemo I really need the tamoxifen to work and go out of my way to not interfere with it. I'm glad I only have to take it for two years because tamoxifen seems to have the highest risk of interactions of the hormone therapies.

I have an MO and a naturopath. I think the MO is too cautious and the ND not cautious enough so I listen to what they both have to say, then I do my own research and make my own decisions based on the amount of risk I'm willing to live with. I wish there was a good integrative oncologist in my state but there isn't.

Hi Loving! Curcumin is something I would like to take also but I decided against it for the reasons you mention. My MO says she doesn't know, ND thinks it's OK. I think it's probably OK but I chose not to take it just in case. One concern that I think is valid is that it is suggested that curcumin be taken with piperine (a black pepper extract - they are often packaged together) for better absorption. Piperine is a strong inhibitor of CYP2D6, which is the enzyme most responsible for tamoxifen metabolism. Interfering with that process can result in lower levels of tam's active metabolites. I avoid piperine.

gciriani- Thanks for the list of articles. There are lots I haven't read and so am off to the library for journal access now!

Solfeo- thanks for your input. I will read that link!

Piper, if you have a Mexican grocery around you they use the hibiscus as both tea & agua frescas. You can get bags of the blossoms cheap. They will be labeled Flor De Jamaica. They are usuaaly in packets on the racks of hanging packeted spices.They make a pretty red drink to serve chilled. Kind of like a grown-up red Kool-aid. It is very tart and needs sweetening. Some markets also have bottles of liquid concentrate.

SpecialK, I see an old post from you that you take Claritan for AI joint pain. I wonder what's in it that helps and do you think Allegra will do the same?

grandma3x - I did a lot of reading about dairy foods after I was diagnosed; because I, too, enjoy a lot of it. There are a number of conflicting studies but I feel comfortable with my choices.

I cut out milk and replaced regular ice cream with coconut milk ice cream. I eat only low fat organic grass milk yogurt like Maple Hill Creamery or make my own using grass milk. The typical U.S. cow milk production involves keeping cows in a near constant state of producing which results in higher levels of estrogen - something I don't want. Grass-fed cows would be expected to have lower levels of estrogen. As far as cheese; Gouda, Edam and Jarlsburg (non-US) all have good amounts of vitamin K2 which some studies actually show to help fight cancer. Or I will sometimes buy some imported sheep's milk cheese. I just try to limit the amounts and how often I do it. I still enjoy a pizza night out every so often and figure that's not going to make or break my long-term health

grandmaX3, I occasionally eat dairy (butter/cheese/yogurt). No particular brands to suggest (well I do love Old Croc brand cheddar). And I do make sure any dairy products I buy are hormone/rBST free and made w milk from grass-fed cows-read labels carefully. Many imported cheeses are rBST free since this substance is banned in lots of other countries but not in the United States where most commercially raised dairy cattle are treated with it.