Anyone fasting to boost chemo effectiveness & to reduce SE?

Options
124

Comments

  • Chava
    Chava Member Posts: 50
    edited August 2011

    Those of you that fasted can you describe if it was only water or also juices. I start chemo this Thursday and since Tuesday a fast day in the Jewish calendar I thought I would add on another day and a half and give it a try. Any advice? Also reading all the way through these posts it was hard to tell if it was really effective in helping with SEs so if you fasted could you please summarize if thought you it was worth it? Thanks for your help and advice?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited August 2011

    Chava- no juice. Non caloric beverages only. Water- and lots of it-- coffee in the morning( black and no sugar). That is it. Fasting 62 hours before chemo and 24 hours after chemo. I had less Gi effects. I mainly didthe fasting so that my healthy cells would shut down in protective mode ( per the study of Dr. Longo's).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chava
    Chava Member Posts: 50
    edited August 2011

    Here is a link to the research by Valter Longo



    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/?term=Valter+longo+cancer

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chava
    Chava Member Posts: 50
    edited August 2011

    I have my chemo tomorrow morning a/c. I will have fasted 62 hours before I start my first tx. Will let you know how se are I am really hoping that this will help. The fast has gone amazingly well and I had never fasted more that 26 hours before so at 52 hours I feel fine. If this works I will try again next time but it is one treatment at a time.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chava
    Chava Member Posts: 50
    edited August 2011

    I fasted for my first treatment of a/c 12 days ago and thank g-d I had almost no SE. No bone aches, no stomach issues, no change of tastes, I was a little bit tired but the week right after chemo I went horseback riding, hiking, rafting---I don't know if it is all because of the fasting because I also have been doing acupuncture and taking a bunch of supplements. But all I know is that I am going to fast again before my chemo on Thursday. I am starting tonight with only water for the next two and half days. My onc says fine. Hopefully I will continue to be SE free.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Robyn_S
    Robyn_S Member Posts: 197
    edited August 2011

    That is great Chava- I hope that the rest of your chemo goes smoothly and you come out of chemo healthy and well! I just finished the last of 3 taxotere and feel that I have skipped most of the worst side effects which I think is due in part to fasting and supplements that protect the nerves. Now the passive tx of living well every day and enjoying the rest of life!!

    (((good luck ))) Robyn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2011

    Robyn: Does fasting during taxotere reduce the neuropathy and numbness in fingers and toes? I've fasted for Adriamycin/Cytoxan and also for TDM1 (Herceptin-based experimental trial), but not for taxotere yet, which I start next week. I am nervous!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Robyn_S
    Robyn_S Member Posts: 197
    edited August 2011

    Hi windlass - I fasted during taxotere x3 and did not have the diarrhea that can bother many patients. I am unsure if nerve cells achieve the same level of protection as say mucosal cells which would slow down growth and uptake during stress. That said, stress fasting does release protective factors which would protect all cells under stress by triggering protective pathways. I understand your fear about taxotere neuropathy and would do anything to avoid it. Good luck with your tx - any progress with the MO script for acetyl l carnitine? I think that helped too!

    ((( take care))) Robyn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chava
    Chava Member Posts: 50
    edited August 2011

    After I finish my A/C I have taxol x12. Did anyone fast during a weekly treatment? Fasting 3 out 7 days seems like a lot! Maybe a day fast would help.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Robyn_S
    Robyn_S Member Posts: 197
    edited August 2011

    Hi Chava- It would very doubtful that anyone could advocate fasting during weekly treatments. The case study series and clinical trial are centered upon 3weekly tx where you have a recovery time from both tx and fasting. Taxotere is far less nauseating with less gi effects. My taxotere tx was still 3 weekly cycle and as I had experienced no ill effects from fasting continued to fast as I had with the FEC.

    Before doing any sort of fasting or supplementation with anything during chemo please check with your MO as they are in the best place to advise you! It would be a sad thing to go through this awful tx without getting all the therapeutic benefit! ((( take care ))) robyn

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marije
    Marije Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    Hi there!

    I realise this is an old thread, but was hoping some of you ladies still check in sometimes :-)

    I found it because I've neen searching for research on fasting during chemo, as I am very interested in it.

    As a matter of fact, I have started fasting since yesterday for my first chemo tomorrow (roughly 48hrs).

    I'll be having FECT during 6 cycles (3 x fec + 3 x t).

    I suppose my question is: would you reccomend it and did it really make a difference? From what I've read in this thread it sound like you're all very enthusiastic?

    And is 48hr prior enough, or does it need to be more? I didnt manage to open your link to Dr.Longo's emails, would it be possible to send them again?

    Also, would you still take supplements while fasting? I tend to take quite a few normally, so to all of a sudden cut it out, feels odd. But would it defeat the purpose?

    Many questions, sorry! Hope some of you are still around here (or off happily enjoying life to the fullest I'd expect, haha).

    Thanks,

    Marije

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2016

    Hi Marije,

    I haven't seen this thread before, but I have been fasting during chemo and found it helpful. I haven't had nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

    During AC, I generally fasted at least 2 1/2 days before chemo started and fasted 24 hours after chemo ended. It was more comfortable for my last meal to be in the evening. So, the whole fast could last 4 days.

    Breaking the fast with bone broth was best. My favorite was pho, the Vietnamese soup. I also focused on getting probiotics and gelatin through food (milk kefir and homemade jello) since they help your gut heal.

    My supplements were vitamin D and magnesium. I was told not to take antioxidants. Through food was OK.

    Now that I'm on weekly Taxol, my fast is just over a day. I just had my 4th of 12.

    Hope that helps.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marije
    Marije Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    Thanks Serenity,

    That is very useful. Perhaps my fast is not long enough this time, as I think realistically it will be about 46hr before chemo starts.

    I'm still a little confused about supplements. While fasting and while eating normally.. Did you mean you took the vitamin d and magnesium during both fasting and non fasting days? And how about things like Juiceplus (basically just dried fruit and veg powder). And pro-biotic supplements?

    I drink mainly water and teas. Am I ok putting chopped fruit in the water for flavor?

    Good luck with your treatment, and hopefully we can keep each other updated on added benefits (or not) from fasting!

    Xxx

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2016

    Hi Marije, welcome to Breastcancer.org! Sorry you have to be here, but glad you've found us!

    Besides this, there is another thread you may be interested in, the Topic: fasting, more recent and with many posts also from members that fasted around chemo. Hope this helps!

    The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2016

    46 hours is a good start. The fast after chemo also makes a difference.

    I take vitamin D when I remember, fasting or not. I supplement with magnesium either by powder or transdermally. I prefer transdermally. When fasting, I sometimes add magnesium calm if I want some flavor in my water.

    I've never used Juiceplus, but it doesn't sound free of calories. Anything over 50 kcals will break your fast. If I feel weak, I will drink a little coconut water (about 30 kcals). I drink black coffee in the morning and water the rest of the day. I've added Perrier for variety. A squirt of lemon juice is about 4 kcals. Chopped fruit would be more unless you don't eat it. When not fasting, I add frozen mangoes to my water, but I eat it as I drink.

    I was told not to drink more than 1 cup of green tea a day. Black tea is OK, but I'm not much of a tea drinker.

    I think fasting is important and will continue to do it after I'm done with chemo and radiation.

    Good luck to you as well!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marije
    Marije Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    Thanks.

    I just spoke to the chemo nurse about tomorrow, and I mentioned I was fasting. She tried high and low to talk me out of it, especially because I'll be trying the cold cap, and she said it would make me very lightheaded..

    Any thoughts?


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2016

    Hmm, I don't know what effect cold capping will have. I don't get lightheaded from fasting, but I did have problems with it when sitting up sometimes. May have been to lower red blood counts. I added more foods with iron, and it's better now.

    I told my MO about fasting, but never the nurses. There was even a time I emailed my MO about a side effect. It didn't seem to be a big deal, and he specifically said not to tell the nurses. I would check with your MO. Great thing about fasting is that it's temporary. Be sure to eat well after.

    Make sure you drink lots of water.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marije
    Marije Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    Thank you. I am getting nervous now, as I have fasted now, and dont want to stop just before chemo..

    I suppose we'll see what happens tomorrow, and if it doesnt work, I can change tactic..


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2016

    I remember feeling the same way. Drink lots of water and keep warm. I bring a thick wool scarf since I'm icing my hands and feet. The hospital blanket isn't warm enough for me.

    Good luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chava
    Chava Member Posts: 50
    edited June 2016

    As my posts that I did at the time of treatment show I had very few side effects from Chemo. Victor Longo has some new studies with Fast Mimicking diet which also seems to work well. I recently did another 5 day fast as I am still hoping to keep my BC from coming back. Research shows that 5 day fasts help mice not to get a reocuurance so hopefully it will help to keep me cancer free. I don't take my supplements during fasting but they have 0 calories so probably ok

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2016

    How often are you doing a 5-day fast?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marije
    Marije Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    Nice to hear from you Chava!

    And very good to hear a positive story. I am so scared now... First chemo is this afternoon at 1pm. I am nervous whether made the right decision about fasting... The nurse seemed to dissaprove so much.. :-(

    I feel fine though... But obviously dont know whats coming, and whether I can tolerate the cold cap. Do you know of any ladies who had the cold cap while fasting??

    And how important is it to wait with food for 24hrs after chemo? I'm feeling a bit pekish, haha. And the chicken soup looks gooood for tonight... Or do I have to persevere, and wait till tomorrow lunchtime? Would be a shame to undo all my good work.l.

    X

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2016

    The 24-hr fast after chemo will give you better results. Your chemo start time is 1 pm, but the infusion will not be completed until several hours after. You need to give yourself time to flush out the chemo before introducing food.

    You may find that you don't have an appetite after chemo anyway.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chava
    Chava Member Posts: 50
    edited June 2016

    I just did a 5 day fast but want to do it quarterly based on some things that I have read. I fast easily. During chemo I did a water fast this last fast I did the fast mimicking diet which was basically eating spinach and 1 avocado daily. Someone did research that showed that 2 avocados daily gave the right proportions of fats/carbs etc

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chava
    Chava Member Posts: 50
    edited June 2016

    Marji,

    Good luck with your chemo today. I don't know anything about the cold cap but regarding the fasting it needs to include the 24hours after chemo as well. I don't see how it would hurt. Drink lots of water!!! And if the cold cap is too hard it is pretty lousy to lose your hair but it does grow back!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2016

    Chava - 2 avocadoes daily? I like avocadoes, but I can't eat that much of it. I'm still in chemo, but when done, I will do 5-day fasts. I was thinking twice a year, but I can shoot for quarterly. Thanks!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marije
    Marije Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2016

    Thanks ladies.

    Just got home from first chemo. The cold cap was horrible, absolute torture...i wanted to claw the thing of my head, haha. But I persevered, and it was more doable after 15min or so. The chemo itself wasnt all that bad...

    But now waiting for symptoms! I'm feeling pretty hungry, and really want to eat something. The chemo started late, about 2.30ish. I dont know if I can wait that long till tomorrow afternoon to stay off food! And how about all the medicine I'm supposed to take tomorrow.. Steroids, anti-sickness tablets, laxatives... Am I OK just taking them all on an empty stomach? Plenty of water ofcourse, but still...?

    I am also due to get a Neulasta shot tomorrow afternoon.. But have heard people get really sick from it... So contemplating declining it.. What do you think?

    Thanks

    Xxx



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chava
    Chava Member Posts: 50
    edited June 2016

    Marji,

    Glad to hear it went well. I took the neulasta the next day after each chemo and had no problem. After my first chemo I took all of the meds that are suppose to help with side effects, but since I felt fine after the first time I didn't take any of them on later chemos. I just fasted!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chava
    Chava Member Posts: 50
    edited June 2016

    Serenity,

    Two advocado is what has the balance of what would be fast mimicking. There are actually some recipes on line if you google fast mimicking diet recipes for alternatives to the advocado. I found it easier to just eat one advocado divided and spinach with rice vinegar at lunch and dinner time.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited June 2016

    I fasted through 3 of my 4 TC and all 4 AC. I did not fast for Taxol. I did great each time I fasted. I tolerated chemo very well both times. I did actually get sick the time I did not fast; not sure if it was coincidence or a stomach bug

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories