Vitamin D

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Wiegp22
Wiegp22 Member Posts: 268
edited January 2017 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

hi everyone, I am getting taxatere, herceptin and perjecta for stage 4 bc mets to bone and liver, I have asked my onco if I can take Vit D since I have bone mets and can't go in sun do to sensitivity from chemo, she won't really say either way if taking vitamin ad will effect the chemo and make it less effective, sorry so long, my question anyone on this re gem is that been given the go ahead by their to take if so how much and what kind? I would really appreciate the help since you ladies are so dma

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  • sharethehope
    sharethehope Member Posts: 115
    edited January 2017

    Hi 22

    My integrative onc added vit D early on. She did have me tested. There is a tie in with low Vt D & breast cancer. Do you have access to an integrative onc. They're worth the time since so many things come up about vit & minerals, diet, etc. I'm taking taxol now but so far Vit D hasn't been a problem with anything I've taken. Best of luck. April

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  • Wiegp22
    Wiegp22 Member Posts: 268
    edited January 2017

    Thank you April and no I don't have an integrated onco, live in the up of Michigan small and rural. Where can I find one?


    Thanks again, Paula

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  • scrunchthecat
    scrunchthecat Member Posts: 269
    edited January 2017

    Hi Wiegp22,

    I am on the same protocol of Herceptin & Perjeta. I take 1000 U of Vitamin D every day, my onc says it's OK. I also take 100mg CoQ10 as well.

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  • sharethehope
    sharethehope Member Posts: 115
    edited January 2017

    Wiegp22

    You might be able to find a integrative onc or a naturopath on line or from someone on this site. These dr could help you with other protocols that you could add.   Also, you might want to download Bestbird's book on mbc at the upper part of the main list its very helpful. Upper, where in the UP do you live? I used to live in the hand down by the wrist. Best wishes April

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  • Wiegp22
    Wiegp22 Member Posts: 268
    edited January 2017

    scrunchehecat, I am also getting taxatere plus h an p do you think it's ok for bit a

    Thank u hugs

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  • JFL
    JFL Member Posts: 1,947
    edited January 2017

    My once requested that I take 2000mg daily (even before I was Stage 4) and periodically checks to confirm I am still on it. He was involved with a research study demonstrating improved outcomes with Vit D.

    Also, for some reason, many people diagnosed with BC, particularly young women, have low Vitamin D levels at time of diagnosis.

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  • Wiegp22
    Wiegp22 Member Posts: 268
    edited January 2017

    Thank you JFL but I have always been a sun lover so I don't think I was low before but now the chemo I on is sensitive to the sun, my onco has no idea if vit d lessons the effectiveness of the chemo. Have you heard of this


    Hugs, Paula

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  • sharethehope
    sharethehope Member Posts: 115
    edited January 2017

    Wiegp

    You might ask Bestbird if she is aware of any interaction. I'm on 4000 mg a day & have not had a problem with anything I've been on but have not been on your chemo. On Taxol now. You might try the sites where people are using the same chemo you are & ask those ladies. Best of luck. April

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited January 2017

    I just had my Vit D tested, perhaps for the first time, and was found deficient (18 ng/ml). They didn't test for Vit D when I was treated and I can't seem to find any records that I ever was, so I have no idea if this was a factor for me. I was young (38) and had zero family history. I'm now on 50,000 IUs weekly for 2 months and will then re-test.

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  • Wiegp22
    Wiegp22 Member Posts: 268
    edited January 2017

    share the hop, I live in Iron Mountain MI thanks for the info but I don't know how to get ahold of integrated dr


    Thank you, Paula

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  • JFL
    JFL Member Posts: 1,947
    edited January 2017

    Wiegp, I haven't heard of any interactions with Vitamin D and chemo but it would be a good idea to confirm with a knowledgeable oncologist (breast cancer expert).

    Interestingly, when I was first diagnosed, my Vitamin D levels were low. I was shocked because I live in South Florida where it is sunny nearly every day of the year and was taking a supplement with over 100% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin D and a multivitamin with another 60% or so of RDA. My levels didn't normalize until I started taking a megadose of Vitamin D. I periodically have my levels tested.





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  • zarovka
    zarovka Member Posts: 3,607
    edited January 2017

    Yes. Don't guess at whether, when and how to supplement. It's a critical piece of the strategy. Get an expert on your team. Unfortunately MO are not trained in this.

    Here is a list of the alumni from the Arizona School of Integrative Medicine. Sort by specialty and look for the ones that specialize in Oncology.

    Here's a list of the fabulous FABNO's. These folks have met the gold standard of education in oncology and integrated medicine.

    There aren't many outside of metropolitan areas and often you can't find anyone local. The good news is that many of the best one's consult by phone or skype. Here are three that consult by skype and I find helpful.

    Dr. Brian Lawanda

    Dr. Rubin

    Grace Gawler

    Most major cancer centers have an integrative care specialist. But find someone who only does cancer. You can't dabble in this stuff.

    And find someone that really feels right. Complementary practitioners are critical sounding boards through this complicated process.

    >Z<

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  • gp193
    gp193 Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2017

    My wife is currently on gemzar/carboplatin and her MO told her to take 2000mg of Vit. D daily. This has been the same advice ever since she started treatment 1.5 years ago with AC/T chemo. As far as I understand Vit. D is very important to the immune system and there is no negative interaction with chemo.

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  • Wiegp22
    Wiegp22 Member Posts: 268
    edited January 2017

    zarovka, Thank you so much for the valuable info


    Paul

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  • Wiegp22
    Wiegp22 Member Posts: 268
    edited January 2017

    gh193, Thanks for the info


    Paule

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  • Wiegp22
    Wiegp22 Member Posts: 268
    edited January 2017

    JFL, I am going to Florida for my daughters wedding, can't go in the sun cause of chemo and don't know if it's ok to fly

    Do you go on the sun and does it bother your skin

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  • JFL
    JFL Member Posts: 1,947
    edited January 2017

    Wieg, I haven't had any issues with the sun in FL on any of my chemos over the last 10 years. I *try* to get 10-15 minutes of sun a day for health reasons (via walking from parking lot into work, running errands, etc.). When I run in the sun, I wear sunscreen on face/neck/chest. When I go out on boats, I wear tons of sunscreen, try to sit in shade when possible and bring items to cover my skin after a while. I have always been warned of sensitivity but haven't had any issues, even with regular running and boating outside.

    If you are mindful about it and take precautions you will be fine.

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited January 2017

    With enough sun screen you should be OK. Vitamin D is not the only reason to get a dose of sunlight. Other components of light are also beneficial. Fresh air, too.

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  • Wiegp22
    Wiegp22 Member Posts: 268
    edited January 2017

    Thank you JFL, great to hear, I live in the up of Michigan where the sun is not as hot as in Florida, will be going to Anna Maria Island in March for my daughters wedding,


    Thanks again, Paula

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  • Wiegp22
    Wiegp22 Member Posts: 268
    edited January 2017

    Thank you Heidihill, I agree

    Paul

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  • sharethehope
    sharethehope Member Posts: 115
    edited January 2017

    Wiegp22

    Don't know if your interested in clinical trials but saw one in Iron Mountain.  NCT0215282 for Her - . The other thing is that they might be able to help you locate an integrative onc.  April

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  • Wiegp22
    Wiegp22 Member Posts: 268
    edited January 2017

    sharethehope,

    I am sure that clinical trial was not in Iron Mountsin a Michigan and so am her2+

    Paula

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  • sharethehope
    sharethehope Member Posts: 115
    edited January 2017

    Green Bay Oncology Iron Mt Michigan, contact person Brian Burnette Ph. 800-432-6049. I found it on this sites thread for clinical trials. Hope its something you can use. There may be other trials near by. They show up in of odd places. April

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  • sharethehope
    sharethehope Member Posts: 115
    edited January 2017

    Green Bay Onc is on Stepherson

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited January 2017

    The foodforbreastcancer.com web site has a long article discussing vitamin D, and links to various studies. They concluded that vitamin D may enhance the effectiveness of chemo. You could discuss this with your oncologist.

    http://foodforbreastcancer.com/articles/how-import...

    My onc pointed out that some of us just don't make enough vitamin D even if we do get sunlight. Ask for your 25 OH vitamin D level to be tested, and supplement if needed. When I was on Taxol, if I got sun on my bare arms I would get a rash. The nurse said to protect my skin from the sun.

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