Am I crazy for trying an alternative treatment?
Comments
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Shockedat29 - I'm just chiming in that I hope you will at least do surgery.
I was also diagnosed young, and it's true that our cancers tend to be more aggressive and faster growing. Anyway, surgery remains the most important component of curing early stage breast cancer.
I appreciate you starting this thread - it's been interesting!
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Still could not find the article I mentioned previously, but I did find something similar: out of 46 cases of spontaneous cancer (not breast) remission only 8 lasted long term:
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150306-the-mystery-of-vanishing-cancer
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Personally at your age I'd be too scared to not have the surgery. You can get a lumpectomy and continue with alternative therapy to kill off any stray leftover cancer cells. I'm not even jazzed about keeping my tumor until the end of neoadjuvant chemo (though it's nice to be able to tell that the chemo is working). Keep in mind that just because they don't see any other tumors doesn't mean there aren't any in there. Especially small ones can hide out quite well, which is why they'll probably recommend radiation if you choose to do a lumpectomy. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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Shocked, that's great that your tumor is melting! I do believe that alternative methods can make some difference. Can you get another biopsy? That way you can see if the cancer is still there. We don't need to throw away medical knowledge just because alternative made a difference. Did you hear that there is a hospital in Texas (Anderson?) that is starting a clinical trial for NO surgery for DCIS, the wait and see approach? Maybe you can look that up.
I know some women feel less anxiety with surgery, others feel worse that they had it. I am definitely one of later ones. And surgery did not "take out" the cancer. It was out because of the treatment. And I did not feel good, like my treatment ended, I still had 9 months of treatment left. surgery just disfigured me and caused a miriad of permanent problems. And just in case you were wondering, I am very grateful.
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hi shockedat
Thanks for opening this tread. I also try a natural medicine called mms even though many told me it is bleach and I am crazy lol
Well in dec 2017 my tumor was 6.8cm started this mms stuff and in March 08th CT scan showed the mass to be 4.5cm. This is so crazy cuz chemo did never worked on my bc back in 2012 so now this natural mms is doing it for me.
I just want to tell you keep trusting your own judgment. I am now following my own instinct
I am now reading all these post but I wanted to thank you for opening this discussion
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Hi,
When you have a minute check out
Dr. Burzynski in youtube . His clinic is in Texas I want to do his treatment but i may no be able to afford it. I am selling my property and I will keep it in mind as plan B. I am happy with mms for now and also trying to keep an open mind regarding other alternative medicine.
The dr Burzynski treatment seams to be very effective is uses: antineoplastons
Antineoplastons are naturally occurring peptides demonstrating ability to re-program cancer cell without destroying normal cells. Due to their low-toxicity and anti-cancer activity, Antineoplastons represent a revolutionary avenues in cancer research. Antineoplastons are components of a complex biochemical defense system that controls cancer in the human body and are reproduced synthetically for medicinal use.
Please check it out I like you decided to take the time to research and this is one that convinced me due to the fact that he was sent to court several times by FDA trying to still from his patents.
Anyway hope this helps
Since you are in the state I believe some can be cover by insurance. Me I am in Canada so no so easy since I must pay flight plus acomodations beside the treatment charges.
Anyway just have a look is great to be informed.
I will look at the others mentioned here by all of you wonderful ladies
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Enerva, where is the tumor?
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hi momine
Ok here is my history
I had breast cancer in 2012. Long history short did all the conventional medicine follow all protocol my oncologist recommended. Did both chemo plus radiation and bmx.
Then in 2017 started to feel sick with symptoms like constipation, stomach pain lack of sleep and others which I went several times to my family Dr for and she kept saying it was nothing. Finally my period went missing for 2 months I went to check why. Maybe I was pregnant? Lol nah I was worried something was no feeling right . I insisted I needed an ultrasound and got 1. It said I had a small fibroid and that most likely benign. My dr told me this could have been the cause of all my other symptoms and that we just had to keep an eye on it. Then I continue to feel sick and she ordered another ultrasound in 2 months. By that time the so called fibroid grew to 2.5cm and I started to worry but again I was told not to worry this was ok no big deal fibroids are very common 80% of woman has them. Again within a month I started to be way more sick to the point I could not even digest soup.
I insisted to see a specialist and was referred to 1. She also requested another ultrasound by this time I had 5 ultrasounds and the fibroid was 4.5cm growing rapidly so I started to worry and I decided to get a second opinion. I manage to get another referral at a walking clinic. Basically I went to a walking clinic and I said that my family dr was on holiday and that i needed a referral for a specialist. The dr at the walking clinic said I was right to be worry. He said he did not understand why I was not been look at by a specialist. Anyway the new dr I saw ordered an MRI and then another dr who review the MRI said he thought it was a benign fibroid but that since it was giving me such a hard time he was wiling to get it out. So I was so happy Finally something was going to be done? This was in October 2017 I waited till Dec 13th to have the surgery. He then opened me up and close me . When I woke up he told me . "I have bad news, you were right " I said what do you mean I was right ? He said you have cancer this is not a fibroid. Anyway he didn't take it out instead he sent me back to my hospital which treated me in 2012. Those dr told me oh we have bad news. I said what else? They said you do not have ovarian cancer. There fore you are in the wrong area. You have breast cancer which metastatic to your pelvic and peritoneal so you need to see your breast cancer oncologist.
So they also said no surgery. No chemo
I asked why no surgery? They say it was of the table.
I hate to make such long history but . I left their office and I decided to fight so I called my breast cancer surgeon and requested an appointment. You see I was upset and I needed my surgeon to explain why . Why no surgery to remove this tumor?
Anyway I also decided to be my own genepig?
And I went crazy in the internet. I found something called mms. Started it right away on Jan 05. Withing 1 week I felt well like my body was healing and the ct in March showed my tumor is reduced so now I managed to convince my gynecologist to do a surgery and remove my ovaries plus what ever is left of the tumor
I continue to take mms
I am also looking at dr. Burzynski treatment
Sorry such long history I try to make it short.
I am on my way out I ll post later
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Enerva, thanks very much for explaining. I wish you the best.
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Momine thanks
I will keep you all posted in terms of what I find and what works or no work.
I was wondering about dandelion tea.
Anyone here try it?
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Enerva, interesting. Thanks for sharing. I started reading your post very skeptical, but it seems like it has helped you.
let me explain, there are a lot of scams out there. For example my father is convinced that baking soda (!) is number one prevention and treatment of any cancer. I would like to see the evidence.
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Hi Enerva, it's great you are feeling better. Your profile reads you have been on Zoladex since Dec 2017. Do you think Zoladex could have helped to make your tumor smaller?
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hi muska
So let me tell you why I think mms is the one doing the shrinking
When I saw the oncologist and he told me that surgery was no an option for me he also told me that 1 of my kidney the right one was also been affected due to the mass was blocking it and there was no draining and that I must go see a kidney specialist the following month in January. So when I left his office I had the prescription in my hand for the zoladex and letroze. But I went home and read about the SE I was also determined to do it the natural way this time and I was upset about the no surgery option.
So let me explain cuz unless you know my history with breast cancer then you won't understand my actions now. When I got the lump in my right breast in 2012. I was sent home saying is no cancer let's monitor it. I insisted and had a mamogram but the lump was very small like a grain of rice so the mamogram show it was just a benign cist.
Then it started to grow rapidly and by the time I saw the specialist it went to 2.5cm in 2 months and they wanted to take my breast away right away. I requested a nipple sparing surgery cuz I didn't want to lose my skin . The surgeon told me that 2.5cm was too big and that in order to get the nipple sparing surgery I must do chemo first to reduce the size. I was furious cuz I went to them when it was very small and they push me away then I had chemo in front of me as a must do in order to give you the type of surgery you want? Then chemo did not work and my tumor went to 13.6cm yes imagine that. And I still after 6 month of hell chemo I still asked for the type of surgery and the surgeon agreed to do it. Basically she could have done it at 2.5cm but instead forced me to do chemo first. Anyway by that time I already had lost faith in my team of doctors but I was against a wall.
Anyway back to the present. When I left the oncologist office on December 22nd 2017 I made a call to my breast cancer surgeon and I left a mgs saying please call me with an appointment I was a patient in 2013 and now I have a tumor but I am been told that surgery is no an option I need your opinion. So in my mind I kept asking why ? Why is this oncologist saying no surgery? If my surgeon was able to take a 13+cm tumor from my breast why she is no able to take a 6.8cm from my pelvic? Anyway I got a call back saying she could see me in Feb 14th imagine that. I was to wait again so long but is ok I took the appointment. And I researched the internet hours and hours I found that mms stuff and yes I agree it sound it wierd but for what ever reason the testimonials kind of stick in my head and I had to try since I was not wiling to take the hormones treatment.
So I ordered and I kept on searching cuz at that time I was no sure it was going to work I went nuts searching the internet. Anyway I started taking the mms on Jan 05 2018. I saw the oncologist and he sent me to see a specialist for my kidney appointment was for january 18.
By January 10 only after 5 days on mms. I felt different my stomach came back to normal size and I was able to go to the bathroom with no issues so I knew this stuff was doing some good. When I went to see the kidney specialist he told me that the only way to check the kidney function was with a test. Which involved going up with a camera till they reach my kidney. I them told him that I wanted to get the test but that if my kidney was ok I did not want the stein. My oncologist sent me there to have a stein inserted in my kidney
This dr agreed with me he said he would no do it unless it was necessary so yes I let them do this test it was horrible. But guess what ? My kidney was back to normal both in size and functional. That dr told me he has never seen a hormone blocker reduce a tumor and he said to me what ever you are doing keep doing it cuz your tumor is ether reducing in size or maybe it moved.but nothing is blocking the kidney path.
Ladies I do know I sound like from a wako place. But if you want I can send you my reports. That dr gave me a report saying my kidney was back to normal and that he did not need to insert any sten. At that point I was more convinced that stuff bleach or no bleach was helping me.
Anyway I am not saying mms will cure me for good cuz I am not sure for how long it can work. So I am still searching for more natural options. I also found the treatment of that dr. Burzynski in texas and yes call me nuts but I am selling my condo and if I manage to get enough $ I may go and take the chance. I watch all the videos of how the FDA try to taking down and 100 of patients who he cure for good went to protest. The videos are in youtube. Also I think his cure is a permanent one. Mms is something I will take for life since it won't cure permanent. Well I saw testimonials of people who take it for life like once a month or so as prevention. I am taking it every day until I know I have a permanent cure?
When I saw my breast cancer surgeon in Feb 14th she did agree with me. She said she doesn't think I am crazy for wanting the surgery. So I went to my gynecologist and now he will do the surgery even though my oncologist is not on board. I am also changing that oncologist. I am just waiting for a referral to see a new one.
Now I face another delema. The more I think about the no having my ovaries the more scare I get. But again I am against a wall. The gynecologist is wiling to take my mass or what is left of it as long as he gets the ovaries too. He says that since I am ER + pr + I should eliminate the estrogen completely. But something tells me I will be in more trouble no having the estrogen?
Please ladies give me your honest opinion on this.
Oh and I am not telling you to try mms I am only sharing my experience. That mms stuff plus I stopped eating meat and dairy cold turkey is what I am taking and it is helping me. My type of cancer laughed at chemo but somehow the mms is taking it away. From Dec to march it went from 6.8cm to 4.5cm. And my surgery is on may 23rd again I had to wait so long so I am hoping it ll be almost gone by that time.
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Alice lol
This morning I did take a glass with water and a tea spoon of the baking soda ha ha I read on a tread here that it is the way to regulate our PH ?
As you see I am deaparate for a cure to my stage 4 and I am brave I will try what ever I see its working for some people.
I also wish you all the best. I wish we all wake up from this nightmare
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I personally would take the doctors recommendations. I feel that if there was an aleternative treatment that proved clinically effective through clinical trials, all of us would be on it. I originally refused the tamoxifen but did the lumpectomy and radiation and I got a recurrence after 3 years. Could the recurrence have happened anyway? Maybe, who knows, but it shows us that BC tends to be more aggressive in younger women. Be whole with your decision to postpone, I have friends who did due to denial or disbelief and they have told me they believe their tumors grew more aggressively because they waited...Hindsight
If you go forward with treatment Iwould definitely recommend you do IVF and freeze eggs....good luck xx
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Hi Enerva, you have been through a lot and I hope your surgery goes well in May.
From your post above I am not clear about zoladex: are you on Zoladex or not
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thanks May
I think I will go with the surgery just to avoid the estrogen completely.
I also trust my gynecologist he is the only one who listened to me.
I fear how will I deal with the consequences of no having my ovaries but I guess many did it and some are ok
As per my eggs. Well that train already left for me. I now 44 and been stage 4 now I don't want children. It did hurt me to give that up in 2012 when I was 37 but now I am ok with the fact I won't be a mom.
Thanks for your opinion
I think the real cure is in Texas at that dr. Burzynski clinic. Just not available to some due to our money access ?
My condo sells this coming week and I will keep that in mind.
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USA Today wrote an investigative article on Dr. Burzynski in 2013 (updated in 2014).
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/15/stanislaw-burzynski-cancer-controversy/2994561/
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scary. What a scammer.
E, the body always goes back to the ph it needs to function well. The alkaline diet is bogus. It can actually be dangerous if you are too alkaline resulting in death. Our organs need balance of acidity and alk and adjusts accordingly. Watch what you believe. I understand being desperate but you are playing with fire on such unsubstantiated or bogus stuff found online. If there was a cure out there it'd be all over. Just like with other diseases once incurable that now are or have a vaccine..
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Well my tumor is going down in size and that is what matters to me.
In 2012 I was given 6 month of chemo even though the doctors knew my type of cancer does not respond to chemo.
Now I am the one trying what ever I find so far what I found works for my type of cancer and that is great.
I feel everybody Is different and what works for some does not for others.
Is just the way it is.
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i hope you are doing more good than bad. With anti hormonals its listed the ses or damages that can be done. I feel badly for people who get scammed into believing something is the cure for so much money. He's in it for profit and probably not for care. I hope you don't get taken and you become no evidence of disease like the rest of us in remission. We never will have 0 estrogen because it's produced in other areas aside from female parts. Good luck
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thanks Rosabella
At this point I am not able to go to his clinic
I am taking natural aproach first. The pharmaceutical industry as well as the FDA have profit enough from me in 2012 when the doctors gave me treatment which was useless but harmful to me. That is how I feel
Thanks for understanding
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hello would you not consider going then to MD Anderson first to get an opinion? They are the best from what I hear and they can give you an opinion too and then you can seefrom there. This won’t cost you much especially if you’ve are already in Houston. Sending you big hugs.
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Hi Enerva,
You asked about the dandelion tea, i tried it cause my husband read something about it on line, i drank it once, it was soooo bitter! I told my husband, i'll drink it if he does it with me😂
I'm taking a lot of supplements like vit C, turmeric, gogi berry, guyabano tea and lots of matcha green tea together with my hormone blocker and target target therapy medicine, my oncologist approves as long as i don't do too much of it. I also had my ovaries removed before starting therapy, i noticed immediate relief of pain on affected breast and decreasedin mass size, i will know for sure on my next scan in July. I will also start hot yoga next week based on hyperthermia therapy.
Shockedat29, any updates?
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Oh wow thanks a lot I started the tea too and so far is ok I didn't get the roots yet just the root tea to start .
Thanks so much for all the great advices
I have been chasing squirrels all day
They are after my plants and nk matter what i try they won't give up
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No updates from me. After my follow-up, I was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but I'm in better spirits now.
A few days ago, I spoke to someone on the phone who was able to heal himself of melanoma using the Gerson Therapy. It put me in better spirits to know that I made direct contact with someone who used an alternative method that worked.
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I have been drinking dandelion tea (root) pretty much all my life. Not every day but once or twice a month. It is a natural diuretic and I use bitters as liver support. I also eat dandelion leaves in salads etc. "Bitters" like dandelion, radicchio etc. are common in Austrian/Italian cuisine and I love them. Of course I use organic dandelions not the ones in the yard where my dogs are
I guess it's an acquired taste - my husband doesn't much care for them - but will eat them once in a while.
Since my diagnosis I have also started using Matcha tea. I drink it every morning. I gave up coffee and the matcha gives me energy. And turmeric root (with a dash of black pepper) in green smoothies or fresh veggie juices along with fresh Ginger and a dash cayenne and lemon (good for my allergies). I don't do the smoothies/juices every day anymore (time consuming) but as often as I can!
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maybe i'll give dandelion tea another try 🤕At least for the diuretic properties.
My WBC is trending down, still within normal limots but it was at 9 before treatment then 5.2 now at 4.7, a noticeable slow decrease since i started gogi berry and matcha which also said to help increase WBC together with vit A, yogurt etc,. according to google search 😝, as long as it does not contradict my medication and my oncologist approves, i guess supplements does not hurt.
I start hot yoga next weekend👊🏼
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You could try to add a tiny amount of cranberry juice (unsweetened) to the tea. Maybe this will make it more drinkable. It is not the worst tea I ever drank. During chemo I drank slippery elm tea for my stomach and soothing my esophagus. It tasted as it sounds
but it helped me a lot, didn't interfere with my chemo and it works well with digestive problems as well as sore throat (in dogs too - they seem to like it, ditto with dandelion)
What about trying Turkey tail supplements? It is said they help with blood counts. I used this and acupuncture! I actually did 13 rounds of aggressive chemo with normal blood counts which surprised everyone and I credit the turkey tail and acupuncture. I always had a healthy life style before diagnosis which must have helped a bit.
Obviously you have to check with your onco. During treatment I had a naturapthic doctor and pharmacist at cancer center checking everything to make sure nothing interferes. I have to admit I never asked my onco because and we each have to do what we believe in. As triple negative I really could not turn down chemo but it was important to me doing it with a holistic regime.
I also use probiotics - helps with the immune system/digestion (but I stopped that and the turmeric several days before and and after chemo).
Good luck!
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