Supplement question

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I've posted in a couple of different forums, looking for some help please:
Hi ladies, I've read where a lot of you are taking vitamins and supplements and that you feel they are helping. I've asked my oncologist about this and he said absolutely no supplements. Now, I have a new problem. I've been diagnosed with Dry Macular Degeneration in my left eye and the specialist wants me to take something called "I-Caps" it's supposed to be a vitamin for the eye. I cannot have anything with beta carotene or vitamin "A" in it. The only cancer related drug that I am on at the moment is Herceptin. Do you think it would hurt anything to take these supplements? I want to do all I can to protect my eyesight.
Thanks for your input.
Hugs

Comments

  • Rosemary44
    Rosemary44 Member Posts: 2,660
    edited August 2007
    Looks like you'll need to change your diet somewhat:

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070731/hl_nm/dietary_carbs_linked_vision_loss_dc_1

    I think it's 3 vitamins that they found helped the best for your problem. Ten to one they're in that I-caps. It's the only vitamins the FDA thinks are worthy. I forget which 3 they are, it will come to me later.

    It's vitamin C, E and zinc. If your onc said not to supplement, I'd listen. Here's a list of vitamins that are in foods, you still have to eat:

    http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=9673
  • rubytuesday
    rubytuesday Member Posts: 2,248
    edited August 2007
    My mother has macular degeneration and has been on I-CAPS. They really do seem to help. I got this from their website:

    What vitamins/minerals does ICaps® contain?
    ICaps® contains the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin which help protect the macula against the effects of years of exposure to damaging light.

    It is also a source of Vitamin A, which helps vision in dim light, and the antioxidant Vitamin E which helps protect cell membranes.

    ICaps® contains Vitamin C which protects cells and keeps them healthy. The Vitamin B2 in ICaps® is proven to help maintain good eyesight, and a key sign of deficiency in this vitamin is itchy, irritated eyes. ICaps® also contains the trace elements zinc, selenium, copper and manganese.

    Best wishes!
  • Rosemary44
    Rosemary44 Member Posts: 2,660
    edited August 2007
    Eating fatty fish for its omega 3 benefits is the latest in research found to help, maybe your Onc won't balk at taking fish oil?

    Also, which I think is big, is eating spinach daily. Lightly steamed not boiled, or raw if your allowed.

    • Lutein, best known for its association with healthy eyes, is abundant in green, leafy vegetables such as collard greens, spinach, and kale
  • nitewind
    nitewind Member Posts: 64
    edited August 2007
    Thanks for all the help. I might be able to do the fish oil caps but as for eating fish? Don't care for any seafood. I will ask my onc about the fish oil caps though.
    Thanks again
  • Rosemary44
    Rosemary44 Member Posts: 2,660
    edited August 2007
    Susan,

    And you'll be eating what everyday? I don't see a mention.

    I steamed up some kale the other day, I put garlic powder on it and low sodium soy sauce. Was that ever good. I wished I made more of it.
  • 1Cathi
    1Cathi Member Posts: 1,957
    edited August 2007

    Hi Everyone, I put this info in another post, but incase you missed it. A juicer and get "Juicing For Life" great book with all kinds of raw vegie / fruit juice recipies.

  • rrs
    rrs Member Posts: 614
    edited August 2007

    Antioxidants (beta carotene) should not be taken while you are taking chemo. I've seen other information here about this. Maybe you could try searching under "antioxidants chemo"

  • Rosemary44
    Rosemary44 Member Posts: 2,660
    edited September 2007

    In the news out today which I'll go look for again, is to eat those green leafy veggies, spinach, kale, etc. for macular degeneration.  It also said vitamins E and such didn't work as well.

     People who consume high levels of the yellow plant pigments lutein and zeaxanthin may have a reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of irreversible blindness among the elderly.

     

    The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group study, supported by the U.S. government, looked at more than 4,500 people who were between the ages of 60 and 80 when they were enrolled between 1992 and 1998.

    Those who consumed the highest levels of lutein and zeaxanthin -- found in yellow and dark leafy vegetables -- were significantly less likely than those who ate the lowest levels of these nutrients to have advanced AMD, the research team found.

    People with the highest intake of lutein and zeaxanthin were also less likely to have large or numerous intermediate drusen, which are yellow or white deposits on the retina or optic nerve that are a sign of AMD.

    The study is published in the September issue of the journal Archives of Ophthalmology.

    The researchers said lutein and zeaxanthin may affect processes through which light and oxygen damage the eyes.

    If further research confirms the findings of this study, "lutein and zeaxanthin may be considered as useful agents in food or supplement-based interventions designed to reduce the risk of AMD," the authors concluded.

    More information

    The U.S. National Eye Institute has more about AMD.

  • Rosemary44
    Rosemary44 Member Posts: 2,660
    edited September 2007

    There goes zinc, just wait long enough and it all changes:

    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80798.php

  • rrs
    rrs Member Posts: 614
    edited September 2007

    This is crazy.  Hard to know what to believe. 

  • Rosemary44
    Rosemary44 Member Posts: 2,660
    edited September 2007

    Maybe 20 years from now they'll get this all sorted out.   Meanwhile, just eat spinach, not in plastic bags.  Till further notice.

  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited September 2007

    Tell your onc and your eye dr that they need to talk to each other since you are getting conflicting information.  Make one of your drs call the other while you are in the office during an appointment.  Chances are the one dr won't be able to talk directly with the other at that moment, but at least you will have started the process of getting them on the phone with each other.  Then call both offices daily until the 2 drs actually talk and make a decision about the I-caps.  Dont' try to play go-between yourself, you're not getting paid enought for all that bother!  There's no reason we have to try to reconcile the instructions of 2 professionals. 

  • ERS2006
    ERS2006 Member Posts: 40
    edited September 2007

    Hi....My oncologist said that once I was off chemo I could take vitamins/supplements etc,...I am on Herceptin now and can take anything I want...Monavie (strong antioxident juice)  digestive enzymes, Synergy Version 10 (unbelievable multivitamin) CoQ10, wheat grass, complete EFA, extra calcium & Glucosamine/Chondroitin (for my joints, from the Tamoxifen)...Ask why you can't take vitamins...make them give you a justified reason...Good Luck

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    I was listening to Andrew Lessman on HSN last weekend.  He 's very informative.  However, I don't buy his vitamins because they are much to costly and many times he adds Bs and other things we are already getting.  Too much, IMO, isn't good.  But, he talked about lutein and zeaxanthin for the eyes.  Both are important, but he said if he had only one to take it would be zeaxanthin.

    Shirley

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