improving immune system/counts post chemo

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paige-allyson
paige-allyson Member Posts: 781
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
improving immune system/counts post chemo
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  • paige-allyson
    paige-allyson Member Posts: 781
    edited February 2008

    I just had my first follow up with my medical onc since finishing chemo in October. I am NED which of course feels like a cause for celebration. All labs were normal including tumor markers EXCEPT for my white blood count, red blood count, hematocrit, and lymphs, which are all a little low- especially the white count. My onc did not express concern over this- actually got the lab results after my appt by phone. I have heard of women having low white counts/impaired immunity for some time after tx. Any advice or experience anyone has to share would be welcome. Thanks! Allyson

    Oops- sorry re: posting my question twice- I tried to delete the duplicate but I don't think it worked- just deleted the content- sorry of any confusion.

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  • lisametoo
    lisametoo Member Posts: 187
    edited February 2008

    Dear Allyson,

    Take a look at this article for improving counts.  I used all of these foods plus juicing for my mom after her 5 rounds of taxol and carbo-cisplatin 6 years ago, and at age 77, her counts all remained normal.  The Drs. were impressed.  http://www.helium.com/tm/684110/topics-involving-health-maintenance  Juice with Beets.  They are a real blood builder

    Good luck!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2008

    I think it just takes time for your body to repair itself.  We get a false impression these days with the use of anti-nausea drugs and steroids which help with the chemo side effects.  Most of us can do chemo these days and still function on a fairly well basis.  I think this misleads us from what chemo is really doing to our bodies. 

    Our bodies go through incredible trauma during chemo.  Every currently dividing cell is killed off during chemo and our bodies have to have time to recover from that.

    Our immune system takes the biggest hit and there is no quick recovery from that.  Eating the right foods, taking a good multivitamin and exercise are the best ways to build our bodies back after such a traumatic event.

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  • paige-allyson
    paige-allyson Member Posts: 781
    edited February 2008

    Thank you for that link Lisa- I'll check it out. Jasmine- I think you are right- actually I know you are right as far as what the chemo does. It seems like I am doing the right things but that it may just take time. I appreciate suggestions though from others who having dealt/ are dealing with this. BTW Lisa- I forgot to mention juicing- beets are great- I happen to love them, either juiced or roasted and put in salads cold. I also like to juice carrot, kale, broccoli, and apple as a combo- found a recipe for this in a nutritional healing book- it's supposed to be a bc fighting combo of phytonutrients.

    I accidentally started 2 threads I am going to see if I can have people move over to this one as this one has my question . Allyson

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  • Marianne66
    Marianne66 Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2008

    Hi all -- One thing  you might want to consider is taking mushroom supplements.  I fi nished chemo almost a year ago and have been taking the supplements (maitake D fraction and sometimes AHCC)since November and all of my blood counts are in very good shape!   MY WBC is 5.7,d my RBC is 4.83, Hemoglobin is 14.2 and Hematocrit is 40.7.

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  • lisametoo
    lisametoo Member Posts: 187
    edited February 2008

    Yes Marianne,

    Mushrooms are an amazing immune booster.  My mother took MGN-3 which is now Biobran.  This product was so effective at boosting NK cells that the FDA shut down the manufacturer because they were making "claims" about it. 

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  • paige-allyson
    paige-allyson Member Posts: 781
    edited February 2008

    I was taking maitake and then "fell out of the habit" a couple of months ago- no good reason really except that I do so many things that sometimes one will fall by the wayside. I am going to go back to them today- thank you for the reminder. Allyson

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  • Marianne66
    Marianne66 Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2008

    Go for it, Allyson!   Knock on wood, I have remained cold-free this winter while a lot of people around me have gotten sick.  soemtimes I feel like I am coming down with something but then it goes away!

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  • paige-allyson
    paige-allyson Member Posts: 781
    edited February 2008
    Thanks! Here's something weird- I have not had a cold or flu for over 3 years, maybe even 4- nothing. I joke with my family that I was saving up my illness "points" for something really big. When I get something I don't mess around.Undecided
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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited February 2008

    I worked steady with diet changes and supplements Allysow, and had excellant immune repair.  You can do it faster than what you think.  (for me 2 months after 26 tx in 16 mths of chemo)

    You will also need to detox the liver from chemo first.  The liver can than help disburse this in take of good foods.

    I did no red meats and high veggie and fruits. Lots of supplements.

    Best of luck,

    Flalady

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  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited February 2008

    allysonw - my wbc count was still low and my Hgb was low normal 3 months after chemo (wbc=2.4,Hgb=12.4), and now at 6 months my wbc is normal, and my Hgb is a little higher (wbc=6.6,Hgb 12.9).  My onc says everything looks great and the reason my wbc was still low at the 3 month point was due to the effects of radiation tx.  I've made a conscious effort to eat more protein than I usually do since it helps the body repair itself and build more wbc, but other than that, I haven't done anything else consistently enough to give it the credit.  

    I also was the one in my family who was least likely to get an illness.  When I got my dx, to say everyone who knew me was shocked would be a major understatement.  lol   

    Congrats on being NED!  My onc FINALLY said the "r" word (remission) when I saw him yesterday and he made it retroactive to my last surgery a year ago this month!  

    Cynthia 

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  • rubytuesday
    rubytuesday Member Posts: 2,248
    edited February 2008

    Mushrooms (especially Maitake D-Faction) and Astragalus.  Best wishes!

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  • paige-allyson
    paige-allyson Member Posts: 781
    edited March 2008

    Sherri and Cynthia-Thank you- good to hear from two stage III sisters. Maybe some time is partly the solution. A little more protein might not be a bad idea either- I don't eat meat but perhaps I can up the fish and beans. What is AHCC?

    Florida Lady- thank you- what supplements do you take? I'm already there with the fruits and vegs- eat at least 9 per day usually and do juicing. Ruby- I am curious to learn more re: Astralagus.

    Cynthia- congratulations on the NED/remission- who would think we would come to appreciate these words so much! I will be celebrating my first "cancerversary" in May- My husband HATES it when I use that expression so I'm getting it out of my system here.

    People were shocked when I was dx. Within my family no one has had a serious illness EVER- my grandparents just died last year- both in their 90's. At work people were shocked because I was semi-famous for my healthy eating habits. They're probably stuffing themselves with doughnuts and soda now.

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  • rubytuesday
    rubytuesday Member Posts: 2,248
    edited March 2008

    Astragalus is one of my favorite herbs.  Here is a short blurb on it:

    Health practitioners have prescribed astragalus for treat shortness of breath, general weakness, and lack of appetite. It is a diuretic and can also be used to treat colds, flu, stomach ulcers, and diabetes. Astragalus strengthens the body's resistance and invigorates and promotes tissue regeneration via phytochemicals in the plant such as polysaccharides, especially astragalan I, II, and III, and saponins and triterpenes. In studies performed at the National Cancer Institute and other leading American Cancer Institutes over recent years, it has been positively shown that while astragalus does not directly attack cancers, it does strengthen a cancer patient's immune system, allowing them to recover significantly faster and live longer. Researchers believe on the basis of cell studies that astragalus augments those white blood cells that fight disease and removes some of those that make the body more vulnerable to disease. In these same studies, both in the laboratory and with 572 patients, it also has been found that astragalus promotes adrenal cortical function, which is usually critically diminished in cancer patients. Astragalus also ameliorates bone marrow pression and gastointestinal toxicity caused by chemotherapy and radiation. Astragalus is presently being looked upon as a possible treatment for people living with AIDS and other viral conditions as it also increases interferon production and enhances NK and T-cell function. Astragalus shows support for peripheral vascular diseases and peripheral circulation. 

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  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited March 2008

    allysonw - AHCC stands for Active Hexose Correlated Compound and it's an extract obtained from a hybridization of several species of mushroom mycelia. It may support normal immune function and improve the number and function of immune system cells.  Here is some more info: http://www.ahccpublishedresearch.com/wwwroot-ahcc/default.htm  Keep in mind, though, that most of the research is on mice.

    I was a lacto/ovo vegetarian when I was dx'd, but now I eat poultry and fish.  Wild salmon is one of the least contaminated fish and is a good source of Omega 3's.   

    I laughed when you mentioned your coworkers and their dietary choices.  If I had any doubts prior to my dx that life wasn't fair, my diagnosis took care of them.   Honestly, wth??!!!  In fact, I ran into a former coworker a couple of months ago who had heard through another coworker about my situation. She said, "I bet you were surprised."  I pretended to not know what she meant, but I was pissed as I thought about her eating donuts and smoking on her breaks and I'm the one with cancer.  

    Cynthia 

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