vitamins

SusanNH · Regular Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 11 Location: NH usa

Hi I finished dose/dense A/C chemo on Feb. 15 (everyone that is just starting it is not so bad goes by fast you want to talk email me)and now I am on my third week of radiation 35 in all. My oncologist did not believe in vitamins or supplements so I started juicing and ate real good . My radiologist suggest a womans one a day. My concern is that I am not taking in enough calcium. I just turned 50 the chemo put me in menopause and I believe that depletes your calcium. I do have a cup of yogurt and milk in cereal or at times I have a glass and eat cheese. Also I do eat healthy but do you get all the vitamins you need from food. My reiki master who is also a holistic nurse, does not believe we do unless you get fresh veggies everyday from garden which at this time of year is not possible. PS. Reiki is wonderful, made a huge difference for me going thru chemo. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Smile

_________________
Diagnosed Sept 23 Lumpectomy on Oct 4 2004, stage IIA 2 1/2 cm node negative, grade 3 completed 4 rounds A/C 4 TAXOL dose dense, now on second week of radiation need 35

leo · Owner Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Susan,

Thanks for joining our community here. I do believe that patients should be on a multivitamin a day. In addition, postmenopausal women or those at high risk for osteoporosis should be taking calcium supplements as well. Of course if you can get fruits and vegetables in they are an excellent source of vitamins.

regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

SusanNH · Regular Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 11 Location: NH usa

Hi Leo thanks for the reply do you know what the standard amount of cacium is for a 50 year old woman that just finished chemo. I cant seem to get a straight answer from anyone. Also went in to have moles checked to have off last week do not want anything that could lead to cancer on my body.Most are scheduled to come off the end of month but one was questionable and I am again going to a cancer specialist to have ck today. I am trying to look at this as good b/c it is one on my arm that to me looked normal but was a bit raised. Quick question wouldnt the chemo affect that also? Just hard to be seeing the end in site too have to think about this now. Thanks again for the reply.
_________________
Diagnosed Sept 23 Lumpectomy on Oct 4 2004, stage IIA 2 1/2 cm node negative, grade 3 completed 4 rounds A/C 4 TAXOL dose dense, now on second week of radiation need 35

Kristen · Experienced user Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 60

Hi Susan,
I was on the same treatment as you. I have just reached my two year dx date.
I am not a vitamin expert by any stretch of the means, but I think by eating a balanced diet you can get most of what you need. However, like your doctor, mine also recomended a womens mulit vitamin and like doctor Leo mentions also extra calcium. I think the recomended dose is 1200 units. I think my multi vit has 250 and I take a calcium with D (make sure you take one that says calcium with D) and they are 600 units. You can take two calcium tablets a day, but take them at different times. I only take one additional right now because I drink a lot of milk and eat a lot of diary products (also I am not post menopausal...(43) or so the blood test say... Confused

)
Again, there are a lot of people that take a lot of different suppliments for a variety of reasons. I only take a multi and extra calcium and try to eat a balanced diet.
Good luck in finishing up your rads....its so very nice to have a light at the end of the tunnel!!!

AlaskaAngel · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 11:41 am Post subject: Calcium supplementation, etc.

Like Kristin says, extra calcium is generally recommended in particular for those who have had chemo, taking it in several doses spread apart. We all start losing bone density around age 35 anyhow. I was recommended to take 1500 mg a day even though my bone density test came out very well. By the way, if you happen to be a salt-aholic like me, you should understand that enjoying that extra salt also causes you to lose calcium.

*sigh* What will I have to give up NEXT....!!!

AlaskaAngel
_________________
Dx Dec 2001 at age 50
Lumpectomy Jan 2002, 1.6 cm IDC plus some DCIS
Node neg
ER+, PR+, HER2+++
CAF x 6, 35 rads+boost
NED
Tamoxfen 1 3/4 yrs
In 2 clinical trials
bc for mom and 1 sis and 1 aunt and 1 granny
ovarian cancer for 1 aunt

SusanNH · Regular Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 11 Location: NH usa

Hi Kristen and AtlaskaAngel, Thanks for the advise at least I now have an idea on what to shoot for. I just felt I needed more than one a day. I do drink milk, eat yogurt and cheese, so I will probably start with 600 w/d, I just came home from a healing drum circle (vibrational energy). I had alot of fun pounding on that drum , chanting and dancing. You have to try it sometime it was not what I expected. Alot of positive, strong, energy. I know what you mean about the light at the end of the tunnel, I am excited now that my eyelashes are growing back, funny that I didnt miss them when they were gone. It has been 7 weeks since my last chemo my hair seems to be taking its time alot of peach fuzz. does any one know how long it does take to grow back? Thanks for the advice and support . love and hugs
_________________
Diagnosed Sept 23 Lumpectomy on Oct 4 2004, stage IIA 2 1/2 cm node negative, grade 3 completed 4 rounds A/C 4 TAXOL dose dense, now on second week of radiation need 35

DiO · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 12:35 pm Post subject: hair

Hi Susan!

My last chemo was 4/29/04. I'd heard it takes about 6 months to get back to a normal short hairstyle, and that seems about what it was for me. I had a wig that looks much like my normal hair, so continued to wear it longer than I would have had to, but my daughter's wedding was Sept 25, '04, and wanted to look more like my normal self in the pictures than the really short "athletic-type" hair that I had at that point. The Monday after the wedding I took off the wig for good! I was just really happy to be feeling like my old self for the wedding--a weekend long event on Mackinac Island, MI--which was planned well before my diagnosis! It was like a fairy tale. Best wishes to you as you return to a more "normal" (if there is such a thing!) life style.
_________________
God Bless, Di

IDC 12/03 at age 55
lumpectomy, SNB 12/18/03
2cm tumor, 1/6+node, stage 2, grade 2 er/pr+ her2nu-
4 AC, 4 taxol, dose dense
33 rads
Arimidex started 7/04

Kristen · Experienced user Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 60

Hi again Susan,

You mention that you will be taking the multi and extra calcium and that you are post menopausal.....Are you ER/PR + and on Arimidex, or even Tamoxifen???
I ask because I think the recomended dose for any post menopausal women is approx 1200 to 1500 units of a calcium with D suppliment to keep the bones healthy after menopause. If you are ER/PR + and on Arimidex, this is known to have adverse effects on the bones, therefore extra calcium is a must. If you are on tamoxifen, this is known to actually not have adverse effects on the bones. Either way though, you may want to increase your calcium with D to 1200 units simply because you are post menopausal....Ask your OBGYN and see what they say.

About the hair.... my chemo ended 9/03 and by 12/03 I was hatless..very short and curly but enough to be comfortable to not wear anything. I can wear my hair very short and it looks good. My hair grew back really fast and curly and a different color...EEK!! (grayish)...However, I kept cuitting it and eventually the curly totally came out and my original color...blondish brown also came back. I was very surprised how fast my hair came back. I have kept it short and now get it highlighted to get some added life to to it..LOL..

Minnlady13 · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:43 pm Post subject: Re: vitamins

Hi Susan, welcome to "our place." I see you have gotten a lot of interesting feedback to your questions. I'll just add my personal experience. I take a multiple vitamin plus 1200 units of Calcium with Vit. D daily. I had bone scan that indicated thinning bones several years ago. My PCP put me on Fosomax and said to take the calcium, too. No matter what you do, make sure any of your docs know what you are taking in addition to perscribed meds. Good luck on the remaining radiation treaments. Take good care of your skin during this time. Hugs, Lauri
_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

Minnlady13 · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:43 pm Post subject: Re: vitamins

Hi Susan, welcome to "our place." I see you have gotten a lot of interesting feedback to your questions. I'll just add my personal experience. I take a multiple vitamin plus 1200 units of Calcium with Vit. D daily. I had bone scan that indicated thinning bones several years ago. My PCP put me on Fosomax and said to take the calcium, too. No matter what you do, make sure any of your docs know what you are taking in addition to perscribed meds. Good luck on the remaining radiation treaments. Take good care of your skin during this time. Hugs, Lauri
_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

SusanNH · Regular Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 11 Location: NH usa

Hi Di, Kristin,Lauri, nice to meet everyone it is good to feel connected and that we are not alone battling this horrid dis-ease. I am er/pr neg. so will not be taking tamoxifen just alot of healing energy. The small amount of fuzz I do have comming in appears to be alot of gray....I do not think I am going to color maybe I might try a henna, we will see when it all arrives. Your daughters wedding sounds wonderful. I have one daughter she is in vet school right now up on PEI in Canada. I plan to go up there after rads for a visit. It is peaceful, beautiful, all fisherman and farmers, and miles of undeveloped ocean. Makes you feel close to what counts. It will be good before my return to choas at work. Thanks for the advice everyone . lots of hugs Susan
_________________
Diagnosed Sept 23 Lumpectomy on Oct 4 2004, stage IIA 2 1/2 cm node negative, grade 3 completed 4 rounds A/C 4 TAXOL dose dense, now on second week of radiation need 35

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Breast Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others