I understand your uncertainty. If someone besides my oncologist had told me I would not have believed it. But now that I have tried it, it seems unethical not to tell other cancer patients.
I am not rejecting doctors - I heard of this from my oncologist, I take Revlimid every other day, I will see my nephrologist in June. I am following all the doctors orders. My kidneys were 75% destroyed by multiple myeloma - the light chain deposition disease. So, I was anxious about trying this low carb diet - but I don't eat huge amounts of meat. I eat a normal amount of meat and a ton of vegetables and more fat than I did before and almost no carbs except what are in cheese, sausage, cream etc.
But I figured that out because I bought a blood glucose meter and started taking my own blood sugar readings. I try to keep my blood glucose between 85-105 all the time. Some people could probably eat a lot more carbs and keep their blood sugar low. I don't know what I was like before cancer but I have heard that with cancer your insides are in a state of inflammation. All I know is that any fast digesting carbs causes my blood sugar to sky rocket.
Since I am stage 4 kidney disease too, I am only supposed to have 2000 mg sodium - but fresh vegetables and fresh meat don't have any sodium, so I can have some sausage and olives etc. I decided that since I am getting my blood checked every single month, I would know if I were causing problems - I didn't expect such good results.
Forums
-
antelope1225 - Name: Cathy1225
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 25 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Multiple myeloma diet?
Keep in mind that even myeloma is a group of sometimes vastly different cancers. So, it's tough to attempt translations from other conditions.
Having said that, I am glad you are getting good results!
Having said that, I am glad you are getting good results!
-
dnalex - Name: Alex N.
- Who do you know with myeloma?: mother
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Multiple myeloma diet?
Antelope what was your blood glucose range before you went on the diet?
-
Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Multiple myeloma diet?
Hi Wayne K
I don't know what my blood glucose range was before I had cancer because I wasn't diabetic and I thought I was very healthy. When diagnosed, the dexamethasone might have had a big impact on my blood glucose - the monthly blood tests show my blood glucose ranged from 231 to 98 - It was radically different each time - so here is monthly before BMT/SCR 231, 113, 108,133, 98,167,98... After the BMT it was not as wild, but was 96,96,84,104,115,91, 124, 108...
Then my Oncologist told me that research shows that if I could keep my blood sugar low and steady it would prolong remission (my transplant coordinator told me the average remission after a BMT/SCR is 2-5 years and I had already "used up" 1 1/2 years).. My oncologist said studies even show Metformin might be useful in prolonging remission because of it's effect on insulin. (so it could be the insulin rather than the glucose that encourages cancer growth). He told me to go on a low carb "diabetic diet". Well - If you look up diabetic diet you will see radically different ideas of what is "low carb" and what is a "diabetic diet". So, I decided to start checking my own blood sugar. I found that I was very reactive to any carbohydrates. I had a bowl of cereal and my blood glucose went up to 155. So, I started trying harder to avoid carbs - I don't count carbs, I just avoid all the carbs I possibly can.
Maybe I am an anomaly. I certainly don't want to give people false hope - but my results were dramatically improved.
As I said, my light chains had been creeping up steadily after the BMT & I was out of normal range on 14 of the standard CBC & blood chemistry tests they do monthly, my creatinine has been 1.8-3.1 since I got the disease. After one month of dramatic low carb my creatinine was 1.45, my kappa light chains were down to what they were over a year ago, the ratio of Kappa to Lambda was almost 1 and I was in the "normal" range in 4 more of the categories - leaving me out of normal in 10. I will write and tell what my blood works shows after my next doctors appointment at the end of June.
Luckily, I am not trying to prove anything. If this is helpful good, if not, don't worry about it.
I don't know what my blood glucose range was before I had cancer because I wasn't diabetic and I thought I was very healthy. When diagnosed, the dexamethasone might have had a big impact on my blood glucose - the monthly blood tests show my blood glucose ranged from 231 to 98 - It was radically different each time - so here is monthly before BMT/SCR 231, 113, 108,133, 98,167,98... After the BMT it was not as wild, but was 96,96,84,104,115,91, 124, 108...
Then my Oncologist told me that research shows that if I could keep my blood sugar low and steady it would prolong remission (my transplant coordinator told me the average remission after a BMT/SCR is 2-5 years and I had already "used up" 1 1/2 years).. My oncologist said studies even show Metformin might be useful in prolonging remission because of it's effect on insulin. (so it could be the insulin rather than the glucose that encourages cancer growth). He told me to go on a low carb "diabetic diet". Well - If you look up diabetic diet you will see radically different ideas of what is "low carb" and what is a "diabetic diet". So, I decided to start checking my own blood sugar. I found that I was very reactive to any carbohydrates. I had a bowl of cereal and my blood glucose went up to 155. So, I started trying harder to avoid carbs - I don't count carbs, I just avoid all the carbs I possibly can.
Maybe I am an anomaly. I certainly don't want to give people false hope - but my results were dramatically improved.
As I said, my light chains had been creeping up steadily after the BMT & I was out of normal range on 14 of the standard CBC & blood chemistry tests they do monthly, my creatinine has been 1.8-3.1 since I got the disease. After one month of dramatic low carb my creatinine was 1.45, my kappa light chains were down to what they were over a year ago, the ratio of Kappa to Lambda was almost 1 and I was in the "normal" range in 4 more of the categories - leaving me out of normal in 10. I will write and tell what my blood works shows after my next doctors appointment at the end of June.
Luckily, I am not trying to prove anything. If this is helpful good, if not, don't worry about it.
-
antelope1225 - Name: Cathy1225
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 25 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Multiple myeloma diet?
An A1c shows more than one blood glucose measurement. It shows a 3 month average.
A1c of 5= average blood glucose in last 30 days of 100
A1c of 6 = average blood glucose in last 30 days of 140
A1c of 7 = average blood glucose in last 30 days of 180
and so on.
When my nurse saw my blood work, she asked what I had done and I told her. She wanted to get me into a dietitian, to perfect my new diet.
My oncologist saw my blood work and told me NOT to see the dietitian. He told me to just keep doing what I was doing. I think that was wise, because too much advice can get confusing.
A1c of 5= average blood glucose in last 30 days of 100
A1c of 6 = average blood glucose in last 30 days of 140
A1c of 7 = average blood glucose in last 30 days of 180
and so on.
When my nurse saw my blood work, she asked what I had done and I told her. She wanted to get me into a dietitian, to perfect my new diet.
My oncologist saw my blood work and told me NOT to see the dietitian. He told me to just keep doing what I was doing. I think that was wise, because too much advice can get confusing.
-
antelope1225 - Name: Cathy1225
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 25 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Multiple myeloma diet?
Thanks Antelope. The diet certainly doesn't conflict with any treatments and that is the good thing.
I don't have any indication that my glucose is high and I'm not on a steroid, but I don't have a any information concerning spot checks.
The diet certainly doesn't sound hard to follow, at least as far as procuring anything special. I do have to admit that the no sugar would test me.
I wonder if a person's BMI [body mass index] would have an effect on the diet's effectiveness?
I don't have any indication that my glucose is high and I'm not on a steroid, but I don't have a any information concerning spot checks.
The diet certainly doesn't sound hard to follow, at least as far as procuring anything special. I do have to admit that the no sugar would test me.
I wonder if a person's BMI [body mass index] would have an effect on the diet's effectiveness?
-
Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Multiple myeloma diet?
Hi Cathy,
As someone who has been doing Atkins for 10+ years, I could not agree more with your oncologist
It quite obviously is working for you!
Low carb eating such as Atkins is very misunderstood by many. There are a lot of common misconceptions. Most believe it is the all you can eat red meat, bacon & butter diet. This is why whenever anyone asks me about my experience eating this way the first thing I tell them is to read the book! They are super surprised when they learn vegetables & salads are the main staple from day 1. Its not all about red meat, bacon & butter, its about avoiding sugar & starches. Actually, Atkins is a moderate protein eating plan (IF you are doing it CORRECTLY), not a high protein eating plan.
I am very excited to hear you are doing so well eating this way! It is very encouraging. Keep up the great work
All the best to you,
Kim
As someone who has been doing Atkins for 10+ years, I could not agree more with your oncologist
It quite obviously is working for you!Low carb eating such as Atkins is very misunderstood by many. There are a lot of common misconceptions. Most believe it is the all you can eat red meat, bacon & butter diet. This is why whenever anyone asks me about my experience eating this way the first thing I tell them is to read the book! They are super surprised when they learn vegetables & salads are the main staple from day 1. Its not all about red meat, bacon & butter, its about avoiding sugar & starches. Actually, Atkins is a moderate protein eating plan (IF you are doing it CORRECTLY), not a high protein eating plan.
I am very excited to hear you are doing so well eating this way! It is very encouraging. Keep up the great work
All the best to you,
Kim
-
Jerseygyrl - Name: Kim
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My Loved One
- When were you/they diagnosed?: February 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Multiple myeloma diet?
I suppose it's hard to settle on what is a normal human diet and what is one of modern convenience. I haven't lost sight of the fact that my farm-linked ancestors lived to a much older age than the non-farm ancestors. I know that both of my grandmothers and one grandfather, the 3 born and raised on a farm, lived to be 87, 91, and 91. I don't know that it was because they were raised on the farm as much as the eating habits that were instilled in them. They were all heavy vegetable eaters because that was what was cheap to grow and feed large farm families.
-
Wayne K - Name: Wayne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself, my sister who passed in '95
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 03/09
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: Multiple myeloma diet?
Hi Wayne K,
I appreciate your willingness to consider that it might be something people can do since it does not conflict with any treatments.
And to realize that your ancestors ate mostly meat and vegetables was interesting. I got an A1c when I went in for my last appointment and, based on that, I think my blood glucose averaged 130 per day before and after I started low carb I would say it averaged 100 or so.
Hi Jersey Girl,
How interesting that you have eaten low carb for 10 years! I am trying to learn all I can and trying to change my recipes since this seems to be a key for me. Luckily my husband will eat almost anything I cook, though I sometimes make rice or hashbrowns or some starch just for him.
Do you have any tips? Recipe books or websites? What are some of the secrets of living this way long term?
I appreciate your willingness to consider that it might be something people can do since it does not conflict with any treatments.
And to realize that your ancestors ate mostly meat and vegetables was interesting. I got an A1c when I went in for my last appointment and, based on that, I think my blood glucose averaged 130 per day before and after I started low carb I would say it averaged 100 or so.
Hi Jersey Girl,
How interesting that you have eaten low carb for 10 years! I am trying to learn all I can and trying to change my recipes since this seems to be a key for me. Luckily my husband will eat almost anything I cook, though I sometimes make rice or hashbrowns or some starch just for him.
Do you have any tips? Recipe books or websites? What are some of the secrets of living this way long term?
-
antelope1225 - Name: Cathy1225
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 25 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Multiple myeloma diet?
There has been a preventative against many cancers, including multiple myeloma, since the 1970s and the work of Dr. Judah Folkman. Don't eat foods that promote angiogenesis, do eat foods that inhibit new blood vessels from forming. If the cancer has no vehicle it can't go anywhere.
As for all the advice, the fads, the grandma who insists you drink green tea, I have serious doubts that anything we put into our bodies is going to make any difference at all as to stopping the disease or inhibiting its growth. Why torture yourself the last few years of your life? If your doctor gives you a diet, follow it. If he says it won't make any difference if you eat ice cream at every meal, or if you smoke or take recreational drugs, then why worry?
As for all the advice, the fads, the grandma who insists you drink green tea, I have serious doubts that anything we put into our bodies is going to make any difference at all as to stopping the disease or inhibiting its growth. Why torture yourself the last few years of your life? If your doctor gives you a diet, follow it. If he says it won't make any difference if you eat ice cream at every meal, or if you smoke or take recreational drugs, then why worry?
-
JACK MATHYS
28 posts
• Page 2 of 3 • 1, 2, 3