[Castaway]

Noni juice, Spiru-Blue, and more - thoughts?

by Castaway on Fri Sep 12, 2014 7:42 pm

Just wanted some input on a few supplements. My daughter decided to be vegan a few years ago and fights everything that says GMO. I know that she means well, but she decided when I was first diagnosed back in January 2014 that I should use some supplements that she thinks would help. She didn't just send me some articles that I could read, but went ahead and sent hundreds of dollars worth of theses products.

I decided not to use them right away so i could see how my oncologists treatment plan would go. That way, if I had some issues, I wouldn't be blaming her supplements or trying to find out what would have caused an issue if one arose.

After about 7-8 months of my oncologist's treatment, I am having some issues that could stop my use of Revlimid. Not a 100% sure yet., and I know there are other avenues beside Revlimid.

These are the supplements that she sent me. My oncologist said that he would not say one way or the other on these supplements. He has to go by the protocol for my multiple myeloma diagnosis, which has me on Revlimid / dex. But he did say he had patients using supplements on their own for other cancers. He basically said that multivitamins and the use of Caltrate 600 + D was ok. I am using the Caltrate .

Anyone using these products?

Dr. Mercola Spiru-Blue
Dr. Mercola Pure Power Protein 20g per serving
Liph Ph Alkaline Concentrate (mixes with water )
LifeVantage Protandim (studies shown for skin cancer)
Vitamineral Green (version 5.2 powder )
Tahitian Noni Juice (liquid dietary supplement )

[Terrij]

Re: Noni juice, Spiru-Blue, and more - thoughts?

by Terrij on Sat Sep 13, 2014 9:51 am

My daughters oncologist said many supplements would interfere with the chemo working well. She does take calcium+D. She can't even have green tea which I always heard could help prevent cancer.

[Jerseygyrl]

Re: Noni juice, Spiru-Blue, and more - thoughts?

by Jerseygyrl on Sat Sep 13, 2014 10:53 am

Terrij, you have made a very valid point. Supplements can interfere with chemo, which is why it is very important to discuss taking ANYTHING with your oncologist before doing so. Green tea can cause conflict with Velcade. Who would've thought? But, this certainly does not mean you can't take supplements. You need to do your research and listen to your doctor's recommendations.

All that said, I am a firm believer in supplements and diet. Castaway, it looks like the items your daughter sent you concentrate on the immune system. I am in full agreement that a strong immune system goes a long way in dealing with myeloma (cancer in general). Probiotics are another powerful supplement in boosting your immune system, since 70% of your immune system begins in your gastrointestinal tract. Going into treatments like chemo and SCT with a strong immune system is definitely to your advantage. You have a very supportive daughter!

I wish you the best on this myeloma journey. Please discuss your concerns with your Oncologist.

God Bless,
Kim

[Castaway]

Re: Noni juice, Spiru-Blue, and more - thoughts?

by Castaway on Sat Sep 13, 2014 3:41 pm

Thanks Terrij,

I feel the same as far as what are these supplements going to alter, if anything, to the treatment plan. Since I will be starting Velcade instead of Revlimid week after next, I feel that I should only take what my oncologist says to take for the first month or so and get a few labs done to see how I am doing. Then possibly look at these supplements. Maybe add one at a time and watch the labs.

Jerseygyrl,

Thanks for the input. I will pass it along to my daughter. The problem I have is that my oncologist will not say one way or another about the use of these supplements. He strictly goes by the protocol for each drug in relation to the reports from my bone marrow biopsy, lab results, and overall health.

His office has a nutritionist who comes in weekly, and I have meet with her once. She is pretty much like the doctor. She says that these supplements are fine if you are healthy without cancer treatments. But she doesn't have any studies or information on what the possible effects could be towards the drugs and treatments. You can get info from the supplements that say its ok, but what have they done to study these supplements with treatments of Revlimid, Velcade and other drugs.

Maybe I am just overthinking the whole thing. What I might do is talk with my SCT doctor at USC Norris in L.A. and see what she says. I haven't had my stem cell collection done yet – still waiting for insurance final approval. I am sure she has more experience with optional supplements, seeing a lot more patients in the L.A. area than my oncologist here where I live in a small town.

Thank you both,
Castaway