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rhondalea · 03-02-2015, 06:47 PM

I don't know if it's fine.

I've read a bunch of studies, and I didn't think any of them contained convincing evidence that I should not take it. On the other hand, it seems to have a lot of benefits. What I know for sure is that I feel better when I take it than when I don't.

Some sites warn against it when taking tamoxifen (Komen, Food for Breast Cancer, although the latter site highly recommends it for everyone else). There are just so many conflicting studies that no one seems equipped to sort them out. A more recent study (2013) says curcumin induces cell death and restores tamoxifen sensitivity in certain anti-estrogen resistant cell lines.

I've cut out every other possible phytoestrogen from my diet and supplement regimen, but I'm not giving up curcumin. I would hesitate, though, to tell another tamoxifen user that it's safe to take.

If you're looking for something to enhance the tamoxifen, consider melatonin. The researchers who are studying it haven't managed to come up with an optimal dose, but there is speculation about a formulation that combines tamox and melatonin. It's that good. (I stopped taking it for a time, but I plan to restart it as soon as I can figure out how to remind myself to take it at a time of day that won't make me too tired in the evening or too groggy to wake up as early as I like. That's only an issue because I take 10-20 mg. A lower dose would not create the same problem.)

03-02-2015, 06:47 PM	#18
rhondalea Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Somerset, NJ Posts: 487	Re: Health Benefits of Tumeric I don't know if it's fine. I've read a bunch of studies, and I didn't think any of them contained convincing evidence that I should not take it. On the other hand, it seems to have a lot of benefits. What I know for sure is that I feel better when I take it than when I don't. Some sites warn against it when taking tamoxifen (Komen, Food for Breast Cancer, although the latter site highly recommends it for everyone else). There are just so many conflicting studies that no one seems equipped to sort them out. A more recent study (2013) says curcumin induces cell death and restores tamoxifen sensitivity in certain anti-estrogen resistant cell lines. I've cut out every other possible phytoestrogen from my diet and supplement regimen, but I'm not giving up curcumin. I would hesitate, though, to tell another tamoxifen user that it's safe to take. If you're looking for something to enhance the tamoxifen, consider melatonin. The researchers who are studying it haven't managed to come up with an optimal dose, but there is speculation about a formulation that combines tamox and melatonin. It's that good. (I stopped taking it for a time, but I plan to restart it as soon as I can figure out how to remind myself to take it at a time of day that won't make me too tired in the evening or too groggy to wake up as early as I like. That's only an issue because I take 10-20 mg. A lower dose would not create the same problem.) __________________ 2/6/09 Core needle biopsy: negative; Mammos through 2010: no change 3/30/11 Pea-sized lump in left breast at site of prior biopsy; mammo negative, sonogram not so much 4/14/11 Core needle biopsy: negative for cancer 5/18/11 Excisional biopsy 1.2 cm tumor, LVI, positive margin; ER+60%,PR+20%,HER2/CEP17 5 6/15/11 BMX: Left DCIS & LH; Right ADH; SNB: 2/3 nodes: 1.4 cm and 1 mm; ALND L1&2: 0/10; Stage IIa, Grade 3 7/14/11 CT/Bone scans NED; MUGA 66% 7/19/11 Biweekly dd AC w/Neulasta; done 8/30/11 9/13/11 Transfusion (Hemoglobin 8.6); MUGA 64% 9/20/11 Start Taxol + Herceptin; Taxol done 12/6/2011; continue Herceptin until 9/4/2012 12/27/11 Radiation - 6 weeks; 2/27/2012 - DONE! Yayyyy! 2/29/12 Start Tamoxifen 20 mg/day; continue until 2/28/17 5/16/12 Start five-years Metformin trial 6/19/12 MUGA 61% 8/21/12 Brain MRI NED (head still hurts, brain still fogged) 9/4/12 Herceptin done! 9/6/12 Port out! 7/11/13 Aricept 5mg for cognitive impairment; increased to 10mg as of 8/23/13; back to 5mg 12/2013 5/2014 Add Namenda 7mg 9/2014 Stop Aricept and Namenda; Neuropsychological evaluation 10/24/14 Start cognitive rehabilitation therapy