HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Herceptin

Karen Wheel · 02-25-2010, 06:06 AM

I have found that my bladder issues are getting better, but I am staying really strict to my diet of keeping my pH in the central zone --- 7.0 to 7.5. Also I took a huge amount of "D-mannose" which is a natural product. The best brand I found is made by Pure Encapsulations which seems to be the highest concentration and in a powder form and worked better than the capsules that I had tried. I had problems most of the summer and finally later in the fall then they just went away.

I'm not thinking it is the Herceptin, as I am still on it. So, thinking in turn it was some sort of effect from the chemo. More so, my opinion is that when I was undergoing the chemo my body was in more stress and stress is a big factor in bladder issues. Also, I wasn't eating strict on my vegan diet, and not taking all my vitamins, as my doctors said they didn't want me to.

Also, I have read that Vit C helps with Bladder infections - and I am taking about 7,000 mg per day (powdered form) so I think that is also helping me not get any more bladder infections.

On the sleep issues - (again) - "Pure Encapsulations" - Melatonin (20 mg) - which I found in November (my mom brought a bottle when she came from the US) and it really helped! REALLY! I ran out and thinking I could just buy Melatonin here in Italy - I searched and I found they only sell it in 3mg dosage. More mg is all they say is legal to buy here without a prescription. So I tried the lower dose (even 2 and 3 pills) but didn't work for me. I ordered more from the US - and mom sent them in a card .... somehow they snuck thru customs and I'm back in Melatonin! I am sleeping better every night (it takes a few days to get a build up in the system).

So --- thats my update. Hoping this is the last I see of these problems.

And... hope this helps some of you out there.
:-)
Karen

02-25-2010, 06:06 AM	#17
Karen Wheel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sardegna, Italy Posts: 362	Re: Herceptin - Bladder and/or sleep changes? I have found that my bladder issues are getting better, but I am staying really strict to my diet of keeping my pH in the central zone --- 7.0 to 7.5. Also I took a huge amount of "D-mannose" which is a natural product. The best brand I found is made by Pure Encapsulations which seems to be the highest concentration and in a powder form and worked better than the capsules that I had tried. I had problems most of the summer and finally later in the fall then they just went away. I'm not thinking it is the Herceptin, as I am still on it. So, thinking in turn it was some sort of effect from the chemo. More so, my opinion is that when I was undergoing the chemo my body was in more stress and stress is a big factor in bladder issues. Also, I wasn't eating strict on my vegan diet, and not taking all my vitamins, as my doctors said they didn't want me to. Also, I have read that Vit C helps with Bladder infections - and I am taking about 7,000 mg per day (powdered form) so I think that is also helping me not get any more bladder infections. On the sleep issues - (again) - "Pure Encapsulations" - Melatonin (20 mg) - which I found in November (my mom brought a bottle when she came from the US) and it really helped! REALLY! I ran out and thinking I could just buy Melatonin here in Italy - I searched and I found they only sell it in 3mg dosage. More mg is all they say is legal to buy here without a prescription. So I tried the lower dose (even 2 and 3 pills) but didn't work for me. I ordered more from the US - and mom sent them in a card .... somehow they snuck thru customs and I'm back in Melatonin! I am sleeping better every night (it takes a few days to get a build up in the system). So --- thats my update. Hoping this is the last I see of these problems. And... hope this helps some of you out there. :-) Karen __________________ Karen Wheelhouse Age: 46 Facebook id: Karen Wheel 2-09 – Age 44 -Biopsy-Cancer 3-09 – Right Quadrantectomy. Clear margins. 3 lymph nodes taken - all clear Tumor results: Stage 1, 1.5 cm, Her2 +++ Est positive 80% - Prog 10% - Ki67 postive 30% 4-09 – Became a vegan! pH balance of body - cancer can't grow in neutral pH! 4-09 Started Herceptin & Chemo (9 weeks of Navelbine ) FYI - when coupled with Herceptin has the same results as more toxic chemo. No brainer! 8-09 - 30 RADS 9-09 - Said NO to hormone therapy 4-10 Finished Herceptin!!!! 7-10 PET Scan & other exams .... All clear! YIPPEE!!!! 11-10 Breast, organ Ultrasounds and lung x-rays all clear no changes ... NED! 2-25-2011 --- 2 years from surgery and NED!!!!!! 7-2011 Clear bone scan and full body and head MRI! NED! NED! NED! ;-)[/SIZE]