Boswellia and Tykerb/Herceptin

hutchibk · 06-26-2009, 06:40 PM

So, if I wanted to consider adding Boswellia Serrata to my regimen, does anyone know if there are contradicting factors between it and Tykerb or Herceptin?

Believe51 · 06-26-2009, 10:23 PM

Hahahahah...let me get back to you (great minds think alike). I think you will believe me when I say this is my next pet project because Herceptin and Tykerb, along with Xeloda are circled options. I honestly can say I was not to thrilled to have the option to go back on failed meds. I have been looking into this along with other methods to control his disease. One imperative thing I know is that you must not take it while using Navelbine. I am still chuckling. Wow, I love you!!>>Believe51

hutchibk · 06-26-2009, 11:06 PM

Yea! - and you are in a position to ask folks who should know!!

Hmmm - I wonder if they are "failed meds" of if they just need each other synergystically for a little extra punch?

Thanks for the heads up about Navelbine. I haven't had to go there yet, but may someday and need all the advance warning I can get.

Love you too!

Believe51 · 06-26-2009, 11:35 PM

Brenda, we are very confused about where to go from here. I know the Herceptin was added with a few regimes and did not prove beneficial. Hmmm, maybe Herceptin, Tykerb and Ixempra, Hmmm. Whatever it is we have another 3 weeks to think, I stuck with Ixempra today. Our OncoMan has been always okay with many of the things we choose to do. Right now he is kind of persuading me to keep Ixempra and challenges taking him off, "He is just not convinced removing the Ixempra before truly finding results is not advised." This may pass BBB and would that not be one of my best posts ever to write?. Let's face it, he has never been this stern with a treatment decision and the other options aren't all that spectacular for his brain.

So we look into things like this. Not to be disrespectful, but Ed does not have anything to lose by waiting to see if Ixempra works, all other options are just as much a chance.

Boswellia was not circled or marked off as an option at DFCI, like he passed over it. I love it how doctors just pretend these things do not even exist, but it is not the 'science' they endorse. I will get back to you when I explore more.

Believe51 · 06-27-2009, 01:33 AM

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supple...llia+&source=3

http://www.drug3k.com/drug/Boswellia-51235.htm#a7

http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/health/2053005/

http://www.livestrong.com/supplement/243-boswellia/

http://www.wellness.com/reference/he...ing-and-safety

http://www.aolhealth.com/complementa...wellia-serrata

http://www.arthritismd.com/boswellia.html

http://www.doshabalance.com/Ayurvedi...a_serrata.html

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00243022

Brenda, just a few things I pulled about side effects, some you may make worse with this. I have added a clinical trial so you can keep up with it. I will give you the juicy stuff when I come across better links than these. Obviously, take some of this with a grain of salt. I have dug up better than this but wanted to add them because some OTC interactions.>>Believe51

hutchibk · 06-27-2009, 07:30 PM

Danke schön! Keep my posted...

I hope Courtney sees this, I think her doc had her taking Boswellia with Tykerb, but I can't remember.

Believe51 · 06-27-2009, 09:17 PM

02-12-2009, 11:53 AM #15 CourtneyL
Senior Member

Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 65

I got the go ahead from my doc to take the Boswellia supplement along with my Tykerb. I go for a follow-up scan in 5 weeks to see if we're ready for Gamma. I'll also be meeting with a radiation oncologist to discuss my options. Thank you all so much for responding with such great advice and encouragement. You ladies are the best and I want you to know that you are in my prayers every night.

I will keep you posted on how I do on the Boswellia and if it really is the miracle supplement it seems to be.

hutchibk · 06-28-2009, 01:40 AM

Ask and ye shall receive... LOL. Thanks Marie, I guess I could've done that, but I have swiss cheese for a brain and forgot.

Now the question is will it mess with the Herceptin? Oh, genie in a bottle, let me know what you find out...

Love, me

CourtneyL · 06-29-2009, 05:27 PM

Hi Brenda and Marie - Sorry for the delay in posting my stats re Boswellia. Brenda I PM'd you with some details yesterday.

Here is a brief rundown of my brain mets story and experience with Boswellia. I was diagnosed with 6 brain mets at the end of December 2008. At that time we added Tykerb to my Herceptin/Zometa regiment and took a watch and wait approach. By February, my scan showed no new tumors and 3 of the existing ones had only grown by about 5 percent so we were thinking the Tykerb was at least working to prevent new tumors. I found out about Boswellia at that time and asked my doc if I could add it. He said "go for it" so I began taking 2 450 mg pills 3 times a day. I contacted the author of the case study showing that Boswellia had worked to get rid of brain mets in one patient and she cautioned me that it does not work if you are on Herceptin or Tykerb. Not willing to go off either drug, I took my chances and took the Boswellia anyway to see what it could do.

I don't think it did much. I continued taking it every day for over a month. My follow-up brain scan in early April showed one new lesion and about 10% growth in a few of the existing lesions. This is when we decided to do Gamma and I decided to stop taking Boswellia. I don't know if it was interfering with the Tykerb but it was enough for me to know that there had been more progression once I added Boswellia. I can't say whether the progression was caused by Boswellia but I just decided it wasn't worth the risk.

I stopped taking Boswellia in early April, had Gamma on April 21st and added Xeloda. Things seem to be stable. Just recently on June 8th I got a great scan - spots are nearly all gone (they think it is just necrotic tissue remaining) and no new spots.

Marie my thoughts and prayers are with you and Ed. I am praying that you find something to treat his brain mets very soon.

Brenda - Always pulling for you!

Hope this info helps.

Rich66 · 06-29-2009, 07:08 PM

Hmmm...just started taking some for my knees. Leg bone connected to the..ankle bone etc...

Believe51 · 06-30-2009, 11:47 AM

Rich, sounds like it is connected to old age (lol)! I wanted to look at it more myself since I am in need of my own help. Stay well.>>Believe51

hutchibk · 06-30-2009, 10:20 PM

Thanks Courtney - just the info I was looking for. Love that you got to talk to the author. I did get your message... I really appreciate all of your info! Take care!