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01-13-2009, 09:46 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Saratoga Springs New York
Posts: 136
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white blood cells/platelets -herbal treatment
I have started a new chemo combo. Gemzar/Tykerb. The Gemzar is knocking my blood counts down to far to continue treatment on a regular schedule. 3 weeks on and one week off. I am taking the neupegen shots for three days after chemo but I still didn't get treatment today as scheduled. Has anyone tried herbal therapy in addition to the shots to boost the wbc and platelets? I am going to an accupuncturist in about an hour. My sister talked me into going to see her. I haven't mentioned it to my Dr. yet. I will see him next week. I wan't to get your opinions. I know there are many of you on different herbs for different reasons. I would love to hear from anyone with any experience with herbs and blood counts. Thanks Sally
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Dx March 2004 HER2+ er/pr+ 8/16 + lymphnodes mets to the liver Stage IV / 6 cycles of TCH and 33 rads . NED Continued Herceptin 3 years w/ Femara. Tumor markers start to rise in Jan of 2007 and swiched to Tamoxifen. August of 2007 found more mets to liver and lymphnodes outside of liver. Went on Tykerb/Xeleoda--spots on liver gone found large mass between intestines. March 2008 started TCH. Stopped Carboplatin due to allergy. Still on Taxotere and Herceptin. Nov 2008 mass is gone. 3 new spot on liver and one on spine. Radiation on spine. tykerb/gemzar for liver mets. PET in April 09 showed shrinkage still a little activity, continue tykerb/gemzar until Aug 09. PET showed new spot on my spine more on my liver and a bunch of enlarged lymphnodes in upper chest. Start Adriamycin Sep 09. more radiation on spine . April 2010- Still on Adriamycin 3wks on 1 wk off and zometa every 28 days. PET -May 2010 showed progression. Starting Herceptin/Navelbine on June '10
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01-13-2009, 10:14 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 347
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good book
My favorite book has a lot of info on this. It's "The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Breast Cancer: A Practical Manual for Understanding, Prevention & Care" by Sat Dharam Kaur ND
Herbs for improving lymphatic and immune function include: Burdock Root, Marigold Flower, Goldenseal Root, Echinacea Root, European Mistletoe, Poke Root, Red Clover, Cleavers Herb, Wild Indigo Root, Bloodroot, Pau d'arco, Carnivora (Venus fly-trap), Green Tea.
The ones I'm most familiar with and might be most easily available are the green tea, organic decaf is best. Also, echinacea, raises white blood cell counts, the book says take 25-50 drops tincture 3x daily. Goldenseal, 7-40 drops tincture 3x daily, three weeks at a time with a week break.
I recommend finding a copy of the book for more info, and of course consult with your doctors. Let me know if you want me to give you more info from my book on any more of these.
__________________
"Dancers Against Cancer" in the Eugene, OR Komen Race for the Cure 2010
Diagnosed 8/7/08 with stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma, micropapillary pattern, Her2 3+, ER+,PR-, grade II, positive lymph nodes.
Received 6doses of Taxotere, Carboplatin with Herceptin continuing for a year...DONE.
1/28/09 Left Modified Radical Mastectomy, Right Simple Mastectomy.
Surgery pathology: No invasive carcinoma present and 17 lymph nodes removed all negative! Only small amount of carcinoma in situ in left breast.
March/April '09, Radiation to left chest wall.
Currently involved in Neratinib clinical trial.
"Well being I won
and wisdom too,
I grew and joyed in my growth;
from a word to a word
I was led to a word
from a deed to another deed." (Odin)
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01-13-2009, 04:49 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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white blood cells/platelets-herbal treatment
I have been seeing a naturopath for many, many years. Astragalus and various kinds of mushrooms like shitake, reiishi and maitake help the white blood counts (immune system). I use both fresh or dried mushrooms in my cooking and mushrooms in supplement form.
I never took neulasta shots, because supplements, mushrooms and alot of fresh veggies and fruits kept my blood counts healthy. Echinecea (spelling ????) also helped. Pole root is an old fashioned remedy to be used externally to help keep lymph moving, but should not be taken internally, because it can be poisonous.
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01-13-2009, 07:29 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 347
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Poke root.
My source says Poke root is toxic in high doses and has a cumulative toxicity in small doses. She recommends 1 drop of tincture daily for 6 weeks, then break for a week. It's said to "promote detoxification, clears dampness and heat, reduces lymphatic congestion, and can shrink tumors...It has a particular affinity for the breasts and reduces fibrocystic breast disease and breast swelling."
Probably not the first thing to reach for in your case, it's true.
I've also found lots and lots of evidence that those mushrooms have great benefits.
__________________
"Dancers Against Cancer" in the Eugene, OR Komen Race for the Cure 2010
Diagnosed 8/7/08 with stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma, micropapillary pattern, Her2 3+, ER+,PR-, grade II, positive lymph nodes.
Received 6doses of Taxotere, Carboplatin with Herceptin continuing for a year...DONE.
1/28/09 Left Modified Radical Mastectomy, Right Simple Mastectomy.
Surgery pathology: No invasive carcinoma present and 17 lymph nodes removed all negative! Only small amount of carcinoma in situ in left breast.
March/April '09, Radiation to left chest wall.
Currently involved in Neratinib clinical trial.
"Well being I won
and wisdom too,
I grew and joyed in my growth;
from a word to a word
I was led to a word
from a deed to another deed." (Odin)
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01-14-2009, 12:05 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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white blood cells/platelets-herbal treatment
That is interesting about the poke root. I used phytolacca oil externally for lymph congestion.
Phytolacca is a combination of poke root and olive oil.
My naturopath prescribed it, but he suggested I avoid taking it internally.
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01-14-2009, 01:32 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 347
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Yes, the book also recommends it externally. My lymphatic massage therapist recommends castor oil packs externally for lymph congestion. I use it on my abdominal area and it seems to really help aid digestion.
This has become the Freyja/ElaineM thread, I think.
__________________
"Dancers Against Cancer" in the Eugene, OR Komen Race for the Cure 2010
Diagnosed 8/7/08 with stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma, micropapillary pattern, Her2 3+, ER+,PR-, grade II, positive lymph nodes.
Received 6doses of Taxotere, Carboplatin with Herceptin continuing for a year...DONE.
1/28/09 Left Modified Radical Mastectomy, Right Simple Mastectomy.
Surgery pathology: No invasive carcinoma present and 17 lymph nodes removed all negative! Only small amount of carcinoma in situ in left breast.
March/April '09, Radiation to left chest wall.
Currently involved in Neratinib clinical trial.
"Well being I won
and wisdom too,
I grew and joyed in my growth;
from a word to a word
I was led to a word
from a deed to another deed." (Odin)
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01-14-2009, 08:50 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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white blood cells/platelets-herbal treatment
Castor oil can be used for muscle aches too. Directions can be found by doing a search on the internet. The directions are probably similiar to the directions for using it for digestion.
Yeah. It seems we are the only ones replying to this thread. Well, it just shows our interest in integrative medicine.
Anyway, I hope the information about the supplements, mushrooms, fruits and veggies for the immune system helps the person who started the thread.
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01-14-2009, 09:51 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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white blood cells/platelets-herbal treatment
I forgot to mention that my naturopath told me Castor oil is only for external use. When I want to use it for muscle aches I apply it on the area that aches, then I put a covered heating pad turned on low and put that on top of the area for a little while. Needless to say I have a heating pad that has a removeable cover for washing.
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01-21-2009, 05:50 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne Victoria
Australia
Posts: 330
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greenridge Immune support
Hi
Greenridge make a extract called Immune support that works well for upping wbc. Contains reishi and astralagus extracts. I took it 3 days after chemo and stopped 3 days before the next dose. Never had trouble with wbc like I did the first time and I didnt get as sick.
Cheers
jackie (down under)
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01-23-2009, 12:26 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 96
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hi
I am taking reishi mushroom powder (ganoderma) . My Wbc has been too good after that, i have lots of energy and really feeling well with the chemo going on. I thank God for that. Along with that i am taking spirulina also
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02-03-2009, 10:39 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
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I am also taking Gonaderma lucidem powder in capsule form. (The saleslady advised me to open the capsule and mix the powder with small amount of water then drink it.) It seems to prevent constipation.
__________________
Jackie07
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2
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7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
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Last edited by Jackie07; 02-03-2009 at 10:41 PM..
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