Detox on Herceptin

[Susan M (PA)]

Has anyone detoxed while on Herceptin, using juicing/colonics,
sauna, herbs, etc. I know detox is contraindicated while on
chemo.

Anyone know about detoxing from chemo while on Herceptin? Is it safe and could it effect the Herceptin results negatively.

I know detoxing is controversial, I don't really want to start that discussion,
please.

Susan M (PA)

[Esther]

Hmmm....I have never been told that detoxing is contra-indicated while on chemo. They tell you to drink alot of water to flush your body out, and this is a mild form of detoxing.

I have been detoxing for about a year and a half, while on chemo and now on Herceptin only. It helped to alleviate side effects, and I still benefited from the chemo.

I'm been juicing, using a jazuzzi, herbs for a year and a half, and just recently been trying a far infra red sauna. I'm also looking into a home water purifier to remove the chlorine from my water, as it can be absorbed through your skin while showering.

I don't know if detoxing has helped me physically, but it has helped me mentally in feeling that I am DOING something to help myself. That being said, I came back from liver and bone mets that were so severe, the onc didn't know if I would live through my first hospital stay in Feb 04.

And....I've now been NED for 4 months and counting.

[StephN]

I was one of the first on this forum to advocate mild forms of detoxing while on treatment. (Not talking Gershon and other more strict forms of detoxing.)

Since my liver (like Esther's) was the main area of tumor invasion, I felt that there were some things I could do that would not interfere with treatment.

1. I took Milk Thistle capsules, which are good for cleansing.

2. I drank "detox" teas (still do) to try to help rid my blood of "chemo debris" and other toxins from daily food and drink intake.

3. Drank a lot of water to flush my system.

4. Switched to organically produced foods to cut down on toxins that my body would have to deal with, allowing it to more easily take care of the cancer and repair from the chemo damage.

5. Deleted sugar and other junk foods from my diet. Eat more whole foods.

6. Eat foods that have cancer fighting properties.

[Gina]

Hi, this is a really interesting discussion topic..I am surprised more folks haven't posted comments. I think moderate detoxing is ok on herceptin...but you might want to do the detoxing closer to the end of the cycle as I have heard you do run a slight risk of getting it out of your system too soon and at the PRICE of IT!!! I don't think we want that. Right now, I take Herceptin every 6 weeks...and often do a couple of mild to moderate detoxes towards the 4th or 5th week...Would love to hear more comments from the gang..smile...Best of luck, Gina