Diet and Nutrition By popular demand our nutritional message board. This board will be monitored by a Registered RD who is certified in oncology by the American Dietetic Association |
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11-06-2009, 12:58 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 253
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Low white counts, what can be done nutrionally?
Hi,
Just a question...what would you recommend for nutrition for low white counts for somebody still in chemo treatment?
Thanks.
Anja
__________________
4/09 suspicious lump in left breast
5/09 biopsi lead to diagnosis ER/PR -
Her2+.Grade 3,full masectomy left breast,sentinel nodes clear,Stage 1
6/09 Adriamycin + Cytoxan 4 treatments (every 3 weeks) followed by Taxol + Herceptin, 1 treatment weekly for 12 weeks, followed by Herceptin for 40 weeks
MRI Brain 4/10 clear
CT Body 4/10 clear
PET Body 2/11 clear
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11-06-2009, 09:55 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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Re: Low white counts, what can be done nutrionally?
I don't know what Tanya thinks, but fruits, vegetables and mushrooms (especially the Asian ones like shitake etc.) are good for the immune system and the white blood counts.
I never took shots during treatment. I never had to skip treatments because of low white blood counts. I never needed a transfusion during treatments.
I ate alot of fruit, vegetables and mushrooms. I also took supplements with the Asian mushrooms, Astragalus and Echincea. I took liquid iron for the red blood counts. I never needed shots, transfusions, or had to skip my treatment for low red blood counts either. I worked with a naturopathic physician the whole time. I still see him every 6 weeks.
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11-08-2009, 04:10 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Durham NC
Posts: 73
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Re: Low white counts, what can be done nutrionally?
I used mushroom supplements and it seemed to help.
Beth
__________________
4/06 Found small lump, biopsy + at 34 yrs.
5/06 Diagnosed IIIC, lumpectomy, 11/11 nodes HER2+
6/06 port placed. 4 Ad/Cyt and 4 Tax.
11/06 bilateral mastectomy
12/06 begin Rads
1/07 Finished Rad-started H, weekly for one year.
1/08. Finished H, scan showed activity in nodes, Doc says 'not to worry about it' and sends me on my way.
7/08 Scan shows numerous involvement in armpit, also large active nodes in supr. clav.
Doctor refused to give me HER2 meds.
8/08 fired doctor, found another. Started Tykerb/Xeloda. After one round, nodes are shrunk and normal sized!
12/08 NED continue Ty/X
3/09, 6/09, 9/09, 11/09, all scans show NED
Dropping X, continue Tykerb
As of 6/10, 3/11 still negative, continuing Tykerb...
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11-09-2009, 06:54 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 358
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Re: Low white counts, what can be done nutrionally?
I agree that a well balanced diet is the best defense. Just a word of caution that if your white blood cells get too low (neutropenia) you may be advised to avoid raw fruits and vegetables until your WBCs have increased to a safe level again. I don't see this very often anymore but it is a possibility. I worked with a Chinese Herbalist/acupuncturist who would use a mushroom blend because of the immune properties. We have had patients take the blend through chemo but you should always check with your med-onc.
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11-09-2009, 07:25 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 253
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Re: Low white counts, what can be done nutrionally?
Thanks everybody!
__________________
4/09 suspicious lump in left breast
5/09 biopsi lead to diagnosis ER/PR -
Her2+.Grade 3,full masectomy left breast,sentinel nodes clear,Stage 1
6/09 Adriamycin + Cytoxan 4 treatments (every 3 weeks) followed by Taxol + Herceptin, 1 treatment weekly for 12 weeks, followed by Herceptin for 40 weeks
MRI Brain 4/10 clear
CT Body 4/10 clear
PET Body 2/11 clear
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11-09-2009, 10:45 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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Re: Low white counts, what can be done nutrionally?
Because of nutritional help my blood counts never got low enough to worry about. I also took supplements with mushrooms and the other things I mentioned in my first post on this subject. I ate raw fruits and vegetables, especially in salads and I still do a fair amount of juicing. I take probiotics. Maybe that has an impact on how my body digests food. I don't know. My oncologist does not know anything about nutrition, so I can't ask him, but my naturopathic physician has been a big help. I also learned alot about nutrition from other medicial professionals, including dieticians. I probably eat healthier now than before I got cancer.
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11-09-2009, 01:30 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 358
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Re: Low white counts, what can be done nutrionally?
As you probably well know, probiotics are being thoroughly studied for many immune supportive properties and even cancer preventative properties. It is excellent that you have improved your eating habits after being diagnosed. Maintaining such will be one of your most important "prescriptions" after treatment is complete.
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