Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Breast cancer

boysmom

By boysmom
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

boysmom Explorer
boysmom
Posted

I'm in the process of being diagnosed with breast cancer. A punch biopsy showed cancer in one breast, but no information from the other, worse looking breast. I am very concerned about how to support my body through treatments. They're talking surgery as soon as this week, followed by chemo and that's as far as I know at the moment. I know chemo usually targets fast growing cells, including the lining of the intestines, which I've worked hard for the 7 years since my diagnosis to heal and repair. So now what?? Has anyone here gone through breast cancer treatments who would be willing to share strategies for protecting the gut while effectively fighting the cancer?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

I am so sorry to hear this. I will be sending all my strength & healing thoughts you way throughout your ordeal. I have no tips for you as thankfully I have not been through this.

I did want to give you my full support though.

I do have a dear, dear, friend who just went through a lumpectomy & radiation. She declined the chemo as she has lupus & already has enough troubles with low platelets. Lupus though does not involve the gut problems like celiac however it carries it's own set of challenges. I am very happy to say she is now doing great but the radiation was not pleasant for her & she did have a rough time of that part of it. I think her reactions to the radiation had a lot to do with her lupus though.

 

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Keep your chin up!

Fundog Enthusiast
Fundog
Posted

I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis.  Find yourself a good herbalist and find out what kind of plant medicines are available to help you.  Mallow and Slippery Elm are both effective at coating and soothing the lining of the digestive tract, and may offer some protection as well as healing.  Juniper berries have been shown in clinical studies to actively shrink tumors.  Keep us updated on what you find out, and how you are doing.

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

I am so sorry about your recent diagnosis.  I can not offer any advice, but I can offer hugs!  ?

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

I am so sorry you are going through this, boysmom.  This must be so difficult for you. They are getting pretty good at treating this disease so I am sure you will be fine in the long run.  I would suggest asking for a referral to a nutritionist who specializes in cancer nutrition.  That can be a big help and I am sure whatever information they have to share could be adapted for the gluten free diet. Many places are integrating nutritional counseling with a cancer diagnosis.

My very best wishes to you for a speedy recovery! 

icelandgirl Proficient
icelandgirl
Posted

Oh boys mom, I'm so sorry.  (((((Hugs)))))

I have not been through this either.  I would follow Geminis advice on a nutritionist.  I wish I could offer something more.  Hopefully your boys are surrounding you with love right now.  Do whatever you can to take care of yourself now.  Be good to yourself.  Pray, meditate, yoga, etc.

I hope that someone with more experience chimes in with advice.  We are all here for you.  (((((((Hugs))))))

manasota Explorer
manasota
Posted

Boysmom, my heart is breaking for you!  I want to wrap my arms around you and beat the DEVIL BC into the ground so nobody needs to endure the fear or pain associated with it.  I was diagnosed with BC 3 years before being diagnosed with Celiac.  I had surgery and radiation.  I thought I dealt with both very well--until other AI diseases started showing up.  In hindsight, for me, the radiation was the worst.

You are ahead of the game as you have gotten your gut into good condition.  This will serve you well.  I second the suggestion for getting in touch with a nutritionist familiar with these 2 diseases.  Again, you are ahead of the game as you are already educated in good nutrition.  Yea!  I didn't need chemo so I can't help you specifically with that aspect.

For me, the biggest help was realizing that any trauma (including BC) comes with pros and cons.  The cons are pretty easy to identify.  I was surprised to learn of many pros as a result of dealing with BC.

Things I learned:

1)  I am more than my breasts, or BC, or Celiac for that matter.  None of these things define me.

2)  I still have the same intellect, sense of humor, friends, loved ones, education, etc.  

3)  I am the same person, with the same good (and bad) traits.

4)  I have the same value that I did before.  

5)  I am just as sexy (and beautiful) as I always was.  (Maybe more so because of my new relaxed attitude!)

6)  I can relax because I no longer have to try to be perfect.  I can now simply be a "regular" human being like everyone else.  (Maybe you're lucky enough to never have been bitten by the perfectionistic bug!)

7)  I will never again have to sweat the small stuff because now I really know EXACTLY what is important.  I don't have to waste any time fretting over small decisions.  Phew!  Major relief!

8)  Life is so much easier now because choices are so much clearer!

9)  I always thought I knew how to make myself happy--no matter what.  But now, it is even easier to see clearly just how many things I have to be grateful for.  I can now find the positive in ANYTHING!

Boysmom, I wish you well on your journey.  Make no mistake, it is a journey.  You will come out stronger on the other end.  I am sending you so many hugs that you will become sick of them!!

One last thing.  It is very important for you and for your loved ones.  LET PEOPLE HELP YOU!  They want to help you.  Even if you could manage without help, let them help!  Everyone will feel better--and heal faster!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


MrsChoplin Newbie
MrsChoplin
Posted

I don't have much enlightening to say but I wanted you to know that I am praying for you. <3

boysmom Explorer
boysmom
Posted
  • Author

Thank you for all your good wishes! I had bilateral mastectomy last weekend and have learned that I have 3 types of cancer in my breasts. I've been told I have 2 weeks to make decisions about follow up treatment, so I'm trying to dig into that now and see what I can learn so I can try to make the best decision going forward.

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

I am happy the surgery is behind you, my dear.  My cousin just went through this and ended her chemo in June.
She is doing much, much better emotionally and physically and you will too!  You will receive good guidance with your options on treatment and I will send you positive healing prayers. Too many women go through this but do really well, long term. Please keep us updated.....we care!  :)

icelandgirl Proficient
icelandgirl
Posted

Big ((((hugs)))) to you sweetie.  I'm glad the surgery is behind you...that's always tough.  I'm so sorry that you are facing this, but you sound ready to taking it on. Please do keep us updated.  As Gemini said, we really do care.  I will be praying for you.

cstark Enthusiast
cstark
Posted

I have never had to deal with cancer of any kind so far in my life, but I want to wish you well and I will be praying for you.

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

You've jumped the first hurdle which is the surgery. Now you know exactly what you're dealing with. We're here for you at all times. {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. MichaelDG
      - MichaelDG posted a topic in Board/Forum Technical Help
      0

      celiac.com support

      How do I contact someone at celiac.com concerning the cessation of my weekly e-newsletter? I had been receiving it regularly for years. When I tried to sign-up on the website, my email was not accepted. I tried again with a new email address and that was rejected as well. Thank you in advance!
    4. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    5. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,327
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    dnamutant
    Newest Member
    dnamutant
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.