Breast Cancer Treatment with Celiace Disease

[laralee]

I discovered just over a year that Celiac Disease has been my problem for years.  I lost 30 lbs in 2 weeks as a result of taking a Bread and Soup class on top of being on pain killers and than an antibiotic.  I survived by quitting all medicine, going gluten-free and gradually healing my gut.  The problem now is that I have breast cancer.  I must have 6 cycles (every 21 days) of chemotherapy, then surgery, then more chemo.  After the first cycle, I got diarrhea, of course.  It stops with immodium or lomotil until I eat again.  I am due for another chemo tomorrow.  I hope I can keep this up.  I eat applesauce, yogurt, eggs, etc and am staying hydrated.  Don't know what else to do.  I really cannot take medicines and this chemotherapy is a mess.  I am 62 years old and had cancer nearly twenty years ago.  Got the surgery and refused follow up chemo.  Survived.  Now I do not have that choice because the protocol has changed and because it has spread.  I have also had to quit all my supplements and herbs and teas due to interference with the chemo medicines.  Any ideas ?

[annlisa]

If you get low they will give you hydration or intravenous and you should see a nutritionist.  they may be able to get you supplements that agree with your digestion and wont "interfere with the chemo." for example 

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a holistic nutritionist that works with mainstream chemo might be available   would be worth looking into

my best luck   you have this  it will work out!

[knitty kitty]

5 hours ago, laralee said:

I discovered just over a year that Celiac Disease has been my problem for years.  I lost 30 lbs in 2 weeks as a result of taking a Bread and Soup class on top of being on pain killers and than an antibiotic.  I survived by quitting all medicine, going gluten-free and gradually healing my gut.  The problem now is that I have breast cancer.  I must have 6 cycles (every 21 days) of chemotherapy, then surgery, then more chemo.  After the first cycle, I got diarrhea, of course.  It stops with immodium or lomotil until I eat again.  I am due for another chemo tomorrow.  I hope I can keep this up.  I eat applesauce, yogurt, eggs, etc and am staying hydrated.  Don't know what else to do.  I really cannot take medicines and this chemotherapy is a mess.  I am 62 years old and had cancer nearly twenty years ago.  Got the surgery and refused follow up chemo.  Survived.  Now I do not have that choice because the protocol has changed and because it has spread.  I have also had to quit all my supplements and herbs and teas due to interference with the chemo medicines.  Any ideas ?

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"Serum Vitamin D Levels Affect Pathologic Complete Response in Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy for Operable Breast Cancer."

This article (and many more like it) says that your vitamin D levels are very important when fighting any sort of cancer.  These studies found that low vitamin D levels had the worst prognosis.  

Optimal Vitamin D levels are between 70 and 110, newer studies say.  

I suffered from severe malabsorption and malnutrition prior to a Celiac diagnosis.  My vitamin D level was six.  I've found that keeping my vitamin D level above eighty makes a big difference in my health.  

Celiac Disease causes malabsorption which results in malnutrition.  Common deficiencies in Celiac Disease are vitamin D and the eight B vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids, iron, and magnesium.  Some of the B vitamins that help fight cancer are niacin and riboflavin.  

You didn't say which supplements you were taking, but a check for deficiencies seems warranted.  Especially the Vitamin D!

Oh, cut out the yogurt!  Damaged villi have difficulty digesting lactose causing diarrhea.  Bone broth is very restorative. Try bone broth instead.

Hope this helps!

[knitty kitty]

Just thought I'd add a couple more science articles about how a ketogenic diet may be helpful with cancer.  I follow the AutoImmune Protocol diet, a Paleo ketogenic diet which has helped me tremendously.  No dairy, no nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant), no grains.  And I also eat low histamine foods (nothing fermented or pickled).  Histamine increases inflammation and stress in your body.  

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Hope this helps! 

[cyclinglady]

Lara,  I am so sorry that you are going through struggle with breast cancer.  Since you can not take supplements, try to get your nutrients from good non-processed foods.  Of course, maintaining a gluten-free diet is critical.  I take no supplements at all.  My doctor has tested me for nutritional deficiencies and I have none. However, I eat a non-processed diet as much as possible.  

My celiac disease has resolved (villi healed), so I am able to eat yogurt easily.  I am no longer  lactose intolerant.  I would imagine that anything that comforts you and reduces stress would be best!  Also cook or prepare for the days when you are not feeling well.  

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!  

[knitty kitty]

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"Since the 1970s, 280 peer-reviewed in vitro and in vivo studies, including 50 human studies involving 8,521 patients, 5,081 of whom were given nutrients, have consistently shown that non-prescription antioxidants and other nutrients do not interfere with therapeutic modalities for cancer. Furthermore, they enhance the killing of therapeutic modalities for cancer, decrease their side effects, and protect normal tissue. In 15 human studies, 3,738 patients who took non-prescription antioxidants and other nutrients actually had increased survival."

I agree with Cycling Lady that nutrients should be gotten from good nonprocessed whole foods, but when diarrhea is a problem, when digestion and absorption is a problem, supplementing may be a necessity.