Connect
← Return to Supplements during chemotherapy
Discussion
Supplements during chemotherapy
Cancer | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (33)Comment receiving replies
@beebe , Please push for these questions to be answered at a follow-up or by telephone sooner if necessary. One of the infusion nurses should be able to relay a question or two to the pharmacist or to your oncologist. Once you've gotten stuff established, you might also check to see if you have or can get a "portal" connection to them on the computer.
When I first started chemo, the oncology pharmacist set up an "orientation" phone call with me to provide info and Q&A time about my drugs. I got her phone number and email address for follow-ups, which was very helpful. She identified that a couple "basically friendly" supplements I had been taking could affect my CA19-9 test results or interfere with my chemo drugs. Definitely worthwhile!
I agree, the About Herbs site/app are basically just there for general education / familiarization, but might help you formulate the best questions for your specialists. Their time is so limited it can be hard for them to cover a bunch of random questions.
Good luck with your next infusion(s) and your recovery from the first! Noise-cancelling headphones and some good music (or at least a set of earplugs) are lifesavers, to distract from the beeping pumps if nothing else.
Replies to "@beebe , Please push for these questions to be answered at a follow-up or by telephone..."
Markymarkfl, Thanks for your encouragement to contact the pharmacist. Yesterday I Called the pharmacy which provides the chemo drugs for my infusions and talked with the pharmacist for at least 1/2 hour. He commented on a list of herbs I was wondering about and could not recommend Boswellia or black cumin seed oil. I will forgo it to be cautious but was interested in it due to its anti-inflammatory properties. He did say oncologists have access to more information than he does so they may be able to approve herbs that he cannot. It was an amazing talk, he was so kind, patient, and knowledgeable. We spent at least 1/2 hour talking and he was in no hurry to get off the phone!
My skin rash and itch have resolved just in time for the 2nd treatment. I expect to be tired after it kicks in as my red and white blood cells are now just below normal.
Thanks again for your input!
A
Wow, ever considered a chat with the pharmacist mixing up the chemo infusions! Great idea. This has never been mentioned by our team.
Connect
Thanks for your input, I will take my supplement list with me to my next infusion and ask the Nurse to check with the pharmacist. So far my doctor has not said no to anything besides curcumin which I have read interferes with the blood level readings for your liver.