Interested and curious about turkey tail mushrooms

Posted by karenrea1943 @karenrea1943, Nov 28, 2023

I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage two in June 2022 I went through two surgeries, six months of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiation. They then introduced me to estrogen blockers I started with anastrozole for 4 1/2 months and then couldn’t take it anymore. My joints and bones were so filled with pain and I was incredibly fatigued I’ve been off AI for three months and now they want me to start exemestane 25 mg daily for five years + yes. I’m anxious to start the estrogen blocker again. Anxious is an understatement. I’m petrified because I felt so ill while taking anastrozole. I was just reading about turkey tail mushrooms, but realize you cannot take them if you’re on an estrogen blocker is there anyone who can give me information on turkey tail mushrooms?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

@resort

Why don’t you switch to Tamoxifen? I’ve been on tamoxifen for six months and hardly notice any side effects. I also take daily turkey tail supplement to boost immunity. My pharmacist told me turkey tail mushrooms will delay tamoxifen effectiveness by 9 hours. But it doesn’t reduce the maximum concentration of tamoxifen in your body.

Jump to this post

What kind of turkey tail mushrooms do you get?

REPLY
@pbnew

I was diagnosed 1/22 with MBC and started Turkey tail and 7 other mushrooms in Feb 22 and still take it now. I started Letrozole in Feb 22 also. Never heard there was a problem with taking both. May 22 I had a clear CAT scan which I attribute to mushrooms not Letrozole

Jump to this post

I was stage 0, lumpectomy May 1,2023, two lymph nodes taken (clear), margins clear, tumor small. grade 2 - not taking any anti estrogen drugs. Was taking mushroom supplement but stopped…after reading this will get it again. What kind do you take?

REPLY

During first year I took 8-10 Turkey capsules a day. 3 a day of the following: chaga, reishi, shiitake, maitake, cordyceps, Agaricus.
Clear scans May and September 2022 and June and October 2023
Year 2 I’m taking 5 Turkey a day and 2 a day of a 5 mushroom blend. I get these from real mushrooms.com
I continue to research and have added other supplements as I find them.

REPLY
@salamander

I was stage 0, lumpectomy May 1,2023, two lymph nodes taken (clear), margins clear, tumor small. grade 2 - not taking any anti estrogen drugs. Was taking mushroom supplement but stopped…after reading this will get it again. What kind do you take?

Jump to this post

@salamander, do you have ER+ breast cancer?

Keep in mind that information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.

REPLY

Most of what I have learned about Turkey tail mushrooms I have learned through internet research . The studies are positive. It will definitely help boost your immune system and it’s supposed to be an anti-estrogen.

REPLY

Where did you read that you shouldn’t take it if on an AI? My dr said that I could. I just had my estradiol checked and it increased. I’m trying to figure out the cause of that.

REPLY
@salamander

What kind of turkey tail mushrooms do you get?

Jump to this post

I got it from Whole Foods. The brand is Gaiga. It’s extract from fruiting body.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

@salamander, do you have ER+ breast cancer?

Keep in mind that information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.

Jump to this post

Yes I do have ER positive breast cancer.

REPLY
@anjalima

I would love to read research on Turkey Tail and AI… I take Anastrozole and ok with it. Why is TTail not good to take with estrogen blockers?

Jump to this post

Re: Turkey Tail mushrooms, I would follow your oncologist advice.

REPLY
@hollyng

Re: Turkey Tail mushrooms, I would follow your oncologist advice.

Jump to this post

I would too and did… she said check with a nutritionist! I do know Mayo approved for their breast cancer clients.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.