Hi
I had mx in june 12, finished chemo in Nov 12 and have 3 weekly Herceptin til Oct 13. I was off work for 7 months but went back in Jan.
Since then I have picked up every bug doing the rounds. 2 stomach upsets, the cold and some flu like virus. This causes 2 problems, first I get very fatigued while “incubating the bugs” then second is having yet more time off. The tiredness means I have to be off though - two or three days at least.
Throughout chemo I stayed off vitamins etc as advised but I feel I need to do something about this now. I am fed up of feeling under parr and want to do all I can to regain my health. I am 57 so not as bounce backable as I was anyway.
I rang to make a GP appointment for advice and was offered one on 6th June (!) but if I go there I will just pick up more germs. My next onc appointment isnt til mid June.
Any tips?
Kahren
Hi Kahren
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Take care
Lucy
Hi Kahren
I take lots of supplements, started them over 3 years ago when first DX. Because I had neo-adjuvant letrozole for 8 months before surgery, I was able to get myself REALLY fit before the big treatments started, and I am convinced I became healthier than I had been for years. I was 62 at DX, and apart from a bit of bone thinning due to AIs, I am still feel great. I didn’t have chemo as 100% +ve ER means I just keep taking the AIs for 5 years.
What I take - all from the well known shoe related chemist:
calcium and vit D - bone health
multivitamin - everything
cod liver oil, glucosamine and vit D - joints
omega 3 - I do get high cholesterol from time to time, and we didn’t have a wet fish shop in the village!
Hope this helps - my clinic have patted me on the head for being ‘sensible’ and I see it as me taking some control to become part of my treatment team.
grumpy
Thanks Grumpy - and you are right aout it being about control!
Hi Kahren…I had chemo, rads last year and on anastrozole. My Onc suggested taking calcium (although bone density scan was fine), D3, omega3, Q10, glucosamine and B6. Try Echinacea to help protect your immune system…however I think that as chemo batters your immune system and only your body can repair it, you’re more susceptible to viruses! I have had 4 colds this winter, usually only have 1 every 4 years! My other tip is to add spinach to everything!!! Good luck…and hope youl feel recovered soon…we need some sunshine!!
Sunshine…remember that! Think I will head for Holland & Barrat this weekend. I was told by the nurse to avoid echinacea - it was always here before! Chemo actually anhiliated my immune system - I was down to zero. Just feel so aware of having the time off now too.