Does anyone know why you should not take Echinacea tablets if you are currently on cancer treatments.
At present i am on Zoladex and Arimidex
Thanks
Dolph
Dolph you might want to give the Helpline a ring. They have a big book which tells of side effects etc. They ate really helpful and can talk things through with you. Tel. 0808 8006000
I checked this with my pharmacist recently and he said it was ok.I am on letrozole and he checked but seems to be ok to take echinecea.
I am unable to take any cold remedies because i take co-codemol so needed a cold remedy.I did take echinacea following chemo to rebuild my immune system.
Lxx
Oh dear, I’m taking echinacea right now to stop a cold/flu in time for Xmas hols.
Am on anastrozole to prevent recurrence.
Maybe I’ll give that helpline a call.
When I was on chemo they told me that certain supplements can interrupt the work of the cancer drugs. I think it might mention this on the Cancer Research site.
What Cancer Research site?
I wanted to source a painkiller for headaches or period pains which didnt contain paracetamol. Im really surprised there isnt one available according to the boots pharmacist.
Is that accurate?
Libralady - there is ibuprofen if you can tolerate that. It’s quite harsh on the stomach so if you’re currently having chemo might be best to check with your team. Always take it after food. Ibuprofen is actually supposed to be more effective for period pain than paracetamol anyway.
Lucinda - cold rememdies are basically paracetamol, a decongestant and sometimes added vit C. You can buy the decongestant separately without the paracetamol - I think sudafed do one (check the packet) or you can buy a decongestant nasal spray. Again if you’re on chemo the spray would probably be too harsh for the nose and you’d need to check about whether the tablets were okay to use.
Best to always check any over the counter tablets with the pharmacist to ensure there are no interactions.
Elinda x
Hi Dolph,
Not sure about Echinacea but did take it for a while after surgery to help build my immune system, the only one my Onc told me NOT to take was ST JOHNS WORT because it interferes with the efficiency of some of the chemo/cancer treatments something to do with the enzymes in it. I am currently on Tamoxifen/herceptin and found out that you should not have grapefruit with the tami.
If I was you I would either phone my BCN or my Onc’s secretary and ask them then you can be sure.
Hope this helps
sending love and light
sarahlousie xx
Sorry, I just meant they have info about things like this, plus cancer drugs, managing things with diet and all sorts of bits and pieces on the Cancer Research UK site.
thanks elinda
I did also get sudafed and I am a big believer of honey and lemon.
My pharmacist is really good and he will not let me take anything that will react with my other drugs.Would not even let me buy night nurse although it was for my oh!
My bone mets are currently stable and tumours are shrinking,so would not take any chances of preventing letrozole from doing it’s work.
L xx
Hello pink buddies,
Just been told i have been perscribe a drug Arimidex, had Mx 1st dec
can any other ladies give me any info as to how you are getting on
with this tablet, waiting for my 1st appointment with onc it seems
such a long time to get any sort of med, my first app was DX in august.
I also take Manuka Honey which has helped with nausea feeling,
will also try echinacea it seems helpful, i need a boost to my immune system as i am now getting stye on eye lid never had it before.
Take care all of you Pat xx
I think this is the link for the Cancer research site that Cherub mentioned above
cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/complementary-alternative/therapies/echinacea
Hope this helps.
Thanks for all the great information Girlies.
Greatly appreciated!!
x