I’m finding it a bit of a minefield trying to work out what to take supplement wise. I have just started arimidex and as i’ve just gone into menopause, i have painful joints, flushes, mood swings etc and wanted to take something to alleviate this.
Today i went out and bought glucosamine (for the joints), omega 3 6 and 9 and starflower oil (for the flushes). Couldnt see anything on the labels about them containing oestrogen and the shop assistant couldn’t help me. Can anyone tell me if I should definitely lay off any of the ones I’ve bought and also, what is OK to take if you have ER responsive bc. Thanks so much. Carrie
Hi Carriemitch
I’m taking Arimidex too and take glucosamine and chondroitin for joint pain (along with various pain killers and anti inflammatories!)
My GP gives me the glucosamine and chondroitin on prescription as it was becoming quite expensive.
margaret
If you are at all concerned about the types of supplements and vitamins you should be avoiding, it’s always best to check with your BCN. Alternatively, please feel free to contact our helpline who will be more than happy to help and advise.
They are on 0808 800 6000 and are open Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm and Saturday, 9am - 2pm
My partner has BC with bone and liver mets and is ER+. She takes something called Gunamood which helps with the flushes and is non eostrogen promoting.
Hi my gran had Breast Cancer during her Menopause and wanted to avoid all HRT based products so she took something called Meno Herbs. The company is called Argyll Herbs and they used to post it out to her. Once she had secondaries she then started using Essiac which seemed to really help too. I don’t have BC but I have started early Menopause so am using the Meno Herbs just to help me through the tough times!! I hope that you start to feel less stiff soon.
I really do feel it’s worth seeing a proper herbal practitioner. They take all kinds into consideration about your own situation.
I had one all through treatment advising me and the things she advised varied depending on the stage of treatment. With the Arimidex my joints are so stiff I will go back and chat to her about what to take and what dose to be aiming for. Like a lot of things, what’s ok for me may not be for someone else.
On a lighter note, getting the dose right can save a few pennies!
I emailed Holland & Barrat sometime ago asking them if they could compose a section listing all their products which contain phytoestrogens. They said they would think about it but havent seen anything yet. Deaf ears ???
Yes, the phyto oestrogens list would be a good thing.
When I was recommeeded Mulla Mulla for the hotties I had to presist with the supplier for a declaration that it contains no plant oestrogens, but I got it in the end. Unfortunately the Mulla Mulla is expensive and I realised no benefit from it but we are all different and what works for some will or will not work for others.
Hi all - please see my post “Trick or Treatment”…earlier this week. My Onc and gastro told me not to take ANY herbal or vitamin/mineral supplements without consulting them. When I had acupuncture, during FEC chemo, the Chinese therapist badgered me relentlessy to buy her herbs - said they “would cure my breast cancer and Crohn’s”…well if she could, she would get the Nobel Prize for Medicine!!
I did find the acupuncture therapy very relaxing afterwards, although alarming at the time, as she connected the needles to an electronic gizmo and I thought I was being catapulted to the moon. I previously had acupuncture, but not wired to a machine - it was quite painfull. I didn’t go back to her by the way. I was under no illusion that it could cure either of my diseases. I opted for the sensible thing and went for some retail therapy!!
Going to stick with aromatherapy for now - “just me” time; wonderfull, so relaxed afterwards that the therapist has told me not to drive after a treatment and get my hubby to pick me up.
Interesting to read this thread and how others are coping after bc diagnosis.
Liz you are right and I probably didn’t make it clear to make sure you tell them everything.
I told my Onc/chemo nurse etc everything I wanted to do and/or take. They were fine and actually encouraged me. I felt they also understood how important it was for me to feel ‘in control’ of at least something.
In fact, my chemo nurse asked for leaflets from my reflexologist to give to other ladies who asked her about it.