vitamin c & echinacea

Public Archive
1

Hello

I’ve had 2 chemo sessions so far and have had a bit of a cold, I feel ok but still can’t seem to shake it off. Is it ok to take vitamin c whilst on chemo (I think it probably is). What about echinacea - I know that it is good for the immune system but was a bit worried about taking it without advice. Can anyone help.

thanks

Jude
xxx

2

Hi Jude

Believe it or not, some Oncs do NOT like people to take extra vitamin C during chemo, unless perhaps part of a multi-vitamin supplement. That is because there is some debate over whether vit c interacts with chemo, as it is an anti-oxidant. The thing to do is check with your Onc - s/he may be absolutely fine about it, on the other hand they may feel strongly about it. Same with the Echinacea, just run it by them, as some Oncs do not like people taking herbal remedies whilst on chemo.

Hope you shake off the cold soon,
Fuschia
xxxxx

3

that was quick. Thanks Fuschia.

Is the weather as horrible where you are? It is torrential rain here today in Exeter.

4

Nah, I’m in London - thick and humid air all round. Perhaps we’ll have that Exeter rain later on !!

5

My oncologist said it was OK to have a fizzy vitamin C tablet every day when I was on Taxotere, but I cut it out anyway. However, I took it all the way through rads and felt better for it.

6

If you have an incipient cold, try Vicks First Defence - it has kept colds at bay for me. It is a nasal spray that prevents the cold virus sticking to the nasal mucous. Check it out with the onc team, but I don’t see that it should be a problem.

7

Thanks for your comments. I rang my bc nurse who checked with the oncologist and he is happy for me to take echinacea but just to check if it has oestrogen in it which it doesn’t so I’ve bought some. He said I shouldn’t need vitamin c as I should be getting enough from food. I’m still a bit sniffy but nothing terrible. I’ve in fact just done a Davina Mcall workout dvd which nearly finished me off as I’m determined to try and do some exercise as I am finding it hard not to eat loads of food while I’m at home not working.

Jude
xxx