Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi all  i follow Abbey mitchell’s blog and I can assure you she is not out for monetary gain. Her input to the mbc community is invaluable and basically her Facebook group became so overwhelmed she was struggling to reach out to people and had to change the groups status to secret. (It’s now just closed so you can request to join). She is looking for patrons purely so she can get help dealing with people seeking her help. Hope this clarifies things x healingbreastcancer.info ... View more

Hi  yes I started the COC Protocol about 3 weeks ago. I’ve read HTSC also so doing Jane’s supplements. I’m mbc to spine but currently NED, due to the hormone inhibitors letrozole and zoladex. Also just started Palbociclib and denosumab. Please feel free to ask me any questions about my treatment. I will be glad to share.  ... View more

Hi    hope everyone is well.   i am now 2 weeks on from my fourth chemo whilst fasting and wanted to give you an update on my experiences, side effects etc. I am on TC x 6.   I would like to say that I am not a health freak by any stretch of the imagination. Although I expertise regularly and am not overweight, I enjoy eating out and the odd glass or 5 of wine and prosecco. I eat red meat and dairy and love cake.    i have done 2 fasts eating about 300 cals once a day (eg tuna salad) in the early evevening and 2 fasts drinking just water and tea. I found no difference with the side effects and have not taken the anti sickness meds post the last 2 chemos and have had no nausea or vomiting and my appetite has been very good.   i have, however, felt extremely tired for about 5 days after but this is manageable and I have still managed to go out for a walk, ironing, light housework etc.  I have been wearing the cold hands and feet protectors during my chemo and have not experienced any problems with neuropathy.    BUT MOST INTERESTINGLY, I had an mri scan after the third chemo and was told that my tumours (I have 3) had shrunk by about 60%. I was told by my consultant prior to starting chemo that my type of cancer (lobular)does not respond well to chemo as it is slow growing so he was understandably very pleased also.  After I finish the 6x DC I am having 9 weeks of taxol so am hoping for a very good final result prior to surgery as I was originally to.d that my cancer was inoperable.   Could this be down to the fasting? Who knows but it’s certainly food for thought (no pun intended)   have a a fantastic weekend everyone.   Ali x   ... View more

Hi Caroline  welcome to the thread. I am also fasting for chemo and feel that it’s really helped me in terms of lessening the side effects. I have not mentioned anything to the nurses or my oncologist. Just felt it was something I really wanted to do. So I have 3 days fast but eat about 300 cals {tuna salad or similar) each evening and drink plenty of water.  Regards, Ali x ... View more

Hi Jacq ive been away on hol so have tried to have a holiday from cancer too 😂   I have seen the mice before. I think this footage appeared on ‘the science of fasting’ on Netflix. It’s certainly very persuasive.    4th chemo today so I will report my experiences on the thread in a few day. I’m trying to rest because I felt extremely tired after my last chemo. Think I did too much.   thanks for the heads up on the mice   Ali x   ... View more

Hi everyone  Thought I’d give an update on the aftermath of my docetaxel chemo last Tuesday after fasting for 3 days. i have felt really well but on Thursday (2 days post chemo) I felt extremely fatigued and spaced out, more so than before (this was my third dose). I have been prepared for this as I understand that the tiredness is cumulative. However, I have had no other side effects apart from this and by Sunday, I felt back to normal and have been for a short run this morning. I have had no nausea and did not take any anti nausea meds after the pre chemo pill. I have had no digestive tract issues or sore mouth. The achy flu type symptoms have also been much better this time. In a nutshell, I really believe the fasting helps with side effects and will continue with this regime throughout my treatment.   i will update again prior to my next cycle in case I get any side effects further down the line. I did experience some issues with my skin 10days after my second cycle but changed my cleanser which I felt was too harsh and this cleared up.   Hope everyone stays well.   Ali x   ... View more

Hi Jacq I am having round 3 tomorrow of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide. I went to see the breast surgeon last Wednesday for an update as I am having chemo first to shrink tumours (I have cancer in both breasts). Both he and the breast care nurse commented how well I looked but I have not said that I am fasting (no one has asked). More signifantly, he said my biggest tumour had become softer and more mobile which indicates the chemo is working at this stage which I am relieved about as apparently my type of cancer (lobular) is slow growing and therefore does not always respond well to chemo.  I started my fast last night and have eaten some very low carb soup this eve (around 300 cals). I’m having water all day tomorrow but will probably have some more soup again tomorrow evening. will update on my side effects in the next few days. Ali x ... View more

Hi everyone Had my second cycle of chemo 9 days ago (docetaxel) and again fasted for 3 days (day prior, day of chemo and day after).  Again, I experienced no nausea or vomiting and I actually went away on holiday and walked 4 miles each day. My appetite has been good but I am not overweight so I’m focusing on regaining the weight lost due to fasting. I did experience the muscle/joint pain but not to the extent that I needed painkillers. These pains lasted for about 4 days. The main problem for me has been constipation which is quite common apparently on a water fast. This is not helped by the steroids and anti nausea drugs so am concentrating on eating a fibre rich diet to avoid this in future. Definitely think that fasting is helping with side effects and friends and family have remarked that I look well (although I have now lost my hair and am sporting a wig). I try to run or walk everyday but this has not been possible with the weather.  Hope this helps and will keep posting my experiences. Good luck everyone. It’s great to hear from you all. x ... View more

Hi everyone  Glad everything seems ok JacqB. Hope things continue over the days to come.   Bit of a setback for me yesterday as I had a reaction to the EC and they had to stop treatment. I had a reaction last time but this one was more severe. The oncologist came to see me and explained this was potentially dangerous so obviously I was gutted. However, my disappointment was short lived as he said there were lots of different chemo they could give me. So I’m going to have Docetaxel and cyclophosphamde instead which he explained is actually stronger but they are happy to give this as I was so well after my first cycle of EC. I’m having it on Tuesday so will have to start taking steroids on Monday morning.  Once again, I’ve fasted for 2 days for no reason but do not feel downhearted. My husband is concerned about my weight so I am going to have a no carb lunch on Monday and fast until wed night. I note that others have had good results from fasting for a shorter time so will let you know how I go on. Have  a lovely weekend x ... View more

Hi ktk  enjoy your celebration meal and good luck with chemo. Ali x ... View more

Hi Jacq  really sorry to hear you’ve been ill: Sounds like you’ve made a good recovery though. Hope chemo went well today and look forward to an update. My next chemo is Friday so started my fast today in preparation. Will let everyone know how it goes.  Regards Ali x ... View more

Hi thanks for your post re the steroids. I will definitely take the steroids earlier to see if this makes a difference. Ali x ... View more

Hi Em sorry for the delay in responding. To be honest, after my first fast I didn’t really pay much attention to what I ate although it was relatively healthy - a baked potato tuna and salad. However, I’ve since learnt that baked potatoes are v high carbs and may not be the best thing to eat to break fast. I will probably make some vegetable soup or have some fish and vegetables or salad and take it from there.   I will post at the weekend to let everyone know how it goes. Thanks  Ali x ... View more

Hi Embo i fasted for my first EC chemo on 25 May. I took all the steroids prescribed to me for 48 hours after and  I just had a  spoonful of egg mayo with them (rather than carbs). The main problem with the steroids was the insomnia but found I slept really well once I finished them. I didn’t need the anti sickness pills they gave me as I didn’t have any nausea. (They advised me to take them only if I needed to) 2 weeks down the line, I feel good - no tummy problems, mouth sores etc. Ive been out walking every day and even ran for 2 miles yesterday. I’ll be starting my fast again on Wednesday ready for next Friday as I really believe this has helped.   Hope this helps and good luck.   Ali  ... View more

Hi  I had my ffirst chemo on Friday 25 May and fasted from Wednesday evening 23 May until Saturday teatime. I felt very slightly nauseous the morning after (Saturday) but my appetite since the fast has been really good.  Apparently, anecdotal evidence from patients who have fasted on chemo found that they lost a few pounds during the 4 day fast but found they put it back on prior to next chemo. I am definitely going to keep a sharp eye on my weight though.  Hope this helps Ali ... View more

Hi Jacq thanks for your reply. I’m pleased for you that your side effects seem to be relatively mild and it also gives me additional motivation to continue. I also employ a similar mental picture of the greedy cancer cells gobbling up the chemo whilst the healthy cells are having a nap.  Definitely going to continue with the fasting . Good luck  Ali  ... View more

Hi I too took the decision to fast during chemo ( epirubicin and cyclophamide) having read a lot of medical journals  regarding the tests on mice and anecdotal evidence from other patients re the lessened side effects and also the theory that fasting protects healthy cells. It helped that I have been on Michael Mosley’s 5 2 and am familiar with fasting. i was due to start chemo 23 May so started fast on 21 May for 4 days.  This did not go to plan however because I had my chemo cancelled as something new had shown up on a pet scan.  So I ate on the Tuesday evening.  This turned out to be something inconclusive so chemo rescheduled for Friday 25 May. My husband was worried about me fasting because I was losing weight so we agreed that I would do 3 days fast - Thursday Friday and Saturday till evening. So far my only side effects have been 1 hot flush and insomnia due to steroids. My appetite has been good and I went out yesterday for a meal and a few drinks. I will definitely continue the fasting unless something changes with my health. ... View more