Homeopathy with convential treatment

Hi,

hubby has Dukes C (T4,N1,M0) colon cancer, started in the appendix. Surgery
removed the tumour (mucinous adenocarcinoma), and he is having chemotherapy
(one round down, 11 to go. 5FU + oxaliplatin). He's had to take a break in
chemo (yes, after 1 session) due to an abscess on the bowel.

Our chiropractor practices a holistic health approach, and has recommended
some homeopathic supplements - to be taken alongside the conventional
treatments. She is an experienced practioner and someone we trust. To be
very very clear - hubby will continue the chemo / medical treatments.

I just wonder if anyone has used homeopathic treatments alongside the
conventional? Does it cause problems with interaction to the chemo?

We will of course also ask the oncologist for the OK before starting the
homeopathic stuff, but maybe you have some things for us to consider?

Thanks, Helen

Heckenhocker wrote:

> hubby has Dukes C (T4,N1,M0) colon cancer, started in the appendix. Surgery
> removed the tumour (mucinous adenocarcinoma), and he is having chemotherapy
> (one round down, 11 to go. 5FU + oxaliplatin). He's had to take a break in
> chemo (yes, after 1 session) due to an abscess on the bowel.
>
> Our chiropractor practices a holistic health approach, and has recommended
> some homeopathic supplements - to be taken alongside the conventional
> treatments. She is an experienced practioner and someone we trust. To be
> very very clear - hubby will continue the chemo / medical treatments.
>
> I just wonder if anyone has used homeopathic treatments alongside the
> conventional? Does it cause problems with interaction to the chemo?
>
> We will of course also ask the oncologist for the OK before starting the
> homeopathic stuff, but maybe you have some things for us to consider?

Hello Helen and welcome.

I'm sorry to hear about your husband's cancer.

I've been here many years and noticed that some oncologists are "fence-sitters",
not wanting to dissuade nor persuade.

It is not known whether such interfere with treatments, because of the various
"blends" (or singles) that are tried, cannot be trialed to prove one way or
another.

<http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/PPI/UnconventionalTherapies/naturalhealthproductscancertherapy.htm>

"Natural Health Products and Cancer Therapy"
"Why should I avoid taking natural health products during treatment? "


I would not try any, during treatment, if I was hoping for a cure.
That's my opinion.

By the way, ask his CEA level, before the surgery and after.

Best wishes.
Please keep in touch and let us know how you and your husband's doing.
J

"J" <nexsw@nvalid,anon> wrote in message
news:461293AC.1D7D0B12@execulink.com...
> By the way, ask his CEA level, before the surgery and after.
>
> Best wishes.
> Please keep in touch and let us know how you and your husband's doing.
> J
>
Thanks J, that's a useful link and good scientific perspective.

We can't get the CEA pre-surgery....they found the cancer in an semi-urgent
appendectomy...the "appendicitis" was the only symptom! Here in the UK,
they don't routinely do ultrasound on query appendix cases, so the surgeons
had no idea what they were about to find. One heck of a shock when he came
back from surgery 3 hours late and with an extra wound :-) So no
pre-surgery tests were done.

Cheers, HH

[snip]

| I just wonder if anyone has used homeopathic treatments alongside the
| conventional? Does it cause problems with interaction to the chemo?

My oncologist doesn't even want me to take vitamins during treatment. I
have heard about not taking antioxidants (which weaken the chemo) but wonder
ant not being able to take any vitamins (other than a multi and calcium).
Oncologist just says because the interactions with the chemo regimens are
unknown, and therefore could be negative.

"Heckenhocker" <heckenhocker@mac.com> wrote in message
news:46127c47$0$21850$db0fefd9@news.zen.co.uk...
> Hi,
>
> hubby has Dukes C (T4,N1,M0) colon cancer, started in the appendix.
> Surgery removed the tumour (mucinous adenocarcinoma), and he is having
> chemotherapy (one round down, 11 to go. 5FU + oxaliplatin). He's had to
> take a break in chemo (yes, after 1 session) due to an abscess on the
> bowel.
>
> Our chiropractor practices a holistic health approach, and has recommended
> some homeopathic supplements - to be taken alongside the conventional
> treatments. She is an experienced practioner and someone we trust. To be
> very very clear - hubby will continue the chemo / medical treatments.
>
> I just wonder if anyone has used homeopathic treatments alongside the
> conventional? Does it cause problems with interaction to the chemo?
>
> We will of course also ask the oncologist for the OK before starting the
> homeopathic stuff, but maybe you have some things for us to consider?
>
> Thanks, Helen
>

As homeopathic medications are essentially pure water, they certainly would
not interfere with conventional treatment

Steph wrote:

> "Heckenhocker" <heckenhocker@mac.com> wrote in message
> > hubby has Dukes C (T4,N1,M0) colon cancer, started in the appendix.
> > Surgery removed the tumour (mucinous adenocarcinoma), and he is having
> > chemotherapy (one round down, 11 to go. 5FU + oxaliplatin). He's had to
> > take a break in chemo (yes, after 1 session) due to an abscess on the
> > bowel.
> >
> > Our chiropractor practices a holistic health approach, and has recommended
> > some homeopathic supplements - to be taken alongside the conventional
> > treatments. She is an experienced practioner and someone we trust. To be
> > very very clear - hubby will continue the chemo / medical treatments.
> >
> > I just wonder if anyone has used homeopathic treatments alongside the
> > conventional? Does it cause problems with interaction to the chemo?
> >
> > We will of course also ask the oncologist for the OK before starting the
> > homeopathic stuff, but maybe you have some things for us to consider?
> >
> > Thanks, Helen
> >
>
> As homeopathic medications are essentially pure water, they certainly would
> not interfere with conventional treatment

Expensive hydration. When I told one it didn't do a darned thing for me, he
suggested mixing a different formula. Must mean "make up a different label".
<g>

Aw well, it didn't hurt her to see some of the others (on that web page) to
avoid.
J

Heckenhocker wrote:

> "J" <nexsw@nvalid,anon> wrote in message
> > By the way, ask his CEA level, before the surgery and after.
> >
> > Best wishes.
> > Please keep in touch and let us know how you and your husband's doing.
> > J
> >
> Thanks J, that's a useful link and good scientific perspective.
>
> We can't get the CEA pre-surgery....they found the cancer in an semi-urgent
> appendectomy...the "appendicitis" was the only symptom! Here in the UK,
> they don't routinely do ultrasound on query appendix cases, so the surgeons
> had no idea what they were about to find. One heck of a shock when he came
> back from surgery 3 hours late and with an extra wound :-) So no
> pre-surgery tests were done.
>
> Cheers, HH

Yes, I imagine a shock, Helen. Fortunate finding hopefully.
(my "heart" sinks when I see mucinous).
Were there lymph nodes involved?

And what do they do about the abscess, please? Drain it, and antibiotics ?
Please stay in touch.
J

"J" <nexsw@nvalid,anon> wrote in message
news:46135A11.24B8530D@execulink.com...
> Steph wrote:
>
>> "Heckenhocker" <heckenhocker@mac.com> wrote in message
>> > hubby has Dukes C (T4,N1,M0) colon cancer, started in the appendix.
>> >
>> > Our chiropractor practices a holistic health approach, and has
>> > recommended some homeopathic supplements -
>> >
>> > We will of course also ask the oncologist for the OK before starting
>> > the homeopathic stuff, but maybe you have some things for us to
>> > consider?
>> >
>>
>> As homeopathic medications are essentially pure water, they certainly
>> would not interfere with conventional treatment
>
> Expensive hydration. When I told one it didn't do a darned thing for me,
> he suggested mixing a different formula. Must mean "make up a different
> label".
>
> Aw well, it didn't hurt her to see some of the others (on that web page)
> to avoid.
> J
>

Maybe I'm confused, but what does a *chiropractor* have to do with treating
any sort of cancer? I thought they just deal with "spinal mis-adjustment"
problems. How does this even have anything to do with being qualified to
treat "holistically" -- or at least any more qualified than my local "health
store clerk"?
bj

On Apr 4, 11:10 am, "bj" <bjone...@bellatlantic.net> wrote:
> "J" <nexsw@nvalid,anon> wrote in message
>
> news:46135A11.24B8530D@execulink.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> > Steph wrote:
>
> >> "Heckenhocker" <heckenhoc...@mac.com> wrote in message
> >> > hubby has Dukes C (T4,N1,M0) colon cancer, started in the appendix.
>
> >> > Our chiropractor practices a holistic health approach, and has
> >> > recommended some homeopathic supplements -
>
> >> > We will of course also ask the oncologist for the OK before starting
> >> > the homeopathic stuff, but maybe you have some things for us to
> >> > consider?
>
> >> As homeopathic medications are essentially pure water, they certainly
> >> would not interfere with conventional treatment
>
> > Expensive hydration. When I told one it didn't do a darned thing for me,
> > he suggested mixing a different formula. Must mean "make up a different
> > label".
>
> > Aw well, it didn't hurt her to see some of the others (on that web page)
> > to avoid.
> > J
>
> Maybe I'm confused, but what does a *chiropractor* have to do with treating
> any sort of cancer? I thought they just deal with "spinal mis-adjustment"
> problems. How does this even have anything to do with being qualified to
> treat "holistically" -- or at least any more qualified than my local "health
> store clerk"?
> bj- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

She said hubby would be receiving conventional cancer treatment.

Classical homeopathy is quite different from the off the shelf
remedies for various ailments. Predates allopathic medicine. Results
cannot be verified using scientific method.

Fig

>>
>> Maybe I'm confused, but what does a *chiropractor* have to do with
>> treating
>> any sort of cancer? I thought they just deal with "spinal mis-adjustment"
>> problems. How does this even have anything to do with being qualified to
>> treat "holistically" -- or at least any more qualified than my local
>> "health
>> store clerk"?
>> bj- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> She said hubby would be receiving conventional cancer treatment.
>
> Classical homeopathy is quite different from the off the shelf
> remedies for various ailments. Predates allopathic medicine. Results
> cannot be verified using scientific method.
>
> Fig
>
>

Hi,

we see the chiropractor primarily for the physical alignment stuff. But she
happens to be more widely trained in other treatments (such as NET,
homeopathy). Normally I'm an utter sceptic about things like NET, but it
seems to work (yes, I accept it could be psychological effect).

And yes, hubby will be receiving conventional cancer treatment.
Chiropractor has been very clear that we must have the oncologist's
permission to try any homeopathic approaches. And that they can only be an
added layer...never a replacement for the scientifically proven stuff.

Thanks for all the comments

"J" <nexsw@nvalid,anon> wrote in message
news:46135B27.6A93FB97@execulink.com...
> Heckenhocker wrote:
>
>> "J" <nexsw@nvalid,anon> wrote in message
>> > By the way, ask his CEA level, before the surgery and after.
>> >
>> > Best wishes.
>> > Please keep in touch and let us know how you and your husband's doing.
>> > J
>> >
>> Thanks J, that's a useful link and good scientific perspective.
>>
>> We can't get the CEA pre-surgery....they found the cancer in an
>> semi-urgent
>> appendectomy...the "appendicitis" was the only symptom! Here in the UK,
>> they don't routinely do ultrasound on query appendix cases, so the
>> surgeons
>> had no idea what they were about to find. One heck of a shock when he
>> came
>> back from surgery 3 hours late and with an extra wound :-) So no
>> pre-surgery tests were done.
>>
>> Cheers, HH
>
> Yes, I imagine a shock, Helen. Fortunate finding hopefully.
> (my "heart" sinks when I see mucinous).
> Were there lymph nodes involved?
>
> And what do they do about the abscess, please? Drain it, and antibiotics
> ?
> Please stay in touch.
> J
>
So far not so mucinous, but if needed we'll be referred onto the specialist
centre. One lymph node (out of the 12 removed)

Abscess was identified via CT scan, drained through open surgery (abscess
was under the appendix scar), 7 days IV penicillin, 7 days oral, open wound
packed with alginate to granulate and close (expected to be fully closed in
10-14 days from now...it's healing really well)

Histology from abscess showed no cancer cells (hurrah!) so it was almost
certainly a post-first-surgery issue that was low-grade until the first
chemo knocked the immune system.

Next steps: CT scan, regain strength (making good progress), re-start chemo

(and laugh at all the new words I've learnt this year <g>)

"Helen Broughton" <helenbroughton@ntlworld.com> wrote in
news:1dTQh.242$xT6.51@newsfe7-gui.ntli.net:

>>>
>>> Maybe I'm confused, but what does a *chiropractor* have to do with
>>> treating
>>> any sort of cancer? I thought they just deal with "spinal
>>> mis-adjustment" problems. How does this even have anything to do
>>> with being qualified to treat "holistically" -- or at least any more
>>> qualified than my local "health
>>> store clerk"?
>>> bj- Hide quoted text -
>>>
>>> - Show quoted text -
>>
>> She said hubby would be receiving conventional cancer treatment.
>>
>> Classical homeopathy is quite different from the off the shelf
>> remedies for various ailments. Predates allopathic medicine.
>> Results cannot be verified using scientific method.
>>
>> Fig
>>
>>
>
> Hi,
>
> we see the chiropractor primarily for the physical alignment stuff.
> But she happens to be more widely trained in other treatments (such as
> NET, homeopathy). Normally I'm an utter sceptic about things like
> NET, but it seems to work (yes, I accept it could be psychological
> effect).
>
> And yes, hubby will be receiving conventional cancer treatment.
> Chiropractor has been very clear that we must have the oncologist's
> permission to try any homeopathic approaches. And that they can only
> be an added layer...never a replacement for the scientifically proven
> stuff.
>
> Thanks for all the comments
>
I hope all goes well for your husband. Please let us know how you & he
are doing. We're always here caring.

Fig

Helen Broughton wrote:

> "J" <nexsw@nvalid,anon> wrote in message
> <snip>
> > (my "heart" sinks when I see mucinous).
> > Were there lymph nodes involved?
> >
> > And what do they do about the abscess, please? Drain it, and antibiotics
> > ?
> > Please stay in touch.
> > J
> >
> So far not so mucinous, but if needed we'll be referred onto the specialist
> centre. One lymph node (out of the 12 removed)
>
> Abscess was identified via CT scan, drained through open surgery (abscess
> was under the appendix scar), 7 days IV penicillin, 7 days oral, open wound
> packed with alginate to granulate and close (expected to be fully closed in
> 10-14 days from now...it's healing really well)
>
> Histology from abscess showed no cancer cells (hurrah!) so it was almost
> certainly a post-first-surgery issue that was low-grade until the first
> chemo knocked the immune system.
>
> Next steps: CT scan, regain strength (making good progress), re-start chemo
>
> (and laugh at all the new words I've learnt this year <g>)

Hello Helen,
Yes, it's a whole new vocabulary, eh.
Thanks for the further details.

I'm glad to hear the wound's healing well.

If you don't mind, which chemo or chemo combinations will he be given and what
is the schedule?

Let's hope his immune system is busy, helping to clear up that infection and
any potentially "escaped" cancer cells, so that the chemo is just extra
insurance.

Since there was only one lymph node involved, I'm feeling very positive about
your husband's outcome. So I'll cross everything possible that you'll be our
positive "mucinous" story for this newsgroup.
J

"J" <nexsw@nvalid,anon> wrote in message
news:461664A8.47E2A12D@execulink.com...
> Helen Broughton wrote:
>
>> So far not so mucinous, but if needed we'll be referred onto the
>> specialist
>> centre. One lymph node (out of the 12 removed)
>>
>> Abscess was identified via CT scan, drained through open surgery (abscess
>> was under the appendix scar), 7 days IV penicillin, 7 days oral, open
>> wound
>> packed with alginate to granulate and close (expected to be fully closed
>> in
>> 10-14 days from now...it's healing really well)
>>
>> Histology from abscess showed no cancer cells (hurrah!) so it was almost
>> certainly a post-first-surgery issue that was low-grade until the first
>> chemo knocked the immune system.
>>
>> Next steps: CT scan, regain strength (making good progress), re-start
>> chemo
>>
>> (and laugh at all the new words I've learnt this year <g>)
>
> Hello Helen,
> Yes, it's a whole new vocabulary, eh.
> Thanks for the further details.
>
> I'm glad to hear the wound's healing well.
>
> If you don't mind, which chemo or chemo combinations will he be given and
> what
> is the schedule?
>
Hi J,

chemo regime initially was in a medical trial (phase 3 trial, with a drug
used successfully in more advanced bowel cancers...and in the control arm
anyway!).
It was FOLFOX-4 = 2 week schedule, x 12 cycles.
Day 1: oxaliplatin over 2 hours, Leucovorin over 2 hours, then fluorouracil
(5-FU) over 22 hours
Day 2: Leucovorin over 2 hours, then fluorouracil over 22 hours

However as he's been more than 5 weeks between cycles, he will no longer
participate in the trial. So everything's open again. He may be switched
instead to XELOX schedule, as his veins got upset already with the
oxaliplatin, and he got neuropathy as well. XELOX is a 3 week schedule, so
a bit more time each cycle for the side effects to settle, and the 5-FU
comes by mouth instead of IV:
XELOX would be: 3 week schedule z 8 cycles
Day 1xaliplating over 2 hours
Days 1 - 14: capecitabine by mouth 2 times a day
Days 15 - 21:rest

I think they'll talk with us about the final decision after the CT is back.

Happy Easter :-)

On Wed, 04 Apr 2007 04:00:49 GMT, "Steph" <steph@vancouvers.island>
wrote:
>
>"Heckenhocker" <heckenhocker@mac.com> wrote in message
>news:46127c47$0$21850$db0fefd9@news.zen.co.uk.. .
>> Hi,
>>
>> hubby has Dukes C (T4,N1,M0) colon cancer, started in the appendix.
>> Surgery removed the tumour (mucinous adenocarcinoma), and he is having
>> chemotherapy (one round down, 11 to go. 5FU + oxaliplatin). He's had to
>> take a break in chemo (yes, after 1 session) due to an abscess on the
>> bowel.
>>
>> Our chiropractor practices a holistic health approach, and has recommended
>> some homeopathic supplements - to be taken alongside the conventional
>> treatments. She is an experienced practioner and someone we trust. To be
>> very very clear - hubby will continue the chemo / medical treatments.
>>
>> I just wonder if anyone has used homeopathic treatments alongside the
>> conventional? Does it cause problems with interaction to the chemo?
>>
>> We will of course also ask the oncologist for the OK before starting the
>> homeopathic stuff, but maybe you have some things for us to consider?
>>
>> Thanks, Helen
>>
>
>As homeopathic medications are essentially pure water, they certainly would
>not interfere with conventional treatment
>
Exactly. Here some informative links about homeopathy:

Homeopathy - The Skeptic's Dictionary
<http://skepdic.com/homeo.html>

What is homeopathy and does homeopathy work?
<http://www.skeptics.org.uk/article.php?dir=articles&article=homeopathy.php>

Homeopathy: The Ultimate Fake
<http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/homeo.html>

Homeowatch
<http://www.homeowatch.org/>


--
Matti Narkia

Heckenhocker wrote:

> "J" <nexsw@nvalid,anon> wrote in message
>
> > Helen Broughton wrote:
> >
> >> So far not so mucinous, but if needed we'll be referred onto the
> >> specialist centre. One lymph node (out of the 12 removed)
> >>
> <snip> hubby has Dukes C (T4,N1,M0) colon cancer, started in the appendix.
> >
> > If you don't mind, which chemo or chemo combinations will he be given and
> > what
> > is the schedule?
> >
> Hi J,
>
> chemo regime initially was in a medical trial (phase 3 trial, with a drug
> used successfully in more advanced bowel cancers...and in the control arm
> anyway!).
> It was FOLFOX-4 = 2 week schedule, x 12 cycles.
> Day 1: oxaliplatin over 2 hours, Leucovorin over 2 hours, then fluorouracil
> (5-FU) over 22 hours
> Day 2: Leucovorin over 2 hours, then fluorouracil over 22 hours
>
> However as he's been more than 5 weeks between cycles, he will no longer
> participate in the trial. So everything's open again. He may be switched
> instead to XELOX schedule, as his veins got upset already with the
> oxaliplatin, and he got neuropathy as well. XELOX is a 3 week schedule, so
> a bit more time each cycle for the side effects to settle, and the 5-FU
> comes by mouth instead of IV:
> XELOX would be: 3 week schedule z 8 cycles
> Day 1xaliplating over 2 hours
> Days 1 - 14: capecitabine by mouth 2 times a day
> Days 15 - 21:rest
>
> I think they'll talk with us about the final decision after the CT is back.
>
> Happy Easter :-)

Thanks Helen, Hope yours was good as well.
And thank you for elaborating about his treatments to date.
Sounds like he's gotten a good dose of platinum to already have neuropathy.
So I'm thinking positive that they got enough in to make up for the one lymph
node positive.

I'm pulling for a very good outcome.

When you have an update, Helen might be best to start a new thread.
Some people post and don't look at older posts. This one started early March, K?

My best to you and your husband.
Please keep in touch.
J