I've mentioned in the past my love of Somerset in particular Glastonbury I have been reliably informed that on bank holiday monday the Chalice Well, in Glastonbury will be holding a day of healing and as I've just run out of Red Spring water I think a visit is in order here's the link http://www.chalicewell.org.uk/index.cfm/glastonbury/Events.Details/event_id/159
Hope you all have lovely bank holiday.xx
Saturday 25 August 2012
Tuesday 21 August 2012
More on Mushrooms...
I forgot to add that I am thinking of adding the Reishi/Shiitake/Maitake Mushroom extract by Solgar to my supplement list http://www.solgaronline.co.uk/Solgar-Reishi-Shiitake-Maitake-Mushroom-Extract-50-Vegicaps_p_644.html?gclid=CMeC7sKA-bECFWUntAodFW0A7Q
The Magic of Mushroom power......
During all of my research I have come across plenty of interesting articles about the wonders of the mushroom, particular mushrooms of importance are Shitake, Reishi, Maitake, Turkey Tail, Dong Chong Xia Cao, and Chaga here are some links that you might find interesting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuL_faveAnw
http://cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-questions/mushrooms-in-cancer-treatment
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/11November/Pages/anti-cancer-mushroom-research.aspx
http://www.phellinus-research.com/weblink/phellinus-linteus-cancer-research.com/index.htm
Ganoderma Reishi Mushroom – “The mushroom of immortality”
The benefits listed are backed by clinical studies conducted by the Japanese. Here is a list of some of them: Migraine headaches, Blood pressure – can lower blood pressure, so be careful if you are already taking a BP medication, anti inflamatory, asthma, improves kidney function, regulates immune system. Many cancer related benefits – also used to help chemotherapy patients. Cardiovascular problems, allergies, insomnia, menstrual problems, constipation, haemorrhoids. Improves energy level – general feeling of well being.
Maitake – The cloud mushroom
http://the-maitake-mushroom.blogspot.co.uk
Maitake mushroom extract is most widely known for its use as a cancer-fighting agent. Maitake mushroom contains polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein complexes that the body uses to build the immune system. The extract's content of beta-glucan in particular serves as a healthy defense system to promote important immune system actions. The glucan effectively activates white blood cells that fight off the microorganisms that produce disease, including cancer. Maitake mushroom extract boosts the activity of these various cells to induce the production of interleukins and other lymphokines that have chemoprotective effects, slow tumor growth, and help to inhibit the spread of cancer.
http://cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-questions/mushrooms-in-cancer-treatment
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/11November/Pages/anti-cancer-mushroom-research.aspx
http://www.phellinus-research.com/weblink/phellinus-linteus-cancer-research.com/index.htm
Ganoderma Reishi Mushroom – “The mushroom of immortality”
The benefits listed are backed by clinical studies conducted by the Japanese. Here is a list of some of them: Migraine headaches, Blood pressure – can lower blood pressure, so be careful if you are already taking a BP medication, anti inflamatory, asthma, improves kidney function, regulates immune system. Many cancer related benefits – also used to help chemotherapy patients. Cardiovascular problems, allergies, insomnia, menstrual problems, constipation, haemorrhoids. Improves energy level – general feeling of well being.
Shiitake – The black forest tree mushroom
Indigenous to China, Japan and other Asian countries. Shiitake mushrooms have also been cultivated for their medicinal properties since pre-historic times. These miracle mushrooms are known to have anti-fungal, anti-tumor and anti-viral properties. Lentinan, an active compound found in shiitake mushrooms, helps boost the immune system, enhancing your ability to fight infection and disease.
Indigenous to China, Japan and other Asian countries. Shiitake mushrooms have also been cultivated for their medicinal properties since pre-historic times. These miracle mushrooms are known to have anti-fungal, anti-tumor and anti-viral properties. Lentinan, an active compound found in shiitake mushrooms, helps boost the immune system, enhancing your ability to fight infection and disease.
Maitake – The cloud mushroom
http://the-maitake-mushroom.blogspot.co.uk
Maitake mushroom extract is most widely known for its use as a cancer-fighting agent. Maitake mushroom contains polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein complexes that the body uses to build the immune system. The extract's content of beta-glucan in particular serves as a healthy defense system to promote important immune system actions. The glucan effectively activates white blood cells that fight off the microorganisms that produce disease, including cancer. Maitake mushroom extract boosts the activity of these various cells to induce the production of interleukins and other lymphokines that have chemoprotective effects, slow tumor growth, and help to inhibit the spread of cancer.
Chaga – The black tree fungus. Helps stimulate the immune system to fight infection, cancer, and immune diseases. These miracle mushrooms grow on birch trees and look like a large slab of burnt charcoal. You can find it in China, Japan, Korea, Russia, East European countries, America and Canada. It's been found that Chaga contains anti-mutagenic compounds, that inhibit mutations, which are changes in DNA and RNA sequences. A compound found in both birch tree and Chaga called betulinic acid shows anti-cancer properties in laboratory studies. Chaga absorbs betulinic acid from the birch tree. Amongst the many claims of this mushroom is that it can inhibit tumour growth, kill's cancer cells, and stimulates the immune system to fight cancer.
If your serious about getting to know your fungi better then here's a link to a website that provides some gorgeous recipes all mushroom related. Enjoy.
 |
| Chaga Mushroom growing on Birch Tree |
If your serious about getting to know your fungi better then here's a link to a website that provides some gorgeous recipes all mushroom related. Enjoy.
Monday 13 August 2012
Words of wisdom from across the pond
Since I had left the british Breast cancer care site I have moved over to using the American site, its a lot easier to use and actually works properly. I found this posted after a comment I made and found it touched somewhere deep inside and spoke to me of a truth I had been missing.
I have to share some of the pastor's sermon from this morning. The message was that practicing an activity over and over makes us better at it; practicing good makes us better at being good, practicing bad makes us better at being bad. The other part of the message was that it's OK to be angry - but interpreted as "being outraged at wrongs" - such as injustice, poverty, etc. It should prompt us to address the wrongs to help those who are unable to stand up for themselves. So, I know that by sharing experiences, loving kindness, and acceptance of each others' experiences, we are practicing "doing good" and we are sharing the outrage at the injustice of breast cancer and its effects, and hopefully helping all of us to get through it.
Another snippet from our friends across the pond, this puts it all in perspective putting the pieces together in a coherent way, facing the reality that is.
After time has past, in my opinion, it doesn't matter what you eat, drink, breath, absorb, worry, gene-pool-inherit, nor-where you live at any one point, "unless you live near a nuclear reactor", that it makes a-sceric of difference why this mutation occurs, its the Zillion $$ question, It maybe simply that all or some of the above needs to cross paths at the same time, in order for the mutant-dual-receptor-mutation to take place, and maybe add the stress-factor scenario, immune-suppressor to miss one of our own cells running over-time....Im guessing one day researcher will find a simple explanation for this and it may-well of been sitting right under our noises all the time !!!
Love and light xx
I have to share some of the pastor's sermon from this morning. The message was that practicing an activity over and over makes us better at it; practicing good makes us better at being good, practicing bad makes us better at being bad. The other part of the message was that it's OK to be angry - but interpreted as "being outraged at wrongs" - such as injustice, poverty, etc. It should prompt us to address the wrongs to help those who are unable to stand up for themselves. So, I know that by sharing experiences, loving kindness, and acceptance of each others' experiences, we are practicing "doing good" and we are sharing the outrage at the injustice of breast cancer and its effects, and hopefully helping all of us to get through it.
Another snippet from our friends across the pond, this puts it all in perspective putting the pieces together in a coherent way, facing the reality that is.
After time has past, in my opinion, it doesn't matter what you eat, drink, breath, absorb, worry, gene-pool-inherit, nor-where you live at any one point, "unless you live near a nuclear reactor", that it makes a-sceric of difference why this mutation occurs, its the Zillion $$ question, It maybe simply that all or some of the above needs to cross paths at the same time, in order for the mutant-dual-receptor-mutation to take place, and maybe add the stress-factor scenario, immune-suppressor to miss one of our own cells running over-time....Im guessing one day researcher will find a simple explanation for this and it may-well of been sitting right under our noises all the time !!!
Love and light xx
Friday 10 August 2012
Kidney help....
As promised here is a list of seven ways to help lower your creatinine levels and improve kidney function. Taken from the excellent website Kidney Coach by Duncan Capicchiano.
http://www.kidneycoach.com/857/creatinine-levels/
Naturally Lower Creatinine Levels
1. Vegetarian diet: By consuming a largely plant based diet you will be helping your body in a few distinct ways
- Dietary sources of creatine and creatinine are only found within animal products, therefore you will be reducing the burden of “extra” creatine and creatinine circulating through your blood by eating a largely plant based diet.
- Clinical studies show that the consumption of red meat is detrimental to the health of kidneys.
- Plant based diets have show to reduce all the major risk factors of kidney disease. E.g. diabetes, and high blood pressure (hypertension).
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, cream, yoghurt, ice cream, butter) have been shown in clinical studies to exacerbate kidney disease.
2. Avoid creatine supplements: not only do high doses of this large molecule cause kidney problems (because of its large size it can cause the kidneys to swell), but by supplying the body with extra creatine, you will cause more creatine to be spontaneously converted to the by-product creatinine.
3. Avoid strenuous physical activity: thereby decreasing the breakdown of creatine into creatinine.
4. Nettle leaf tea: drink 1 to 2 cups a day. Nettle leaf tea is a simple yet powerful kidney tonic that can improve kidney function and reduce serum creatinine levels.
5. Avoid the over consumption of Vanadium: Although very beneficial for the body, particularly for diabetes and blood sugar problems, over consumption of the mineral vanadium has been linked to increased blood creatinine levels (stay under 100mcg a day).
6. Alpha lipoic acid: This is a fantastic nutrient! And one that I recommend every kidney disease sufferer begin right away. It helps provide energy to the kidneys, it helps nutrialise toxins to make them harmless to the body (so elimination does not damage the kidneys), it helps improve kidney function, and of course helps lower creatinine levels. If you would like to know more info on alpha lipoic acid, I recommend a dosage of 300mg a day.
7. Chitosan: Chitosan maybe be better known for weight management, but believe it or not it has another trick up its sleeve. Chitosan supplementation in clinical studies reduced urea, creatinine and cholesterol levels in the blood, and increased haemoglobin production in patients with chronic kidney disease. I recommend a dosage of 1000-4000mg a day.
http://www.kidneycoach.com/857/creatinine-levels/
Naturally Lower Creatinine Levels
1. Vegetarian diet: By consuming a largely plant based diet you will be helping your body in a few distinct ways
- Dietary sources of creatine and creatinine are only found within animal products, therefore you will be reducing the burden of “extra” creatine and creatinine circulating through your blood by eating a largely plant based diet.
- Clinical studies show that the consumption of red meat is detrimental to the health of kidneys.
- Plant based diets have show to reduce all the major risk factors of kidney disease. E.g. diabetes, and high blood pressure (hypertension).
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, cream, yoghurt, ice cream, butter) have been shown in clinical studies to exacerbate kidney disease.
2. Avoid creatine supplements: not only do high doses of this large molecule cause kidney problems (because of its large size it can cause the kidneys to swell), but by supplying the body with extra creatine, you will cause more creatine to be spontaneously converted to the by-product creatinine.
3. Avoid strenuous physical activity: thereby decreasing the breakdown of creatine into creatinine.
4. Nettle leaf tea: drink 1 to 2 cups a day. Nettle leaf tea is a simple yet powerful kidney tonic that can improve kidney function and reduce serum creatinine levels.
5. Avoid the over consumption of Vanadium: Although very beneficial for the body, particularly for diabetes and blood sugar problems, over consumption of the mineral vanadium has been linked to increased blood creatinine levels (stay under 100mcg a day).
6. Alpha lipoic acid: This is a fantastic nutrient! And one that I recommend every kidney disease sufferer begin right away. It helps provide energy to the kidneys, it helps nutrialise toxins to make them harmless to the body (so elimination does not damage the kidneys), it helps improve kidney function, and of course helps lower creatinine levels. If you would like to know more info on alpha lipoic acid, I recommend a dosage of 300mg a day.
7. Chitosan: Chitosan maybe be better known for weight management, but believe it or not it has another trick up its sleeve. Chitosan supplementation in clinical studies reduced urea, creatinine and cholesterol levels in the blood, and increased haemoglobin production in patients with chronic kidney disease. I recommend a dosage of 1000-4000mg a day.
Now its my kidneys!!!!!
Today I went for my routine oncology appointment, of course I never get to see my actual oncologist instead I see one of the registrars a russian woman ( FYI I am not a racist and never have been BUT) her english is terrible, so hard to understand what she is saying I have to really concentrate on it also she has a tendency to smirk at me when I am asking her very important questions or discussing side effects! Why would you do that? this is supposed to be a serious conversation! Anyway back to the appointment she told me just as we were leaving last time that my kidneys were showing a above normal high number (whatever the fuck that means!) she told me to drink loads of water and not take Ibuprofen or Aspirin (I don't take these medicines anyway and drink tons of water) and again this time she told me that my creatinine levels were high again she reiterated what she told me last time to drink plenty and not to take certain medicines. I also told her about my migraines, my swollen stomach and back which I now realise is my kidneys, she told me these were all symptoms of going through the menopause and did not seem worried about it, in fact she smirked when I told her!. I'm now a bit worried to say the least as I have googled it and the following post is what I found, its a bit long but if you are in the same position I suggest you take this in.
Acute renal failure is a malfunction of the kidneys so that they are unable to perform their vital functions, one of the most important of which is filtering out waste. Some cancer treatments cause damage to the kidneys that can result in acute kidney failure. Kidney damage is usually reversible if it is carefully managed to control the life-threatening complications. Once the drug or drugs that are causing the kidney damage are stopped, treatment focuses on preventing the excess accumulation of fluid and waste while allowing the kidneys to heal.
What is acute renal failure?
Acute renal failure is a malfunction of the kidneys so that they are unable to perform the vital function of filtering out waste from the blood. Acute renal failure may be caused by decreased blood supply to the kidneys from drugs or infection, direct toxic damage to the kidneys, or by blockage in the urinary system. The most common cause of acute renal failure in cancer patients is damage to the cells in the kidney.
The kidneys are fist-sized organs located in your lower back, near your spine. Their chief functions are to filter out waste products and regulate electrolytes and water levels. When the body breaks down protein from the diet for energy or building tissues, it produces a waste product called urea. Urea circulates in the blood until it is filtered out by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, filtration is reduced and urea builds up in the blood. Also, the balance of electrolytes and water cannot be adequately regulated, sometimes resulting in a buildup of potassium, sodium, and fluid.
Kidney damage may also result in increased excretion of protein in the urine. Protein is an important component in our blood that carries food, hormones, and many other things through the body. Under normal conditions, blood proteins do not pass through the kidneys into the urine because they are too big. If you have kidney damage, protein may pass into your urine. Protein in the urine may be a sign of temporary or permanent kidney damage or failure.
What causes kidney damage?
Some chemotherapy drugs and biologic therapies can cause kidney damage. Chemotherapy causes renal dysfunction by damaging the blood vessels or structures of the kidneys. The chemotherapy drugs that are most likely to cause kidney damage are listed below.
Kidney damage occurs in 30 percent or more of patients using the following chemotherapy drugs:
Cytosar-U® (cytarabine)
Gemzar® (gemcitabine)
Ifex® (ifosfamide)
Platinol® (cisplatin)
Proleukin® (interleukin-2)
Zanosar® (streptozocin)
Kidney damage occurs in 10 percent to 29 percent of patients using the following chemotherapy drugs:
Alimta® (pemetrexed)
Eloxatin® (oxaliplatin)
Mithracin® (plicamycin)
Mylotarg® (gemtuzumab ozogamicin)
Neutrexin® (trimetrexate)
Paraplatin® (carboplatin)
Rheumatrex® (methotrexate)
What are the symptoms of kidney damage?
You may not have any symptoms of kidney damage. However, you should notify your doctor if you exhibit any of the following:
Decrease in amount of urine or frequency
Pain or urgency with urination
Dark urine
Blood in your urine
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Swelling in your feet or ankles
Nausea or vomiting
Confusion, seizure
Notify your doctor immediately if your urine output decreases or stops.
How is kidney damage diagnosed?
1. Blood levels of two products of normal body function, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, are used to diagnose kidney problems.
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) - The waste product from the breakdown of protein is called urea. Urea circulates in the blood until it is filtered out by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. If the kidneys are not functioning properly, there will be excess urea in the bloodstream. Under normal conditions, BUN levels range from 10 to 25 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) of blood.
Creatinine - Some of the energy for your muscles is derived from burning a substance called creatine. Creatinine is the waste product left after the breakdown of creatine. The kidneys are normally able to filter out large amounts of creatinine on a daily basis. However, when your kidneys are not functioning properly, your creatinine levels will increase. Under normal conditions, creatinine levels range from 0.7 to 1.4 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) of blood.
2. Urine changes are frequently seen as a result of kidney damage. Bloody or turbid urine or a major decrease or increase in the amount of urine you produce may indicate kidney damage. A urinalysis done by a laboratory often will show changes that are characteristic of kidney damage. For example, an increase in red blood cells, white blood cells, protein, or casts (abnormal structures in your urine) are frequent signs of kidney damage.
How is kidney damage treated?
Kidney damage is usually reversible, if it is carefully managed to control the life-threatening complications. Once the drug or drugs that are causing the kidney damage are stopped, treatment focuses on preventing the excess accumulation of fluids and wastes while allowing the kidneys to heal. This may be achieved in several ways, including diuretics, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, diet modification, dialysis, or drugs.
Diuretics - Commonly known as water pills. Your doctor may prescribe a diuretic to increase the amount of water you excrete in the urine. A commonly used diuretic is Lasix® (furosemide).
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate - This medication helps lower the amount of potassium in your blood by binding with the potassium in your stomach or gut so that you excrete it. This medication is administered by mouth or in an enema. Brand names include Kayexcalate® and Kionex®.
Diet modification - Your doctor may recommend that you restrict substances that are normally excreted by the kidney. This may include food high in protein, sodium (salt), and potassium.
Dialysis - Dialysis is the use of a machine to remove excess waste and fluid. Your blood is routed through the dialysis machine then back into your body. Dialysis is not necessary for every patient, but may be lifesaving, particularly if you have very high levels of potassium and urea in your blood.
Drugs - Ethyol® (amifostine), sodium thiosulfate, and diethyldithiocarbamate may help prevent or reduce the kidney toxicity associated with Platinol® (cisplatin).
How can kidney damage be prevented?
The best measure for preventing kidney damage is to avoid treatments that cause it. Under certain circumstances, your doctor may also apply the following approaches:
Urinary alkalization and hydration - Urinary alkalization and increased hydration provides protection against kidney damage caused by Rheumatrex® (methotrexate).
Ethyol® (amifostine) - Clinical trials have shown that amifostine protects against kidney toxicity related to cisplatin chemotherapy.
It is a good idea to increase fluid intake the day before, of, and after receiving a chemotherapy treatment to help flush the byproducts out of your body.
Acute renal failure is a malfunction of the kidneys so that they are unable to perform their vital functions, one of the most important of which is filtering out waste. Some cancer treatments cause damage to the kidneys that can result in acute kidney failure. Kidney damage is usually reversible if it is carefully managed to control the life-threatening complications. Once the drug or drugs that are causing the kidney damage are stopped, treatment focuses on preventing the excess accumulation of fluid and waste while allowing the kidneys to heal.
What is acute renal failure?
Acute renal failure is a malfunction of the kidneys so that they are unable to perform the vital function of filtering out waste from the blood. Acute renal failure may be caused by decreased blood supply to the kidneys from drugs or infection, direct toxic damage to the kidneys, or by blockage in the urinary system. The most common cause of acute renal failure in cancer patients is damage to the cells in the kidney.
The kidneys are fist-sized organs located in your lower back, near your spine. Their chief functions are to filter out waste products and regulate electrolytes and water levels. When the body breaks down protein from the diet for energy or building tissues, it produces a waste product called urea. Urea circulates in the blood until it is filtered out by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, filtration is reduced and urea builds up in the blood. Also, the balance of electrolytes and water cannot be adequately regulated, sometimes resulting in a buildup of potassium, sodium, and fluid.
Kidney damage may also result in increased excretion of protein in the urine. Protein is an important component in our blood that carries food, hormones, and many other things through the body. Under normal conditions, blood proteins do not pass through the kidneys into the urine because they are too big. If you have kidney damage, protein may pass into your urine. Protein in the urine may be a sign of temporary or permanent kidney damage or failure.
What causes kidney damage?
Some chemotherapy drugs and biologic therapies can cause kidney damage. Chemotherapy causes renal dysfunction by damaging the blood vessels or structures of the kidneys. The chemotherapy drugs that are most likely to cause kidney damage are listed below.
Kidney damage occurs in 30 percent or more of patients using the following chemotherapy drugs:
Cytosar-U® (cytarabine)
Gemzar® (gemcitabine)
Ifex® (ifosfamide)
Platinol® (cisplatin)
Proleukin® (interleukin-2)
Zanosar® (streptozocin)
Kidney damage occurs in 10 percent to 29 percent of patients using the following chemotherapy drugs:
Alimta® (pemetrexed)
Eloxatin® (oxaliplatin)
Mithracin® (plicamycin)
Mylotarg® (gemtuzumab ozogamicin)
Neutrexin® (trimetrexate)
Paraplatin® (carboplatin)
Rheumatrex® (methotrexate)
What are the symptoms of kidney damage?
You may not have any symptoms of kidney damage. However, you should notify your doctor if you exhibit any of the following:
Decrease in amount of urine or frequency
Pain or urgency with urination
Dark urine
Blood in your urine
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Swelling in your feet or ankles
Nausea or vomiting
Confusion, seizure
Notify your doctor immediately if your urine output decreases or stops.
How is kidney damage diagnosed?
1. Blood levels of two products of normal body function, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, are used to diagnose kidney problems.
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) - The waste product from the breakdown of protein is called urea. Urea circulates in the blood until it is filtered out by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. If the kidneys are not functioning properly, there will be excess urea in the bloodstream. Under normal conditions, BUN levels range from 10 to 25 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) of blood.
Creatinine - Some of the energy for your muscles is derived from burning a substance called creatine. Creatinine is the waste product left after the breakdown of creatine. The kidneys are normally able to filter out large amounts of creatinine on a daily basis. However, when your kidneys are not functioning properly, your creatinine levels will increase. Under normal conditions, creatinine levels range from 0.7 to 1.4 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) of blood.
2. Urine changes are frequently seen as a result of kidney damage. Bloody or turbid urine or a major decrease or increase in the amount of urine you produce may indicate kidney damage. A urinalysis done by a laboratory often will show changes that are characteristic of kidney damage. For example, an increase in red blood cells, white blood cells, protein, or casts (abnormal structures in your urine) are frequent signs of kidney damage.
How is kidney damage treated?
Kidney damage is usually reversible, if it is carefully managed to control the life-threatening complications. Once the drug or drugs that are causing the kidney damage are stopped, treatment focuses on preventing the excess accumulation of fluids and wastes while allowing the kidneys to heal. This may be achieved in several ways, including diuretics, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, diet modification, dialysis, or drugs.
Diuretics - Commonly known as water pills. Your doctor may prescribe a diuretic to increase the amount of water you excrete in the urine. A commonly used diuretic is Lasix® (furosemide).
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate - This medication helps lower the amount of potassium in your blood by binding with the potassium in your stomach or gut so that you excrete it. This medication is administered by mouth or in an enema. Brand names include Kayexcalate® and Kionex®.
Diet modification - Your doctor may recommend that you restrict substances that are normally excreted by the kidney. This may include food high in protein, sodium (salt), and potassium.
Dialysis - Dialysis is the use of a machine to remove excess waste and fluid. Your blood is routed through the dialysis machine then back into your body. Dialysis is not necessary for every patient, but may be lifesaving, particularly if you have very high levels of potassium and urea in your blood.
Drugs - Ethyol® (amifostine), sodium thiosulfate, and diethyldithiocarbamate may help prevent or reduce the kidney toxicity associated with Platinol® (cisplatin).
How can kidney damage be prevented?
The best measure for preventing kidney damage is to avoid treatments that cause it. Under certain circumstances, your doctor may also apply the following approaches:
Urinary alkalization and hydration - Urinary alkalization and increased hydration provides protection against kidney damage caused by Rheumatrex® (methotrexate).
Ethyol® (amifostine) - Clinical trials have shown that amifostine protects against kidney toxicity related to cisplatin chemotherapy.
It is a good idea to increase fluid intake the day before, of, and after receiving a chemotherapy treatment to help flush the byproducts out of your body.
Still reading? mind blowing! its so complicated and serious and I was just brushed off like it was an everyday occurrence, unbelievable! I have another appointment booked for 2 months time on the 12th of October when they will probably do another CT scan, I'm now going to look into it further and see if there is anything I can do for myself like diet etc. When I have researched thoroughly I will post my findings.
Sunday 5 August 2012
Fair weather health....
Hi all, it's literally the calm after the storm, we had rain all night quite heavy with thunder and finally the oppressive atmosphere has finally lifted including the way I was feeling (see previous post), so I am glad to report back to being my upbeat self again. My mood swings have been quite bad recently and I am putting it down to the tamoxifen and the endless migraines, the headaches come with nausea and are therefore migraines, I've had one a week for the past five weeks they seem to occur on a Friday and can last all weekend. I went to see my GP as I was running out of Co-Codamol (my life saver) otherwise I think I would go out of my head! He prescribed some more of the strong stuff as well as taking extra Clonidine so I now take three of those twice a day and thank god it seems to be working. So I'm hoping I can say ta da to the head fuck headaches and the extreme nausea and hello to some fair weather health and feeling more like a human being, trying to get back to some sort of normality.
I am cooking a sunday roast but not like you would imagine, yes there is a freerange chicken but no roast potatoes instead I am cooking sweet potatoes in there jackets first time ever also some green beans and broccoli, have to admit really looking forward to this meal, so will post soon, but promise to be a more positive and happier soul. Love to ya xx
I am cooking a sunday roast but not like you would imagine, yes there is a freerange chicken but no roast potatoes instead I am cooking sweet potatoes in there jackets first time ever also some green beans and broccoli, have to admit really looking forward to this meal, so will post soon, but promise to be a more positive and happier soul. Love to ya xx
Saturday 4 August 2012
Ciao, adios, aux revoir, bye......
Today I left the breast cancer care site partly because of the fact that since the website and forum were revamped it has not been working properly, you can write a well thought out reply only to have it deleted just as your going to post it, this is both frustrating and annoying, also I have always kept my comments as polite and courteous as possible I was brought up this way and I don't see it as a bad trait on a couple of occasions others have decided to just be either plain horrible or just bitchy, basically if you don't want to join in a conversation no ones forcing you too join in and if you don't like what your reading then don't go there, no one is forcing anyone to comment or to read it, you should only really comment if you have anything relevant to add to the thread, the breast cancer care forum is not a place for others to dig at you, I think hormones play a big part in all of this, I know I can be tetchy at times and yes I do loose my rag but honestly some of the other comments are so upsetting, I only ever commented on the forum to either a) ask a question or for some support/advice especially at the beginning, b) to try and help others and give them my views especially since I have researched extensively and write this blog to try and make sense of all the information out there it helps to speak with someone who has already gone through the whole treatment process, c) support and understanding, were all in the same boat. Instead I shall be using the private group on Facebook where all the ladies are so friendly and we all support and help each other out, we all have secondaries it helps that we appreciate what it is to have to live with cancer. Subject now closed and moving on.
Thursday 2 August 2012
Heart scan and coffee....
Yesterday I went for my 3 monthly heart scan with the cardiologist, to check that my heart is up to the Herceptin, it can unfortunately affect your heart muscle and if your numbers (don't ask me what or how they do this) are below 50bpm (beats per minute I presume!!) then they will stop the herceptin. This was quite a shock and sent me on a massive worry trip, the research I did informed me (from a couple of lady's on the forum) that before the scan if you drink a cup of coffee (no decaf) this will increase your heart beat, so yesterday I did (feel a bit naughty) but it worked I think my numbers have been going steadily down 1st one was 76bpm 2nd one was 72bpm 3rd one was 67bpm and the latest one was 64bpm all of these numbers are acceptable and the cardiologist told me everything looked fine, just don't want to chance them stopping this drug it could be saving my life. Left the hospital as high as a kite because I've given up caffeine no tea or coffee unless its decaf, so the strong real coffee nearly blew my head off lol. Feeling fine and looking forward to a fun filled week of hospital appointments and treatments! I am actually looking forward to the acupuncture session because believe it or not I think I've cracked the constipation problem and I believe its the acupuncture, so one down two more to go, here's hoping she can sort out the migraines and the hot flushes, you can only live in hope.
Also started doing the yoga exercises on the wii and its actually ok, was a bit worn out afterwards but feel its the way too go, also want to try Tai Chi and Qigong as I've heard this is good for breast cancer here's a link to a youtube vid on the subject http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk98bYswqhI&list=PL530E7008CDB43EBB&feature=plcp there are a few more in the series all worth a watch if your interested.
Stay healthy and happy love sarahx
Also started doing the yoga exercises on the wii and its actually ok, was a bit worn out afterwards but feel its the way too go, also want to try Tai Chi and Qigong as I've heard this is good for breast cancer here's a link to a youtube vid on the subject http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk98bYswqhI&list=PL530E7008CDB43EBB&feature=plcp there are a few more in the series all worth a watch if your interested.
Stay healthy and happy love sarahx
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