13 replies to this topic

[jlegakis]

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone`s PCR was affected by taking herbs such as turmeric, flaxseed or glucosomine- or any other homeopathic remedies?I started taking the 3 I just mentioned and my most recent PCR jumped from 4% to 11%. Nothing changed as I was on 600mg. of Gleevec for the last year and my PCR steadily dropped every 3 mos. but over the last 3 months since I started taking these it went UP  for the first time! Any advice?

[chrissy778]

I believe everyone is different and what might not effect some one else could effect another.. Scuba who is on here always swears Tumeric is helping him.. Flaxseed is suppose to be great for you, I have no idea but I give it to my dog who has a tumor in his colon and he seems to be getting better. I started a probotic and my pcr went from 0 to 50 The Dr said there is no drug interactions listed between that and Gleevec but stop it anyway because stranger things have happened. ? Maybe it could effect the absorption of the Gleevec for me but not someone else, who knows.. Good luck...

[Trey]

There should not be an issue with those herbs, but don't take them at the same time as the TKI just to be on the safe side.

 

Chrissy -- I believe you meant your PCR went from 0 to .05 (not 50). 

[chrissy778]

Trey you are right, I guess I was thinking of it as being the # 50 so yes I was thinking I went up to 50 Thank you for the reality check. But yes I was told it is .050 that does look a lot better. Thank you

[r06ue1]

I get some interesting info from others on Facebook every now and again about Turmeric and links to it being a natural cure for cancer.  I do believe that it has its benefits but I also remember reading that it can increase the effectiveness of the TKI and that could possibly cause a bad reaction so do be careful and make sure you ask your Oncologist about everything you plan to take prior to taking it.  

 

I had been taking fish oil supplements for the HDL (good Cholesterol) but my Oncologist recommended that I stop.  Still not sure why but I don't want to cause any issues for myself.

[scuba]

I take high dose Curcumin as well as Turmeric. Turmeric I use as a spice on food. Curcumin is the active ingredient in Turmeric (which makes the spice yellow) Curcumin continues to be studied extensively. The kind I take has a pepper extract in order to increase Curcumin's absorption.

 

A key scientific paper which guided my use of Curcumin is here:

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm....les/PMC3162943/

 

Although this paper is for Sprycel + Curcumin impact on colon cancer - CML cell growth uses similar cell pathways that Curcumin impacts. I felt it was worth a try.

 

Herbs, Curcumin included, are not "cures". They interfere with Cancer progression and growth (via a number of vital cancer pathways). Curcumin, in particular, seems to have been studied much more than other herbs.

 

In my own case - I take only 20mg Sprycel (1/5th of normal prescribed dose) and have achieved PCRU. If Curcumin is enabling the lower effective dose of Sprycel - I'm o.k. with that. And so is my Oncologist.

 

(note: Curcumin is beneficial for other reasons. Since taking Curucmin I no longer have arthritis symptoms. it is a cox-2 inhibitor (similar to aspirin) and strong anti-inflammatory. Now that I know about Curucmin, I would continue taking it even if I did not have CML - although I would take a lot less of it! If you have bleeding problems, best to avoid Curcumin. It is a mild blood thinner (similar to aspirin).

 

(note2: Curcumin and Gleevec should work together: http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/25979368

Application here is to Ph+ Lymphoblastic leukemia, but similar pathways exist in CML.)

Edited by scuba, 06 December 2015 - 11:42 AM.

[Noodle]

Hi all,

I am a three year AML survivor, chemo only. I take the same dose and type of curcumin as Scuba. Although I have chronic low platelets due to the massive amounts of chemo I recieved, it does not cause any bleeding issues and I do not curtail my life style in any way. Additional benifits I have recieved due to reduced inflammation is relief from chronic headaches. I am a believer. MDA had conducted several studies related to AML
Please see link

http://www.dailystre...-treatments-aml

Blessings
Julie

[scuba]

Hi all,

I am a three year AML survivor, chemo only. I take the same dose and type of curcumin as Scuba. Although I have chronic low platelets due to the massive amounts of chemo I recieved, it does not cause any bleeding issues and I do not curtail my life style in any way. Additional benifits I have recieved due to reduced inflammation is relief from chronic headaches. I am a believer. MDA had conducted several studies related to AML
Please see link

http://www.dailystre...-treatments-aml

Blessings
Julie

 

Hi Julie,

 

I forget to mention the benefit (Curcumin) against headaches. This is especially true now - during Christmas. Lots of parties that involve drinking a wee bit more than usual. Taking Curcumin at bedtime almost (not 100%, but close) eliminates next day headaches. It just depends on how much merry making you do. 

[scuba]

Additional info on "herbs" from this year's ASH conference:

 

https://ash.confex.c...Paper81607.html

 

"The widely held notion of "blood thinning" properties of  Tumeric, Dong Quai and Ginseng were not demonstrated through PFT and TG assays. The concurrent usage of aspirin with these herbs individually did not result in compromise of hemostatic functions and was safe with no clinical bleeding. These findings will help mitigate the anxiety over bleeding complications of these 3 herbs, especially for patients who are on aspirin. Larger studies with more numbers will be required for further verifications."

 

I have had no issue with Petechia or other signs of blood thinning while using Curcumin. If you don't have problems related to low platelets to begin with - herbs are not likely to create one.

[r06ue1]

Wow, lots of new info, thanks everyone for contributing to my knowledge!  

 

For Curcumin, how do you take it?  Is it in pill format or do you cook with it?  I do eat Humus (has Turmeric in it) and have not had any issues.  I have see Turmeric spice sold in the local Middle East grocery store (shop there once a month) but have never bought it, never had a need to (none of my cooking requires it).  

 

My best friend's girlfriend has headache issues (doctor's can't find the problem) and perhaps Curcumin could also help her out?  

 

[Trey]

Just so the new folks realize, not all of us believe Curcumin has value for CML.  I remain completely unconvinced.  Searching on past posts will bring up those discussions, so no need to re-hash it now. 

[rcase13]

I looked for Curcumin at GNC and it was $30. Yikes. I can't afford rhat. Is there a cheaper version?

[scuba]

Just so the new folks realize, not all of us believe Curcumin has value for CML.  I remain completely unconvinced.  Searching on past posts will bring up those discussions, so no need to re-hash it now. 

 

I remain completely convinced. 

[r06ue1]

It seems there's not enough scientific evidence to show that it has value and I like to typically go with the science.  It doesn't mean that there isn't any, just not enough research done on it yet to confirm that it has.  I'll still take it with my Humus (which I love) so I guess I'll get a little dose every week.  

 

The Mayo Clinic has a little information here on it:  http://www.mayoclini...in/faq-20057858

 

According to information on that page, they have found some positive results in the lab and on animals so it does appear to have some validity but we will have to wait for more research to be done before knowing for sure.  

 

 

 

Laboratory and animal research suggests that curcumin may prevent cancer, slow the spread of cancer, make chemotherapy more effective and protect healthy cells from damage by radiation therapy. Curcumin is being studied for use in many types of cancer.