Foods and TX

[Rockerforlife]

Why is it when a person is on chemo for cancer they are encourged to take lots of antioxadants and vitamins and herbs to lesson the sx,BUT  when taking chemo for hep c we are told to  advoid herbs and stuff...me myself an I thing its ok to be careful when taking "nutrients"while on the combo tx,BUT again,i think sometimes it may blown out of proportion...i wish i knew why the disparancies (spelling) in the two treatments?.i think th milk thistle is one that sholud not be used while on tx...better safe than sorry...anyone have a cool list of foods and stuff to take while on tx...i believe in making tx less taxing on our body by eatin the best foods possible.

[Rockerforlife]

BTW...ill be doing a 72 week round of duty.

[jmjm530]

I'll take a stab at your question, although nothing scientific here.

When you're on "regular" chemo, you're not trying to pump up the immune system and/or defeat a pesky virus. You're using the chemo to target cancerous cells as I understand it.

So, perhaps the difference is that on SOC the doctors are concerned that addititives such as some herbs (milk thistle to use your example) might interfere with the viral eradication process.

My doctor, as many here, encouraged me to take a multi-vitamin without iron, but that's it. Doesn't mean other additives might be helpful, but again, perhaps the concern is that they could be counter-productive. Certainly very little in the way of studies here.

-- Jim

[Rockerforlife]

Great answer i must admit....i thank you....it makes sense what you said....you the man.

[jmjm530]

Thanks for compliment, but did have some second thoughts after posting along the lines that the same argument could be made eradicating cancerous cells, i.e. that some supplements could feed the cancer, for example. Still, I think because HCV is viral -- and cancer isn't (or is it, depending on what you read :)) -- there is a difference and that might lead doctors to be more cautious. The possiblity also exists that more doctors and more funding are involved with cancer than HCV, so perhaps they have more of a track record with certain addititives. An interesting question, Rock, as many of yours are --  and good to see you around these days!

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Probably not too many around who remember -- and I certainly don't want to start a mini-riot :), nor am I suggesting anything -- but I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for those Sunday Morning Prayers you posted way back when I was treating. I don't consider myself overly-religious, but those prayers meant a lot during treatment and I'm sure they meant a lot to others as well.

-- Jim

[Rockerforlife]

Not  a problem my brother....speaking of prayers...heres one for everyday

Please Forgive Me


Dear Father God,
I know that I've done wrong through my thoughts, my actions, and the things that I've said, sometimes by mistake and sometimes on purpose. I have gone my own way and not put you at the center of my life. I am very sorry and ask that you please forgive me. I thank you that I can ask you this because I truly believe that your Son, Jesus, died in my place and, through Him, I have access to you. Please help me to follow you more closely every day and live a life which gives glory back to you. I pray this in Jesus' name.
Amen.