Forum Discussion

Bricha's avatar
Bricha
Member
12 years ago

Alternative treatment

I was diagnosided with stage 1 breast cancer 3 months ago after a supposedly non malignant cyst was removed (the biopsy had missed the cancer), had another operation during which more breast tissue was removed as well as 2 lymph nodes. The nodes were not malignant. I am about to undergo radiotherapy and the oncologist already prescribed Tamoxifen to take for 5 years after the radio. The only side effects he mentioned were weight gain - I can afford to put a few kilos on as I am too thin - and hot flushes ! However after reading the site I realize there is much more to it and I do not feel like taking it at all! I wonder whether I could afford to take Indole 3 Carbinol only instead. I am 60 but have young children 15 and 12 so they need me to be around for a while, and I need my usual energy, and hate the idea of insomnia, mood swings, itchy eyes, dry skin, numbness in fingers, sore legs etc.. I also found out I have osteoporosis. I would like to hear if anyone has tried I3L only for a long period of time, would welcome info and avice as I am new to this, know hardly anything. So far I have felt pretty good and pretended cancer was just another disease and hardly given it a thought but I know that ignoring it won' t make it disappear...
hot-flushes
radiotherapy
  • Bricha's avatar
    Bricha
    Member
    12 years ago
    For your kind and prompt reply. i am certainly going to research the DIM. This is my first communication on this forum and it is a good feeling to be able ro benefit from other patients experiences. Thank you bricha
  • Bricha's avatar
    Bricha
    Member
    12 years ago
    For your kind and prompt reply. i am certainly going to research the DIM. This is my first communication on this forum and it is a good feeling to be able ro benefit from other patients experiences. Thank you bricha
  • Janet_Plummer's avatar
    Janet_Plummer
    Member
    12 years ago

    Bricha I am taking diindolylmethane (also known as DIM) as well as tamoxifen. DIM is derived from cruciferous vegies like broccoli and is produced in the body from the break down of I3C. It is supposed to be a more bio-available form of the substance ie your body is better able to use DIM  than the I3C. I did actually try I3C first but it made me a bit dizzy and, after further research, I learned about DIM being a better option.

    The University of Arizona is currently doing a study into the whether taking tamoxifen in conjunction with DIM is more effective in preventing BC recurrance than taking tamoxifen alone.  So I thought I would give it a try too. I was taking the DIM before I started the tamoxifen and didn't have any side-effects from it. I've been taking it for about 10 months I think and the tamoxifen for about 8 months.

    The tamoxifen is not too bad. I think it does interfere with my sleep sometimes  - I often wake up very eearly - and I've had hot flushes but they seem to be diminishing. I haven't gained any weight but I'm working bloody hard at that - exercising  heaps and watching my diet very carefully.

    I am too scared to rely on the DIM alone. My cancer was stage 2 and grade 3 so I feel like it is too much of a risk, especially as I'm not having major problms with the tamoxifen. But I guess I've always had that option in the back of mind if it  turned out the tamoxifen was unbearable. Why don't you give it try first. It may not be as bad as you expect. Good luck, Janet.

  • Janet_Plummer's avatar
    Janet_Plummer
    Member
    12 years ago

    Bricha I am taking diindolylmethane (also known as DIM) as well as tamoxifen. DIM is derived from cruciferous vegies like broccoli and is produced in the body from the break down of I3C. It is supposed to be a more bio-available form of the substance ie your body is better able to use DIM  than the I3C. I did actually try I3C first but it made me a bit dizzy and, after further research, I learned about DIM being a better option.

    The University of Arizona is currently doing a study into the whether taking tamoxifen in conjunction with DIM is more effective in preventing BC recurrance than taking tamoxifen alone.  So I thought I would give it a try too. I was taking the DIM before I started the tamoxifen and didn't have any side-effects from it. I've been taking it for about 10 months I think and the tamoxifen for about 8 months.

    The tamoxifen is not too bad. I think it does interfere with my sleep sometimes  - I often wake up very eearly - and I've had hot flushes but they seem to be diminishing. I haven't gained any weight but I'm working bloody hard at that - exercising  heaps and watching my diet very carefully.

    I am too scared to rely on the DIM alone. My cancer was stage 2 and grade 3 so I feel like it is too much of a risk, especially as I'm not having major problms with the tamoxifen. But I guess I've always had that option in the back of mind if it  turned out the tamoxifen was unbearable. Why don't you give it try first. It may not be as bad as you expect. Good luck, Janet.