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Combining Keytruda with Alternative Therapies
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Combining Keytruda with Alternative Therapies

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Combining Keytruda with Alternative Therapies

  • Post
    • September 26, 2015 at 3:57 am
    Squash
    Participant

      Is anybody combining Keytruda with alternative therapies?

      For example using vitamins, supplements, detox, saunas, enemas etc with Keytruda.

      My doctor said i could take any supplements i wanted but he wasnt too keen on doing any detox procedures. In fact he advised against it.

      What are other peoples experiences?

       

       

       

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • September 26, 2015 at 10:14 am
        Jubes
        Participant

          I have done dabrafenib ipilimumab and now keytruda for nearly a year. I have side effects for which I take prednisone and oxycodone. I have had brain scans pet scans ct scans and mri scans. Bronchoscop, image guided lung biopsies. Many dear friends have given me books on diet, natural antiinflammatories like tumeric and other natural therapies. I have seen two psychics. On Thursday I saw a new rheumatologist as I have a lot of muscle and joint pain. I asked him if it was ok to take a supplement that a friend in Germany sent me. She had breast cancer and the supplement was for those whose body had been worn down by chemo. ( which I have not had) we all laughed when he said ' i think you're  way past alternative therapies !'

          • September 26, 2015 at 10:14 am
          Jubes
          Participant

            I have done dabrafenib ipilimumab and now keytruda for nearly a year. I have side effects for which I take prednisone and oxycodone. I have had brain scans pet scans ct scans and mri scans. Bronchoscop, image guided lung biopsies. Many dear friends have given me books on diet, natural antiinflammatories like tumeric and other natural therapies. I have seen two psychics. On Thursday I saw a new rheumatologist as I have a lot of muscle and joint pain. I asked him if it was ok to take a supplement that a friend in Germany sent me. She had breast cancer and the supplement was for those whose body had been worn down by chemo. ( which I have not had) we all laughed when he said ' i think you're  way past alternative therapies !'

            • September 26, 2015 at 10:14 am
            Jubes
            Participant

              I have done dabrafenib ipilimumab and now keytruda for nearly a year. I have side effects for which I take prednisone and oxycodone. I have had brain scans pet scans ct scans and mri scans. Bronchoscop, image guided lung biopsies. Many dear friends have given me books on diet, natural antiinflammatories like tumeric and other natural therapies. I have seen two psychics. On Thursday I saw a new rheumatologist as I have a lot of muscle and joint pain. I asked him if it was ok to take a supplement that a friend in Germany sent me. She had breast cancer and the supplement was for those whose body had been worn down by chemo. ( which I have not had) we all laughed when he said ' i think you're  way past alternative therapies !'

              • September 26, 2015 at 3:23 pm
              mrsaxde
              Participant

                I have been combining therapies, after doing some research, and reading about a doctor in NYC named Raymond Chang. Google his name and check out what you find. He advocates a "cocktail" of therapies such as ipi or a PD1, and other things like vitamins and such.

                For my part, based on things I have found, in addition to the Keytruda I am currently getting, I also had my PCP put me on 800mg of cimetidine (Tagamet) daily because of reports from years ago that Tagemet showed promise as a treatment for melanoma and colorectal cancer. No large scale studies were ever done, but long before ipi was available, several cancer patients who were given Tagamet for gastric problems were found to have shrinkage of their tumors, including one with brain mets.

                I also take a reishi mushroom extract. Some studies suggest that certain mushrooms, while not found to be effective on their own in treating cancer, have been found to make responses to cancer therapy stronger.

                And cannabinoids. True CBD oil, for example. Not the stuff that's advertised on the internet as being "legal in all 50 states." That is produced from industrial hemp and could actually contain dangerous solvents. Check out this site: http://www.phoenixtears.ca Of course, thanks to our federal government's ridiculous marijuana policies, this could be hazardous to your freedom, depending on where you live.

                My doctors all agree. If it isn't known to cause harm, it's worth trying.

                -Bill

                • September 26, 2015 at 3:23 pm
                mrsaxde
                Participant

                  I have been combining therapies, after doing some research, and reading about a doctor in NYC named Raymond Chang. Google his name and check out what you find. He advocates a "cocktail" of therapies such as ipi or a PD1, and other things like vitamins and such.

                  For my part, based on things I have found, in addition to the Keytruda I am currently getting, I also had my PCP put me on 800mg of cimetidine (Tagamet) daily because of reports from years ago that Tagemet showed promise as a treatment for melanoma and colorectal cancer. No large scale studies were ever done, but long before ipi was available, several cancer patients who were given Tagamet for gastric problems were found to have shrinkage of their tumors, including one with brain mets.

                  I also take a reishi mushroom extract. Some studies suggest that certain mushrooms, while not found to be effective on their own in treating cancer, have been found to make responses to cancer therapy stronger.

                  And cannabinoids. True CBD oil, for example. Not the stuff that's advertised on the internet as being "legal in all 50 states." That is produced from industrial hemp and could actually contain dangerous solvents. Check out this site: http://www.phoenixtears.ca Of course, thanks to our federal government's ridiculous marijuana policies, this could be hazardous to your freedom, depending on where you live.

                  My doctors all agree. If it isn't known to cause harm, it's worth trying.

                  -Bill

                  • September 26, 2015 at 3:23 pm
                  mrsaxde
                  Participant

                    I have been combining therapies, after doing some research, and reading about a doctor in NYC named Raymond Chang. Google his name and check out what you find. He advocates a "cocktail" of therapies such as ipi or a PD1, and other things like vitamins and such.

                    For my part, based on things I have found, in addition to the Keytruda I am currently getting, I also had my PCP put me on 800mg of cimetidine (Tagamet) daily because of reports from years ago that Tagemet showed promise as a treatment for melanoma and colorectal cancer. No large scale studies were ever done, but long before ipi was available, several cancer patients who were given Tagamet for gastric problems were found to have shrinkage of their tumors, including one with brain mets.

                    I also take a reishi mushroom extract. Some studies suggest that certain mushrooms, while not found to be effective on their own in treating cancer, have been found to make responses to cancer therapy stronger.

                    And cannabinoids. True CBD oil, for example. Not the stuff that's advertised on the internet as being "legal in all 50 states." That is produced from industrial hemp and could actually contain dangerous solvents. Check out this site: http://www.phoenixtears.ca Of course, thanks to our federal government's ridiculous marijuana policies, this could be hazardous to your freedom, depending on where you live.

                    My doctors all agree. If it isn't known to cause harm, it's worth trying.

                    -Bill

                    • September 26, 2015 at 8:25 pm
                    Polymath
                    Participant

                      I'm with Jube's in thinking "I'm way past that" in regard to any help supplements may provide.  Even if there are supplements that may provide some benefits, its likely they need to be taken in such extreme doses that they too would come with some unwanted side-effects.  Many well-meaning friends and family have heard this and that about these miricle cures, but most stories, when held up to careful scrutiny fail miserably.  There never is follow-up, nor mention of other ongoing treatments from these people/promoters.  Many well-known supplements such as Tumeric are anti-inflamatories and according to my specialist, he WANTS inflammation of my tumors to encourage an immune response.  While there is debate on this forum regarding Prednisone, he had me come off it for that same reason.  My son is a huge believer in cannabis oils, but from what I've tried, I don't like getting high.  Its so weird trying to talk to my 16 year old daughter while stoned.  Even the low THC high CBD varieties pack a punch.  I'm not ready to give up on modern medicine which I am sure is the only reason I'm still here. I would never discourage anyone from doing what they feel is right, and the placebo effect can be powerful in healing, but I am way past that.

                      Aloha, Gary

                        • September 27, 2015 at 1:42 pm
                        mrsaxde
                        Participant

                          I want to make sure that what I said was clear. I'm not advocating replacing any treatment such as ipi or Keytruda with an alternate therapy. I'm saying that from what I have read, and what my doctors have told me, is that anything that isn't known to be harmful itself, or that doesn't interfere with what the oncologist is doing, is ok to add as an additional therapy.  I told one nurse what I was taking in addition to Keytruda, and she said, jokingly, "We won't know what worked for you." I replied, "Since this isn't a clinical trial, I don't care what works, as long as I get bettere."

                          -Bill

                          • September 28, 2015 at 8:28 pm
                          tschmith
                          Participant

                            My doctor doesn't really encourage a whole lot of supplements.  I take a multi-vitamin, D, and calcium.  I've been tempted to try several things but I run it by Dr. Atkins first.  He even had me discontinue X-geva.  (Hope I spelled that right or was at least in the ballpark.)  I try to eat well most of the time, I exercise, try to sleep well, drink a lot of water, and so on.  Keytruda has been very effective for me.  I stopped infusions in June and have not had progression since.  I know it hasn't been very long, but I feel confident!

                            Terrie

                            • September 28, 2015 at 8:28 pm
                            tschmith
                            Participant

                              My doctor doesn't really encourage a whole lot of supplements.  I take a multi-vitamin, D, and calcium.  I've been tempted to try several things but I run it by Dr. Atkins first.  He even had me discontinue X-geva.  (Hope I spelled that right or was at least in the ballpark.)  I try to eat well most of the time, I exercise, try to sleep well, drink a lot of water, and so on.  Keytruda has been very effective for me.  I stopped infusions in June and have not had progression since.  I know it hasn't been very long, but I feel confident!

                              Terrie

                              • September 28, 2015 at 8:28 pm
                              tschmith
                              Participant

                                My doctor doesn't really encourage a whole lot of supplements.  I take a multi-vitamin, D, and calcium.  I've been tempted to try several things but I run it by Dr. Atkins first.  He even had me discontinue X-geva.  (Hope I spelled that right or was at least in the ballpark.)  I try to eat well most of the time, I exercise, try to sleep well, drink a lot of water, and so on.  Keytruda has been very effective for me.  I stopped infusions in June and have not had progression since.  I know it hasn't been very long, but I feel confident!

                                Terrie

                                • September 27, 2015 at 1:42 pm
                                mrsaxde
                                Participant

                                  I want to make sure that what I said was clear. I'm not advocating replacing any treatment such as ipi or Keytruda with an alternate therapy. I'm saying that from what I have read, and what my doctors have told me, is that anything that isn't known to be harmful itself, or that doesn't interfere with what the oncologist is doing, is ok to add as an additional therapy.  I told one nurse what I was taking in addition to Keytruda, and she said, jokingly, "We won't know what worked for you." I replied, "Since this isn't a clinical trial, I don't care what works, as long as I get bettere."

                                  -Bill

                                  • September 27, 2015 at 1:42 pm
                                  mrsaxde
                                  Participant

                                    I want to make sure that what I said was clear. I'm not advocating replacing any treatment such as ipi or Keytruda with an alternate therapy. I'm saying that from what I have read, and what my doctors have told me, is that anything that isn't known to be harmful itself, or that doesn't interfere with what the oncologist is doing, is ok to add as an additional therapy.  I told one nurse what I was taking in addition to Keytruda, and she said, jokingly, "We won't know what worked for you." I replied, "Since this isn't a clinical trial, I don't care what works, as long as I get bettere."

                                    -Bill

                                  • September 26, 2015 at 8:25 pm
                                  Polymath
                                  Participant

                                    I'm with Jube's in thinking "I'm way past that" in regard to any help supplements may provide.  Even if there are supplements that may provide some benefits, its likely they need to be taken in such extreme doses that they too would come with some unwanted side-effects.  Many well-meaning friends and family have heard this and that about these miricle cures, but most stories, when held up to careful scrutiny fail miserably.  There never is follow-up, nor mention of other ongoing treatments from these people/promoters.  Many well-known supplements such as Tumeric are anti-inflamatories and according to my specialist, he WANTS inflammation of my tumors to encourage an immune response.  While there is debate on this forum regarding Prednisone, he had me come off it for that same reason.  My son is a huge believer in cannabis oils, but from what I've tried, I don't like getting high.  Its so weird trying to talk to my 16 year old daughter while stoned.  Even the low THC high CBD varieties pack a punch.  I'm not ready to give up on modern medicine which I am sure is the only reason I'm still here. I would never discourage anyone from doing what they feel is right, and the placebo effect can be powerful in healing, but I am way past that.

                                    Aloha, Gary

                                    • September 26, 2015 at 8:25 pm
                                    Polymath
                                    Participant

                                      I'm with Jube's in thinking "I'm way past that" in regard to any help supplements may provide.  Even if there are supplements that may provide some benefits, its likely they need to be taken in such extreme doses that they too would come with some unwanted side-effects.  Many well-meaning friends and family have heard this and that about these miricle cures, but most stories, when held up to careful scrutiny fail miserably.  There never is follow-up, nor mention of other ongoing treatments from these people/promoters.  Many well-known supplements such as Tumeric are anti-inflamatories and according to my specialist, he WANTS inflammation of my tumors to encourage an immune response.  While there is debate on this forum regarding Prednisone, he had me come off it for that same reason.  My son is a huge believer in cannabis oils, but from what I've tried, I don't like getting high.  Its so weird trying to talk to my 16 year old daughter while stoned.  Even the low THC high CBD varieties pack a punch.  I'm not ready to give up on modern medicine which I am sure is the only reason I'm still here. I would never discourage anyone from doing what they feel is right, and the placebo effect can be powerful in healing, but I am way past that.

                                      Aloha, Gary

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