Supplements for taxol/carboplatin chemo to boost immune system

Hi nikoladsp

I had the same chemo as your wife. 

With any supplements it is best to run it by the oncologist first. I was warned that some can interact with the chemo. During the chemo your wife will have regular blood tests and if there is anything deficient then it will show up and they can give supplements. So for me for 2 cycles I had very low magnesium and was given sachets by them. 

Your wife's CNS may also be able to recommend specific supplements that can be taken safely alongside her chemo regime.

You could also give the Support Line a call and talk it through with one of the Nurses. 

I wish your wife well with the chemo

Jane

Thank you,

I think no one asked Mg blood tests (for now, but it was only her first round). She have issues with digestion anyway so taking enough/quality food is a bit of a challenge. Not sure what we can do?

The magnesium levels will show in the routine blood tests that your wife will have during chemo. I remember seeing my blood test sheet and it was 3 sides of A4 paper. It seemed they check everything automatically. I was normally only told when there was a level of something that was of a concern. 

The chemo did also affect my tummy and what I could eat. Your wife should have a CNS who can make suggestions but also a routine consultant review with each cycle of chemo. Has she got a book to write in, like a sort of diary. Its a good idea to put in how she is feeling each day as I would find that by the time there was a review I would forget. 

My symptoms would follow a similar pattern with each cycle. 

There should also be a 24 hour helpline for your hospital and never be afraid to give them a call for advice. I rang mine several times. 

They will weigh your wife before each chemo and keep an eye on any weight loss. There are supplement drinks that I was offered. 

Medication can help settle any nausea, diarrhoea or constipation. I was given a mouthwash as had a sore mouth and ulcers. I also found my sense of taste changed and things I normally would fancy, tasted different.

Little and often eating suited me better. I tried to have the bigger meal earlier in the day before nausea set in. I also was advised to take the nausea medicine regularly to try to prevent the nausea happening in the first place. I found sharp tasting foods more palatable- I drank a lot of flat lemonade. Any dairy or fatty foods would upset my stomach and also anything too high fibre or processed. 

Foods that I could tolerate tended to be things like white toast, crumpets, rice, potato. Things that are gentle on the tummy. 

I understand your worry about getting enough quality food and nutrients and this is definitely something to bring up with her team. I was told it was a time for getting enough calories in rather than a time for healthy eating. I did find I lost my appetite and the side effects from some of the medication did not help.

One thing to maybe mention is the steroids that she has to take at home for a few days after each cycle. They can affect appetite. Mine were put on a tapering dose after the first cycle and that helped- there wasn't such a drop off and gradually my dose was reduced. 

Jane

Thank you, we did not know about taking steroids after each cycle.

Also, I wanted to ask is it good sign that her CA-125 are drop to normal (around 14) even before first chemo?

Regards

I had steroids given to me on the day of chemo and then steroids to take home. 

A CA-125 level of below 35 is considered normal and I was told it was a sign that treatment was working and that there was no active cancer. It is part of the picture but not the full picture. I would view a level of 14 as a positive sign. 

I agree with Jane. Ask your own oncology team. I have read online in several places that it is not a good idea to take supplements during chemo in case they reduce the effectiveness of the chemo chemicals in zapping the cancer cells. Hence my son did not take any until his chemo was over.

We will ask, but it is a bit complicated - she did surgery in private hospital but receiving chemo in state hospital. There is a friction in state hospital between doctors, since the one did the operation is department chief and apparently have "opposition"