Vitamin D and Chemo Therapy

I am undergoing chemo for 4th stage breast cancer the last seven months.  It has been very successful and I may only need about three more months.  With the chemo that I am having, I have been told not to go in the sun or to take Vitamin D. 

So, what do I do for my bone health?  I have just started to bicycle again after not cycling for a year this week and wear a sun block long sleeve shirt along with sun block on my face and legs.   My longest ride is 10 miles so far.

I am 72 years old and will be doing the local Senior Olympics in our county in the middle of August.

 Looking forward to your replies.

Yvonne 

Absolutely fantastic!  10 miles at your age after not riding for a year and on chemo. You have a lot more going for you than most people do. I've had my share of cancer treatments and chemo makes physical activity tough on anybody. Good luck and keep up the good work. 

I wish I had some information for you but I do not. Just had to comment on your ability.

I understand the long sleves and protection from the sun but you may want to chat with your doctor about long bike rides. Sunshine makes the body naturally produce elevated levels of vitamin D.

Hi Yvonne......I'm quite surprised to hear that your doctor recommends you not take any vitamin D supplementation. There is a wealth of evidence of it's efficacy in enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy. If I were you I'd do some personal research on the subject. I just did a quick Google on the subject and came up with the following........Hope you find the information helpful..http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Vitamin+D+enhances+the+effects+of+chemo&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en-us&um=1&ie=UTF-8&oi=scholart ............ http://www.springerlink.com/content/tl7397250395185g/ ___________________________________________________________

On 7/31/2009 Femesoule wrote:

I am undergoing chemo for 4th stage breast cancer the last seven months.  It has been very successful and I may only need about three more months.  With the chemo that I am having, I have been told not to go in the sun or to take Vitamin D. 

So, what do I do for my bone health?  I have just started to bicycle again after not cycling for a year this week and wear a sun block long sleeve shirt along with sun block on my face and legs.   My longest ride is 10 miles so far.

I am 72 years old and will be doing the local Senior Olympics in our county in the middle of August.

 Looking forward to your replies.

Yvonne