Against Taking A Multivitiman, Eating Yogurt Or Anything Healthy Yet Prescribed Perkiset

My mother’s doctor is against her taking anything whatsoever even multivitamins and yogurt and tea and healthy fruits and vegetables. He keeps saying we will see how things go then we will talk about it. A month has gone by and still nothing. He said he doesn’t want her to drink any teas or other things, etc. because he doesn't want her to hurt more than help, yet this week gives her a prescription for perkiest which side effects are lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, and vomiting. Other adverse reactions include euphoria, dysphoria, constipation, skin rash, and pruritus. OK, how can a prescription drug that has more chemicals, side effects, etc. be more helpful than regular Lipton green tea or essiac tea (I’ve heard about contaminants and other things in it) or a multivitamin! How can a multivitamin or instant breakfast hurt compared to these? Any thoughts?

Hi Patricia,
I read your post concerning you mother,and I find it a little bit odd that a doctor would not let a person take vitamins, or even eat yogurt, or fruits and veggies!!! Is the doctor an oncologist? Is your mom currently getting chemo treatments? Did the doctor give a specific reason for his recommendations? Some cancer patients take all sorts of supplements, teas, and even some pretty weird things in hopes that they will help. I've heard that some herbal supplements can interfere with chemo, but that's not a proven fact, to the best of my knowledge. I have been battling colon cancer for three years now, and my oncologist has never put restrictions on my diet. I take calcium,iron,and vitamins, and I eat yogurt. I would advise your mom to ask the doctor exactly what he means by he doesn't want her to hurt more than help!!! The doctor should give you an explanation. Everyone is different, and please don't assume that what others can have is right for your mom. I'd ask and ask again if you don't get a straight answer!! As far as Percoset, is that a pain medication? Is it helping your mom? I know the side effects of that medication. They are bothersome, but again is it necessary for mom to be on this? Sometimes you have to weigh the benefits. I hope you talk to the doctor. I'd be curious to know what they say. Please post again if you have any other questions. Take Care Julie C.

Patricia, as the other responder indicated, you really need to persist in not only asking, but expecting answers from your mother's doctor. Each individual has specific needs due to their treatment, but if you will research the web, the nutrition section of the Cancer Treatment Center of America,etc. you will find more times than not, that supplements and healthy additions is critically important for a cancer patient. Often you may be told to stay away from certain things, such as- rasberries from Chile or things that can't be washed well or peeled. Processed things like yogurt and teas or not thought to be a problem. We were advised to avoid ginseng and St. John's Wart because it can cause problems in the liver taken in conjunction with certain chemo's. Our oncologist recommended in fact that we meet with the local nutritionist who owns a health food store and who worked up a daily regiment for my husband diagnosed with NSCLC. I am aware there are the stoic doctors who refuse to consider anything they themselves don't recommend.
Now as to Percocet- a pain medication. It is not clear if your mother is HAVING any of the listed side-effects of the medicine? If she does, then you can request the doctor change her to something she can better tolerate. A helpful suggestion, is to see if your pharmacy will work with you on prescriptions given to your mother if she has problems or reactions to them... A lot of this depends on her insurance, but it is worth talking to the pharmacist and see when a new script is presented, if they will fill only a portion of it, to see if she tolerates it well. Otherwise, you are getting a bottle that has been paid for, that she may only take one or two, and then has to be replaced with another prescription. ( Many people don't realize this is an option available with many pharmacies and a cost savings to the patient and their family.) May you find solutions appropriate for your mother and more cooperation from her doctor- remember SHE IS THE CLIENT ( and you apparently are the care-giver) and deserve to be treated openly and with respect, not to be intimidated or ignored. Something, older patients have often fallen victim to is a thought process that 'Doctors knew best and were next to GOD, not to question anything.' My dear, they put their pants on one leg at a time like everyone else, and their business is called a 'practice'. Don't ever be afraid to speak up and ask and ask again until you are satisfied with a clear understanding. God Bless

Hi Ben,
I like your statement about doctors!!! I've found that most doctors are annoyed with me when I ask a lot of questions. I ask questions because it is my nature to be assertive when it comes to my well-being. I have had setbacks since diagnosis in Nov. of 2000,which upset me enough,so that now I demand (nicely) to have my say in what decisions are made. I do listen also,and I think that doctors should communicate with patients more openly,and tell patients reasons for treatments,options,and pros and cons etc. When it comes to diet,I eat healthy,and I was never told I should alter what I eat. I have colon cancer and since I've had two abdominal operations,I have to avoid things that are hard to digest,and will upset my angry colon!! I don't believe cancer patients should rely on their oncologists to be nutritionists. I feel that patients can always seek out information on diet/nutrition on their own. Common sense does dictate that a person who has cancer should follow a proper diet.

My wifes is a leukemia survivor. Dr. would not talk about Vits and Minerals. You have to do it and not tell him. I started her on a good Calcium and a good vit. and it helped a lot. Remember the oncoloist makes $30,000 a year on a active cancer patient (latest figures)
Ask your oncologyst if he would treat himself or his loved ones the same way he is treating your loved one??
I am a 6 year care giver and when I got wise he said the trust was broke and my wife is now well.
Remember there is what is call Western Medicine. It is based on scientific studies. Vits and Minerals are not part of that study.
Go to the health food store and ask for the Garden of life product. Ask for
R-M 10 Full of organic mushrooms. Same thing that vacromicin is made from.
Hope this is of some help. We all need help.

All of the advice given above is good. It points to the main thing without which we cannot survive. That is benefcial bacteria in our bodies or gut flora. These come from our food, especially organic food, which has not been subjected to pesticides, fertilisers and irradiation to kill off most of the goodness. It has also been said that sufficient levels of gut flora will even prevent cancer forming!

For a Doctor to say not to take anything which may upset any treatment you are receiving demonstrates that the Doctor is way out of date with recent developments in the medical world. In his defence, there has been approx. 77 case studies on gut flora in the last 18 months. How can any Doctor keep up to date with all of these reports. However, there should be a system in place where these Doctors should be checked for correct diagnoses and treatment regimes. We don't want another Harold Shipman!

 The aggressive treatment for cancer usually damages your immune system. Why do Doctors, even cancer specialists, advise you not to take products that will repair your immune system, which is the one thing you need to be working properly to get better?

 

On 9/8/2003 Patricia D. wrote:

My mother’s doctor is against her taking anything whatsoever even multivitamins and yogurt and tea and healthy fruits and vegetables. He keeps saying we will see how things go then we will talk about it. A month has gone by and still nothing. He said he doesn’t want her to drink any teas or other things, etc. because he doesn't want her to hurt more than help, yet this week gives her a prescription for perkiest which side effects are lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, and vomiting. Other adverse reactions include euphoria, dysphoria, constipation, skin rash, and pruritus. OK, how can a prescription drug that has more chemicals, side effects, etc. be more helpful than regular Lipton green tea or essiac tea (I’ve heard about contaminants and other things in it) or a multivitamin! How can a multivitamin or instant breakfast hurt compared to these? Any thoughts?

 

As I understand it, perkiset is an antioxidant.  In 1969, the National Cancer Institute reported that vitamin C killed cancer cells in the lab.  Dr. Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD, in Canada has treated over 1000 patients with a mixture of vitamins (vitamin C at about 12,000 mg/day) and minerals, all over the counter.  Your doctor, I believe, is starving your mother just to follow his unfortunate training.  Doctors are not up on vitamins and nutrition so they are down on them.  My web site has much detail at www.cancertherapies.org.

You might want to talk to a dietitian or other professional knowlegeable about vitamins.  He can recommend vitamins to STRENGTHEN your mother even though he cannot TREAT cancer.