resources
Navigating cancer treatment with the vastness of the internet can be overwhelming. Below I have listed resources that my patients have found beneficial in mitigating side effects and eliminating further exposure to cancer causing agents
soothing side effects from chemotherapy
-taste alteration-
The Miracle Berry (aka the Mberry) is a sugar-coated pill that contains the fruit of the Synsepalum dulcificum plant native to West Africa. The plant has a protein called miraculin that temporarily numbs sour and bitter taste receptors. purchase here
-neuropathy-
there is no cure for neuropathy but prevention is key if you are on an agent that is known to damage nerves. the most common chemo agents that cause chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy(cipn) are:
taxanes: docetaxel, paclitaxel and cabazitaxel
platinum based drugs: cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin
alkaloids: vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine, vindesine
others: bortezomib, thalidomide
preventitive measures can be made through inducing hypothermia while receiving the chemotherapy. this can be done by placing ice packs on your hands and feet while the drug is infusing. you can purchase ice packs that form to your hands and feet here.
if you are already suffering from cipn, Relieving symptoms with acupuncture/e-stim or topical oils/creams might be a good option. purchase topicals here. acupuncture for cipn is covered by some insurance providers. speak with your oncologist about a referral and if they think this is safe and beneficial. some oncologists do not want patients to try acupuncute because of the risk of infection or bleeding so it is imperative that you have a conversation to keep your body optimally balanced. for recommendations on acupuncturists/body workers in the area please contact me at abarefootnurse@gmail.com
-sleep disturbance-
waking at the same time every morning and catching the first sunlight assists the body in its first cortisol release. this sets the circadian rhythm which allows for a positive role in falling asleep at a consistent time nightly. avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and water after 6pm will reduce the need to use the bathroom at night. warm soothing drinks, yoga nidra, BREATH WORK and yin yoga can help settle the nervous system before bed. avoiding laptops/cell phones 2 hr before bedtime and low light or red light therapy, to offset all the blue light during the day, can prepare the body for sleep. red lights can be purchased here.
-nausea-
Peppermint oil bombs by dropping 1-2 drops of oil into hands, rubbing together and inhaling through your nose and mouth. this is quite invigorating and can assist with minor headaches as well. you can also diffuse oils for a more subtle, longer effect. For ACUPRESSURE points see blog post here.
-constipation-
prunes, walking, plenty of water (2-3liters/day), high fiber diet(25-35g/day). Smoothies make getting this much fiber, in daily,easier. high fiber smoothie can be found here.
-radiation burns-
calendula cream and aquaphor have been found to be the most effective in preventing/treating burns
-mouth sores-
my patients say healios is a miracle otc in treatment and prevention of mouth sores and irritation in the oral cavity. created by an oncologist and designed to rebuild and maintain the cells of the oral mucosa. keeping your mouth moist with biotene products, cepachol throat lozenge and magic mouth wash (prescription only) can also reduce the severity of sores and time to recovery. hair loss is most common with these chemotherapies
-hair loss-
hair loss can be minimized with hypothermia. in the nursing world we refer to this as “cold capping”. Insurance companies do not reimburse, it can be costly and it is not guaranteed to prevent hair loss. hair thickness and hair color play a role in how well the cold capping will work. if choosing to try cold capping be sure to research if the company has been fda cleared, the success rate, rental options and affordability.
listed below are a few brands i have come across in the clinic: penguin cold caps, arctic cold caps and cooler heads
assisting your body in hair regrowth can be done by massaging your scalp with rosemary essential oil and castor oil. studies have shown rosemary essential oil to be equally as effective as rogaine in establishing new hair growth. red light therapy has been shown to promote blood flow, reduce inflammation and excite the mitochondria, making each cell more efficient at performing optimally. i-restore has a clinical trial that saw a 43.2% increase in hair growth in 4 months. supplements that have been proven to help with hair and nail growth are vast. please speak with your physician prior to starting supplementation as some supplements can block the effects of chemo or interact with other pharmacuticals.
disclaimer: all recommendations are just that. please contact your oncologist prior to starting any new regimen and getting clearance
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reducing toxic load
what are known and probable carcinogens?
american cancer society has a list of known and possible carcinogens and can be found here
how do i reduce my exposure to carcinogens?
detoxing your home from cleaning and personal care products that have known carcinogens is a really good place to start. Listed below are a few good apps to assess your home in its current state and guide you to making safer choices to keep yourself from more toxic burden to you and your family.
think dirty: Beauty ingredient checker
yuka: food and cosmetic checker
