sheltie
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 982
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Post by sheltie on May 30, 2014 10:16:49 GMT -5
Other that the fact that I love rockhounding, slabbing and polishing, this threat has nothing to do with rocks. I need advice with a health problem and thought there might be a doctor on this forum or someone who has experienced what I'm going through.
In January of this year, I was diagnosed with stage four non-small cell lung cancer. It's a death sentence, but that's beside the point. I've been going through chemo since then and have been improving since the beginning. Now comes the fun part. If the cancer isn't bad enough, I've contracted shingles - beside the fact that I got the shingles shot almost two years ago. I guess that the chemo messed up my immune system to the point where the shot became ineffective.
I had my pain under control prior to the shingles diagnosis but now that isn't the case any more. Plus, the pain meds (oxcycodone and oxcycontin) that were working for me very nicely have me concerned. I have been taking about 1/2 the prescription the doctor recommended and I've found out very quickly that this isn't enough. However, if I take the recommended dosage plus the pills for shingles, it really wipes me out. Both my doctor and my wife say that I shouldn't worry about taking so much pain relief because what are my options? Valid point but I'd like to have some sort of quality of life before I die.
So, without boring all to tears, is there anyone out there that may have experienced any of my symptoms? Is there anything I can use that would help to relieve the itching, etc, caused by the shingles. I realize that I face 30 or so days of misery - with a chemo treatment next week - so I'm just trying to find something that will provide even a modicum of relief during this time. I should add that my prescription for shingles is valacyclovir.
Thanks for your help in advance.
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Post by jakesrocks on May 30, 2014 11:35:49 GMT -5
I have shingles. Instead of itching, mine is a constant burning sensation. My Doc has me on 75mg Lyrica, 3 times a day. I'm only taking it 2 times per day, or else all I want to do is sleep. You never will completely get rid of the shingles symptoms, but the Lyrica has reduced the burning to a tolerable point. With your Chemo, you may not be able to use Lyrica, but it's worth a try if your Dr. says it's OK. There's also a cream the Dr. can prescribe which you put on the effected area. It's expensive, but your insurance may cover most of the cost.
For anyone who had chicken pox as a kid, get that damned shingles shot. Unlike Sheltie I thought shingles couldn't happen to me. I didn't get the shot, and here I am with shingles.
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droseraguy
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 426
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Post by droseraguy on May 30, 2014 13:28:41 GMT -5
Thanks Don, I'll be looking up that shingle shot. sheltie I sent you a PM too.
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Post by vegasjames on May 30, 2014 15:01:10 GMT -5
Other that the fact that I love rockhounding, slabbing and polishing, this threat has nothing to do with rocks. I need advice with a health problem and thought there might be a doctor on this forum or someone who has experienced what I'm going through. In January of this year, I was diagnosed with stage four non-small cell lung cancer. It's a death sentence, but that's beside the point. I've been going through chemo since then and have been improving since the beginning. Now comes the fun part. If the cancer isn't bad enough, I've contracted shingles - beside the fact that I got the shingles shot almost two years ago. I guess that the chemo messed up my immune system to the point where the shot became ineffective. I had my pain under control prior to the shingles diagnosis but now that isn't the case any more. Plus, the pain meds (oxcycodone and oxcycontin) that were working for me very nicely have me concerned. I have been taking about 1/2 the prescription the doctor recommended and I've found out very quickly that this isn't enough. However, if I take the recommended dosage plus the pills for shingles, it really wipes me out. Both my doctor and my wife say that I shouldn't worry about taking so much pain relief because what are my options? Valid point but I'd like to have some sort of quality of life before I die. So, without boring all to tears, is there anyone out there that may have experienced any of my symptoms? Is there anything I can use that would help to relieve the itching, etc, caused by the shingles. I realize that I face 30 or so days of misery - with a chemo treatment next week - so I'm just trying to find something that will provide even a modicum of relief during this time. I should add that my prescription for shingles is valacyclovir. Thanks for your help in advance. Shingles is also referred to as "adult chickenpox" since the same virus that causes chickenpox causes shingles in adults. Common triggers that bring the virus back out of hiding include immune suppression, sever stress and the amino acid arginine. Some people take the supplement citrulline for things like improving circulation. Citrulline converts in to arginine and therefore can cause the same issue. One of the easiest and most common things done to treat shingles in supplementing with the amino acid lysine, which works by acting as an arginine antagonist and due to its antiviral properties. Recommended dose is 1,000mg 3 times daily on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before meals. The herb chaparral is also very effective in destroying free herpes zoster virus. I generally combine it with other powerful antiviral herbs such as pau d' arco and andrographis. All of these herbs have also been shown to have anti-cancer effects. Mainly due to their powerful antiviral and immune supportive effects. Chaparral also inhibits mitosis of cancer cells. Don't use fresh chaparral though. It needs to be dried and aged a few months first before use. So capsuled or tableted chaparral is fine. Small cell lung carcinoma is a very aggressive cancer, but is not a death sentence. I have a friend in Canada for example dealing with lung cancer. She has been doing ozone therapy for her cancer and is still alive despite the doctors telling her that she was supposed to be dead about 8 months ago. Her last scan she sent me showed no growth and she has not had symptoms associated with the cancer such as wasting or coughing up blood. I have also seen other cases of lung cancer disappear with other therapies such as herbs and radiofrequency therapy. So don't give up and assume it is a death sentence. As for the pain. look in to the amino acid DL-phenylalanine (DLPA), which has been shown to be a powerful pain reliever by elevating the body's dopamine levels. DLPA is also great for helping people to wen off of narcotic pain relievers since these drugs shut down the body's ability to produce proper levels of dopamine, which is also why they become addictive. DLPA should also be taken on an empty stomach and keep in mind it takes about 2 weeks to build up in the body. But the pain relieving effects have been shown to be long term once it kicks in. Any health food store will carry this.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2014 15:29:18 GMT -5
James his cancer is "non-small cell carcinoma". I mention it in case your thoughts change due to this.
Your message is quite positive.
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Post by vegasjames on May 30, 2014 15:39:01 GMT -5
James his cancer is "non-small cell carcinoma". I mention it in case your thoughts change due to this. Your message is quite positive. Thanks Scott. I missed the "non". That just means it will not be as aggressive, but does not change how it can be treated. All cancer cells have certain characteristics that can be targeted specifically. Primarily the lack of sufficient anti-oxidant enzymes to break down peroxides. This is why natural killer (NK) cells use peroxide to destroy cancer cells when they can be detected. One of the primary mechanisms by which ozone immediately and selectively destroy cancer cells is through its formation of lipid and hydrogen peroxides. For example, one of the studies I read a while back tested the effects of ozone on mammary carcinomas in mice. The tumors were completely destroyed by ozone within 5 minutes without any damage to healthy surrounding tissues. I have personally witnessed several times how fast, selective and effective ozone/peroxide therapy is against cancer. Ozone does have various other anti-cancer effects other than the peroxide formation, but this is the fastest and most direct action of ozone on cancer.
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rockpowell
having dreams about rocks
Have been rock hunting most of my life, love cutting rocks, have tons of slabs, just haven't posted
Member since February 2013
Posts: 73
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Post by rockpowell on May 30, 2014 15:50:12 GMT -5
Couldn't help my self to chime in here, My mother got the shingles, she stopped them by using 500mg L-Lysine every morning, before taking anything with water, So I have been doing this for more than 20 years and have not got them yet. I'm 74 now, It also stopped, what you would call cold sores - fever blisters on my lips, haven't had one in years now, I hardly get a cold too. I'm BIG into herbs, Also take oliveleaf, for Infection for any lung problem. like chicken dust, rock dust,cat sandbox dust, I don't have a doctor and haven't seen one in years Just find that mother nature has a solution for every problem, for me and of course we are not all alike. If something here would help you and get you out rock hunting again, That is what life is about, well got to go move my hand sprinkler lines as I'm watering my hay field now.
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rockpowell
having dreams about rocks
Have been rock hunting most of my life, love cutting rocks, have tons of slabs, just haven't posted
Member since February 2013
Posts: 73
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Post by rockpowell on May 30, 2014 16:00:23 GMT -5
Couldn't help my self to chime in here, My mother got the shingles, she stopped them by using 500mg L-Lysine every morning, before taking anything with water, So I have been doing this for more than 20 years and have not got them yet. I'm 74 now, It also stopped, what you would call cold sores - fever blisters on my lips, haven't had one in years now, I hardly get a cold too. I'm BIG into herbs, Also take oliveleaf, for Infection for any lung problem. like chicken dust, rock dust,cat sandbox dust, I don't have a doctor and haven't seen one in years Just find that mother nature has a solution for every problem, for me and of course we are not all alike. If something here would help you and get you out rock hunting again, That is what life is about, well got to go move my hand sprinkler lines as I'm watering my hay field now. WOW Vegasjames you are really up on things, I sure would like to met you someday and pick your brain, besides being one of the best rock hunters on RTH you are really knowledgeble guy.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 31, 2014 0:04:10 GMT -5
You might want to try a med for herpes like Valtrex. (shingles being a type of herpes) When I first started having my skin issues, my doc thought it might be shingles and gave me valtrex. Of course, it didn't help me because I didn't have it, but just pointing out that there are other meds to try for it. Good luck with all your issues. I'm sorry you have to deal with so much.
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unclestu
Cave Dweller
WINNER OF THE FIRST RTH KILLER CAB CONTEST UNCLESTU'S AGUA NUEVA AGATE
Member since April 2011
Posts: 2,298
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Post by unclestu on May 31, 2014 14:57:48 GMT -5
I am under the care of a pain management doctor for over the past 10 years as a ressult of degenerative disc disease. I am on 30mg of instant release morphine and 30 mg of extended release morthine 3 times a day. In addition I have mussle relaxerss and anti inflamation meds which I seldom take. I have been on this dose for over 10 years. I never had a need for the dose or the meds to be changed even though my condition has became worse. I attribute this fact to meditation. Some may laugh at the idea but just resently there have been published studies that prove that meditation can reduce the need for pain meds by 30%. I can attest to this because ever since I started doing it I always have a considerable amount of unused meds left over each month. Stu
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sheltie
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 982
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Post by sheltie on May 31, 2014 16:21:44 GMT -5
You might want to try a med for herpes like Valtrex. (shingles being a type of herpes) When I first started having my skin issues, my doc thought it might be shingles and gave me valtrex. Of course, it didn't help me because I didn't have it, but just pointing out that there are other meds to try for it. Good luck with all your issues. I'm sorry you have to deal with so much. That's what the oncologist put me on.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 31, 2014 16:25:59 GMT -5
You might want to try a med for herpes like Valtrex. (shingles being a type of herpes) When I first started having my skin issues, my doc thought it might be shingles and gave me valtrex. Of course, it didn't help me because I didn't have it, but just pointing out that there are other meds to try for it. Good luck with all your issues. I'm sorry you have to deal with so much. That's what the oncologist put me on. Honestly, you should just have a discussion about your concerns with the doc. There are so many other drugs and remedies to try. There is no point in being miserable.
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sheltie
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2012
Posts: 982
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Post by sheltie on May 31, 2014 16:35:21 GMT -5
James and others,
I have chemo again this coming Tuesday so I will show you recommendations and suggestions to my oncologist.
I really appreciate all y'all's (that's Texan) comments. If only my oncologist took that much interest! As a matter of interest, my youngest daughter (she's 46 with three teen age sons) and I contracted pneumonia within a week of each other just before last Christmas. She didn't get better so went through a bunch of tests where it was determined that she had SCLC (small cell lung cancer). A week later I was diagnosed with NSCLC. What are the odds? She is just finishing her last course of radiation on her brain and that should be all - for now. I'll continue, as far as I know, with my normal chemo once every three weeks.
When I mentioned that SCLC is a "death sentence", I was being pessimistic. However, from everything I've read and heard, they tell me that with luck there is a possibility of living 18-24 months after diagnosis. After that, IF there is an after that, it's anyone's guess. Her SCLC is perhaps more aggressive than mine, but who knows.
Again, thank you all. Oh, I'm taking Capsaicin as a topical and that seems to be helping. I'm glad that the rash is on my back because I can't see it, even with a mirror. Luckily my wife has a strong stomach when she applies it!
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