MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'curcumin'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:11:42 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3780580&cid=t_146635_160_f&fid=36189&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skinmdblog.com%2F231%2Fantioxidants-nutritional-supplements-facial-wrinkles%2F Some fine lines on the face may be unavoidable if we live long enough.   But, the visible signs of age can be minimized in the same way that aging inside of the body can be kept to a minimum.   Good nutrition is the key. You do not need large amounts of vitamins.  You just need a balanced diet and good anti aging natural supplements to help you along.   It’s very difficult , if not impossible, to get every nutrient that you require every day from the foods that you eat.  Studies (conducted in the US and Canada) have proven that vegetables contain less nutrients than they had in the past, due mainly to soil depletion. Some of the most helpful antioxidants cannot be found in common every day foods.  For example, curcumin is one of the most potent antioxidants and na... Skin MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3780580 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:31:47 +0100 3780580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3339771&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fmarch-4-2010-end-of-cycle-26.html Discussions with Dr L: Biaxin (clarithromycin) is known to potentiate the combination of DEX and an IMID drug, such as Revlimid or thalidomide, and probably pomalidomide. Biaxin is no help by itself, and no one knows whether it would work with ONLY the IMID drug, without the DEX. Dr L prescribed a three-day course of Biaxin a month ago, to prevent a minor skin injury from becoming a major infection. Could those three days of Biaxin have helped the pomalidomide work on my tumor burden, even though I'm not taking DEX, and even though only three days? She looked at the skin injury, now just a red spot, and thought it was healing rather slowly. In contrast, I thought it was healing fairly quickly compared with similar, prior experiences on DEX. I asked if neutrophils are important to wardin... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3339771 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:05:00 +0100 3339771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3157645&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fwhen-receptionist-knows-your-name.html January 7, 2010, end of Cycle 24: You know you're battling cancer when the receptionist at the Mayo Clinic Hematology desk knows your name as you walk in. Happened Thursday. 24 cycles of the pomalidomide (CC-4047, Actimid) study are complete, and it's been a great ride. Not over yet, but Thursday was a hint that it might be over before long. Or was it a hint? The worst news, really, was that M-spike went from 0.9 to 1.0 g/dL. I stopped dexamethasone (DEX) completely for this cycle, the first cycle without it, and M-spike inched up. Maybe. Although M-spike tracks the tumor burden most closely, it is not especially accurate, and IgG only went up a little, from 1090 to 1100 mg/dL, so maybe it didn't really change. IgG is a measure of ALL immunoglobulins, including the monoclonal ones that m... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3157645 Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:54:00 +0100 3157645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3083170&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fno-more-dex.html YAY! After 23 cycles of pomalidomide (CC-4047, Actimid) with dexamethasone (DEX), I've taken my last DEX tablet, at least for a while. Recently I've only been taking 4 mg per week anyway, which probably doesn't do a lot of good but certainly seems to induce most of the same side effects as a larger dose. Thursday's results (December 10) again show the myeloma to be stable. M-Spike, IgG, and light chains all about the same as 28 days ago. Stable is good - my myeloma and I are at a standoff. Let's hope that continues without the DEX. More actual test results are listed below and from the righthand panel. Ashwagandha: No noticeable improvement, so clearly the ashwagandha isn't helping much. Of course it's possible that the myeloma has begun to figure out the pomalidomide, so M-spike would ... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3083170 Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:39:00 +0100 3083170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954466&cid=t_146635_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F03%2Fhot-news-curry-curcumin-cancer-cure%2F *Hot* News via Twitter and various news media a few days ago. Big headlines tell the following in respectively The Sun, Herald, Ireland, BBC News / NHS Health and Reuters: Curry is a ‘cure for cancer‘ Spices in curry may help cure cancer Curry spice ‘kills cancer cells‘ Scientists say curry compound kills cancer cells The message of these headlines [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954466 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:37:19 +0100 2954466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2622016&cid=t_146635_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FwG8UGBNYIm0%2Falzheimers-read-twitter-feed.html Join UsSubscribe to The Alzheimer's Reading RoomHere are some examples of articles that recently appeared on our Twitter feed. So far, 1439 articles on Alzheimer's, Dementia, Caregiving, and Health Care have been sent to the Alzheimer's Reading Room Twitter page via our feed.Heart Disease Linked to Alzheimer's"Our data suggest that American adults have limited knowledge and a poor understanding of factors that have been demonstrated to increase risk for Alzheimer's, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and other heart health risk factors," Jackson is quoted as saying. "They also didn't know much about protective factors against Alzheimer's, such as physical exercise . . . .We need more education programs and opportunities, across all demographic groups, focusing on behaviors that modify y... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2622016 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:54:53 +0100 2622016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2381087&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36168&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmargaret.healthblogs.org%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Fcurcumin-beats-chemoresistance-and-helps-thalidomide-and-bortezomib-fight-myeloma%2F A new study, carried out by a group of MD Anderson researchers and published this month in “Molecular Cancer Therapeutics” (see abstract: http://tinyurl.com/c2hlfx) confirms what we already knew about curcumin’s synergy with bortezomib.*   The researchers performed experiments on myeloma cells and also on nude mice. Now, since I frequently read about “nude mice,” some time ago I gathered the courage to [...] (Source: Margaret's Corner) Margaret's Corner blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2381087 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:15:59 +0100 2381087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2150868&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36168&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmargaret.healthblogs.org%2F2009%2F02%2F01%2Fil-1beta-involved-in-progression-from-inactive-to-active-myeloma%2F I found out about this wonderful little gem from a couple of myeloma list friends (thank you both so very much, D & D!). It’s an editorial (see: http://tinyurl.com/b7z59z) on a Mayo Clinic study titled “Targeting the Pathogenic Role of Interleukin 1beta in the Progression of Smoldering/Indolent Myeloma to Active Disease,” (abstract: http://tinyurl.com/acqlkb; full study: http://tinyurl.com/akqd4r). [...] (Source: Margaret's Corner) Margaret's Corner blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2150868 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:58:49 +0100 2150868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2098193&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fcc-4047-cycle-eleven.html Mayo Clinic Visit, January 8, 2009: After eleven cycles of the trial drug CC-4047 and dexamethasone (DEX) my tumor burden may be starting to go up again. Last month's M-Spike was 1.0 g/dL and this month's is 1.1. The test-result printout, however, says "no significant change." And I suppose that's right. It's possible to read too much into one set of blood tests, and the accuracy of this test may not be much better than 10% anyway. But previous tests and the results of other markers do suggest that the myeloma is coming back, if slowly. I hope not, but it seems most likely. In particular, IgG increased from 1260 to 1350, the third modest increase in the last three cycles. In contrast, though, Lambda Light Chains went down from 4.03 to 3.31 mg/dL, which might mean something, might not. Th... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2098193 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:00:00 +0100 2098193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2061170&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36168&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmargaret.healthblogs.org%2F2008%2F12%2F22%2Fvery-sad-news-2%2F Yesterday a dear blog friend informed me that his beloved wife of 59 years passed away last week after developing a nasty lung infection. Oh, I am very very sorry…and since I cannot give you a real-life hug, I am sending you the biggest blog hug that I can fabricate. Today’s post is based on a [...] (Source: Margaret's Corner) Margaret's Corner blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2061170 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:11:20 +0100 2061170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1834783&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36168&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmargaret.healthblogs.org%2F2008%2F09%2F28%2Fcurcumin-and-blood-clots%2F I read a fascinating article yesterday in Science Daily (http://tinyurl.com/449vm3) about curcumin’s ability to reduce the size of blood clots. Curcumin may reduce the size of a hemorrhagic stroke, say Medical College of Georgia researchers. They are using animal models to study curcumin’s effect on intracerebral hemorrhages, bleeding in the brain caused by ruptured vessels.   You [...] (Source: Margaret's Corner) Margaret's Corner blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1834783 Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:08:56 +0100 1834783 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1780127&cid=t_146635_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F387263580%2F This article was written by Pascale Michelon, Ph. D., for SharpBrains. Dr. Michelon, Copyright 2008. Dr. Michelon has a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology and has worked as a Research Scientist at Washington University in Saint Louis, in the Psychology Department. She conducted several research projects to understand how the brain makes use of visual information and memorizes facts. She is now an Adjunct Faculty at Washington University, and teaches Memory Workshops in numerous retirement communities in the St Louis area. More articles on the topic: - A Multi-Pronged Approach to Brain Health - Overview of Nutritional Supplements and Brain Fitness Alzheimers, Alzheimers risk, Antioxidants, berries, brain diet, Brain health, citrus fruits, cocoa, Corrada, Curcumin, dark chocolate, DHA, enhance me... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1780127 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:05:57 +0100 1780127 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1775641&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36168&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmargaret.healthblogs.org%2F2008%2F09%2F08%2Fcurcumin-and-bone-destruction%2F Last week Sherlock sent me a German study that confirms what I read in other studies that I posted about more than a year ago (on May 10 2007, to be precise). The German study was published in the “Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology” last month (see abstract: http://tinyurl.com/6xnp7y). It opens with the [...] (Source: Margaret's Corner) Margaret's Corner blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1775641 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:35:54 +0100 1775641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1726659&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36162&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myelomablog.com%2F2008%2F08%2F22%2Fsynthetic-molecules-could-add-spice-to-fight-against-cancer%2F Thanks to Sandy for telling me about this. COLUMBUS, Ohio – Seeking to improve on nature, scientists used a spice-based compound as a starting point and developed synthetic molecules that, in lab settings, are able to kill cancer cells and stop the cells from spreading. The researchers are combining organic chemistry, computer-aided design and molecular biology techniques in developing and testing pharmaceutical compounds that can fight breast and prostate cancer cells. The synthetic molecules are derived from curcumin, a naturally occurring compound found in the spice turmeric. Centuries of anecdotal evidence and recent scientific research suggest curcumin has multiple disease-fighting features, including anti-tumor properties. However, when eaten, curcumin is not absorbed well by the b... beth's myeloma blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1726659 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:32:40 +0100 1726659 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1639312&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36168&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmargaret.healthblogs.org%2F2008%2F07%2F19%2Fdouble-edged-sword%2F The double-edged sword is iron. Our bodies need it in order to function normally, but too much iron can increase the risk of developing cancer by promoting free radicals, and let’s also not forget that, once you have cancer, your cancer cells eagerly gobble up this metal, which is essential to their growth and wellbeing.   But too little [...] (Source: Margaret's Corner) Margaret's Corner blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1639312 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:12:45 +0100 1639312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1631255&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36168&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmargaret.healthblogs.org%2F2008%2F07%2F16%2F100000-times-stronger-than-curcumin%2F I would like to mention that yesterday I updated my links to articles and studies, but mainly I put them in order by publication year. I hope that will make my blog more user-friendly (for me, too, eh…sometimes I have to do a search of my OWN blog to find stuff…!).   Now, let me explain the rather intriguing title of today’s post: the July 14 online edition [...] (Source: Margaret's Corner) Margaret's Corner blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1631255 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:27:10 +0100 1631255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1616265&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36168&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmargaret.healthblogs.org%2F2008%2F07%2F11%2F%25e2%2580%259cwhy-is-it-so%25e2%2580%259d%2F I came across a colourful article on curcumin and turmeric in the July issue of “Men’s Health”: http://tinyurl.com/654lqk It was written by a reporter who travelled to India to find out more about turmeric. Among other things, he describes his visits to India’s largest producer of ingredients for the flavor and fragrance industry (where turmeric is processed, too), [...] (Source: Margaret's Corner) Margaret's Corner blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1616265 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:11:49 +0100 1616265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1526493&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36168&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmargaret.healthblogs.org%2F2008%2F06%2F18%2Fbig-brother%2F A blog reader (thank you!) sent me some interesting info and links about warnings issued recently by the FDA (= Food and Drug Administration) to 23 companies and 2 individuals promoting various unproven cancer treatments that falsely claim to cure, treat or prevent cancer (see: http://tinyurl.com/3o89hf). I found this all so interesting and maddening at the [...] (Source: Margaret's Corner) Margaret's Corner blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1526493 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:56:19 +0100 1526493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454607&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36168&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmargaret.healthblogs.org%2F2008%2F05%2F12%2Fmore-on-zerumbone%2F Before we left on our Northumberland holiday, a laughing friend (thanks!) sent me a 2005 MD Anderson study on zerumbone published in “Oncogene” and co-authored by Prof. Aggarwal (is there a natural substance that this remarkable man has NOT tested???). The abstract can be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/3rzdpa   I had already read elsewhere that zerumbone suppresses [...] (Source: Margaret's Corner) Margaret's Corner blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454607 Mon, 12 May 2008 09:34:59 +0100 1454607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1198223&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fmyeloma-treatment-regimen.html I saw the naturopath more than two weeks ago. Now I'm feeling a little guilty that I haven't already implemented all of her recommendations, because my Mayo visit is only about four weeks away, not a lot of time to see results from the enhanced regimen. Nevertheless I can't start any sooner than today, so here goes the new supplement regimen: Supplement Quantity Coenzyme Q-10 200 mg Curcumin, NSI 4640 mg Curcumin, Dr Best 4000 mg EGCG 1750 mg Feverfew 1600 mg Flaxseed Oil 1000 mg Genistein 70 mg Quercetin 4000 mg Reishi Mushroom 3000 mg Resveratrol 400 mg Selenium 200 mcg Vitamin D 5000 iu Vitamin K 8.1 mg This is divided into a morning dose and an evening dose, in both cases at least a half hour before a meal. For more details including brand names, sources, and supplements intended to ... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1198223 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 16:58:00 +0100 1198223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1162092&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fmy-naturopath.html I saw a naturopathic doctor today, for my first time, Doctor HH. I already knew Dr. HH from other circumstances, and had recently discovered that she is has a specialty in cancer is a member of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians. So it was high time that I spent the effort and money to hear what she might have to say about staving off myeloma. The expense is actually quite modest. We talked about a LOT of things, including some issues other than myeloma, and I'm still digesting it. Dr. HH isn't like my conventional doctors, who tend to listen to the problem and then prescribe a specific treatment and walk out the door. Dr. HH apparently believes that I already know a little about the potential treatments (the jury's still out on that), so she more or less considered this ... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1162092 Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:52:00 +0100 1162092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1010678&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F180972938%2F Curcumin has long been known for its anti-cancer properties. Curcumin is the yellowish component of turmeric that gives curry its flavor. I am not a fan of dishes that use curry. However, if cooked just right I may actually like it. My mother’s version of chicken curry (not too pungent but not bland either) is one of my favorites. Now, Japanese researchers reported that two molecular analogues of curcumin demonstrate even greater tumor suppressive properties. The team presented their findings from the first test of these molecules in a mouse model of colorectal cancer November 5 at the American Association for Cancer Research Centennial Conference on Translational Cancer Medicine. According to Tohoku University researcher Hiroyuki Shibata, M.D., curcumin is one of the most widely studie... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1010678 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 08:04:36 +0100 1010678 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=977470&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fexcellent-test-results.html Yippee! Ok Don, calm down. "EXCELLENT" would be "it turns out you really don't have cancer after all." So these test results are just VERY GOOD! Can you tell I'm happy? This was a short interval, too, only five weeks. Some important results: IgG is down 13%, from 3110 to 2690 mg/dL. My IgG had not declined in the previous eight sets of tests, in fact increasing linearly and predictably for more than two years; Spike (the SPEP test) is down slightly, from 1.90 to 1.85 mg/dL. This is not highly significant, because the SPEP does bounce around, except that this is the second DOWN bounce in a row and it has not bounced DOWN in two tests since the Big Bang. Calcium dropped WAY down, from 10.4 mg/dL (slightly over the normal high range) to 9.7, perfectly normal. This had been the only C.R.A.B. ... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=977470 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:41:00 +0100 977470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=883906&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fprogram.html Margaret recently posted about c-reactive protein (CRP). It's made by the liver, sometimes in response to myeloma, and then it apparently also supports the growth of myeloma. It's a very naughty circle, but it makes CRP a potential target for myeloma therapy. When I did a little research on ways to reduce CRP, vegetarian eating showed up right away as a good candidate. So, bless her heart, my Sunshine has enthusiastically agreed to do mostly-vegetarian meals for the next five weeks or so. "Mostly-vegetarian" is still a work in progress, but probably means no red meat, not more than one meal of chicken or fish per week, and very easy on the cheese. The food pictures below show a couple of examples. Note that this is not necessarily low fat, because the diet does include nuts, avocados, and... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=883906 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 02:06:00 +0100 883906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=873202&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fmore-thoughts-about-marching.html Margaret and Ana, Thank you both for your comments on the previous post. My heros, two kind and clever women in Italy! I do feel better. The decline of 3% in M-spike is probably well within the margin of repeatability of that test, but at least it suggests that monoclonal proteins did not go UP. I do not know of any reason why the normal IgG should have gone up - I was not dealing with any kind of infection that I know of on blood-draw day - but of course it could be due to a transient subclinical infection of some kind. Perhaps the myeloma is not marching; we shall see in five weeks or beyond. Meantime I will: Continue with the curcumin, Add low-dose naltrexone, Add resveratrol and perhaps more, Get the bone survey (I had a skull MRI done in April), Look into the new Life Extension Curc... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=873202 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:41:00 +0100 873202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=865803&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fcurcumin-in-oatmeal.html Margaret recently posted some information indicating that the efficacy of curcumin may be improved by heating it. I decided to try some curcumin in my morning oatmeal, to see if that was at all edible. I'm happy to say that it was edible. In fact, to my surprise, curcumin didn't change the taste of the oatmeal much at all. What does that say about my sense of taste? I don't know. I believe that curcumin may be an important component of the spice turmeric, but it is not the component that imparts flavor! I even used one gram each of two different brands of curcumin. This was only one fourth of my daily eight-gram curcumin dosage, however; it is possible that a full day's dose would impart more flavor (and thus be more objectionable). It did make the oatmeal very yellow, which is not very a... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=865803 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:56:00 +0100 865803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=864729&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Felectrolytes-ok.html About a week ago I had blood drawn for lab tests. They took two different vials, an unusually low number. But today when I called, the nurse said that all the doctor had ordered was "electrolytes." When I asked what that was, she said "sodium, potassium," and such. Huh. Everything was normal, said she. I wonder why we even did the labs. Are we really concerned about sodium? Clearly, there's something here that I don't understand. I'm still taking curcumin, 8000 mg per day, and I think that the doctor wanted to be sure that curcumin in such high doses did not throw other things out of whack. If so, he probably did his normal chemistry panel, which includes sodium and potassium, but (more importantly?) renal and liver markers such as creatinine and albumin. If so, I want to see those numbe... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=864729 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 23:24:00 +0100 864729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=864731&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fgood-x-ray-report.html At my last doctor visit I mentioned a slight ache in my left upper arm, and the oncologist ordered an x-ray just to rule out a plasmacytoma, which can surprise any myeloma patient at any time. The results are in: NO PROBLEM. That's a relief, and it helps with another decision. I have a tooth that's rather iffy - hemi-section and root canal years ago, and now starting to get weak at the root. My dentist has suggested it's time to take it out. No pain, though, and no relation to myeloma. EXCEPT: myeloma attacks bones, and that usually requires treatment by bisphosphonate drugs such as Aredia (pamidronate) or Zometa (zoledronic acid). These are the heavy-duty cousins of Fosamax (alendronate) and similar drugs used to treat osteoporosis. Aredia and Zometa can help rebuild the myeloma-weakene... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=864731 Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:13:00 +0100 864731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=864734&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Ftwo-weeks-on-curcumin.html So far so good. No problems, and in fact I can't really tell that I'm taking it. Some people have reported that it fixed symptoms other than the myeloma, but so far it hasn't cured my plantar fasciitis or my chronic headaches.   :-)   I still treat those in other ways. I have gained a little weight, maybe two pounds, but I can probably point at the plantar fasciitis as the culprit because I can't run and therefore don't get quite as much exercise. I ramped up rather quickly on the curcumin: two days at two grams, two days at four, three days at six, then eight grams, all the while looking for problems and finding none. The recommended ramp-up is much slower, taking three weeks. Some people take the whole 8-gram daily dose at one time, though, and I take only two grams at a time... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=864734 Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:29:00 +0100 864734 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=864735&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fmyelomas-relentless-march.html We stopped thalidomide two months ago, and I have had no treatment since. Blood tests were a week ago, and today I saw my doc, an oncologist/hematologist. IgG, M-spike, and free light chains were all up from a month ago, though none by a surprising amount. I didn’t get a copy of a B2M result; I don’t yet know if it was done. Actual values from key tests are displayed graphically in the charts and numerically in the test result table. In short, it appears that the cancer is still advancing slowly and relentlessly. That’s what it does. I started a curcumin regimen on June 27. I also asked my doc to think about low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as another complementary treatment, and he agreed to check into it. We both understand that if the myeloma makes a sudden jump, we will probably go ba... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=864735 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:21:00 +0100 864735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=864736&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fstarting-curcumin-regimen.html Food Pictures: You may notice the food pictures on this blog; they're on my running blog too, different ones. I just wrote a post about the food pictures on my running blog here if you're interested. Curcumin Ramp-up: So far so good! I've now taken two grams of curcumin for each of two days, and four grams per day for two more days, with no detectable side effects except possibly one (1) hive. Just one place on one shoulder, gone a day later, quite likely not caused by the curcumin, though hives and rash are side effects that have been described by others. Next trick is six grams, which I will do today. If there are side effects I'll back off, otherwise I will hold at this dosage for a few days before increasing to eight grams per day. I feel good though; a general sense of well-being.... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=864736 Sun, 01 Jul 2007 18:32:00 +0100 864736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=864737&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Flow-dose-naltrexone.html I'm starting a curcumin regimen now, but I have a friend who is trying another "alternative" therapy called low-dose naltrexone (LDN). Naltrexone is an existing prescription drug, FDA approved for treatment of certain addictions, but no longer in widespread use. It acts by blocking opioid receptors in human cells, but in small doses it can also double or triple the body's production of natural opioids, called endorphins. In some people with certain diseases, including as cancer, those endorphins may be suppressed. According to theory, LDN taken at bedtime restores them during sleep and thereby restores the body's immune system to its normal function. Proponents of LDN actually claim that it can at least halt the progression of a large number of diseases, including myeloma, multiple sclero... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=864737 Fri, 29 Jun 2007 22:24:00 +0100 864737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=864739&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fcurcumin-and-nanotechnology.html "Colloidal silicon dioxide" is an ingredient in the AFI brand of curcumin with bioperine. So what, silicon dioxide is sand. But a quick search shows that colloidal, in this context, means that this is sand with particle sizes of less than 100 nanometers. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter, which is one millionth of a millimeter. 100 nanometers is considerably shorter than the wavelength of visible light, and only one twenty-fifth the size of a human red blood cell. This is so tiny that it is well within the realm of nanotechnology. Is that a problem? Maybe so. Three recent press releases by Consumer Reports (here, here, and here) suggest that the jury is still out on nanoparticles for human use. Other consumer groups have also issued warnings. The FDA has not taken a position, nor do... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=864739 Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:25:00 +0100 864739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=864740&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Frethinking-proactive-treatment.html My myeloma is still in a early stage, barely even smoldering. Thankfully, it has not grown rapidly; it seems to double about every 18 months. Nevertheless, I have asked my doctor to be very proactive in two ways: (1) Testing for potential problems, and (2) Treating the disease before symptoms develop. Although studies have shown that early treatment does not result in longer survival, my theory has been that early treatment should at least yield a higher quality of life by delaying symptoms like broken bones and failed kidneys. Mayo clinic, on the other hand, has recently published a new consensus statement outlining a treatment algorithm for newly-diagnosed myeloma patients titled "Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Based on Mayo Stratification of Myeloma and Risk-Adapted Ther... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=864740 Tue, 12 Jun 2007 21:16:00 +0100 864740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=864741&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fcurcumin-arrived.html I ordered modest quantities of each of three different brands of curcumin, just to see what they were like. See previous post. I'll start taking it in a few weeks, and by then will necessarily order quite a bit more from one or more of these sources. Per Caplet:1000 mg Curcumin c3 Complex5 mg BioperineFrom: Doctors Trust. Per TWO capsules:1054 mg Turmeric Root Extract6 mg BioperineFrom: Club Natural Per TWO capsules:1160 mg Turmeric Extract5 mg BioperineFrom: vitacost.com The proposed amount per day is 8 grams (8000 mg), divided into two or more doses. I may decide to alternate two or three brands, on the off chance that the quality of one brand is not as high as advertised. I already do that with my multivitamin. The capsules from Doctor's Best brand are sufficiently distinguisha... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=864741 Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:12:00 +0100 864741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=864742&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fcurcumin-sources-in-usa.html In a few weeks I'll be taking eight grams (8000 mg) of curcumin daily, with bioperine to enhance "bioavailability." I did a quick search to find sources. NOW has a nice 665-mg tablet, which I have been taking for some time, just one per day, but it does not contain bioperine. I could take the bioperine separately, but curcumin containing bioperine is readily available. This was NOT an exhaustive search. Nothing is guaranteed, especially the prices and quantities. The following five sources include four different brands of curcumin with bioperine, in a variety of dosages per capsule. In the table below:"mg" is the milligrams of curcumin per capsule, "Qty" is the number of capsules per bottle, "$Cost" is the cost per bottle, somewhat dependent on quantity purchased, "$/8 gm" is the cost per... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=864742 Sat, 26 May 2007 18:44:00 +0100 864742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=864743&cid=t_146635_136_f&fid=36163&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyelomahope.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fdoctor-patient-communications.html At my last meeting with Dr. P, my oncologist/hematologist, we knew that thalidomide was a failed regimen. I proposed a two-month wait followed by a set of labs to establish a baseline and then a self-administered curcumin regimen. He agreed and we set up lab appointments and another appointment with him in two months. But when I received his snail-mailed writeup of the meeting last week it was clear that we didn't have the same understanding; he expected the curcumin regimen to begin immediately. So I called last Monday. You never get your doctor, at least I don't, but they said his nurse would call back. So far she hasn't and it's Thursday evening. Tomorrow I'll call and change some appointments. That will get things rolling. Romaine, cucumber, celery, avocado, blue cheese, shrimp & s... Myeloma Hope blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=864743 Fri, 25 May 2007 02:35:00 +0100 864743