Alternative Medicine, anyone use it?

[bullun]

In all of our research our family has read much about alternative medicine and holistic medicine assisting with the process of cancer treatment. Now I realize for many people this is still a very "far out there" approach, but I am curious if anyone else has researched it, or been treated themselves along with modern medicine?

My father has seen an Acupuncturist in the past and continues to do so now, in hopes to assist with the healing process. My father has been wonderful with his diet, but will also proceed to moving into a very organic diet also.
There has been a lot of information of people responding quite well to organic or microbiotic diets during cancer treatments etc.

If anyone else has experimented with these methods in addition or in place of modern medicine, I would love to hear your experiences! My father will continue to procede with his route of modern medicine and his surgery, but will continue to use these other methods too. Heck, whether it just eases his mind or truly helps him, it certainly can't hurt!

[positive4u]

bullun-I changed my diet to low fat, no dairy products, high lycopene, saw palmetto, low calorie, low sugar, higher vitamin D and antioxidants galore. Plus I exercised faithfully. All this did nothing to change my PSA or cancer. Surgery was the one thing that worked. But you are right in that it won't hurt & may even help some people.
Positive4U

[camero7]

I've been using herbs, supplements, low fat diet, no red meat, exercise for 2 years. My PSA has remained stable with minor rises and falls.
cam

My history:

DoB: 11/11/42| Date DX: 3/03 | bPSA: 4.5 | T2c 3+3=6 | no local treatment- Low fat diet/exercise/multiple supplements
Date |PSA |Testosterone | Treatment
6/03 | 4.0 | N/A | Low fat diet/exercise/multiple supplements
9/03 | 3.3 free 9% | 538 | continued above and added proprietary Chinese herb combination.
10/03|3.3 free 12% | N/A | same as above
02/04| 3.5 free 11% | N/A |DHT 102.7 ng/dL | stopped proprietary herbs; added Celebrex, added DHEA
04/04|4.1 free 11% | 641 | increased Celebrex dose to 200mgX2; stopped DHEA
8/04| 4.3 | 461 Stopped Norvasc and started an Ace Inhibitor
10/04| 4.3 free 10% |354 |DHT 22 ng/dL| androstenedione 75 ng/dL| DHEA 316 ng/dL| Estrone 46 pg/mL | progesterone 0.3 ng/mL | Added PC calm [a PC-SPES imitator
2/12/05|4.7|free 9%| stopped PC Calm, started Indole 13, started Betterman
3/26/05|3.8|free 9%| no changes in supplements.

DRE: no significant findings.
Stage: T1c by 2 oncologists, but it is T2c based on the biopsy findings.
Gleason: 3+3 = 6 Initial reading by Stoneham, MA Hospital, reread by Mass General Hospital, concurring.
12 cores:
Right Apex: tumor present in one of two cores. 25% of core involved
Right Mid: tumor present in two of two cores, occupying 60% and 5%
Right base: intermediate grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.
Left Apex: tiny focus of atypical small acini, not dx for malignancy
Left Mid: small focus of adenocarcinoma
Left Base: intermediate to high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.

[positive4u]

Cam, would you call this watchful waiting? And you are comfortable about doing nothing (surgery/radiation/hormone therapy) right now? Would anything change your mind?
Positive4U

[camero7]

I call it active surveillence. I'm pretty comfortable with it right now and plan to continue it. If/when my PSA gets to 20 [a arbitrary #] I'll think about other solutions. Probably hormone therapy. However, some men will never need other treatments.
cam