Is there a Dr. in the house?

[annie7]

Upon a consultation visit to an orthopaedist, I was given a one month supply of Celebrex samples. The packaging gave no indications of precautions or side effects, etc. I went to a Wal-Mart pharmacist and asked if he would print out an Rx page for it, even though I didn't get it from him. He did print a usage page for me that contained all the information concerning drug interaction, side effects, storing it, etc. However, nowhere on this page does it reveal what is in it. It comes in a capsule that I'm pretty sure contains gelatin, but the usage paper makes it sound like I shouldn't use the powdered contents without the "buffer" because it could cause intestinal problems. Is anyone familiar with this? If so, please post info or e-mail me. Thanks alot. ~Annie

[Doug]

Hi annie - I went through the exact same thing. I went to the orthopaedist and got a 10 day perscription. My wife picked it up for me and when I looked at it, I saw they were capsules. I didn't know what to do so my wife suggested that I open them up and take the medication out of the capsule. So I called the pharmacist and he said that it'd be fine to put the powder in food. So that's what I did. I put it in a little bowl with applesauce. It tasted fine and didn't give me any adverse side effects. I did take a full glass of water right afterwards though. You should be fine, but check with the pharmacist if you want just in case.

[annie7]

I did call a pharmacist. Two actually. I asked the first one ( who sounded like a teenager) if the gel-cap could be removed so the medication could be taken without swallowing the capsule. She didn't even ask me why I would want to do that. She just got rather hostile with me and said, " You know they put that there for a reason! You shouldn't even ask about removing it! " What if I had been asking because I was incapable of swallowing a pill? Some people are. Anyway, after about three or four minutes of being made to feel like I was two years old, I calmly said, "Thank you for your input." and I hung up, wondering where the nice man from yesterday was. I decided to try a different approach the second time and DROVE to another drugstore where I could speak to someone in person. I encountered a much more professional pharmacist who basically said the same thing you did. Tell your wife to go for her pharamaceutical degree! And Thanks. ~Annie

[Doug]

Good. I'm happy that worked out for you. My wife will be happy to hear that!

[annie7]

My husband is struggling with PSA counts. He has had countless visits to a urologist that reports everything seems normal by physical examination and has also undergone three rounds of biopsy over the last few years. The problem is with the blood tests. Every time he has tested, the PSA goes higher. We know that the test is read from the grouping of proteins and were wondering if a vegetarian diet is making the the test read differently because of the difference between animal protein and plant based proteins he ingests. These tests have only been around a decade or so and to my knowledge their haven't been studies comparing vegetarians and non-veggies and the protein links in their blood. The doctors tell us that they have no idea why this count keeps going up, but otherwise everything is normal and biopsies have turned up absolutely nothing. If anyone has info please post. ~Annie

[VOW]

A brief explanation of the PSA test, what it is, what it is used for, can be found here:
http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/5_29.htm


As explained in the link, PSA is a protein manufactured in a man's body by the prostate gland.

Whatever foods we eat are broken down into their simplest components during digestion, and the bloodstream takes these elemental building blocks to the cells to use as necessary. The individual cells don't have a clue as to the source of the amino acids they need to manufacture a protein. The only thing the cell cares about is that the amino acids themselves are available for their use.

I don't see how a Vegetarian/Vegan diet vs an omnivorous diet would make a difference in the manufacture of PSA.

However, I do believe a Vegetarian/Vegan diet may make a difference in whatever mechanism goes awry to result in the development of cancer. In other words, a comparison of Vegetarian vs non-Vegetarian men might show a lower incidence of prostate cancer in men who do not eat meat.

From the information in the article, it would appear that a man, such as your husband, who has elevated PSA numbers yet the other testing is negative for cancer, would probably have an inflammation or infection.

And I bet a Vegetarian/Vegan diet would facilitate healing of the problem!



~VOW

[mum2sarah]

Ok, this is sort of a thought related to the original topic. What is a vegan to do about this gel-cap issue? Let me explain what I mean: There are so many supplements, drugs, herbs, etc. that can only be found in gelatin capsules.

For instance, I was at my local natural foods store last week looking for raspberry leaf that could be taken in a pill rather than a tea. The only bottle I could find was in a gel-cap. The lady working there was really nice and even looked at their product list to see if she could order any in a veggie-cap, but, alas, could not find any. She said I could either just keep using the tea, or buy the gel-caps and open them up and mix the contents into food or drink. I opted for the tea, because, to me, I would still feel responsible for the unneccessary death of animals by purchasing the gel-caps. I mean, it just seems not much different than being forced to buy a piece of chicken with your red beans and rice. Sure you can just throw the chicken away, but you still paid for the death of that chicken. "Animal suffering is perpetuated just as surely whether we pay to eat animals, pay to wear them, pay and then inexplicably throw them in the dumpster...so how can we possibly morally differeniate between these things?" -Jed Gillen "Obligate Carnivore"

Please don't think I'm condemning here--I understand completely that there are not always alternatives to gel-caps, and it's better to throw them away than to force yourself to ingest them. I am just sort of brainstorming here; what can be done about the prevalence of gel-caps? Can we make it a point to contact these companies that make our pills and explain to them that they are offerring no alternative to vegetarians/vegans? Can we somehow make more people aware of just what gelatin is, since many people don't even seem to know? It's so frustrating; I just wish we could take that frustration and turn it into some sort of positive action that would get results... My best advice would be to dump the contents for now and in the meantime, write a letter to Celebrex making your opinion about gel-caps known...

[VOW]

With prescription meds, you are stuck.

However, if you are interested in herbal supplements, you can buy the herbs in bulk, and fill your own capsules. I bought the capsules and a little gizmo to make filling them easier when I grew some feverfew in my herb garden. (Feverfew is supposed to be good for headaches)

Here's a link to the company that sells the capsules and the gizmo:
http://www.developed.net/capsule.htm



~VOW

[mum2sarah]

Great info, VOW! I never knew you could buy herbs in bulk, and I've actually been wondering if there was a natural alternative to Tylenol for headaches. I refuse to take Tylenol, and I had a bout of mean headaches that lasted for a few days last week, and I just suffered through them. Glad to know there's something that can help! Thanks!

[VOW]

One of the BEST suggestions I've ever been given is to drink a LOT of water when you have a headache. It REALLY helps!



~VOW

[annie7]

This fourth round of biopsy was positive. There is prostate cancer. Bone and CAT scan Monday. Please pray.

[VOW]

Your family is in my prayers.

My dad was diagnosed wtih prostate cancer in 1999. He's been on various medications, and is now seeing a specialist who is giving him hormone therapy. He is showing OUTSTANDING results: his last PSA test was 0.5!!

Here's the wonderful outcome: my daddy is now consuming soy! I started out by sharing the new "Vanilla Shake" flavored soy milk by Silk, and then gave him a three-pack of the chocolate flavored soymilk. (he's nuts about anything chocolate, which must be a side effect from the estrogen, ROFL!) I introduced him to my tofu "pudding" and he RAVES about that!

When I told him about my soymilk machine purchase, he immediately reached into his wallet and handed me money "to help finance the soybeans."

The medical community has much to offer the man diagnosed today with prostate cancer. And thanks to the miracle of the soybean, there is a lot the man can do for himself, as well.



~VOW

[annie7]

Thank you.

[vegma]

Annie, my prayers are with you and your family too. Keep us posted.

[Erin Pavlina]

Annie, my prayers are with you!

Read this article for information on how to beat prostate cancer... or prevent it. it might help!

http://www.vegfamily.com/health/go-nuts-fight-cancer.htm

[annie7]

That article was very informative. We do happen to consume those kinds of things, but not nearly enough. (I'm guessing because I'm not sure what measure "mcg" is.) Anyway, I am grateful that you posted the link to that article. I will keep you informed of results and may pose more questions in the future. Thank you for your prayers.

[VOW]

"mcg" is the abbreviation for microgram, 1/10,000 of a gram. It would take ten mcg to equal one mg.



~VOW

[annie7]

That makes sense. Why the heck didn't they just say it that way. SHEESH!

[annie7]

The bone scan and CT scan results came back today. The entirety of cancer is located in the prostate ONLY. It has not spread, or is not already located anywhere else! It's the best news in a bad situation. Thank you for your continuing prayers as we are now ultimately facing surgery to remove part (or all) of that diseased gland. Thank you, also, for the informative articles, links, and other information. I'm very greatful to all who have offered up prayers and support. We feel you praying.

[VOW]

*Happy Dancie for the Good News!*

I hope DH is ready for some healthy eating, and lots of supplements, too!

(psst, a soymilk machine is a GREAT idea, I hear!)



~VOW

[Dancer]

I am so happy that the cancer is contained and that you and your husband can feel the strong, positive, life-giving energy that this board is sending you. I have known many folks who have gone on to live wonderful, full and healthy lives after having been treated for this illness.

Be well. Remember to exhale. And, when you can, keep us posted.

Love,
Dancer

[annie7]

Thank you, Dancer. In many ways this board feels more like "family" than people who share my last name.

[vegma]

Wonderful news, Annie! I've been thinking of you. Positive thoughts and prayers still headed your way:)

[annie7]

Upon doing a TON of research and talking with many different doctors, my husband has decided against surgery. He has started radiation therapy that will be 22 sessions of external radiation, followed by radioactive seed implants that will be the "internal" radiation. He started the treatment this week. If you're still praying for us, keep it up! If, you're not, please do!
Thanks.

[duckie1978]

Just so you all know, my husband works as a pharmacy intern (he is working on his PharmD, the degree you have to have now to be a pharmacist) and I have talked with him before about gel caps. I had gone to the emergency room with chest pains and was so out of it that I forgot to ask for non gel caps. The medicine they gave me was not time released so it was okay to take it out of the capsule and mix it with chocolate soy milk.

Always talk to the pharmacist before you take the medicine out of the gel cap. Some medicines are designed to be released in a slow, steady amount over time and the capsule is designed to break down slowly or not at all. Other pills can be taken out of the capsule and mixed with foods without a problem. Your doctor may or may not know which type of drug they are giving you as doctors are not required to take a lot of classes on the drugs and how they work, only what to take for which diseases or conditions.

[sarahrose]

My prayers are also with you! My grandfather, who is 70 just beat terminal cancer against all odds, so keep hope! If you need any emotional support, I am there for you :)