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Posted 3/3/2011 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
just looking for clarification. i've read several posts recently about vitamin D. i've had rp and rt and three consecutive <0.1 results following. if i understand correctly, there is a good chance it will rear it's head again one day (but also a good chance it won't).  my question is what benefit does vitamin D have as relates to pc. also, it seems i've read or heard that milk is something to avoid. it really is confusing, but so is the whole pc mess. forgive my ignorance but if there is anything i can do to keep these "undetectables" coming for as long as possible i'm all for it.
Posted 3/3/2011 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
tigre, why don't you post your personal specs again, so we can see your numbers.
Posted 3/3/2011 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
If you are at a high risk for recurrence of PCa, diet and suppliments may put off the recuurence. That is why your stats bear on the question.
Posted 3/3/2011 3:49 AM (GMT 0)

tigre said...
my question is what benefit does vitamin D have as relates to pc.

Considerable preclinical and epidemiologic data suggest that vitamin D may play a role in the pathogenesis, progression, and therapy for cancer.  Prostate, breast and colorectal cancers are known to be directly influenced by vitamin D.

For more information, go to www.pubmed.gov.  I just went there and entered these key words into the search tool "vitamin d prostate cancer prevention" and got 250 replies.

Posted 3/3/2011 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for the responses. 

had rp in oct. 2009 45 y.o.

pre-op psa 3.9

1st post-op 0.02

2nd post-op two months later 0.05

completed 39 tx rt

three consecutive <0.1 following rt

gleason pre and post op 3+3 (6) no 4's anywhere

cancer on both sides with one positive margin

t1 upgraded to t3a after rp

Posted 3/3/2011 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
tigre,
There is enough evidence for me to believe D-3 will help slow down PCa, I seriously doubt if it's a cure all but I feel strongly enough to take a supplement. It's pretty harmless unless the levels in your blood get too high and it's easy to monitor those.

My Uro also put me on a statin due to recent publications showing a reduced recurrence rate in people with PCa who were on them for high cholesterol.

Vit' therapy is a hot button topic, for me the small added cost/month for things which may or may not help is a small price to pay. I do discount studies funded by supplement manufacturers, won't mention any names here ;-)

So far things are good, no way of telling if it's due to a great surgeon, supplements, one killer immune system, blind luck or if it will end at the next test. I'm stacking the odds in my favor as best I can.

Best of luck to you.
Dave in Durango CO
Posted 3/3/2011 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Dave -- how much D3 are you taking daily?

thanx,

ed

Posted 3/3/2011 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
One 2000iu capsule of D-3 twice a day. Plus I still hit the tanning bed 2x/week.

As I mentioned in David's thread I started the tanning to combat a seasonal depression in the winter of '07-08, back about the same time I got the 5.5 PSA (which my Dr did not tell me about) and I credit it for slowing the progression so there was only a 1 point rise over the next 20 months. I used to do 3x/week but looked kind of like George Hamilton which is just plain odd for the mountains of Colorado in the winter ;-)

May or may not be the reason but that was the only change in a lifestyle which included eating a pound of jerky a week and whatever else I felt like whenever I felt like eating it.
Cheers
Dave in Durango CO
Posted 3/4/2011 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
thanks dave, i too am all about getting every edge i can. i'll have this discussion at next dr.s appt. and in the meantime will get plenty of sun as always outdoors with the dogs or at the golf course. had some pretty nice days here in Ga. recently.
Posted 3/4/2011 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
I took my very first 50,000 unit this evening. Suppose to take one every Monday and Thursday for 12 weeks. Then my doctor wants to drop back to 2,000 units per day until my newly discoverd number rises.

I am reading the label, its says Vit D2 1.25mg (50,000) Unit. It cost me 25.00 for the 12 week supply at my local CVS, dont even know if that is a good deal or not, doesn't sound expensive. I hear some of your talking about D3 a lot, but not D2, will have to look that up.

David in sC
Posted 3/4/2011 6:44 AM (GMT 0)
I was hoping someone would answer on the D2 vs D3. My pharmascist said you can't buy 50,000 unit tabs at Walmart, i.e., that they have to be prescription. I don't know the differnce at this point.
Posted 3/4/2011 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
questionaboutit,
as it turn out i do live about an hour south of atlanta and pretty much in the sticks, so getting a little sun all over is no problem. what about milk though? is it good or bad? i would hate to know i had to give it up as i usually drink about a gallon a week. however, i gladly would trade it for a bunch more "undetectables".
Posted 3/4/2011 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
There has been volumes written on this site about Vit D3. I'm only guessing but I would estimate views are 80% positive as to the need. Dosage has been argued over and over. Within in the last couple of months, government standards have increased their recommendations for Vit D3 supplements. I am not going to get involved again with the details.

My suggestion is to get a blood serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D test before you do anything. You many not need a supplement. If it is low, and your doctor Rx's D3, then forget about filling the Rx and go to WalMart or Sams and pick up a bottle of Vit D3, 400 soft gels (2000ie) and spend less than $10. 4 per day nearly equals 60,000 wkly. It will take several months for a very low blood level to hit mid-range, unless you are in a lot of sunshine. I required nearly 8 months. From that mid point I now maintain the level with 2,000 per day.
Posted 3/4/2011 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
I might also mention that not only because of PC being the reasons that I take Vit D3, I also take it, along with Calcium Citrate to help rebuild bone that I lost due to ADT. My bone density scans over the last couple of years indicate severe osteoporosis which has required the addition of a bisphosphonate (Fosamax) to my supplements. Just another little treat to deal with on this journey.
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