Nutrition – melanoma stage 4 and opdivo

3c here. opvidio infusion 204mg x 2 per month. 7th month.

i did no dietary changes. maybe I eat alot more carbs simply due to covid quarantine so blood sugar is higher.

only late as into 6 months did i notice much in the way of side effects. my lips taste salty and food tastes funkiy. the salty lips syndrome is an side effect according to my onc.. funky food flavor hasn’t quelled my appetite.

still drink equivalent of a bottle of wine or 2 week and smoke cigars. otherwise no symptoms other than above.

apart from usual admonitions all docs give all patients i have not heard about any dietary or lifestyle changes required. i still exercise vigorously, given covid and the heat.

I found that eating meat the day of and the day after an Opdivo infusion helped slow down my digestive system. Then I did not need to be as close to a restroom on those days. I drank less wine while receiving immunotherapy.

I was not told to adhere to a special diet or to change it. I am an omnivore who has long consumed organic dairy and pastured meat. Because of Covid we buy almost all meat at a specialty shop because they have a better supply chain. (Family of five). I’ve have volunteered with food security groups etc and have traditionally shopped at farmers markets but they are too chaotic right now. Other things are delivered.

I took a big break from any alcohol with my diagnosis but I drink some now. Otherwise coffeE and water are my only beverages.

I do have some diarrhea from the drugs but it is mild and not every day. My diet does not make a difference to if I have it or not. It didn’t develop until almost eight months of treatment. My sense of taste and smell are reduced but it is more likely the nerve damage in my face from brain surgery 3x than the immunotherapy. I personally hold with the pleasure principle, ie if you’d dad feels more powerful and secure with a vegan diet right now it is probably a good choice. Taking care of my kids and husband is my one pleasure right now. Anything that is making anyone happy and giving them a semblance of control is probably a good thing. But I don’t think it will make a specific health difference.

There is no data to prove that any one diet addition (or subtraction) will make a definitive difference during immunotherapy. Oddly enough, simultaneously, there is a lot of information regarding the benefits that an appropriate microbiome (the cooties in our gut) can provide. Exactly what cooties are best and how to get them is still a bit up in the air. And finally, the side effects of immunotherapy can affect taste (diminished or things taste odd) and the function of the GI tract – causing mucositis in the mouth or even colitis in the gut. So here’s what I have on these issues:

1. Here is some data on diet and immunotherapy: https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/search?q=diet+and+immunotherapy If you look at the first article in the set, you find that your dad may be on to something. However, I don’t think being a vegan has been proven to be a real game changer. Still, one can be a very healthy vegetarian or vegan as long as you make sure you get complete proteins. We do know that diets high in fiber are beneficial and that does mean you need plenty of fruits and veg.

2. Here are a zillion articles re the microbiome – there will be some overlap with the group of articles above, but additional ones are included as well – https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/search?q=microbiome In short, we have learned that eating good cultures like the ones in yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut – not the ones in pill form – help the most. The other factor that is very important is avoiding antibiotics if at all possible. While antibiotics kill bacteria that are trying to do us harm, they also kill off the good ones we need.

3. Mucositis and colitis – For some, immunotherapy can irritate the GI tract, which you have to think of as a long tube extending from mouth the anus. I had severe mucositis and actual mouth ulcers by the end of my treatment. My diet was extremely affected due to mouth pain and what I could tolerate. So should your dad have to deal with things like that, though out right lesions are pretty rare, you just have to do the best you can with soft foods, etc. Similarly, if colitis and diarrhea becomes a problem – definitely let his doctor know – but all the simple foods that would be helpful during diarrhea for any other reason are beneficial then. As far as dry mouth and decreased taste – one of the most helpful things I found – which seems rather counter intuitive – was lemonade and pickles. I have known many other chemo patients to gain benefit from them as well.

4. You asked about coffee. If there is no stomach issue making it a problem, there is no reason not to imbibe. In fact, there are some studies that say it actually helps prevent melanoma. The same goes for wine – red – in particular. Not saying I’m buying what all these articles are selling – but I have followed these reports for many years – so for what it’s worth: https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/search?q=everything+cures+melanoma

5. Although none of us need to live on cake, doughnuts and ice cream – all the stuff saying eating sugar feeds cancer cells is complete and total bunk. Our bodies turn everything we eat into sugar. Even if all we eat is kale and rutabagas! All of our cells require glucose. So, presuming there are no issues with diabetes, if your dad wants a piece of chocolate cake or a waffle here or there – he can go for it.

Basically, whatever work for good health generally – well balanced diet (however you choose to approach it), exercise, and plenty of rest – help you get through immunotherapy as well.

Hope this helps. I wish you and your dad my best. celeste

There is a definite connection between what we consume and what effect it has on our health. The key is to avoid processed food because it is full of chemicals and additives and eat fresh, wholesome whenever possible organic food. Our gut and the variety of bacteria found within are the key to our health. Just recently, scientists have found a new organ, the mesentary and although they knew about it for a long time, it is only now that they have realized just how important of a role it plays in regulating our immune system. It is no coinsidence that it actually attaches to our intestines where absorption of nutrients takes place. Developing a varied gut biome is the key. Scientists can transplant colon contents (gut bacteria) from a healthy patient to an unhealthy one and heal many diseases. New research indicates that having a certain bacteria present increases effectiveness of immunotherapy. While it is difficult to pin point specific probiotics and pre-probiotics, one needs to increase the use of naturally fermented foods including kefir, yougurt, sour milk, fresh cheese, sauerkraut, kimchi, naturally pickled pickles and other vegetables and others. Avoiding sugar in form of baked goods and dessert is advisable. The last thing you need is to fight candida among other things. Always go for quality over quantity. To satisfy cravings maybe have a piece of dark chocolate, fresh fruit and an occasional sweet. Red wine drinkers (in moderation) were found to have more beneficial gut bacteria than non drinkers. Coffee helps regulate blood sugar and also helps protect the liver from the progression of liver disease and scarring associated with fibrosis and cirrhosis. Your father has experienced how he feels depending what he eats and I would support him in his decision since he seems to be in tune with his body. Eating a variety of cooked meals are far easier to be digested and absorbed. Home made bone broth soups are superbly nutritious and advantageous for both healing and achieving optimal health.
Here is a study you may find interesting.

https://newatlas.com/science/gut-bacteria-microbiome-cancer-immunotherapy/

I know the conditions you are describing. Use common sense percautions. Definitely. wear masks no matter what others chose to do or not. This is a respiratory virus and as such the only thing which can help you is a mask and being vigilant and persistent about social distancing whenever possible, as well as frequently washing your hands. Remember, you wear a mask to protect yourself 1st and others 2nd. Every doctor and dentist wears a mask for exactly those reasons and in that order. This is not 100% full proof, just like nothing in life is but at least you minimize your chances of infection.

Stay safe and wishing your father a speedy recovery and successful healing.

Melanie