I would think that the dosage of Boswellia required would depend on the potency and bioavailability of the product. In this 2011 study ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21287538 ) the German H15 Boswellia product was used and the dose was 4200mg per day. This did not necessarily eliminate the need for steroids, as at least some of the patients still required dex during radiation, even with the high-dose Boswellia. 60% of the patients taking Boswellia, but only 26% of patients taking placebo had a >75% reduction in cerebral edema versus baseline. 13-21% of patients did not seem to benefit from Boswellia and had edema >105% of baseline at the end of radiation. I have not done enough research on Boswellia products to be able to recommend a preferred brand. 4200mg daily seems excessive, and I would hope that a more potent formula would be developed.
What if one is not doing radiation at this time, what dose do you recommend? A naturopathic doc recommended hubby take 500 mg Boswellia twice daily. Don't know how in tune he in w/GBM.
Oops, I accidentally deleted my comment. I'll re-type it: I'd recommend not taking steroids unless truly necessary. Is he already taking steroids, and at what dose? If not already taking them he could try the Boswellia, and perhaps Celebrex or losartan, as these drugs could also help reduce edema and the need for steroids. If he is already taking steroids, it's more complicated as both Celebrex and losartan are said to interact with corticosteroids. I'm not too worried about the high-dose Boswellia, it's just inconvenient to have to take so many pills. The patients in the trial had a hard time taking so many pills every day.
Anyhow I would suggest trying to avoid the use of steroids, and using only if necessary at the lowest effective dose.
He only took one dose 12 mg today-first day radiation..he wont take any steroids again..he will continue with the 4200mg boswellia serrata..i hope it works with no complications.. as for the celebrex we will begin taking it among others gradually.. he will take during radiation: cloroquine, celebrex, omeprazole, boswellia, vitamin D3.. these are the ones we choosed..from the bigger cocktail that we discussed before.. he also began ketogenic diet..
Sarah, If he's been on the steroid for more than two weeks, his adrenal function has shut down and he will need to be weaned off in order to re-start the adrenals. We just had a discussion about this with Chance's hematologist. There are terrible side effects to withdrawing in general, but they are can be much worse if withdrawing abruptly.
Oh..and i forgot to tell u that the boswellia we have is 600mg..so that makes 7 pills for the 4200mg we will divide them to 4 dosages 2 pills with each meal and the final one at bed time.. i emailed the "superior labs" to ask them as i read that some brands have higher concentrations..in this case the 4200 mg might be a large dose indeed.. here is a useful link if anybody is interested..
There is a Boswellia product called WokVel, produced by the same company that makes Longvida curcumin (Verdure Sciences). Has anyone had any experience with this product?
I would think that the dosage of Boswellia required would depend on the potency and bioavailability of the product. In this 2011 study ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21287538 ) the German H15 Boswellia product was used and the dose was 4200mg per day. This did not necessarily eliminate the need for steroids, as at least some of the patients still required dex during radiation, even with the high-dose Boswellia. 60% of the patients taking Boswellia, but only 26% of patients taking placebo had a >75% reduction in cerebral edema versus baseline. 13-21% of patients did not seem to benefit from Boswellia and had edema >105% of baseline at the end of radiation. I have not done enough research on Boswellia products to be able to recommend a preferred brand. 4200mg daily seems excessive, and I would hope that a more potent formula would be developed.
ReplyDeleteWhat if one is not doing radiation at this time, what dose do you recommend? A naturopathic doc recommended hubby take 500 mg Boswellia twice daily. Don't know how in tune he in w/GBM.
DeleteSo what do u recommend at the end..stephen? i feel u recommend we take the steroids..and you are worried of the high dosage..
ReplyDeleteOops, I accidentally deleted my comment. I'll re-type it: I'd recommend not taking steroids unless truly necessary. Is he already taking steroids, and at what dose? If not already taking them he could try the Boswellia, and perhaps Celebrex or losartan, as these drugs could also help reduce edema and the need for steroids. If he is already taking steroids, it's more complicated as both Celebrex and losartan are said to interact with corticosteroids. I'm not too worried about the high-dose Boswellia, it's just inconvenient to have to take so many pills. The patients in the trial had a hard time taking so many pills every day.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow I would suggest trying to avoid the use of steroids, and using only if necessary at the lowest effective dose.
He only took one dose 12 mg today-first day radiation..he wont take any steroids again..he will continue with the 4200mg boswellia serrata..i hope it works with no complications..
ReplyDeleteas for the celebrex we will begin taking it among others gradually..
he will take during radiation: cloroquine, celebrex, omeprazole, boswellia, vitamin D3..
these are the ones we choosed..from the bigger cocktail that we discussed before..
he also began ketogenic diet..
Sarah
Sarah, If he's been on the steroid for more than two weeks, his adrenal function has shut down and he will need to be weaned off in order to re-start the adrenals. We just had a discussion about this with Chance's hematologist. There are terrible side effects to withdrawing in general, but they are can be much worse if withdrawing abruptly.
DeleteOh..i just saw this comment..thx very much..he only took one dose 12mg as a shot..so i guess no weaning..and we r on boswellia now 4200mg/day..
DeleteOh..and i forgot to tell u that the boswellia we have is 600mg..so that makes 7 pills for the 4200mg we will divide them to 4 dosages 2 pills with each meal and the final one at bed time..
ReplyDeletei emailed the "superior labs" to ask them as i read that some brands have higher concentrations..in this case the 4200 mg might be a large dose indeed..
here is a useful link if anybody is interested..
http://examine.com/supplements/Boswellia+serrata/
There is a Boswellia product called WokVel, produced by the same company that makes Longvida curcumin (Verdure Sciences). Has anyone had any experience with this product?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wokvel.com/Selected-References.html
http://www.pharmeo.de/product_info.php/cat/651/info/p1559962_WEIHRAUCH-H15-Tabletten-100-St.html
ReplyDeleteI know, these are not cheap, but we use them... My husband refuses to take too many, so he takes 8-10 tablets per day.. these are really sandy..
ReplyDelete