Every morning I take the lorlatinib that is keeping my cancer from growing. It has a slew of side effects including raging cholesterol so I also take rosuvastatin (a hydrophilic statin). Usually I wait an hour or so to take my COC metabolic protocol morning dose consisting of metformin, atorvastatin (a lipophilic statin), and either doxycycline or mebendazole.
This morning I took them all together and, whether because of that or because of my birthday feasting the previous night, I had my first lorlatinib burp.
Now, I used to have crizotinib burps all the time. Hell, I had constant crizotinib vomits. There was never any question in my mind how toxic that stuff was but it saved my life during a period that feels a lifetime ago.
Most of the side effects I’ve experienced with lorlatinib (code brand name Lorbrena) have been internal: some nasty edema, muscle aches and auditory hallucinations during the first few weeks; now only occasional mood and cognitive disturbances that are a welcome indication that it’s penetrating the blood-brain barrier to help prevent another brain tumor. In other words, none of the aromatic toilet-bowl-and-wall-painting I had with crizotinib. I’m very much aware that I’m taking a hard drug but, until this burp, I’d forgotten how completely toxic this drug is.
I won’t subject you to the details of the noxious fumes that came from my body and I’m not a good enough writer to describe them. Simply know that they were noxious.
noxious
dictionary.com
/ˈnɒkʃəs/ adjective
harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant.
synonyms: poisonous, toxic, deadly, virulent; harmful, dangerous
The uniquely poisonous flavor choking my nostrils reminded me how critically important it is that I remain committed to my detox strategy. It may seem ridiculous and obnoxious that I insist on organic food, make my own lotion and face oil, drink only distilled water, avoid plastic and BPA-lined cans, etc, but I need to keep the outside toxins to a minimum and let my healthy cells and organs focus on processing the toxins in the drugs I’m taking.
I’ve written on this a few times but intend to get more in-depth about how we’ve reduced our toxin exposure by evaluating our:
- Food and water choices – including packaging!
- Air quality
- Household cleaners
- Toiletries and cosmetics – including packaging
In the meantime, the whole Burp From Chernobyl incident was a great excuse to eat a slice of my low carb raw vegan birthday cake for breakfast. To get the taste out of my mouth and dilute the poison stew in my stomach, you know… I’ll try to post the recipe soon. Spoiler alert: it’s mostly nuts. Just like me. Harharhar. These are the jokes hard drugs will drive you to make, kids.
4 comments
I stopped using dryer sheets and detergent with added smells years ago after reading that dryer sheets are one of the most air polluting items in a home. Now I use dried lavender in re-usable bags and it smells pretty nice. I’m amazed at how much of the products marketed to people are quite toxic (actually not amazed, but still)
Fabric softener was such a hard one to week Brad off. And our towels are kinda like sandpaper. Vinegar usually works to soften them up if I can just remember . Bags of lavender is a genius idea! You can just leave it in or on the drier!
Dad jokes are never listed as possible side effects to treatment, I learned something (quite a few things actually) here today. I also chuckled when I read it (please don’t tell my brother or he will subject me to more like them).
Dad jokes. The most toxic side effect of all.
Your brother clearly has a highly sophisticated sense of humor. (Must run in the family.)