Hi all,

Is there anyone here who is being given Amifostine (Ethyol)? My Doc just started me on this treatment last Friday. The treatment is suppose to help protect the esophagus and throat from the side effects of radiation treatments.

2 hours before I have my rads, I need to first take a anti-nausea medication called Anzemet. I then go to see my doc for the shot of amifostine 1/2 hour before my radiation treatment.

Has anyone here have any experience with this treatment?? I'd love to hear from any of you about how well it worked (or if it didn't).

Thanks, Cricket

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cricket,

In this country the NHS are the bean counters and so probably don't offer this aspect of the treatment - I know it was certainly not offered to me - I had surgery and rads only - not even combined with chemo. All down to cost.

Such is the way of the world (and the NHS)

tony k

Hi, Cricket!

I found some info about Amifostine from Scott Hamilton's website (terrific site, BTW):

Chemocare.com

quote:

All side effects are infusion-related (occur while the medicine is being given).

The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking amifostine:

Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Nausea/Vomiting (may be severe)
These are less common side effects for patients receiving amifostine:

Flushing or redness of the face or neck (see skin reactions)
Dizziness
Sleepiness
Sneezing (see cold symptoms)
Hiccups
Feeling hot or cold, chills
Not all side effects are listed above, some that are rare (occurring in less than 10% of patients) are not listed here. However, you should always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.

Also found some information on a message board where patients/caregivers gave their opinions. Some were very positive, others not so. The cite is from 2002 so there may have been changes. Certainly something to discuss with your doc!

Amifostine?

Best of luck to you,

Mimi

Hi Mimi,

Thanks for the info that you found. Most of this I was informed of already, although there's one that isn't listed. That's soreness in the injection site that ocurrs after the shot! In my case about an hour later and is still a bit sore 3 days later. Kind of like a tetnus shot soreness, but without the hardness one tends to get. That's why they won't inject you in the same area over again. They'll use both upper arms, thighs & stomach (I told the tech, no stomach shots for me!).

I am taking a anti-nausea pill prior to the shot for that side effect.

I am hoping that someone here in the forum has been given this treatment and can tell me how well it worked for them.

As always Mimi, you are a fountain of information and go out of your way to find answers to questions we all have. I really do appreciate it!!!!!!!

Best wishes, Cricket