I had 42 radiation treatments with amofostine 20 mins. before each one via an IV.I also vomited before rad ,after rad,and throughout the rest of the day.Nothing they gave me really prevented it.I was also receiving cisplatin once a week.ALtho I didn't have much salivia[not counting that mucous stuff] at first,now 13 months out I am really pleased.I still carry my water bottle I almost never really dry out.So despite the vomit,nausea,and several in-hospital treatments for dehydration I'm very happy I endured.I'd recommend giving it a chance.

susanlaura1,

You win the "Perseverence Award!" I don't think they try to give it via IV anymore for just that reason. They must grew 'em tough up there in the Midwest. Glad to hear you're doing well.

David

Actually, I think the amofostine delivered via IV could be the best way to go. My husband had a PICC IV line "installed" and so didn't go through the painful injections that others have mentioned. It was a simple matter of hooking the drug up to the line. Only drawback was having to keep the line clean and flushed. (And, at one point, the line became infected and had to be replaced.)

Julie, I told my husband about the return of some saliva for your husband after 2 years and he was pretty excited. He had given up hope of dry mouth ever subsiding. Good to have that glimmer of hope, anyway.

Anita

hi terry- i had amifostine injections 4 out of 5 days for my 7 weeks of radiation.i had a little stomach fat;so the nurse/docs rotated clockwise around my stomach.the injections did sting a little and i took one anti-nausea compazine pill one hour before the injections.i did develop a very minor rash that i hardly noticed....if you can tolerate it i would by all means take the drug-if it means saving a little of your saliva function it will be well worth it...as for me,i finished my treatments 2 months ago so i am still pretty dried out;but with luck and a prayer within a few years i will have more...good luck to you!!!

Hi all,

I had amifostine 34 out 36 treatment days, I finished radiation July 30. I only had a small rash on the four sites they used for injections. It does burn because of the saline.
Surgery Georgetown 5/7/04

Mike

I did not have amifostine, nor did my doctor offer it. I had IMRT to the right tonsil and neck and I have saliva in my upper left gland, a little bit in my upper right and none in the lower glands. I am 6 mos post Tx and have good my mouth feels pretty good. The worst times are waking up its pretty dry and eating certain foods, potato chips, beef I need to rinse to get it down.

Thanks all for your comments regarding the Amifostine injections. I had my first injection this morning and so far no side effects. I did take one tablet of Zofran however one hour before the Amifostine injection, so it seems to have helped with the nausia potential. I will be getting three injections per week.
Terry