My deepest sympathy goes out to you on the loss of your husband, John. What a terrible shock. The things you both went through are horrifying. I am so sorry.

Thank you for sharing your husband's experience with Erbitux. My husband had Erbitux. The evening of his first infusion, he had severe flu-like symptoms. I was really worried until the symptoms subsided a little later that night. The rash appeared within a week of starting the treatment. He hasn't had an infusion since March 1st but is still having problems with the rash.

Because my husband's on-going rash problems are unusual, I looked up the Erbitux information site. You are right. For all the good that Erbitux does for some people, it is very dangerous if not appropriately managed. I was shocked that I failed to educate myself about the risks. Unfortunately, the pamphlet/brochure he received prior to/during treatment wasn't as cautionary as the website or I would have been more alert and would have asked questions and researched it more extensively.

My husband's Erbitux treatement was billed at $4,640 per infusion. He was going to have 8 infusions. With all the researchers and resources dedicated to developing these types of therapies, it is understandable that they will be very expensive. But, there is no excuse for downplaying or not mentioning the risks in order to make a sale. In your husband's case, whoever failed to heed the warnings should be tarred and feathered. It is time for educational materials that are given to patients to be soley and thoroughly educational. Drug companies need to treat doctors less as customers and more as partners in care. There is no room for advertisement and promotion when someone is receiving treatment. The responsibility for correct and complete information about medications rests on the shoulders of the drug companies and their reps.

Thank you for the big dose of awareness. Again, I am sorry for your loss.

Sandy