Nancy, we heard a lot of people getting cisplatin describe a similar scenario -- just about when they were over the nausea (despite various drugs) it was time to get another infusion! Some of them were helped by acupuncture; Hopkins now has acupuncture for intractable nausea and pain associated with cancer or its treatment. It also is not 100% but helps some people -- maybe ask about this. Gary is right, it is absolutely essential that Robert stay hydrated -- not only can cisplatin cause renal damage but Robert also needs to take 20-24 oz. of liquid before the Ethyol to avoid reactions, which can include blood pressure drop.

Serious rash is one of the possible bad side effects of Ethyol (amifostine) and it should not be given if a generalized rash develops (that is, one not confined just to the area around the injection site). Medimmune suggests using oral antihistamines to reduce chance of this but our RO nurse said she never thought they were very effective. However, might be worth trying. If rash is confined just to injection site, hydrocortisone cream can help. But our RO nurse said that this was usually a precursor of a more extensive reaction to come -- she was always careful to check for the least little red spot before giving Barry his injection.

Barry did take Ethyol all the way through (though not on chemo days) but he was getting the far less nasty carboplatin and also, the anti-nausea drugs seemed to work well for him. But he says the Ethyol was still the hardest part --

Gail