I took daily Ethyol in the bicep for 6-1/2 weeks. It made me somewhat nauseous, so I switched to Zofran on the days I had the injections (on the weekends I used a cheaper medicine, which I don't recall the name of).

My saliva has always been considered reasonably good (relatively speaking), and has improved quite a bit (again, relatively speaking). I currently take Evoxac.

I was cautioned by my RO, who didn't think much of Ethyol, that it was just one more toxic substance in my bloodstream and that he would cut me off if I was starting to have trouble - which I never did.

Anyway, I'm glad I took it.

Best wishes,

Chris

I also tried Ethyol it made me vomit and on my 5th injection caused a full body rash with welts they told me i am allergic i didnt have a problem with blood pressure. i am starting to have a moist mouth(cant say i have saliva its a bit too bubbly right now) im only two months post tx and was told i would never have saliva again amazing what our bodys will do reguardless of what Dr's think ..wishing you luck

auntypebbles,
In my case it depended greatly what type of bread I was trying to eat.
Croissants (fatty) and sour dough bread (white stuff only) worked well early on.
Basically you want something that is not crumbly. Of course what I really like myself is dark bread with thick crust..... soon!

M

I was told that I was a perfect candidate for amofostine shots. They said it might make me sick but I figured I was going to be sick anyway so what the hell lets go for it. From everything I was hearing to be without saliva the rest of my was not a real good option. They gave me the shots in my belly for a few weeks and then switched to my arms. About a half hour before my rad treatments x 5days x7weeks. The biggest effect it had on me was dehydration. they countered this with iv fluid every day and that really helped. I'm 3 years since my diagnosis of stage 3 tonsal with metz to head and neck lymphnodes. I believe it saved much of my saliva glands. I have about 75% of my saliva I still drink lots of water but mainly out of habit and to tell ya the truth I really love the taste.

I too had ethyol during treatment. I had no reaction to it initially, but in week four I developed all over my body. Also, during the docetoxal treatment I would develop a pressure around the heart and lower back pain about 15 minutes into the treatment. I told the docs that the circus was in town and an elephant was sitting on my chest. EKG's were clear, stopping the treatment for ten minutes relieved the symptoms and allowed the treatment to continue with no further problems. The docs at first thought that my getting radiation first and then chemo on the same day caused this reaction, since other people were experiencing it, even though I got chemo then radiation. Then they decided that it might be the ethyol and I did not receive for the last week of rads. In any case my saliva is still not normal, I drink plenty of water all day long. My mouth and lips dry out at night and through the day. A small price to pay to still be able to see the grass.

My theory is try all they suggest, we are all different, and who knows what will work for you. Medicine is an inexact science.