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scary reaction to chemo pre-med... yikes!

Mwee
Mwee CSN Member Posts: 1,338 Member
in Ovarian Cancer #1
A few months ago, my ONC added Amifostine to my pre-med regiment. It's a nasty little drug that makes me throw up and then have dry heaves immediately. The first time I took it, I swore I've never do it again, but it's worked wonders for my feet that have lots of nerve damage from so much chemo. Last Tuesday when I was given it, I threw up and then went into a huge sweat with water just pouring off me. The nurses said my skin was cold and clamy and then my temperature dropped so low that it wouldn't register on the machines! They ran to find an old fashion glass one. I became incoherent and they put three heated blakets on me. ( it was 100' outside ) Everytime I opened my eyes there were more nurses, Drs., residents etc. staring down at me. My Onc was operating downstairs and someone ran to tell him what was happening. Has anyone had a similar reaction?
(((HUGS))) Maria
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Comments

  • davevg
    davevg CSN Member Posts: 114
    #2
    Wow that is scary Maria
    Last month someone had a reaction to one of there meds while Tina was there and they went into full arrest and they actually had to revive them with CPR. I would say you are pretty lucky lady they were paying close attention to you.
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  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown CSN Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #3
    Oh my goodness Maria that
    Oh my goodness Maria that all sounds horrific. I have never heard of that drug or any reaction like that before. I hope you dont have to endure anything g like that again. Take care xxx
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  • 2timothy1 7
    2timothy1 7 CSN Member Posts: 345
    #4
    Wow. So sorry you had such a
    Wow. So sorry you had such a bad reaction! I had amifostine as a pre- med. can't remember exactly but I thought the nurses told me it was to help protect my kidneys? Can't remember for sure though. I never had a reaction to it though. Have you had it before?
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  • LoveButterflies
    LoveButterflies CSN Member Posts: 74
    #5
    What a horrible experience!
    What a horrible experience! I hope they don't give this to you again. It sounds like the side effects far out way any benefit it may have for your feet.

    Hope you're feeling fine now. Prayers and hugs!

    Carmen
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  • forme
    forme CSN Member Posts: 1,161 Member
    #6
    Scary
    Hi Maria

    So sorry that you had such a scary reaction. I have only known about amifostine being used in head and neck cancers. I cosidered using it when my onc was talking about me needing IMRT. I was told it would protect my salivary function, or what little is left of it.

    How are you feeling now? Hopefully you feel much better.
    Will you continue using the amifostine or will it be D/C?

    Gosh, I hope you never have to go through anything like that again.

    Sweet hugs
    Lisha
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  • Mwee
    Mwee CSN Member Posts: 1,338 Member
    #7
    forme said:

    Scary
    Hi Maria

    So sorry that you had such a scary reaction. I have only known about amifostine being used in head and neck cancers. I cosidered using it when my onc was talking about me needing IMRT. I was told it would protect my salivary function, or what little is left of it.

    How are you feeling now? Hopefully you feel much better.
    Will you continue using the amifostine or will it be D/C?

    Gosh, I hope you never have to go through anything like that again.

    Sweet hugs
    Lisha

    Hi Lisha
    I think this drug was indicated because I've been on cisplatin for such a long time and it is also used to help protect the kidneys. I guess I'll have the discussion on whether or not I have to continue at my next pre-chemo appt. My vote is no :)
    ((((HUGS)))) Maria
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  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 CSN Member Posts: 421 Member
    #8
    Oh Maria, how scary. I hope
    Oh Maria, how scary. I hope you are feeling better now. Did the doctor give you any info that this was an allergic reaction? I'm not sure I would want to try it again. However, you are faced with a problem....knowing it was working on the cancer....but risk another reaction. Kim
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  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals CSN Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #9
    kimberly sue 63 said:

    Oh Maria, how scary. I hope
    Oh Maria, how scary. I hope you are feeling better now. Did the doctor give you any info that this was an allergic reaction? I'm not sure I would want to try it again. However, you are faced with a problem....knowing it was working on the cancer....but risk another reaction. Kim

    "Yikes" is right! :(
    How absolutely frightening for you, Maria (and for your docs and nurses, I might add). Just what you don't need on top of everything else you've experienced. Despite its benefits, I think I would pass on this drug too, the next time around.

    Kelly
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  • garden gal
    garden gal CSN Member Posts: 212 Member
    #10
    lovesanimals said:

    "Yikes" is right! :(
    How absolutely frightening for you, Maria (and for your docs and nurses, I might add). Just what you don't need on top of everything else you've experienced. Despite its benefits, I think I would pass on this drug too, the next time around.

    Kelly

    Dear Maria
    Hoping this doesn't happen again for you. I too have been through some pretty scary reactions. I'm on the same chemo drug as you. Haven't had any problems with numbness yet and so far kidneys are good. Really praying hard for you. this drug has done so much good for you. Hate to see a problem now with it. Prays and hugs to you, good friend. Kathy
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  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 CSN Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    #11
    garden gal said:

    Dear Maria
    Hoping this doesn't happen again for you. I too have been through some pretty scary reactions. I'm on the same chemo drug as you. Haven't had any problems with numbness yet and so far kidneys are good. Really praying hard for you. this drug has done so much good for you. Hate to see a problem now with it. Prays and hugs to you, good friend. Kathy

    OMG
    Hope you never have to go through that again......Stay strong
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