renee_ky Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 Helo all- Scott is taking 400 rads of radiation to the chest, all of the way through from the front, and all of the way through from the back. Tomorrow, this intensity of the radiation will be dropped to a theraputic level (not sure what that will be). The problem is, per the Radiologist, this will burn his esophagus pretty badly, which will in turn cause digestion problems and make it very difficult for him to swallow. The last thing he wants is a feeding tube, if he can not swallow. Do any of you know of anything that will maybe smoothe the esophagus, so that it is not so difficult to swallow? Per the radiologist, there is not a whole heck of a lot you can do about it, except try to drink some pepto bismol. Thanks! Renee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 I know there is a prep that can be made ( liquid) that coats your esophagus , I think it has maalox and lidocaine and something else mixed together. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 There are clinical trials of protectants, like Ethyol (Amifostine). You could ask about this This study below said it did not work as well for sclc vs nsclc for some reason, but maybe there is newer data available that says otherwise. You could ask the Dr. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract http://www.cancernetwork.com/home/frame ... upp5.htm&3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addie Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 Renee... I just PM'd you. I get a daily shot of Amifostine (Ethyol) prior to radiation. Today will be my 15th tx and I've had NO problems with esophagitis or swallowing. Once in a while I feel a sort of tightness in my chest...but have had no problem eating. Please do ask about the Amifostine. It works. The one study John linked you to regards TWICE daily radiation. I am not having the radiation twice daily but my rad. onc. gives a little higher dose and I've STILL had no problems. I think I'm getting 180 cGYs (if that's how you put it) daily. As of Wednesday, they are doing a "cone down" where they reduce the area that is being radiated and they say this will also reduce any side effects. Since I'm not really having any...I hope this means I'll be home free in terms of esophagitis or any need for a feeding tube! Please...try to get the Amifostine shots for your husband. I think they make a big difference in how one tolerates radiation. Good luck...let us know how things go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 Hi Renee, When I had Rad it was twice a day & it did me in. I also took this liquid that Donna mentioned. It numbed for a bit but I still couldn't drink or eat. Dairy products were the worse for me. They made to much phleum. I did end up in the hospital at home for dehydration but never gat a feeding tube. Ask your Doc about the Mixture Donna spoke of. There is a 3rd ingredient but can't remember what it is. Good luck to you...Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 Addie, Are you in a clinical trial for the Amifostine (Ethyol)? Or is it available to all patients? elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renee_ky Posted July 19, 2004 Author Share Posted July 19, 2004 As always- Thank you all for your guidance. I will ask about the Amifostine this afternoon, before his treatment. It is worth a shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addie Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 Elaine.....no it is not a clinical trial as far as I know...I think my onc just orders the shots for all his l.c. patients while they are getting radiation! I am tolerating them well...as if I hadn't, they'd have stopped them. I guess some people have an allergic reaction to them....beyond the risks of nausea and lowered blood pressure. I take a Zofran a half hour before.....then have my b.p. taken, get the shot, relax for 15 mins in the recliner and have b.p. taken again before they'll release me. If my b.p. is okay, then I go upstairs for radiation. Amifostine has to be given within a time window for it to be really effective. Opinions vary...but 1/2 hour to an hour before radiation is the normal range. I get the shot a half hour before my scheduled radiation...but since rad. sometimes runs late....sometimes it's been 45-50 mins. after the shot before they actually nuke me. Yet I've had virtually no ill effects from the radiation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 Addie, The reason I asked is that John Just posted this info on clinical trials this morning, so I wasn't sure if just anyone could get the treatment: 4) Subcutaneous Amifostine (Ethyol®) In The Prevention Of Radiochemotherapy-Induced Esophagitis And Pneumonitis In Patients With Unresectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. This study is being conducted in: - Baltimore, MD (http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/stud ... 60920.html) - Baltimore, MD (http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/stud ... 60921.html) - Baltimore, MD (http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/stud ... 60922.html) - Bethesda, MD (http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/stud ... 60919.html) - Camden, NJ (http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/stud ... 60924.html) - Houston, TX (http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/stud ... 60930.html) - Lexington, KY (http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/stud ... 60918.html) - New Hyde Park, NY (http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/stud ... 60925.html) - New York, NY (http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/stud ... 60926.html) - Norristown, PA (http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/stud ... 60928.html) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renee_ky Posted July 19, 2004 Author Share Posted July 19, 2004 I just called the radiation center, in an attempt to ask. I was told to ask for a doctor when I got there, and ask them about it. I will do that. I will let you all know what they said about it. His appointment is 2:15, we are Eastern time. Renee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addie Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 Elaine... Not sure if the use of Amifostine in treating nsclc would be any different than with small cell.....but maybe? I mean, according to the clinical trial you refer to it regards using Ethyol in the case of un-resectable non small cell cancers. I know with small cell, chemo and radiation are first line defenses....as surgery is generally not a good idea with such a rapidly growing cancer....so maybe they did clinical trials for its use in sclc some time ago? I'm still new enough to this whole experience that I just don't know. All I know is that my onc told me I'd be getting the shots and they seem to be working well for me. Our insurance covers the shots....or at least nothing has been questioned, anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 Addie, I don't know eitther, but you made a good point! elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted July 20, 2004 Share Posted July 20, 2004 Ethyol is protective, and not on clinical restriction to best of my knowledge. It was designed sp for kidney protection, but also protects hearing, all from chemo, and recently this board has seen it used as protection from radiation. (Elaine, the clinical part may be SUBCUTANEOUS administration). Becky used aloe extract? syrup? or something.... I had prilosec daily plus the "magic mouthwash" which may be swallowed: From my oncologist: I hope this helps. It helped me an AWFUL lot, because also on and off I had thrush, which made for really bad mouth sores. My oncologist prescribed this for me when I had difficulty eating post chemo and radiation: Directions: swish and spit about 1 spoonful (fifteen mls) every 30 minutes as needed, esp before eating. (you can swallow a little bit) Mouth rinse: (pharmacist has to make it up) 25 cc of liquid Benadryl, 25 mg/cc stock solution 25 cc of Maalox 25 cc of lidocaine, viscous, 2% solution 25 cc of nystatin liquid. (stock solution) ----------------------------------------- There is also a premix similar to the above available in the Wash DC area by prescription called Gel-claire, but the nurse had no firsthand knowledge of it. ---------------------------------------------- XOXOXOOXOXOXOX Prayers always, MaryAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie Posted July 20, 2004 Share Posted July 20, 2004 Renee, Dad had alot of swallowing problems do to radiation to the throat. He did have what he called "sunburn" like pain, and it was diffucult for him to eat or drink for awhile. He said drink nothing with bubbles (soda espically). He mostly stuck to water, or i would try flavored water. He ate alot of soup, rice and pound cake. The pain lasted for him all through radiation but cleared up about a week after he was done. Hope this helps! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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