Interferon

Can someone out there tell me about the side effects of Interferon treatments?



Thank you

Chills, Fever, Aches, Aluminum Taste in Mouth, Fatiuge, treatment can effect liver, so amounts monitered when counts are low.

Thank you for the information. Now we know what to really expect.


Gail W.

I don't know what the long term effect are, it is better to have the treatment later in the day as after treatment 2-3 hours the side effect kick in. Is better to have the effect at bedtime. You have to push yourself to drink plenty as the taste in your mouth makes everything taste like aluminum. There are special tooth paste for this also found at the speciality drug stores. PEPPERMINT PATTIES ALSO HELP. Some people try eating spicy salsa to help.

Thank you for the additional info, the tips are very welcomed also. Keep the coming.


Gail W.

My brother had IV interfon-alpha July 2005, IV 3 hours a day for 5 weeks, 3 shots of 20 parts per million 3 times a week, unfortunately cancer has spread and are going to try other treatments. Side effects are unpleasant for everyone to endured. He will sleep literally for hours, loss of appetitie, may lose 10-20 lbs. Fever, chills, nausea,Watch for Dehydration!!! He managed miraculously to work and helped him mentally, would get home from work go to sleep at 5pm and not wake up until next maorning. Be patient and stay strong, good luck

My father has chosen to have GMCSF or Leukine injections for his stage IV melanoma. He is still in treatment but at this time it seems to be working and he has had NO side effects.

What is GMCSF?
How does it work?
What is the success rate?
Has anyone survived?

As far as I can tell, GMCSF and Leukine are the same thing (my dad's "syrum" says Leukine on the bottle). It is usually given via I.V. and an alternative to interferon (drs. say less side effects and better survival rates). My dad's melonoma is spreading on his skin mainly, the more he has removed, 10 times as many appear. He has had a 5" diameter circle removed from his scalp (with skin graft) and a radical neck disection due to a lymph node testing positive. Near his graft area many new moles and spots showed up although the surgeon said that he had "clean edges". He is having direct Leukine injections into these spots and moles. 5 days on 3 weeks off, 5 days on 3 weeks off, etc. After 10 total days a few of the moles dried up and fell off. He has one more series of injections in 2 weeks and then biopsies to be sure all is clear. The drs have had a 100% success rate with this process (only 20 patients) and it is not a recognized approach yet, but when you're desperate......

Where are you going for treatment. We are in Tampa,Fla. My son has stage 3 and he is being told he'll have Interferon for a year. Very interested in your treatment. Thanks