A decade on since chemotherapy infusions

[vivdunstan]

This year marks 10 years since I had a summer of gruelling chemotherapy infusions in Ninewells Hospital. I finally demanded the strongest treatment that my consultant had ruled out for the previous 14 years for various reasons, and he agreed. I’ll be sharing some memories of that time in the coming year. It stabilised my life-threatening neurological condition, allowing me to lower my daily drug cocktail. But my disease is still progressing a decade on, but more slowly than it would have done without that treatment. I’d have that chemotherapy treatment again without hesitation if I needed it a second time. But I am glad it is behind me.

Comments

[a_cubed]

If you've got the spare cycles to spend.
What's the rationale for chemotherapy for an auto-immune disease? I understand the mechanism against cancer, but I'm not sure what the mechanism is for an auto-immune issue. I mean, obviously it works, or at least works for some as it has for you. I'm just asking out of curiosity and to understand the world. I figure you understand it quite well since you had to make the decision to take this (in fact, pushed your medic to arrange it).

[vivdunstan]

Have a look at this link Andrew: https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/chemotherapy-drugs

It’s very explanatory. In a nutshell some chemotherapy drugs have been used in auto immune diseases for many years because they are extremely strong anti inflammatory drugs.

I took chemotherapy pills Azathioprine and Methotrexate for many years. But it was Cyclophosphamide treatment I demanded in 2012. It is a well used life saving treatment in severe vasculitis.

[a_cubed]

Thanks. That's interesting. It's about weakening rather than killing the cells responsible for the problem, plus anti-inflammatory action generally, it seems.

[vivdunstan]

Yup. Trouble is you get the cytotoxic effects killing other cells as collateral. It’s like a massive sledgehammer to crack a nut. Which is why ultimately more tailored treatments would be ideal. But this works.