Supportive Treatments Supportive treatments are the measures taken to alleviate specific problems and symptoms caused by amyloid deposits in various organs and they are very important in all amyloid types. When the gastrointestinal tract is involved, dietary changes and certain medications can be tried to help symptoms of diarrhea and stomach fullness. These and other supportive therapies have increased the length and quality of life for many individuals with amyloidosis. A serious side effect from these medications is a decrease in the blood count. The blood count has to be watched closely in patients taking these medications.
Intravenous melphalan used in the stem cell rescue procedure can also have serious side effects.
Should a patient be found eligible for one of the treatments involving melphalan, they are fully informed of all that the treatment entails. It depends on the type of amyloidosis, the specific organ systems involved, and the extent of involvement. The individual course of the disease is unpredictable in terms of survival, although the outlook is better than was once suspected. Some patients have been followed for five to ten years or more. It is important to follow a well-balanced nutritious diet.