MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Local Recurrence
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Local Recurrence

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Local Recurrence

  • Post
    • April 16, 2018 at 2:23 pm
    Lucas
    Participant

      I recently had an extensive local recurrence located all inside of skin graft. This was removed by a 1cm wide excision which resulted in "close" margins. 7 weeks later i have a few tiny mealnoma dots outside of resction scar. They are right on the edge. I have stage 3b disease and am undergoing opdivo adjuvant just started i treatment. I stopped Keytruda clinical trial after developing type 1 diabetes and horrible arthritis. I also do not see a melanoma specialist (unfortunately) due to being unable to switch insurance at this time. I am in Kaiser system. Im hoping for advice on next steps or similar experience? thank you!

    Viewing 0 reply threads
    • Replies
        • April 17, 2018 at 8:27 pm
        Kevin2016
        Participant

          Just curious about your horrible arthritis…I've been on Keytruda since the spring of 2017…I get an infusion every 3 weeks. In February, I had a viral infection and they said as my immune system was dealing with that and my immune system being boosted by the Keytruda – they said my immune system "over heated" and triggered an autoimmune response that was absolutely brutal. My joints (hands, knees and ankles/feet) were in extreme pain. They stopped treatments and put me on 60mg of prednisone and then titrated me off of that reducing it by 10mg every 3 days. When it got down to 10mg the pain all flared up again, so they put me on 40mg of prednisone and titrated me by reducing it by 10mg every 5 days instead (making it more gradual). I've had some pain at now at 10 mg. I just had an infusion of Keytruda last Friday. The last infusion I had before that one was Feb. 2nd. Today, I have felt more pain returning and I'm holding my breath that it doesn't get as severe a last time. Right now, I can barely open the cap on a water bottle…this has been a tough stretch, although my most recent PET scan was good showing only 2 lymph nodes lit up in my stomach area that they believe is only inflammation.

            • April 17, 2018 at 9:23 pm
            Lucas
            Participant

              My legs would tremble in pain when I stood up. This was after only 5 infusions. Prednisone did help, but a year later my knees are permanently damaged and I’m 36 yo. I use to run and lift weights daily and I can do neither now. It’s kept my PET scans clear for 18 months but keeps popping up in the same primary spot. 

              • April 17, 2018 at 9:23 pm
              Lucas
              Participant

                My legs would tremble in pain when I stood up. This was after only 5 infusions. Prednisone did help, but a year later my knees are permanently damaged and I’m 36 yo. I use to run and lift weights daily and I can do neither now. It’s kept my PET scans clear for 18 months but keeps popping up in the same primary spot. 

          Viewing 0 reply threads
          • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
          About the MRF Patient Forum

          The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

          The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.