Combo.. IPI/Nivo.. Side effects?

Looking and hearing about side effects can get overwhelming and scary. Best thing to remember is everyone reacts to drugs differently. Some get minor side effects, some get major ones. There is just no telling which boat you'll be in until you jump in. Ipi is really the part of the combo that gives most people problems. I am doing Ipi alone at a higher dosage than what stage 4 get… because that's what researchers decided was best for stage 3. I have had very minor side effects from Ipi: fatigue, mildly itchy skin, joint inflammation, ringing in ears due to inflammation, acid reflux. All easy to deal with stuff. 

Others will tell you their experiences and you'll see how much it varies. The combo is wonderful and has done many great things for people. The trial would have its own list of side effects as well, and it's the same idea, you'd have no clue how her body will react to it until she tries it. With any treatment, she would need to keep her doctor in the loop about any side effects, anything that comes up can be treated quickly. I also go to UCSF for treatment, the oncs there are very knowledgable about all of the possible side effects and how to treat them, so don't be too afraid about all the possibilities. Just look forward to your mom getting well.

All the best,

Looking and hearing about side effects can get overwhelming and scary. Best thing to remember is everyone reacts to drugs differently. Some get minor side effects, some get major ones. There is just no telling which boat you'll be in until you jump in. Ipi is really the part of the combo that gives most people problems. I am doing Ipi alone at a higher dosage than what stage 4 get… because that's what researchers decided was best for stage 3. I have had very minor side effects from Ipi: fatigue, mildly itchy skin, joint inflammation, ringing in ears due to inflammation, acid reflux. All easy to deal with stuff. 

Others will tell you their experiences and you'll see how much it varies. The combo is wonderful and has done many great things for people. The trial would have its own list of side effects as well, and it's the same idea, you'd have no clue how her body will react to it until she tries it. With any treatment, she would need to keep her doctor in the loop about any side effects, anything that comes up can be treated quickly. I also go to UCSF for treatment, the oncs there are very knowledgable about all of the possible side effects and how to treat them, so don't be too afraid about all the possibilities. Just look forward to your mom getting well.

All the best,

Looking and hearing about side effects can get overwhelming and scary. Best thing to remember is everyone reacts to drugs differently. Some get minor side effects, some get major ones. There is just no telling which boat you'll be in until you jump in. Ipi is really the part of the combo that gives most people problems. I am doing Ipi alone at a higher dosage than what stage 4 get… because that's what researchers decided was best for stage 3. I have had very minor side effects from Ipi: fatigue, mildly itchy skin, joint inflammation, ringing in ears due to inflammation, acid reflux. All easy to deal with stuff. 

Others will tell you their experiences and you'll see how much it varies. The combo is wonderful and has done many great things for people. The trial would have its own list of side effects as well, and it's the same idea, you'd have no clue how her body will react to it until she tries it. With any treatment, she would need to keep her doctor in the loop about any side effects, anything that comes up can be treated quickly. I also go to UCSF for treatment, the oncs there are very knowledgable about all of the possible side effects and how to treat them, so don't be too afraid about all the possibilities. Just look forward to your mom getting well.

All the best,

As was previously stated each person has different side effects to each drug.  My husband was Stage IV and was on Ipi alone at 10 mg/kg and GMCSF.  He was not on the same combo as your mother was offered.  He took the initial 4 treatments in 12 weeks and then maintenance doses every 12 weeks for an additional 2.5 years.  He had very small side effects and if you would like to read more check out his profile.  He has been NED (no evidence of disease for over 3.5 years now.

Judy (loving wife of Gene Stage IV and now NED)

As was previously stated each person has different side effects to each drug.  My husband was Stage IV and was on Ipi alone at 10 mg/kg and GMCSF.  He was not on the same combo as your mother was offered.  He took the initial 4 treatments in 12 weeks and then maintenance doses every 12 weeks for an additional 2.5 years.  He had very small side effects and if you would like to read more check out his profile.  He has been NED (no evidence of disease for over 3.5 years now.

Judy (loving wife of Gene Stage IV and now NED)

As was previously stated each person has different side effects to each drug.  My husband was Stage IV and was on Ipi alone at 10 mg/kg and GMCSF.  He was not on the same combo as your mother was offered.  He took the initial 4 treatments in 12 weeks and then maintenance doses every 12 weeks for an additional 2.5 years.  He had very small side effects and if you would like to read more check out his profile.  He has been NED (no evidence of disease for over 3.5 years now.

Judy (loving wife of Gene Stage IV and now NED)