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Entocourt (steroids) and Yervoy (ipi)
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Entocourt (steroids) and Yervoy (ipi)

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Entocourt (steroids) and Yervoy (ipi)

  • Post
    • October 6, 2011 at 7:01 pm
    Lisa13
    Participant

      My Dr. told me to start taking my Entocourt today and I'm a bit leery of taking it.  I know the risks of ipi, but other than a tender to the touch area on my lower left side (above my pelvis), I have no symptoms.  He believes it may be the start of inflammation in my colon/intestine and wants to keep it under control. 

      My Dr. told me to start taking my Entocourt today and I'm a bit leery of taking it.  I know the risks of ipi, but other than a tender to the touch area on my lower left side (above my pelvis), I have no symptoms.  He believes it may be the start of inflammation in my colon/intestine and wants to keep it under control. 

      I know this drug effects the gut, but it also mentions "weakening of the immune system" which is not what I want to have when I'm so close to finishing this treatment.  Can this steriod take away the effect of ipi or do they not even know this yet?  I see my Dr. next week, so I'll probably take it and see where I stand next week.  I'm currently still battling a cold I've had for a week, so I don't want to weaken my immune system even more.

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 6, 2011 at 7:24 pm
        KatyWI
        Participant

          One of the studies I read indicated that those who needed steroids to manage Ipi side effects were NOT any less likely to benefit from ipi.  Data shows that the same is not true with other immune drugs like IL-2.  It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me why it would work that way, but it seems like good data – just goes to show that doctors don't understand even a sliver of "everything" about this disease.

          Hope ipi is a knockout for you!

          Katy

            • October 6, 2011 at 7:45 pm
            NYKaren
            Participant

              Hi Lisa,

              As you know, I'm a big advocate of Entocort, and it helped me tremendously.  It was like night and day–you need to take it w/food.

              good luck!

              • October 6, 2011 at 7:45 pm
              NYKaren
              Participant

                Hi Lisa,

                As you know, I'm a big advocate of Entocort, and it helped me tremendously.  It was like night and day–you need to take it w/food.

                good luck!

                • October 6, 2011 at 7:45 pm
                NYKaren
                Participant

                  Hi Lisa,

                  As you know, I'm a big advocate of Entocort, and it helped me tremendously.  It was like night and day–you need to take it w/food.

                  good luck!

                • October 6, 2011 at 7:24 pm
                KatyWI
                Participant

                  One of the studies I read indicated that those who needed steroids to manage Ipi side effects were NOT any less likely to benefit from ipi.  Data shows that the same is not true with other immune drugs like IL-2.  It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me why it would work that way, but it seems like good data – just goes to show that doctors don't understand even a sliver of "everything" about this disease.

                  Hope ipi is a knockout for you!

                  Katy

                  • October 6, 2011 at 7:24 pm
                  KatyWI
                  Participant

                    One of the studies I read indicated that those who needed steroids to manage Ipi side effects were NOT any less likely to benefit from ipi.  Data shows that the same is not true with other immune drugs like IL-2.  It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me why it would work that way, but it seems like good data – just goes to show that doctors don't understand even a sliver of "everything" about this disease.

                    Hope ipi is a knockout for you!

                    Katy

                    • October 6, 2011 at 11:41 pm
                    mom3girlsFL
                    Participant

                      Hey Lisa!

                      Just wanted to let you know I've been following your journey and I'm pulling for you!!!  You are doing great!

                      I would probably do what you are thinking of – take the med and talk to the doc next week.  If the doc appt was further down the road maybe a different approach.

                      Anyway, keep it up and I hope your cold goes away!

                      Laurie

                      • October 6, 2011 at 11:41 pm
                      mom3girlsFL
                      Participant

                        Hey Lisa!

                        Just wanted to let you know I've been following your journey and I'm pulling for you!!!  You are doing great!

                        I would probably do what you are thinking of – take the med and talk to the doc next week.  If the doc appt was further down the road maybe a different approach.

                        Anyway, keep it up and I hope your cold goes away!

                        Laurie

                        • October 6, 2011 at 11:41 pm
                        mom3girlsFL
                        Participant

                          Hey Lisa!

                          Just wanted to let you know I've been following your journey and I'm pulling for you!!!  You are doing great!

                          I would probably do what you are thinking of – take the med and talk to the doc next week.  If the doc appt was further down the road maybe a different approach.

                          Anyway, keep it up and I hope your cold goes away!

                          Laurie

                          • October 21, 2011 at 6:54 pm
                          ErikaHouston2
                          Participant

                            I took Entocort for about 7 months for my Crohn's disease. It is not a systemic steroid, it is basically GI tract specific. It is estimated only 5 to 10% gets into your blood flow.  My Dr. described it as almost coating your GI tract with a steroid cream, vs. like Prednisone which is systemic and causes all the horrible side effects like moon face, moodiness, etc.

                            There was no concern with this drug and my melanoma history.

                            I now take other, stronger immune system suppressents and there is more concern. Unfortunately for me, I had to pick the lesser of two evils, and get my Crohn's disease under control so I now take Imuran (Entocort wasn't working).

                            In your case, I think you should have nothing to worry about since it is not a systemic drug.

                            Good luck.

                             

                            • October 21, 2011 at 6:54 pm
                            ErikaHouston2
                            Participant

                              I took Entocort for about 7 months for my Crohn's disease. It is not a systemic steroid, it is basically GI tract specific. It is estimated only 5 to 10% gets into your blood flow.  My Dr. described it as almost coating your GI tract with a steroid cream, vs. like Prednisone which is systemic and causes all the horrible side effects like moon face, moodiness, etc.

                              There was no concern with this drug and my melanoma history.

                              I now take other, stronger immune system suppressents and there is more concern. Unfortunately for me, I had to pick the lesser of two evils, and get my Crohn's disease under control so I now take Imuran (Entocort wasn't working).

                              In your case, I think you should have nothing to worry about since it is not a systemic drug.

                              Good luck.

                               

                              • October 21, 2011 at 6:54 pm
                              ErikaHouston2
                              Participant

                                I took Entocort for about 7 months for my Crohn's disease. It is not a systemic steroid, it is basically GI tract specific. It is estimated only 5 to 10% gets into your blood flow.  My Dr. described it as almost coating your GI tract with a steroid cream, vs. like Prednisone which is systemic and causes all the horrible side effects like moon face, moodiness, etc.

                                There was no concern with this drug and my melanoma history.

                                I now take other, stronger immune system suppressents and there is more concern. Unfortunately for me, I had to pick the lesser of two evils, and get my Crohn's disease under control so I now take Imuran (Entocort wasn't working).

                                In your case, I think you should have nothing to worry about since it is not a systemic drug.

                                Good luck.

                                 

                            Viewing 8 reply threads
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