Haven,t posted in awhile

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Haven,t posted in awhile

This topic has 5 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 4 months ago by MelMel.

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- December 27, 2019 at 9:47 pm
- Quote
studiodad
Participant
Just finished five immunotherapy treatments with Opdivo. The second visit resulted in extreme low back pain just 5 minutes after Opdivo infusion. Pain medication was immediately added to iv and we waited about 15 minutes until infusion continued at 60 minute rate instead of 30 minute rate as planned. The third treatment— with pain medication placed into iv before Opdivo— same result at 5 minutes. More pain medicine and short wait before infusion continued. Fourth treatment with more pain up front, no back pain and 60-minute infusion completed. Fifth infusion with a lot of pain medication, low back pain at 12 minutes. Same procedure to complete immunotherapy that visit. I have now been informed that next treatment mid-January will be my last visit and I will be taken off Opdivo if I experience low back pain during infusion. Keep in mind all incidents occurred during infusion, not as a side effect after infusion. Anyone else hear of this complication. I have stage 4 metastic melanoma affecting the subcutaneous tissues. I have no tumors. I did have an original tumor on my side that was respected and bone cancer in my scapula that was radiated. Any ideas.

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- - December 28, 2019 at 1:22 am
  - Quote
  Shannon39
  Participant
  This did not happen to me but happened to others on Opdivo at my infusion clinic. They were all given benadryl about 15 minutes prior to infusion and this seemed to stop the pain from happening at the 5 minute mark. Maybe see if this is a possibility for you.
  - December 28, 2019 at 2:38 pm
    
    Quote
    studiodad
    Participant
    
    Thank you Shannon. They tried 500 mg Benadryl before infusion and 50 mg after. I was dopey from the Benadryl and they don’t want this to happen again. I have heard this is a new problem that is occurring across the country during infusion and is concerning to oncologists. I don’t know what my new treatment will be, if any, if the pain returns next treatment.
- - December 28, 2019 at 11:43 am
  - Quote
  Edwin
  Participant
  My infusion center chairs are too long for my legs. To prevent back problems I fold pillow and put it behind my back when sitting on one of these chairs.
  - December 29, 2019 at 3:15 am
    
    Quote
    Sdmotorcop
    Participant
    
    Coming on #7 for me. No back pain during infusion. Just extreme fatigue after infusion is complete.
- - December 29, 2019 at 8:27 pm
  - Quote
  MelMel
  Participant
  I assume you are getting infusions every four weeks. I wonder if receiving biweekly infusions instead would make a difference with the pain you are experiencing?
  Melanie

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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma

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