Ipi/nivo havoc
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Ipi/nivo havoc

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Ipi/nivo havoc

  • Post
    • November 11, 2019 at 9:50 pm
    sks2019
    Participant
    Hi peeps,
    Thought I would share what’s been going on with my mom so far after her third infusion since everything she is experiencing is no where in the books of combo side effects and this post might help someone in the future looking for similar side effects
    Her pain in the mid rib cage right above her stomach is still going on third week. She lost her appetite and can hardly keep anything down due to vomiting . She is so weak that she manages to get herself to the restroom. No diarrhea though. I am in the ER getting her morphine for the pain and zofran for vomiting . Her blood work is all normal. ER is just giving her zofran and sending us home. she has the little red spots all over her body and has been reported as bad case of gastritis and dehydration . I am not convinced.
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  • Replies
      • November 12, 2019 at 4:22 pm
      MelMel
      Participant
      Ipi and nivo are immunotherapy drugs and as such they remove the brakes on one’s immune system so that patient’s own immune system can attack melanoma. However, sometimes the pt’s immune system is so activated that it starts attacking their own organs including glands. After only two combo infusions, my immune system attacked my liver and I had to stop treatment. It stands to reason that your mom has gastritis. Check out the symptoms on
      https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355807
      It clearly states that one can have acute or chronic gastritis due to taking pain meds such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox). — can cause both acute gastritis and chronic gastritis. They also say that gastritis can be caused by chronic vomiting and mention Autoimmune Gastritis which is due to pt’s own immune system attacking the lining of the stomach. This may be a possible explaination in your mom’s case.

      “Your own body attacking cells in your stomach called autoimmune gastritis, this type of gastritis occurs when your body attacks the cells that make up your stomach lining. This reaction can wear away at your stomach’s protective barrier.

      Autoimmune gastritis is more common in people with other autoimmune disorders, including Hashimoto’s disease and type 1 diabetes. Autoimmune gastritis can also be associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency.”

      “People with gastritis frequently experience abdominal pain. Pain is often located in the upper-center part of the abdomen, or in the upper-left portion of the stomach. Pain will often radiate to the back. Other common symptoms include bloating and nausea.”
      https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/309046.php#causes-and-types-

      Due to severe vomiting, she is probably dehydrated as well and this makes matters worse.

      As for her tiny red skin spots, I had the exact same reaction and after 3-4 weeks they disappeared on their own. They were all over my torso and I looked like I had measles but they were not itchy, nor did they bother me in any way. This is also a common side effect of the combo drugs as others on this forum have mentioned them.

      This is another good link to seek info.
      https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10349-gastritis

      Just be aware that morphine and pain meds have their own serious side effects on the digestive system and the rest of the body.

      Hope your mom’s issues resolve quickly.

      Melanie

        • November 13, 2019 at 1:47 am
        sks2019
        Participant
        Melanie, Thank you so much for your response. While I have been looking all over the internet for the cause of her pain in the upper left stomach area and in the middle of rib cage your article soothes my nerves. I was not able to wrap my head around for the cause and the people in the ER were pressing it is from her lesions ( which i thought was odd since the liver tumour is on the right side) and gave her morphine which made her head spin like a circular roller coaster. I am treating her with some anti acid and bland diet. Hopefully she will bounce back soon. But her third ipi/nivo is throwing her off.
      • November 14, 2019 at 2:42 pm
      MelanomaMike
      Participant
      Hi Sis, sorry iv been MIA! My new meds have me spacey to say the least but have been feeling better lately…Have you heard of Megace? Or Megestrol? Its an appetite stimulant, liquid form, works great on me!! A few tablespoons twice a day…ask your moms doc ok?
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