ippi

Having tried one dose of Sylatron, and getting so sick I didn't want a second one, and then having done the 4 infusion treatment with Yervoy, although not for adjuvant care, I'd recommend Yervoy. Interferon hasn't been proven to extend your life, and in my case anyway, Yervoy didn't make me very sick at all. The standard itchy rash, and about three weeks of gastric upset and abdominal pain after the treatments were over. With interferon I was in bed for two days after the shot, and didn't feel right for at least a month.

Having tried one dose of Sylatron, and getting so sick I didn't want a second one, and then having done the 4 infusion treatment with Yervoy, although not for adjuvant care, I'd recommend Yervoy. Interferon hasn't been proven to extend your life, and in my case anyway, Yervoy didn't make me very sick at all. The standard itchy rash, and about three weeks of gastric upset and abdominal pain after the treatments were over. With interferon I was in bed for two days after the shot, and didn't feel right for at least a month.

Having tried one dose of Sylatron, and getting so sick I didn't want a second one, and then having done the 4 infusion treatment with Yervoy, although not for adjuvant care, I'd recommend Yervoy. Interferon hasn't been proven to extend your life, and in my case anyway, Yervoy didn't make me very sick at all. The standard itchy rash, and about three weeks of gastric upset and abdominal pain after the treatments were over. With interferon I was in bed for two days after the shot, and didn't feel right for at least a month.

I was in a Nivo/Opdivo NED Stage IV arm for 2 1/2 years, starting in 2010 (after brain and lung mets) and remain NED today.  I have not taken ipilimumab/Yervoy but the second article in this post reports on lots of Stage III NED folks who did:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2015/04/ipi-vs-nivo-trial-as-adjuvant-for-stage.html

Hope that helps.  Celeste

I was in a Nivo/Opdivo NED Stage IV arm for 2 1/2 years, starting in 2010 (after brain and lung mets) and remain NED today.  I have not taken ipilimumab/Yervoy but the second article in this post reports on lots of Stage III NED folks who did:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2015/04/ipi-vs-nivo-trial-as-adjuvant-for-stage.html

Hope that helps.  Celeste

I was in a Nivo/Opdivo NED Stage IV arm for 2 1/2 years, starting in 2010 (after brain and lung mets) and remain NED today.  I have not taken ipilimumab/Yervoy but the second article in this post reports on lots of Stage III NED folks who did:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2015/04/ipi-vs-nivo-trial-as-adjuvant-for-stage.html

Hope that helps.  Celeste

I did ipi 3 mg. I was able to do all doses including maintenance doses with no problems at all really. I was very tired the day of but its usually a big day with scans and a lot of walking. I got the itching but was able to control with benadryl. I was scared of ipi just like you and totally dreading Interferon. I was on a trial and got the ipi arm. I’m so glad I did. I haven’t recurred and was stage 3b nodular mel, ulcerated with a depth of at least 4.0. Things can go wrong but it has done some great things in people.

I did ipi 3 mg. I was able to do all doses including maintenance doses with no problems at all really. I was very tired the day of but its usually a big day with scans and a lot of walking. I got the itching but was able to control with benadryl. I was scared of ipi just like you and totally dreading Interferon. I was on a trial and got the ipi arm. I’m so glad I did. I haven’t recurred and was stage 3b nodular mel, ulcerated with a depth of at least 4.0. Things can go wrong but it has done some great things in people.

I did ipi 3 mg. I was able to do all doses including maintenance doses with no problems at all really. I was very tired the day of but its usually a big day with scans and a lot of walking. I got the itching but was able to control with benadryl. I was scared of ipi just like you and totally dreading Interferon. I was on a trial and got the ipi arm. I’m so glad I did. I haven’t recurred and was stage 3b nodular mel, ulcerated with a depth of at least 4.0. Things can go wrong but it has done some great things in people.

My husband IIIC (12mm, ulcerated amelanotic nodular) participated in the adjuvant Ipi vs Interferon trial.  He was in the 3mg/kg arm.  He was able to receive the 4 induction doses but did not recieve any of the maintenance doses due to developing hypohysitis.  If you read through this site and Celeste's blog you will find info on side effects and their treatment.  Under the supervision of experienced doctors, the side effects can be managed.  Though endocrinopathies can result in permanent side effects requiring long term hormone replacement, most of the side effects are reversible.  My husband remains NED 29 months after his first infusion of IPI

Wishing you the Best,

Kate

My husband IIIC (12mm, ulcerated amelanotic nodular) participated in the adjuvant Ipi vs Interferon trial.  He was in the 3mg/kg arm.  He was able to receive the 4 induction doses but did not recieve any of the maintenance doses due to developing hypohysitis.  If you read through this site and Celeste's blog you will find info on side effects and their treatment.  Under the supervision of experienced doctors, the side effects can be managed.  Though endocrinopathies can result in permanent side effects requiring long term hormone replacement, most of the side effects are reversible.  My husband remains NED 29 months after his first infusion of IPI

Wishing you the Best,

Kate

My husband IIIC (12mm, ulcerated amelanotic nodular) participated in the adjuvant Ipi vs Interferon trial.  He was in the 3mg/kg arm.  He was able to receive the 4 induction doses but did not recieve any of the maintenance doses due to developing hypohysitis.  If you read through this site and Celeste's blog you will find info on side effects and their treatment.  Under the supervision of experienced doctors, the side effects can be managed.  Though endocrinopathies can result in permanent side effects requiring long term hormone replacement, most of the side effects are reversible.  My husband remains NED 29 months after his first infusion of IPI

Wishing you the Best,

Kate

My husband was in the ipi vs interferon trial at 10 mg ipi arm. He had 4 infusions and then had a small mets to the liver. He was removed from the trial and had microwave ablation surgery. He is NED and was diagnosed in September 2013. He managed the side effects  the only permanent ones are he has drink lactaid milk and whole grain bread gives him diarrhea. 

My husband was in the ipi vs interferon trial at 10 mg ipi arm. He had 4 infusions and then had a small mets to the liver. He was removed from the trial and had microwave ablation surgery. He is NED and was diagnosed in September 2013. He managed the side effects  the only permanent ones are he has drink lactaid milk and whole grain bread gives him diarrhea. 

My husband was in the ipi vs interferon trial at 10 mg ipi arm. He had 4 infusions and then had a small mets to the liver. He was removed from the trial and had microwave ablation surgery. He is NED and was diagnosed in September 2013. He managed the side effects  the only permanent ones are he has drink lactaid milk and whole grain bread gives him diarrhea.