Memory and Pembrolizumab
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Memory and Pembrolizumab

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Memory and Pembrolizumab

  • Post
    • November 24, 2014 at 9:45 pm
    Jubes
    Participant

    HI All,

    Has anyone who is on Pembrolizumab or Nivolumab noticed any changes in their memory?

    I have had 4 cycles of Pembrolizumab and am feeling really good. I have previously done Dabrafenib and Ipi and the tumours increased in size on both of those. I am stage 4  in my lungs with unknown primary. Recently I have noticed that it sometimes takes me a few minutes to remember what i have been doing in the last couple of days. The drug company does not list any such neurological side effects, so it is possibly unrelated or stress related, or that I am not at work with my usual schedule. Just wondering if anyone else has noticed anything similar?

    Thanks

    Jubes

Viewing 11 reply threads
  • Replies
      • November 24, 2014 at 9:46 pm
      Jubes
      Participant

      PS I am 58

      • November 24, 2014 at 9:46 pm
      Jubes
      Participant

      PS I am 58

      • November 24, 2014 at 9:46 pm
      Jubes
      Participant

      PS I am 58

      • November 25, 2014 at 1:44 am
      arthurjedi007
      Participant

      It can very easily be stress. I have not read such side affects with ipi or pd1. Not sure about dabrafenib but I was on it awhile too. To be safe you might want to think about having them do a brain MRI. Whoohoo for Pembro. I hopefully get dose 10 tomorrow.

      Artie

       

      • November 25, 2014 at 1:44 am
      arthurjedi007
      Participant

      It can very easily be stress. I have not read such side affects with ipi or pd1. Not sure about dabrafenib but I was on it awhile too. To be safe you might want to think about having them do a brain MRI. Whoohoo for Pembro. I hopefully get dose 10 tomorrow.

      Artie

       

      • November 25, 2014 at 1:44 am
      arthurjedi007
      Participant

      It can very easily be stress. I have not read such side affects with ipi or pd1. Not sure about dabrafenib but I was on it awhile too. To be safe you might want to think about having them do a brain MRI. Whoohoo for Pembro. I hopefully get dose 10 tomorrow.

      Artie

       

        • November 25, 2014 at 2:37 am
        tschmith
        Participant

        I'm 59 and also on Pembro and having possitive results.  I'd ask my doctor about the memory issues. I agree with Artie that stress could be a major player.  I wasn't having trouble with my memory, but I was noticing that it was hard for me to focus on much of anything. For me the stress and depression are a constant battle. I got some help for those issues (both spiritually and medically) and now I feel much better…more energy, not as anxious, and my focus is good.  

        Best Wishes!   Terrie

        • November 25, 2014 at 2:37 am
        tschmith
        Participant

        I'm 59 and also on Pembro and having possitive results.  I'd ask my doctor about the memory issues. I agree with Artie that stress could be a major player.  I wasn't having trouble with my memory, but I was noticing that it was hard for me to focus on much of anything. For me the stress and depression are a constant battle. I got some help for those issues (both spiritually and medically) and now I feel much better…more energy, not as anxious, and my focus is good.  

        Best Wishes!   Terrie

        • November 25, 2014 at 2:37 am
        tschmith
        Participant

        I'm 59 and also on Pembro and having possitive results.  I'd ask my doctor about the memory issues. I agree with Artie that stress could be a major player.  I wasn't having trouble with my memory, but I was noticing that it was hard for me to focus on much of anything. For me the stress and depression are a constant battle. I got some help for those issues (both spiritually and medically) and now I feel much better…more energy, not as anxious, and my focus is good.  

        Best Wishes!   Terrie

      • November 25, 2014 at 10:51 am
      Jubes
      Participant

      Thanks for your replies! That's what I thought. So glad you are having good results from pembrolizumab as well 🙂

      • November 25, 2014 at 10:51 am
      Jubes
      Participant

      Thanks for your replies! That's what I thought. So glad you are having good results from pembrolizumab as well 🙂

      • November 25, 2014 at 10:51 am
      Jubes
      Participant

      Thanks for your replies! That's what I thought. So glad you are having good results from pembrolizumab as well 🙂

      • November 30, 2014 at 2:54 am
      ecc26
      Participant

      Hi, I'm 33 and have had 8 infusions of Pembro (due for another in about a week). I also have a history of a course of whole brain radiation, 2 gamma knife proceedures, and most recently a craniotomy for brain mets. Following the WBR I had a little trouble with my memory for a while, but it seems to have improved and I haven't noticed any trouble since starting the Pembro. I did however notice that I was missing a lot of minor details (I'm a lecturer at a University) in the week or so leading up to my craniotomy this fall and then for a couple of weeks after the craniotomy. I'm sure that stress had plenty to do with that. I also spent a couple of years not working (due to being treated with other meds, etc) and it nearly drove me insane. I seriously felt like I was getting dumber by the minute not being at work and engaging my brain the way I was used to, so that may be playing a part for you as well. I don't know what your proffession is, but I would suggest spending some time each day studying or reviewing something related to your work or finding some mental challange (reading, mental or physical puzzles, etc). I know that reviewing things related to my proffession and doing some writing really helped me out a lot.

      Best of luck to you

      • November 30, 2014 at 2:54 am
      ecc26
      Participant

      Hi, I'm 33 and have had 8 infusions of Pembro (due for another in about a week). I also have a history of a course of whole brain radiation, 2 gamma knife proceedures, and most recently a craniotomy for brain mets. Following the WBR I had a little trouble with my memory for a while, but it seems to have improved and I haven't noticed any trouble since starting the Pembro. I did however notice that I was missing a lot of minor details (I'm a lecturer at a University) in the week or so leading up to my craniotomy this fall and then for a couple of weeks after the craniotomy. I'm sure that stress had plenty to do with that. I also spent a couple of years not working (due to being treated with other meds, etc) and it nearly drove me insane. I seriously felt like I was getting dumber by the minute not being at work and engaging my brain the way I was used to, so that may be playing a part for you as well. I don't know what your proffession is, but I would suggest spending some time each day studying or reviewing something related to your work or finding some mental challange (reading, mental or physical puzzles, etc). I know that reviewing things related to my proffession and doing some writing really helped me out a lot.

      Best of luck to you

      • November 30, 2014 at 2:54 am
      ecc26
      Participant

      Hi, I'm 33 and have had 8 infusions of Pembro (due for another in about a week). I also have a history of a course of whole brain radiation, 2 gamma knife proceedures, and most recently a craniotomy for brain mets. Following the WBR I had a little trouble with my memory for a while, but it seems to have improved and I haven't noticed any trouble since starting the Pembro. I did however notice that I was missing a lot of minor details (I'm a lecturer at a University) in the week or so leading up to my craniotomy this fall and then for a couple of weeks after the craniotomy. I'm sure that stress had plenty to do with that. I also spent a couple of years not working (due to being treated with other meds, etc) and it nearly drove me insane. I seriously felt like I was getting dumber by the minute not being at work and engaging my brain the way I was used to, so that may be playing a part for you as well. I don't know what your proffession is, but I would suggest spending some time each day studying or reviewing something related to your work or finding some mental challange (reading, mental or physical puzzles, etc). I know that reviewing things related to my proffession and doing some writing really helped me out a lot.

      Best of luck to you

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