New Potential Side Effect from ipi (Yervoy)
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

New Potential Side Effect from ipi (Yervoy)

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › New Potential Side Effect from ipi (Yervoy)

  • Post
    • October 6, 2011 at 12:10 am
    Lisa13
    Participant

    Next week is my final infusion of ipi before scans. I'm getting nervous now and hoping that those scans are going to prove nothing but success.  I had 2 ladybugs land on me today, so hopefully this brings good luck 🙂

    Next week is my final infusion of ipi before scans. I'm getting nervous now and hoping that those scans are going to prove nothing but success.  I had 2 ladybugs land on me today, so hopefully this brings good luck 🙂

    I've been relatively symptom free throughout this treatment, other than itchy skin and some cramping. Today I noticed a slightly tender to the touch lower left side (around my intestinal/bowel area). I also have cramping that feels like pockets of gas surounding this area. I'm calling the clinical nurse tomorrow just in case it's an inflammation of my intestines, which happens to be a potential problem while on yervoy.  Has anyone experienced something like this while on Yervoy? I think the medical term is diverticulitis (inflammation of intestines).  

    Lisa – Stage 4

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • October 6, 2011 at 12:25 am
      Jim M.
      Participant

      Hi Lisa,

       I've had pains in my abdomen while on Yervoy. They were small, short shooting pains that lasted maybe 30 minutes. I had some cramping and thought I was going to have diarrhea and had the prescribed drugs on hand just in case. I never needed to use them.

      Much success and God Bless,

       Jim M.

      • October 6, 2011 at 12:25 am
      Jim M.
      Participant

      Hi Lisa,

       I've had pains in my abdomen while on Yervoy. They were small, short shooting pains that lasted maybe 30 minutes. I had some cramping and thought I was going to have diarrhea and had the prescribed drugs on hand just in case. I never needed to use them.

      Much success and God Bless,

       Jim M.

      • October 6, 2011 at 12:25 am
      Jim M.
      Participant

      Hi Lisa,

       I've had pains in my abdomen while on Yervoy. They were small, short shooting pains that lasted maybe 30 minutes. I had some cramping and thought I was going to have diarrhea and had the prescribed drugs on hand just in case. I never needed to use them.

      Much success and God Bless,

       Jim M.

      • October 6, 2011 at 1:04 pm
      Tim–MRF
      Guest

      Lisa:

      GI issues, specifically colitis, are a well known side effect of Yervoy.  They should be addressed early and properly–generally with steroids such as prednisone.  For most people this resolves the problem quickly.  

      I would report these pains as soon as possible to your doctor.  This is something you don't want to let slide.

       

      Tim–MRF

        • October 6, 2011 at 1:27 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant

        Hi Lisa,

        Yes, I did experience the pain, the gurgling, the diahrrea.  Dr. Wolchuk immediately put me on Endocort EC. It's a steroid that only effects the intestines, reduces swelling, works almost immediately and is preferred over immodium.  I was on 3/day (all together w/breakfast) and it was like a wonder drug for me.  Unlike Prednisone, it does  not affect at all your "eligibility" for continuing infusions.

        As I've mentioned here, Dr. Wolchuk was one of the "developers/researchers" of Yervoy, as a matter of fact he just came back from Australia where he tought onc's there on its use after it was approved.  He's pretty adamant that Immomium should be a one or two time thing and that if we need long-term, it should be endocort. 

        Hope this helps,

        karen

        • October 6, 2011 at 4:16 pm
        Lisa13
        Participant

        Thanks for your replies.  I called the clinical trial nurse and she'll get back to me once she's spoken to the Dr. I have no diarrhea whatsoever, just a pain on the lower left side which only feels tender when I push on the area.   I'm really hoping it's just some inflammation in my intestines and not a tumour.  I'm coming up on my last infusion next week, so the scanxiety is settling in bigtime!

        • October 6, 2011 at 4:16 pm
        Lisa13
        Participant

        Thanks for your replies.  I called the clinical trial nurse and she'll get back to me once she's spoken to the Dr. I have no diarrhea whatsoever, just a pain on the lower left side which only feels tender when I push on the area.   I'm really hoping it's just some inflammation in my intestines and not a tumour.  I'm coming up on my last infusion next week, so the scanxiety is settling in bigtime!

        • October 6, 2011 at 4:16 pm
        Lisa13
        Participant

        Thanks for your replies.  I called the clinical trial nurse and she'll get back to me once she's spoken to the Dr. I have no diarrhea whatsoever, just a pain on the lower left side which only feels tender when I push on the area.   I'm really hoping it's just some inflammation in my intestines and not a tumour.  I'm coming up on my last infusion next week, so the scanxiety is settling in bigtime!

        • October 6, 2011 at 1:27 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant

        Hi Lisa,

        Yes, I did experience the pain, the gurgling, the diahrrea.  Dr. Wolchuk immediately put me on Endocort EC. It's a steroid that only effects the intestines, reduces swelling, works almost immediately and is preferred over immodium.  I was on 3/day (all together w/breakfast) and it was like a wonder drug for me.  Unlike Prednisone, it does  not affect at all your "eligibility" for continuing infusions.

        As I've mentioned here, Dr. Wolchuk was one of the "developers/researchers" of Yervoy, as a matter of fact he just came back from Australia where he tought onc's there on its use after it was approved.  He's pretty adamant that Immomium should be a one or two time thing and that if we need long-term, it should be endocort. 

        Hope this helps,

        karen

        • October 6, 2011 at 1:27 pm
        NYKaren
        Participant

        Hi Lisa,

        Yes, I did experience the pain, the gurgling, the diahrrea.  Dr. Wolchuk immediately put me on Endocort EC. It's a steroid that only effects the intestines, reduces swelling, works almost immediately and is preferred over immodium.  I was on 3/day (all together w/breakfast) and it was like a wonder drug for me.  Unlike Prednisone, it does  not affect at all your "eligibility" for continuing infusions.

        As I've mentioned here, Dr. Wolchuk was one of the "developers/researchers" of Yervoy, as a matter of fact he just came back from Australia where he tought onc's there on its use after it was approved.  He's pretty adamant that Immomium should be a one or two time thing and that if we need long-term, it should be endocort. 

        Hope this helps,

        karen

      • October 6, 2011 at 1:04 pm
      Tim–MRF
      Guest

      Lisa:

      GI issues, specifically colitis, are a well known side effect of Yervoy.  They should be addressed early and properly–generally with steroids such as prednisone.  For most people this resolves the problem quickly.  

      I would report these pains as soon as possible to your doctor.  This is something you don't want to let slide.

       

      Tim–MRF

      • October 6, 2011 at 1:04 pm
      Tim–MRF
      Guest

      Lisa:

      GI issues, specifically colitis, are a well known side effect of Yervoy.  They should be addressed early and properly–generally with steroids such as prednisone.  For most people this resolves the problem quickly.  

      I would report these pains as soon as possible to your doctor.  This is something you don't want to let slide.

       

      Tim–MRF

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
About the MRF Patient Forum

The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

Popular Topics