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Off Taf/Mek, now onto Opdivo
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Off Taf/Mek, now onto Opdivo

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Off Taf/Mek, now onto Opdivo

  • Post
    • April 5, 2019 at 7:00 pm
    Shannon39
    Participant
      Hello,
      I have been on dabrafenib and trametinib for 5 months now and have been taken off due to side effects. My liver enzymes are way too high that I have been off the drug more than I have taken it over the last 5 months. Dose has been lowest possible and my liver was still quite unhappy. My oncologist is now going to try me on Opdivo. Has this happened to anyone else? I have read a lot on here about Opdivo and am quite worried about some of the side effects such as thyroid problems, diabetes and colitis. Right now I am 3A and am taking these meds to help prevent a recurrence. Wondering if watch and wait might be an option. Just weighing my options. Suggestions, thoughts?
      Thanks,
      Shannon
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    • Replies
        • April 5, 2019 at 11:00 pm
        KellyH
        Participant

          Hi Shannon!!! 

          My son was 3b when diagnosed last year in February…he is 3 treatments away from completing his year of adjuvant therapy of Opdivo.  

          My son has had very little in the way of side effects from the Opdivo. He had stomach cramps intermittently, which he said he hasn’t had any in the last 8 weeks or so. But the cramps were nothing that kept him from doing his normal activity. 

          He does say he is more tired for a few days after infusion day ..but he is also 18 years old so some of it is teenage tired, maybe not necessarily treatment tired. 

          I hope this helps!!! Good luck!!! 

          Kelly 🙂 

           

          • April 5, 2019 at 11:16 pm
          Edwin
          Participant

            Opdivo seems to have harmed my thyroid.  I take a 25mcg Levothyroxin pill every morning.  I have fatigue and a headache for about 2 days after Opdivo immunotherapy.  My headache comes and goes, but is worse after an Opdivo infusion.  I ignore it and take no pain medication.  I received an infusion of 480 mg of Opdivo Wednesday morning.   I rested Wednesday and Thursday due to fatigue and a headache.   I feel better today and bicycled 29 miles. 

            You could start Opdivo immunotherapy and stop if you have unacceptable side effects.  I have stage 4 melanoma.  So, watch and wait was not an option for me.

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