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Side Effects – Infusion #2 and Following?

Forums General Melanoma Community Side Effects – Infusion #2 and Following?

  • Post
    DocPain
    Participant

      I know that everyone reacts differently and that everyone's general health at the outset is different but I thought I would ask this nonetheless.

      i have had one infusion of yervoy/opdivo with "mild" side effects (although three days of nausea felt anything but mild while going through it). Infusion #2 is in about 10 days. Is there a general rule-of-thumb about the severity and nature of side effects at that time? More of the same? Same kind, more severe? Same kind, less severe? Completely different set?

      Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to anticipate work coverage and needs.

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    • Replies
        jennunicorn
        Participant

          There is really no knowing each time what side effect and how severe. Some have gotten worse side effects with each infusion… some get mild side effects all the way through. I hope it stays fairly mild for you, I know nausea sucks, I always have ginger tea and anti-nausea wrist bands in the house just in case. I've had the same side effects throughout, all manageable, the only time I got something different and more intense was after the 4th dose of the combo, then I had the 3 week fever and high liver enzymes and all that. Since then it's been Nivo alone and back to mild manageable side effects. 

            DocPain
            Participant

              My wife found some organic ginger drops at the store – morning sickness candy. Between those and peppermints I successfully navigated the nausea. I feel pretty fortunate that is as bad as it got this time.

            stevenallenschwartz
            Participant

              For my self, I had no side effects until the 5th infusion and reacted to Keytruda with rashes on my forearms. I beleieve everyone has a different reation to the toxicity of the immunotherapy 

                DocPain
                Participant

                  That's what it sounds like. I will probably need to get some coverage simply because I don't know. Thanks for the info!

                Bubbles
                Participant

                  To be informed is the first step in surviving melanoma for sure, Doc.  Here is a report regarding side effects from two melanoma experts:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2015/09/side-effects-and-how-to-manage-them-in.html

                  Here is a report I put together re side effects with nvio specifically (though all immunotherapy – both anti-PD-1 products [nivo/opdivo and pembro/Keytruda] as well as ipi – have pretty much the same basic profile though incidence of occurrence is greater with ipi):  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2013/10/side-effects-of-nivolumab.html

                  There are many more abstracts and info re side effects and how to treat them on my blog…as well as a long and seriously boring one documenting when various side effect occurred for me when I was taking nivo.  Just use the search bubble at the top left if you are interested.

                  I wish you well.  Celeste

                    DocPain
                    Participant

                      Thank you, Celeste.

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