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Steroids/IPI treatments
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Steroids/IPI treatments

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Steroids/IPI treatments

  • Post
    • September 5, 2010 at 1:26 pm
    Nancy
    Participant

      Buddy fell, went to ER and now is in a rehabilation center.  Scans done in the ER shows swelling in the brain.  They put him on 4mg of steroids around the clock.  He was scheduled for IPI last Tuesday (3rd treatment)  He was on the road to Philly, when they called to say he couldn't have the 3rd dose, as he was on high dose of steroids.  Dr.

      Buddy fell, went to ER and now is in a rehabilation center.  Scans done in the ER shows swelling in the brain.  They put him on 4mg of steroids around the clock.  He was scheduled for IPI last Tuesday (3rd treatment)  He was on the road to Philly, when they called to say he couldn't have the 3rd dose, as he was on high dose of steroids.  Dr. Sharfman said he should taper off the steroids very slowly.   Its the holiday weekend, so I assume on Tuesday, as he stated, Buddy's dosage will be 1 – 4mg in AM, 4mg in PM and 2mg at bedtime.  He has to be on 2 doses before he can continue with the IPI – His next treatment of IPI will be Sept 21 – if he can stay stable with a low dose steroids.  He cannot make up losing the 3rd dose.  It is amazing just how well he is doing on the steroids.  He went from not being able to sit up on a chair to now getting in wheelchair by himself, using the bathroom, can almost dress himself, gets a little unbalanced with ong pants, and pulling the long socks up…but he can work on that.  The rebah center now has him starting to use the walker, and trying the steps.  I get to take him to orchard for 4 hours a day, which he enjoys. 

      Can you tell me how long can one stay on steroids?

      If he goes off the steroids, will he most likely be so unbalanced as to fall again?

      The doctor has said IPI was his only chance, so I fail to understand why he's not given the IPI even if he's on steroids as its a compassionate drug and hes already started on it..

      Is there anyone I could contact except for the clinical nurse and the doctor at Philly to try to get IPI for Buddy?

      Buddy did well on IPI, some fatigue, but that may also have been fatigue leftovers from the brain radiation and surgery..

      Thanks everyone –

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    • Replies
        • September 5, 2010 at 3:19 pm
        Kevin from Atlanta
        Participant

          Hello Nancy,

          I have a feeling they would more leeway about the steriods if Buddy didn't have brain mets. The swelling of the brain brings a chance of very severe side effects. Hopefully Buddy will get three Ipi treatments and get scans and be able to do more. Make sure his potassium levels stay up.

          • September 5, 2010 at 3:19 pm
          Kevin from Atlanta
          Participant

            Hello Nancy,

            I have a feeling they would more leeway about the steriods if Buddy didn't have brain mets. The swelling of the brain brings a chance of very severe side effects. Hopefully Buddy will get three Ipi treatments and get scans and be able to do more. Make sure his potassium levels stay up.

            • September 7, 2010 at 12:34 am
            Jim M.
            Participant

              Hi Nancy,

               

               I had 4 doses of Ipi and then got swelling of the pituitary gland. I was taken off Ipi and put on steroids. That was in Oct. of 08 and I'm still on hydrocortisone as hormone replacement therapy. I tried to taper off it twice unsuccessfully as the nausea kicked in when I decreased the dose. I was told at the beginning that I was not able to get Ipi if I was taking any kind of steroid, even Nasonex. I know that steroids depress the immune system so it works at odds with Ipi which revs up the immune system.

              God Bless,

               

               Jim M.

               Stage 3C

               

              • September 7, 2010 at 12:34 am
              Jim M.
              Participant

                Hi Nancy,

                 

                 I had 4 doses of Ipi and then got swelling of the pituitary gland. I was taken off Ipi and put on steroids. That was in Oct. of 08 and I'm still on hydrocortisone as hormone replacement therapy. I tried to taper off it twice unsuccessfully as the nausea kicked in when I decreased the dose. I was told at the beginning that I was not able to get Ipi if I was taking any kind of steroid, even Nasonex. I know that steroids depress the immune system so it works at odds with Ipi which revs up the immune system.

                God Bless,

                 

                 Jim M.

                 Stage 3C

                 

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