› Forums › General Melanoma Community › When did you notice tumors shrinking on Ipi??
- This topic has 4 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 4 months ago by
Jim in Denver.
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- December 1, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Hi everyone,,,, I started my Ipi on Oct 29th, had my 2nd infusion Nov 19th, I am feeling extremely tired, and it seems that one of my tumors on my leg, posterior, is getting huge, hurting, and it feels like a sunburn, not to mention, I had brain mets before I started Ipi and had gamma knife done, but I see this circle rainbow and it flashes and it comes and goes when I get hot, or exert myself too much. I have gained weight, and feel miserable. I need to know if all of this is normal. I am scared that the melanoma is just getting worse, especially since I feel this tumor constantly.
Hi everyone,,,, I started my Ipi on Oct 29th, had my 2nd infusion Nov 19th, I am feeling extremely tired, and it seems that one of my tumors on my leg, posterior, is getting huge, hurting, and it feels like a sunburn, not to mention, I had brain mets before I started Ipi and had gamma knife done, but I see this circle rainbow and it flashes and it comes and goes when I get hot, or exert myself too much. I have gained weight, and feel miserable. I need to know if all of this is normal. I am scared that the melanoma is just getting worse, especially since I feel this tumor constantly. I have other tumors that are subq too, but they dont seem to be feeling or getting large like the one on my leg. I need to know if any of you have had similar reactions, and possibly, need to know when you noticed reduction in size of the tumors if it is working, how far along in the treatment you noticed reduction. PLEASE respond, I need some answers. Thanks…………… Jolaina
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- December 1, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Hi Jolaina,
My tumors didn't start showing any shrinkage until the 3rd infusion (week 7) and even then it was slow. The fatigue was miserable during the first quarter. Don't forget your immune system is now being let lose so just like when you have any immune response you will be tired.
I didn't have any subq's so I didn't get to see the reaction.
Best,
Jerry from Cape Cod.
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- December 1, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Hi Jolaina,
My tumors didn't start showing any shrinkage until the 3rd infusion (week 7) and even then it was slow. The fatigue was miserable during the first quarter. Don't forget your immune system is now being let lose so just like when you have any immune response you will be tired.
I didn't have any subq's so I didn't get to see the reaction.
Best,
Jerry from Cape Cod.
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- December 1, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Hi J,
Fatigue has not a side effect for me (5 infusions since early August). The most common ones (this is from my Study Nurse) are rash and gastrointestinal issues. These are actually "good" side effects because they show that the immune system is cranked up in high gear and responding to the Ipi. The timing of these, and all other, side effects can vary from person to person quite a bit, as well as their severity or intensity.
Regarding the external tumors, it is common for them to become larger for the first 2 or 3 treatments(or even longer). This is called an inflammatory response, and is common with Ipi. Aside from it being noticable and maybe a bit painful, try not to worry about it too much. I had the same thing, and my leg tunor is now about half the size it was before I started treatment. Hang in there!
Regarding your vision and weight issues, I really don't know what to say. The vision issues are more problematic IMO, so it would make sense to talk to someone about that. Remember, it often takes quite a bit of time for the Ipi to "work". The side effects can be even worse than you seem to have – look at "swissie's" post about her situation. Colitis is a fairly severe side effect that she is having, so at least you don't have those gastrointestinal issues.
Best Wishes,
Jim
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- December 1, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Hi J,
Fatigue has not a side effect for me (5 infusions since early August). The most common ones (this is from my Study Nurse) are rash and gastrointestinal issues. These are actually "good" side effects because they show that the immune system is cranked up in high gear and responding to the Ipi. The timing of these, and all other, side effects can vary from person to person quite a bit, as well as their severity or intensity.
Regarding the external tumors, it is common for them to become larger for the first 2 or 3 treatments(or even longer). This is called an inflammatory response, and is common with Ipi. Aside from it being noticable and maybe a bit painful, try not to worry about it too much. I had the same thing, and my leg tunor is now about half the size it was before I started treatment. Hang in there!
Regarding your vision and weight issues, I really don't know what to say. The vision issues are more problematic IMO, so it would make sense to talk to someone about that. Remember, it often takes quite a bit of time for the Ipi to "work". The side effects can be even worse than you seem to have – look at "swissie's" post about her situation. Colitis is a fairly severe side effect that she is having, so at least you don't have those gastrointestinal issues.
Best Wishes,
Jim
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