yervoy fatigue and muscle weakness

When my brother was first diagnosed with melanoma, he already had 4 brain mets. The largest (2 cm x 3 cm) was in the left parietal region. This caused brain swelling and stroke-like symptoms of speech aphasia, short term memory problems and right side weakness, especially his right leg. A steroid (dexamthazone) immediately eased the symptoms and after WBR and Zelboraf things got better. He was always very fatigued, though, and I don't know whether that was due to the tumors or to the Zelboraf.

He eventually became resistant to the Zelboraf and that brain tumor started growing again (plus some new ones). He again had aphasia and right side weakness and kept falling. He got one dose of ipi (Yervoy) and 3 days later went into a neurological crisis. His doctor thought that it might be because the Yervoy-activated T cells had gotten into his brain and surrounded the tumors (which is good) but also caused the brain to swell (which is bad). He was again given high dose dexamethazone and again that eased his symptoms. Steroids, of course, don't cure melanoma and at the time there were no other reasonable treatment options. 

So I'm just wondering if a good response to Yervoy is causing your husband's weakness and fatigue. I wonder if steriods would help him. A brain MRI with and without contrast might be able to pinpoint the problem. 

When my brother was first diagnosed with melanoma, he already had 4 brain mets. The largest (2 cm x 3 cm) was in the left parietal region. This caused brain swelling and stroke-like symptoms of speech aphasia, short term memory problems and right side weakness, especially his right leg. A steroid (dexamthazone) immediately eased the symptoms and after WBR and Zelboraf things got better. He was always very fatigued, though, and I don't know whether that was due to the tumors or to the Zelboraf.

He eventually became resistant to the Zelboraf and that brain tumor started growing again (plus some new ones). He again had aphasia and right side weakness and kept falling. He got one dose of ipi (Yervoy) and 3 days later went into a neurological crisis. His doctor thought that it might be because the Yervoy-activated T cells had gotten into his brain and surrounded the tumors (which is good) but also caused the brain to swell (which is bad). He was again given high dose dexamethazone and again that eased his symptoms. Steroids, of course, don't cure melanoma and at the time there were no other reasonable treatment options. 

So I'm just wondering if a good response to Yervoy is causing your husband's weakness and fatigue. I wonder if steriods would help him. A brain MRI with and without contrast might be able to pinpoint the problem. 

When my brother was first diagnosed with melanoma, he already had 4 brain mets. The largest (2 cm x 3 cm) was in the left parietal region. This caused brain swelling and stroke-like symptoms of speech aphasia, short term memory problems and right side weakness, especially his right leg. A steroid (dexamthazone) immediately eased the symptoms and after WBR and Zelboraf things got better. He was always very fatigued, though, and I don't know whether that was due to the tumors or to the Zelboraf.

He eventually became resistant to the Zelboraf and that brain tumor started growing again (plus some new ones). He again had aphasia and right side weakness and kept falling. He got one dose of ipi (Yervoy) and 3 days later went into a neurological crisis. His doctor thought that it might be because the Yervoy-activated T cells had gotten into his brain and surrounded the tumors (which is good) but also caused the brain to swell (which is bad). He was again given high dose dexamethazone and again that eased his symptoms. Steroids, of course, don't cure melanoma and at the time there were no other reasonable treatment options. 

So I'm just wondering if a good response to Yervoy is causing your husband's weakness and fatigue. I wonder if steriods would help him. A brain MRI with and without contrast might be able to pinpoint the problem. 

I can't speak to muscle weakness but do know that Yervoy definitely causes fatigue. I just finished up my second four infusion cycle a week ago. I was a bit tired during the first cycle but it passed a few weeks after. I am much more tired during this second cycle and can fall asleep anywhere. Annoying but nothing that a nap can't fix and it certainly beats the alternative. This should pass as well in a few weeks. I am surprised you didn't mention the itching as that is a very common side effect.  Definitely report every side effect to your Oncologist as they need to know everything as it's happening. 

I can't speak to muscle weakness but do know that Yervoy definitely causes fatigue. I just finished up my second four infusion cycle a week ago. I was a bit tired during the first cycle but it passed a few weeks after. I am much more tired during this second cycle and can fall asleep anywhere. Annoying but nothing that a nap can't fix and it certainly beats the alternative. This should pass as well in a few weeks. I am surprised you didn't mention the itching as that is a very common side effect.  Definitely report every side effect to your Oncologist as they need to know everything as it's happening. 

I can't speak to muscle weakness but do know that Yervoy definitely causes fatigue. I just finished up my second four infusion cycle a week ago. I was a bit tired during the first cycle but it passed a few weeks after. I am much more tired during this second cycle and can fall asleep anywhere. Annoying but nothing that a nap can't fix and it certainly beats the alternative. This should pass as well in a few weeks. I am surprised you didn't mention the itching as that is a very common side effect.  Definitely report every side effect to your Oncologist as they need to know everything as it's happening.