Yervoy medication helpful??

Your Oncologist should be aware of the new research which points to benefits of PD1/PDL1 immunotherapy over Ipilimumab in a stage 3 adjuvant setting. Ask them about this. Ipilimumab has saved many people so I’m not saying anything bad about it. 

I was stage 4 so the side effects were no concern for me. I had 5 yervoy/opdivo combos and 18 opdivo. There were side effects starting with the rash the second week. 16 months later I still have the rash but my rash never itched or burned as so many do. I went through multiple side effects with at least 5 or 6 at the same time since the 3rd dose of yervoy. I still have multiple side effects but my body has handled them well, I still go to work everyday and still get opdivo every 2 weeks. But my 7 melanoma tumors in my lungs are gone and I am NED. If you are worried about side effects ask yourself what happens if you don't take the drug?

Hi Happygal –

I was on a trial for Ipilimumab (now Yervoy) back in 2008 – 2009.  The dosage was 10MG/KG – unsure what your dosage might be.  I worked full time during all of it.  Had some side effects (eye issues – somewhat rare but treatable) but nothing that kept me from living life and working.  Ipilimumab worked for me as I was a responder and have been NED (no evidence of disease) ever since.  At Stage IV my decision to go with Ipi was simple – I wanted the chance to live so I jumped at the chance to get into the trial.  It worked for me – no regrets.

I had 3 of the 4 treatments of Yervoy/Opdivo combo due to raised liver levels.  Second Petscan has shown most of the 6 tumors you cannot see anymore!  I can now buy green bananas!  Bringing my ALT/AST down now with Prednisone.  And now on thryroid.  But "I'm Walking On Sunshine, Oh Yeah, Feelin Good!" Side effects, low thyrod, fatigue, rashes.  Yes it is worth it!

Hello,  I know everyone reacts differently to Ipi but just wanted to tell you about my husbands experience but he was Stage IV.  He was on IPI/Yervoy at 10 mg/kg for the initial 4 infusions for 12 weeks and then went on maintenance doses for an infusion every 12 weeks for 2 and 1/2 years and also had GMCSF which were self injections every day for 14 days and 7 days off for the full time as the Ipi.  He had fatigue and some other things but he also was going through detached retina surgeries (5 of them in one eye).  If you would like to read his story it is in his profile.

He was stage IV with lesions in the liver, lungs an unresectable one at the cervical spine and 4 sub q's up at the unresectable lesion.  He has been NED for over 5 years.

Judy (loving wife of Gene Stage IV and thanks to Ipi/Yervoy and GMCSF NED for over 5 years)