Keytruda immunotherapy

ktrett03
ktrett03 Member Posts: 6 Member
in Kidney Cancer #1

Has anyone had experience with Keytruda infusions? My first infusion is this Friday. Any tips on what to bring/expect? My regimen is planned for every 3 weeks for a year currently.

Comments

  • rcole
    rcole Member Posts: 15 Member
    #2

    hi ktrett i was diagnosis with kidney cancer {RCC} 2 years ago there removed my kidney they wasnt sure if they got it all so they put me on Keytruda i had some side effects with it mostly from the heat i was still working in a warehouse after about 4 months a CT scan found a few nodules growing where my kidney was after that they put me a different treatment i didnt mind Keytruda it just didnt work for me good luck with your treatment

  • ckauf1969
    ckauf1969 Member Posts: 6 Member
    #3

    What side effects in the heat? Bad rashes on your extremities?

  • ckauf1969
    ckauf1969 Member Posts: 6 Member
    #4
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/327725/keytruda-immunotherapy

    Do you have a port? If not they will get a pick line going and if yours is like mine it’s only 30 minutes. Easy peasy. You will be tired day of and maybe next day. Just make sure you eat and drink plenty of water. Oh yeah you will probably get diarrhea and have your doctor keep an eye on your TSH, thyroid. The immunotherapy can and probably will affect thyroid.

  • JuLu
    JuLu Member Posts: 1 *
    #5

    I had Keytruda for a year with little side effects. Basically toward the end of the treatment year I came home and took a nap. I also had blood work done before each treatment

  • Deanie0916
    Deanie0916 Member Posts: 628 Member
    #6

    Hi, I've not had Keytruda, but I've been on nivo immunotherapy for a little over a year. Report any changes, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, to your medical team. Side effects can vary.I experience itchy rash areas, I use a cream and it helps.

  • Averygirl
    Averygirl Member Posts: 17 Member
    edited May 22 #7

    hi I’m the care giver for my husband and we finally have a diagnosis and a plan from our oncologist. He has a 3 cm tumor in his right kidney and some enlarged lymph nodes. At first they talked surgery but after our oncologist met with his tumor board it was unanimous that he be put on immunotherapy. It is renal cell after going over the pathology again. At first they did not know what kind or how to treat it at least they know. Been a horrible four days from the first meeting. We do not know when it will start but he will be on Keytruda and another drug don’t know the name. Interested to know how the Keytruda treatments progress. Thanks to all. Been a roller coaster of emotions.

  • Buckeyesheila
    Buckeyesheila Member Posts: 1 Member
    #8

    Hi there! I am currently on Keytruda. I have my immunotherapy every three weeks. The only side effect I have is that it flared up arthritis. I never knew I had it. It's mainly in my arms and hands. I actually was admitted a couple of weeks ago to get the pain under control. I'm not saying all of my pain is caused by the Keytruda, as I also have chronic rotator cuff issues. Just know that it will amplify any underlying arthritis.

    Also, since starting Keytruda, my Signatera tests have come back negative.

  • DanF
    DanF Member Posts: 12 Member
    #9

    Sounds like you are in good hands but labs are always important and you have to ask sometimes to make sure they run the same tests each time especially when something is off.

    Keytruda and/or Inlyta dropped my phosphorus levels as low as 1.3 when usually they spike up rather than down. Also had a mouth sore 2-3 times in the beginning but a dexamethasone mouth rinse for 2 full minutes and it cleared it up immediately overnight. Also agree with horrible arthritis flare ups and pain, my shoulders elbows and ankles glow on a nuclear bone scan though.

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