Opdivo / Metforim

Hello All,

I haven't been actively posting but read this forum daily to keep up-to-date on everyone and their treatment / health.

I want to update you on my current treatment, as I'm a bit of an experiment in the making. First, I was diagnosed in Fall of 2015 w stage 3c2 endometrial adenocarcinoma. I had a radical hysterectomy, followed by six rounds of tarbo / taxol, followed by 28 external radiation txments. After frontline treatment I was put on Metformin. Started w 500 milligrams per day and worked up to 1500 milligrams per day, where I am currently. At six month pet scan hyperbolic activity was seen in my clavical lymph nodes. I had 24 external radiation txtments to one node and surrounding area, accompanied by 4 low dose carboplatin treatments.

The radiation shrunk the one node, but soon another node in my neck was swelling and my onco suggested Avastin. I declined. As a matter of fact, I declined any future chemo. I have had some serious side affects and complications from chemo and refuse to destroy my body w any more of it. 

My onco then offerred me Opdivo. It is an immunology drug by Bristol Meyers. My insurance company denied me, which was expected and Bristol Meyers agreed to provide it for free under their compassionate patient program. I have had two infusions so far, two weeks apart. I will continue to have an infusion every two weeks for a year unless I have a life threatening reaction.

This drug is working great for me. The swollen lymph node had made it so I could not use my left arm wo shoulder pain. I had nerve pain up the side of my face and up the back of my head. The day after my first infusion I had terrible shoulder and neck pain and extreme fatigue. Within four days the lymph node was half its size and I was pain free. By end of second week the node was barely swollen and I was feeling great w lots of energy. My second infusion, I have experienced no fatigue and the lymph node cant be felt tho the area is a little tender. The side affect im experiencing is a hoarse voice / laryngitis. I can live w that.

My cancer was in my uterus and lymph nodes, had not metastasized to any organs. My immune system was keeping it somewhat in check. Now w Opdivo I feel my body has a helping hand on getting rid of this disease. I haven't had this much energy or been pain free for years. I'm very encouraged thus far.

All the best to everyone of you.