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Immunotherapy Easier Than Chemo?

Posted by Treebyriver @treebyriver, Dec 3, 2018

Hi I am coming up on my fourth immunotherapy at MDA in Houston. I am finding that I am having to unlearn some of my expectations with experiences with chemo since immunotherapy is different and at this point easier.

I have had small skin rashes, another level of fatigue, and other minor side effects.
On the week that I had both ingredients, I had a temperature that rose and fell and an achey neck for about six days.
Overall, I am just not worn out as much as I was with chemo.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer group.

@ecjenkins

I am currently getting Tecentriq every 3 weeks, and a Xgeva injection every 6 weeks. I have been doing this since Aug 2018. At first the side effects were sores in the mouth, rashes, severe neck and shoulder pain, extreme fatigue, nauseous, along with a few other ones. As time went on, my body began getting used to the treatments, and the side effects haven't been as bad. The last PET Scan, which was in April, basically showed NED. I can live a relatively good life, just not as fast-paced as I used too before I was diagnosed in July 2017. My experience immunotherapy is much, much better than the chemo I had. All the best.

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Thank you; for what kind of cancer are you being treated?
c

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I am taking Durvalumab (Imfinzi) every two weeks or i was. Till the rash then they put me on steroids. t am hoping that after the steroids they can figure out a way to stay on the immunotherapy without the rashes. Thank you for the link that sounds promising.

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@kp18

I am taking Durvalumab (Imfinzi) every two weeks or i was. Till the rash then they put me on steroids. t am hoping that after the steroids they can figure out a way to stay on the immunotherapy without the rashes. Thank you for the link that sounds promising.

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I am on Durvamalab and another drug once a week. They gave me a script for topical steroids but I can't take steroids by infusion while on the trial ( if I understand correctly).

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@charles

Thank you; for what kind of cancer are you being treated?
c

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Diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer-tumor in chest wall, which had spread to my hip when diagnosed (had hip stabilization before treatment could begin); then spread to groin lymph nodes, which were removed; and then two malignant brain tumors found in cerebellum and removed. I am a miracle.

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@ecjenkins

Diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer-tumor in chest wall, which had spread to my hip when diagnosed (had hip stabilization before treatment could begin); then spread to groin lymph nodes, which were removed; and then two malignant brain tumors found in cerebellum and removed. I am a miracle.

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Love to hear about miracles. Seems to be more and more of them with newer immunotherapies.

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Miracles are always great to hear. I love it when i hear pd [people kicking cancers butt. How long does the Durvamalab stay in your system after stopping taking it. I stopped they put me on predisone because of the rashes. It took a month to get off of the steriods. Now the rash is back again. Not as bad but back none the less. Anyone know of this is because if what it does to the immune system or is this stil from the drug?

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You tell Grace S. F, that was pressured into chemotherapy in which she did not want. She died 7/17/2019 in care of doctor Wright who was truely wrong... Grace S. F, wanted the OX40 SOLID TUMOR CLINICAL TRIAL. NOT BEING WRITTEN OFF BY YOUR social palliative care team that specialize discomfort care.

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@kp18

Miracles are always great to hear. I love it when i hear pd [people kicking cancers butt. How long does the Durvamalab stay in your system after stopping taking it. I stopped they put me on predisone because of the rashes. It took a month to get off of the steriods. Now the rash is back again. Not as bad but back none the less. Anyone know of this is because if what it does to the immune system or is this stil from the drug?

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One would expect the rash to resolve once the drug is stopped. How long ago was the Durvamalab discontinued? I do think i have read however that some of the immune side effects can persist. Are you on any other medications ?
C

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@charles

One would expect the rash to resolve once the drug is stopped. How long ago was the Durvamalab discontinued? I do think i have read however that some of the immune side effects can persist. Are you on any other medications ?
C

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I stopped the Durvamalab April 9th. The rash is now almost gone but pops up now and then in different ares each time. I am thinking of having a pool to see where it pops up next. Only other meds are bllod pressure meds.

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Personally, I thought Immunotherapy was harder. I had more side effects and was always exhausted and felt worse. It worked well, but was a challenge. Happy to be off it and still stable. My last Infusion was in August 2016. I have Stage IV NSCLC. Side effects with immunotherapy can lasts months after you stop, some even start after treatment ends. It's still new and we're still learning.

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