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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.

charles | @charles | Jul 6, 2019
In reply to @leezza "Personally, I thought Immunotherapy was harder. I had more side effects and was always exhausted and..." + (show)
@leezza

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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@leezza We try to keep updated info on checkpoint inhibitor side effects and management here - definitely an evolving area. Were you on a checkpoint inhibitor? https://news.cancerconnect.com/treatment-care/immune-checkpoint-inhibitor-side-effects-toxicity-more-common-than-reported-D_P6WXNPLEKZJ6TZubKxGw/

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1 reply
harriet | @harriet | Jul 12, 2019
In reply to @daisy62 "Hi treebyriver, I agree. I had 5 different chemos before I was put on immunatherapy. I..." + (show)
@daisy62

Hi treebyriver, I agree. I had 5 different chemos before I was put on immunatherapy. I had 27 infusions, I also had the fatigue and skin rashes. The rashes seem to get worse with the sun. I have been stable for two years now and get scans every 9 months. I will say that I have memory issues and I attribute that to the immunatherapy. I feel blessed I was able to get the immunatherapy. Lots of luck on your journey. Daisy

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Which immunotherapy chemical were you given? Where were you treated?

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Treebyriver | @treebyriver | Jul 15, 2019
In reply to @charles "One would expect the rash to resolve once the drug is stopped. How long ago was..." + (show)
@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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They gave me steroid creams for the mild face and body rashes I get sometimes.

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Treebyriver | @treebyriver | Jul 15, 2019

I am on cycle 9 of the AZD 9150 and the medistat ( Imfinzi/ durvamalab). There was small growth and also small reduction the last time I had a scan. I'm getting over a respiratory illness presently. I'm still stable, glory to G-d.

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Tedpro | @tedpro | Jul 16, 2019
In reply to @ecjenkins "Diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer-tumor in chest wall, which had spread to my hip when..." + (show)
@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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Wonderful. I am a novice to cancer having stage 4 throat cancer with 5 tumors with one extending below the vocal cord an into lung, I had chemo and server radiation with the last treatments June 1918. I am in recovery with no or little sign of cancer.
I too feel your extreme cancer treatment is a miracle. God bless.

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Treebyriver | @treebyriver | Aug 7, 2019

Today I found out the immunotherapy is no longer working. However, I had a really good run for eight months!

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4 replies
daisy62 | @daisy62 | Aug 8, 2019
In reply to @treebyriver "Today I found out the immunotherapy is no longer working. However, I had a really good..." + (show)
@treebyriver

Today I found out the immunotherapy is no longer working. However, I had a really good run for eight months!

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Treebyriver, I am so sorry to hear this. Have drs said what they will be giving you next? I was on 5 different chemos before the immunatherapy. Stay strong, Daisy.

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charles | @charles | Aug 8, 2019
In reply to @treebyriver "Today I found out the immunotherapy is no longer working. However, I had a really good..." + (show)
@treebyriver

Today I found out the immunotherapy is no longer working. However, I had a really good run for eight months!

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Which immunotherapy were you receiving and for what cancer?
C

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1 reply
Marilyn S, | @grammym | Aug 8, 2019
In reply to @treebyriver "Today I found out the immunotherapy is no longer working. However, I had a really good..." + (show)
@treebyriver

Today I found out the immunotherapy is no longer working. However, I had a really good run for eight months!

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Sorry, that is difficult to hear, but did your team give you any other options? It seems there might be another option out there and I hope it works for you. Stay positive and try for another good run of therapy. Thinking of you, Marilyn

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