New Potential Side Effect from ipi (Yervoy)

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  • Post
    • October 6, 2011 at 12:10 am
    Lisa13
    Participant

      Next week is my final infusion of ipi before scans. I'm getting nervous now and hoping that those scans are going to prove nothing but success.  I had 2 ladybugs land on me today, so hopefully this brings good luck 🙂

      Next week is my final infusion of ipi before scans. I'm getting nervous now and hoping that those scans are going to prove nothing but success.  I had 2 ladybugs land on me today, so hopefully this brings good luck 🙂

      I've been relatively symptom free throughout this treatment, other than itchy skin and some cramping. Today I noticed a slightly tender to the touch lower left side (around my intestinal/bowel area). I also have cramping that feels like pockets of gas surounding this area. I'm calling the clinical nurse tomorrow just in case it's an inflammation of my intestines, which happens to be a potential problem while on yervoy.  Has anyone experienced something like this while on Yervoy? I think the medical term is diverticulitis (inflammation of intestines).  

      Lisa – Stage 4

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 6, 2011 at 12:25 am
        Jim M.
        Participant

          Hi Lisa,

           I've had pains in my abdomen while on Yervoy. They were small, short shooting pains that lasted maybe 30 minutes. I had some cramping and thought I was going to have diarrhea and had the prescribed drugs on hand just in case. I never needed to use them.

          Much success and God Bless,

           Jim M.

          • October 6, 2011 at 12:25 am
          Jim M.
          Participant

            Hi Lisa,

             I've had pains in my abdomen while on Yervoy. They were small, short shooting pains that lasted maybe 30 minutes. I had some cramping and thought I was going to have diarrhea and had the prescribed drugs on hand just in case. I never needed to use them.

            Much success and God Bless,

             Jim M.

            • October 6, 2011 at 12:25 am
            Jim M.
            Participant

              Hi Lisa,

               I've had pains in my abdomen while on Yervoy. They were small, short shooting pains that lasted maybe 30 minutes. I had some cramping and thought I was going to have diarrhea and had the prescribed drugs on hand just in case. I never needed to use them.

              Much success and God Bless,

               Jim M.

              • October 6, 2011 at 1:04 pm
              Tim–MRF
              Guest

                Lisa:

                GI issues, specifically colitis, are a well known side effect of Yervoy.  They should be addressed early and properly–generally with steroids such as prednisone.  For most people this resolves the problem quickly.  

                I would report these pains as soon as possible to your doctor.  This is something you don't want to let slide.

                 

                Tim–MRF

                  • October 6, 2011 at 1:27 pm
                  NYKaren
                  Participant

                    Hi Lisa,

                    Yes, I did experience the pain, the gurgling, the diahrrea.  Dr. Wolchuk immediately put me on Endocort EC. It's a steroid that only effects the intestines, reduces swelling, works almost immediately and is preferred over immodium.  I was on 3/day (all together w/breakfast) and it was like a wonder drug for me.  Unlike Prednisone, it does  not affect at all your "eligibility" for continuing infusions.

                    As I've mentioned here, Dr. Wolchuk was one of the "developers/researchers" of Yervoy, as a matter of fact he just came back from Australia where he tought onc's there on its use after it was approved.  He's pretty adamant that Immomium should be a one or two time thing and that if we need long-term, it should be endocort. 

                    Hope this helps,

                    karen

                    • October 6, 2011 at 4:16 pm
                    Lisa13
                    Participant

                      Thanks for your replies.  I called the clinical trial nurse and she'll get back to me once she's spoken to the Dr. I have no diarrhea whatsoever, just a pain on the lower left side which only feels tender when I push on the area.   I'm really hoping it's just some inflammation in my intestines and not a tumour.  I'm coming up on my last infusion next week, so the scanxiety is settling in bigtime!

                      • October 6, 2011 at 4:16 pm
                      Lisa13
                      Participant

                        Thanks for your replies.  I called the clinical trial nurse and she'll get back to me once she's spoken to the Dr. I have no diarrhea whatsoever, just a pain on the lower left side which only feels tender when I push on the area.   I'm really hoping it's just some inflammation in my intestines and not a tumour.  I'm coming up on my last infusion next week, so the scanxiety is settling in bigtime!

                        • October 6, 2011 at 4:16 pm
                        Lisa13
                        Participant

                          Thanks for your replies.  I called the clinical trial nurse and she'll get back to me once she's spoken to the Dr. I have no diarrhea whatsoever, just a pain on the lower left side which only feels tender when I push on the area.   I'm really hoping it's just some inflammation in my intestines and not a tumour.  I'm coming up on my last infusion next week, so the scanxiety is settling in bigtime!

                          • October 6, 2011 at 1:27 pm
                          NYKaren
                          Participant

                            Hi Lisa,

                            Yes, I did experience the pain, the gurgling, the diahrrea.  Dr. Wolchuk immediately put me on Endocort EC. It's a steroid that only effects the intestines, reduces swelling, works almost immediately and is preferred over immodium.  I was on 3/day (all together w/breakfast) and it was like a wonder drug for me.  Unlike Prednisone, it does  not affect at all your "eligibility" for continuing infusions.

                            As I've mentioned here, Dr. Wolchuk was one of the "developers/researchers" of Yervoy, as a matter of fact he just came back from Australia where he tought onc's there on its use after it was approved.  He's pretty adamant that Immomium should be a one or two time thing and that if we need long-term, it should be endocort. 

                            Hope this helps,

                            karen

                            • October 6, 2011 at 1:27 pm
                            NYKaren
                            Participant

                              Hi Lisa,

                              Yes, I did experience the pain, the gurgling, the diahrrea.  Dr. Wolchuk immediately put me on Endocort EC. It's a steroid that only effects the intestines, reduces swelling, works almost immediately and is preferred over immodium.  I was on 3/day (all together w/breakfast) and it was like a wonder drug for me.  Unlike Prednisone, it does  not affect at all your "eligibility" for continuing infusions.

                              As I've mentioned here, Dr. Wolchuk was one of the "developers/researchers" of Yervoy, as a matter of fact he just came back from Australia where he tought onc's there on its use after it was approved.  He's pretty adamant that Immomium should be a one or two time thing and that if we need long-term, it should be endocort. 

                              Hope this helps,

                              karen

                            • October 6, 2011 at 1:04 pm
                            Tim–MRF
                            Guest

                              Lisa:

                              GI issues, specifically colitis, are a well known side effect of Yervoy.  They should be addressed early and properly–generally with steroids such as prednisone.  For most people this resolves the problem quickly.  

                              I would report these pains as soon as possible to your doctor.  This is something you don't want to let slide.

                               

                              Tim–MRF

                              • October 6, 2011 at 1:04 pm
                              Tim–MRF
                              Guest

                                Lisa:

                                GI issues, specifically colitis, are a well known side effect of Yervoy.  They should be addressed early and properly–generally with steroids such as prednisone.  For most people this resolves the problem quickly.  

                                I would report these pains as soon as possible to your doctor.  This is something you don't want to let slide.

                                 

                                Tim–MRF

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