IPI and Inflammation

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  • Post
    • October 28, 2011 at 7:20 pm
    Lisa13
    Participant

      A few days ago, the left side of my neck seemed slightly puffy and felt stiff from my jaw all the way down. It all went away and then I went to my surgical oncologist today and she said the left side of my neck felt fuller and there is a slight lymph node that is swollen.

      A few days ago, the left side of my neck seemed slightly puffy and felt stiff from my jaw all the way down. It all went away and then I went to my surgical oncologist today and she said the left side of my neck felt fuller and there is a slight lymph node that is swollen. She said it was hard to know what it was because of treatment and could be an inflammatory response, but she's not that familiar with ipi.  She also said it would be odd for it to be melanoma because of where my cancer is and something about lymph node basins.  I told her melanoma could spread anywhere and she said this particular spot would be strange (she's a melanoma surgical oncologist).

      Anyway, I don't know what to make out of any of this and have scans on Monday. Does anybody know if inflammation is possible with Yervoy?  After my 4th infusion (2 weeks ago), everything went wild a few days after – massive itching, upset stomach which was relieved by immodium and now this weirdness in my neck area.  My bloodwork was great 2 weeks ago, so I really don't know what to even imagine right now.  Maybe I'm having glandular reactions or something like that?  Or, maybe it's the sinus problems I've been experiencing- sinus pain, congestion, that it could be related to.

      Lisa

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 28, 2011 at 9:34 pm
        jim Breitfeller
        Participant

          Lisa,

           

          Important Safety Information

          YERVOY (ipilimumab) can cause serious side effects in many parts of your body which can lead to death. These serious side effects may include: inflammation of the intestines (colitis) that can cause tears or holes (perforation) in the intestines; inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) that can lead to liver failure; inflammation of the skin that can lead to severe skin reaction (toxic epidermal necrolysis); inflammation of the nerves that can lead to paralysis; inflammation of hormone glands (especially the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands) that may affect how these glands work; and inflammation of the eyes.

          These side effects are most likely to begin during treatment; however, side effects can show up months after your last infusion. Your healthcare provider should perform blood tests, such as liver and thyroid function tests, before starting and during treatment with YERVOY. Your oncologist may decide to delay or stop YERVOY.

          Call your healthcare provider if you have any signs or symptoms or they get worse. Even seemingly mild symptoms can lead to severe or even life-threatening conditions if not addressed. Do not try to treat symptoms yourself.

          Serious side effects may include:

          • Inflammation of the intestines (colitis) that can cause tears or holes (perforation) in the intestines. Signs and symptoms of colitis may include:
            • diarrhea (loose stools) or more bowel movements than usual
            • blood in your stools or dark, tarry, sticky stools
            • stomach pain (abdominal pain) or tenderness
          • Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) that can lead to liver failure. Signs and symptoms of hepatitis may include:
            • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
            • dark urine (tea colored)
            • nausea or vomiting
            • pain on the right side of your stomach
            • bleeding or bruise more easily than normal
          • Inflammation of the skin that can lead to severe skin reaction (toxic epidermal necrolysis). Signs and symptoms of severe skin reactions may include:
            • skin rash with or without itching
            • sores in your mouth
            • your skin blisters and/or peels
          • Inflammation of the nerves that can lead to paralysis. Symptoms of nerve problems may include:
            • unusual weakness of legs, arms, or face
            • numbness or tingling in hands or feet
          • Inflammation of hormone glands (especially the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands) that may affect how these glands work. Signs and symptoms that your glands are not working properly may include:
            • persistent or unusual headaches
            • unusual sluggishness, feeling cold all the time, or weight gain
            • changes in mood or behavior such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulness
            • dizziness or fainting
          • Inflammation of the eyes. Symptoms may include:
            • blurry vision, double vision, or other vision problems
            • eye pain or redness

          Source:http://www.yervoy.com/patient/about-yervoy.aspx

           

          Best regards

           

          Jimmy B

          • October 28, 2011 at 9:34 pm
          jim Breitfeller
          Participant

            Lisa,

             

            Important Safety Information

            YERVOY (ipilimumab) can cause serious side effects in many parts of your body which can lead to death. These serious side effects may include: inflammation of the intestines (colitis) that can cause tears or holes (perforation) in the intestines; inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) that can lead to liver failure; inflammation of the skin that can lead to severe skin reaction (toxic epidermal necrolysis); inflammation of the nerves that can lead to paralysis; inflammation of hormone glands (especially the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands) that may affect how these glands work; and inflammation of the eyes.

            These side effects are most likely to begin during treatment; however, side effects can show up months after your last infusion. Your healthcare provider should perform blood tests, such as liver and thyroid function tests, before starting and during treatment with YERVOY. Your oncologist may decide to delay or stop YERVOY.

            Call your healthcare provider if you have any signs or symptoms or they get worse. Even seemingly mild symptoms can lead to severe or even life-threatening conditions if not addressed. Do not try to treat symptoms yourself.

            Serious side effects may include:

            • Inflammation of the intestines (colitis) that can cause tears or holes (perforation) in the intestines. Signs and symptoms of colitis may include:
              • diarrhea (loose stools) or more bowel movements than usual
              • blood in your stools or dark, tarry, sticky stools
              • stomach pain (abdominal pain) or tenderness
            • Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) that can lead to liver failure. Signs and symptoms of hepatitis may include:
              • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
              • dark urine (tea colored)
              • nausea or vomiting
              • pain on the right side of your stomach
              • bleeding or bruise more easily than normal
            • Inflammation of the skin that can lead to severe skin reaction (toxic epidermal necrolysis). Signs and symptoms of severe skin reactions may include:
              • skin rash with or without itching
              • sores in your mouth
              • your skin blisters and/or peels
            • Inflammation of the nerves that can lead to paralysis. Symptoms of nerve problems may include:
              • unusual weakness of legs, arms, or face
              • numbness or tingling in hands or feet
            • Inflammation of hormone glands (especially the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands) that may affect how these glands work. Signs and symptoms that your glands are not working properly may include:
              • persistent or unusual headaches
              • unusual sluggishness, feeling cold all the time, or weight gain
              • changes in mood or behavior such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulness
              • dizziness or fainting
            • Inflammation of the eyes. Symptoms may include:
              • blurry vision, double vision, or other vision problems
              • eye pain or redness

            Source:http://www.yervoy.com/patient/about-yervoy.aspx

             

            Best regards

             

            Jimmy B

              • October 28, 2011 at 10:30 pm
              Lisa13
              Participant

                Thanks Jimmy,

                I have gone over this a couple of times and luckily have none of these symptoms.    I was thinking it could be a thyroid gland, but none of my Dr's seem overly concerned right now and scans are on Monday.

                Thanks for sending this.  Now I have to sit and wonder why my neck gets sore and puffy sometimes.

                Lisa

                • October 28, 2011 at 10:30 pm
                Lisa13
                Participant

                  Thanks Jimmy,

                  I have gone over this a couple of times and luckily have none of these symptoms.    I was thinking it could be a thyroid gland, but none of my Dr's seem overly concerned right now and scans are on Monday.

                  Thanks for sending this.  Now I have to sit and wonder why my neck gets sore and puffy sometimes.

                  Lisa

                  • October 28, 2011 at 10:30 pm
                  Lisa13
                  Participant

                    Thanks Jimmy,

                    I have gone over this a couple of times and luckily have none of these symptoms.    I was thinking it could be a thyroid gland, but none of my Dr's seem overly concerned right now and scans are on Monday.

                    Thanks for sending this.  Now I have to sit and wonder why my neck gets sore and puffy sometimes.

                    Lisa

                  • October 28, 2011 at 9:34 pm
                  jim Breitfeller
                  Participant

                    Lisa,

                     

                    Important Safety Information

                    YERVOY (ipilimumab) can cause serious side effects in many parts of your body which can lead to death. These serious side effects may include: inflammation of the intestines (colitis) that can cause tears or holes (perforation) in the intestines; inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) that can lead to liver failure; inflammation of the skin that can lead to severe skin reaction (toxic epidermal necrolysis); inflammation of the nerves that can lead to paralysis; inflammation of hormone glands (especially the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands) that may affect how these glands work; and inflammation of the eyes.

                    These side effects are most likely to begin during treatment; however, side effects can show up months after your last infusion. Your healthcare provider should perform blood tests, such as liver and thyroid function tests, before starting and during treatment with YERVOY. Your oncologist may decide to delay or stop YERVOY.

                    Call your healthcare provider if you have any signs or symptoms or they get worse. Even seemingly mild symptoms can lead to severe or even life-threatening conditions if not addressed. Do not try to treat symptoms yourself.

                    Serious side effects may include:

                    • Inflammation of the intestines (colitis) that can cause tears or holes (perforation) in the intestines. Signs and symptoms of colitis may include:
                      • diarrhea (loose stools) or more bowel movements than usual
                      • blood in your stools or dark, tarry, sticky stools
                      • stomach pain (abdominal pain) or tenderness
                    • Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) that can lead to liver failure. Signs and symptoms of hepatitis may include:
                      • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
                      • dark urine (tea colored)
                      • nausea or vomiting
                      • pain on the right side of your stomach
                      • bleeding or bruise more easily than normal
                    • Inflammation of the skin that can lead to severe skin reaction (toxic epidermal necrolysis). Signs and symptoms of severe skin reactions may include:
                      • skin rash with or without itching
                      • sores in your mouth
                      • your skin blisters and/or peels
                    • Inflammation of the nerves that can lead to paralysis. Symptoms of nerve problems may include:
                      • unusual weakness of legs, arms, or face
                      • numbness or tingling in hands or feet
                    • Inflammation of hormone glands (especially the pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid glands) that may affect how these glands work. Signs and symptoms that your glands are not working properly may include:
                      • persistent or unusual headaches
                      • unusual sluggishness, feeling cold all the time, or weight gain
                      • changes in mood or behavior such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulness
                      • dizziness or fainting
                    • Inflammation of the eyes. Symptoms may include:
                      • blurry vision, double vision, or other vision problems
                      • eye pain or redness

                    Source:http://www.yervoy.com/patient/about-yervoy.aspx

                     

                    Best regards

                     

                    Jimmy B

                    • October 28, 2011 at 11:42 pm
                    washoegal
                    Participant

                      Lisa – I'd be much more suspicious of the sinus infection than of the Ipi.  Especially if the problem is on the same side as the worse of the sinus problem.  Try not to over think this one.

                      Mary

                      Stage 3

                      • October 28, 2011 at 11:42 pm
                      washoegal
                      Participant

                        Lisa – I'd be much more suspicious of the sinus infection than of the Ipi.  Especially if the problem is on the same side as the worse of the sinus problem.  Try not to over think this one.

                        Mary

                        Stage 3

                        • October 28, 2011 at 11:42 pm
                        washoegal
                        Participant

                          Lisa – I'd be much more suspicious of the sinus infection than of the Ipi.  Especially if the problem is on the same side as the worse of the sinus problem.  Try not to over think this one.

                          Mary

                          Stage 3

                          • October 29, 2011 at 4:12 am
                          FormerCaregiver
                          Participant

                            Lisa, I agree with your surgical oncologist that it would be strange for the inflammation to be due to melanoma. Although melanoma can spread to anywhere in the body, there is a tendency for cells to be disseminated in the direction of the flow of lymph fluid and/or the circulation of the blood.

                            The best of luck with the scans on Monday.

                            Take care

                            Frank from Australia

                            • October 29, 2011 at 4:12 am
                            FormerCaregiver
                            Participant

                              Lisa, I agree with your surgical oncologist that it would be strange for the inflammation to be due to melanoma. Although melanoma can spread to anywhere in the body, there is a tendency for cells to be disseminated in the direction of the flow of lymph fluid and/or the circulation of the blood.

                              The best of luck with the scans on Monday.

                              Take care

                              Frank from Australia

                              • October 29, 2011 at 4:12 am
                              FormerCaregiver
                              Participant

                                Lisa, I agree with your surgical oncologist that it would be strange for the inflammation to be due to melanoma. Although melanoma can spread to anywhere in the body, there is a tendency for cells to be disseminated in the direction of the flow of lymph fluid and/or the circulation of the blood.

                                The best of luck with the scans on Monday.

                                Take care

                                Frank from Australia

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