Memory and Pembrolizumab

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  • Post
    • November 24, 2014 at 9:45 pm
    Jubes
    Participant

      HI All,

      Has anyone who is on Pembrolizumab or Nivolumab noticed any changes in their memory?

      I have had 4 cycles of Pembrolizumab and am feeling really good. I have previously done Dabrafenib and Ipi and the tumours increased in size on both of those. I am stage 4  in my lungs with unknown primary. Recently I have noticed that it sometimes takes me a few minutes to remember what i have been doing in the last couple of days. The drug company does not list any such neurological side effects, so it is possibly unrelated or stress related, or that I am not at work with my usual schedule. Just wondering if anyone else has noticed anything similar?

      Thanks

      Jubes

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        • November 24, 2014 at 9:46 pm
        Jubes
        Participant

          PS I am 58

          • November 24, 2014 at 9:46 pm
          Jubes
          Participant

            PS I am 58

            • November 24, 2014 at 9:46 pm
            Jubes
            Participant

              PS I am 58

              • November 25, 2014 at 1:44 am
              arthurjedi007
              Participant

                It can very easily be stress. I have not read such side affects with ipi or pd1. Not sure about dabrafenib but I was on it awhile too. To be safe you might want to think about having them do a brain MRI. Whoohoo for Pembro. I hopefully get dose 10 tomorrow.

                Artie

                 

                • November 25, 2014 at 1:44 am
                arthurjedi007
                Participant

                  It can very easily be stress. I have not read such side affects with ipi or pd1. Not sure about dabrafenib but I was on it awhile too. To be safe you might want to think about having them do a brain MRI. Whoohoo for Pembro. I hopefully get dose 10 tomorrow.

                  Artie

                   

                  • November 25, 2014 at 1:44 am
                  arthurjedi007
                  Participant

                    It can very easily be stress. I have not read such side affects with ipi or pd1. Not sure about dabrafenib but I was on it awhile too. To be safe you might want to think about having them do a brain MRI. Whoohoo for Pembro. I hopefully get dose 10 tomorrow.

                    Artie

                     

                      • November 25, 2014 at 2:37 am
                      tschmith
                      Participant

                        I'm 59 and also on Pembro and having possitive results.  I'd ask my doctor about the memory issues. I agree with Artie that stress could be a major player.  I wasn't having trouble with my memory, but I was noticing that it was hard for me to focus on much of anything. For me the stress and depression are a constant battle. I got some help for those issues (both spiritually and medically) and now I feel much better…more energy, not as anxious, and my focus is good.  

                        Best Wishes!   Terrie

                        • November 25, 2014 at 2:37 am
                        tschmith
                        Participant

                          I'm 59 and also on Pembro and having possitive results.  I'd ask my doctor about the memory issues. I agree with Artie that stress could be a major player.  I wasn't having trouble with my memory, but I was noticing that it was hard for me to focus on much of anything. For me the stress and depression are a constant battle. I got some help for those issues (both spiritually and medically) and now I feel much better…more energy, not as anxious, and my focus is good.  

                          Best Wishes!   Terrie

                          • November 25, 2014 at 2:37 am
                          tschmith
                          Participant

                            I'm 59 and also on Pembro and having possitive results.  I'd ask my doctor about the memory issues. I agree with Artie that stress could be a major player.  I wasn't having trouble with my memory, but I was noticing that it was hard for me to focus on much of anything. For me the stress and depression are a constant battle. I got some help for those issues (both spiritually and medically) and now I feel much better…more energy, not as anxious, and my focus is good.  

                            Best Wishes!   Terrie

                          • November 25, 2014 at 10:51 am
                          Jubes
                          Participant

                            Thanks for your replies! That's what I thought. So glad you are having good results from pembrolizumab as well 🙂

                            • November 25, 2014 at 10:51 am
                            Jubes
                            Participant

                              Thanks for your replies! That's what I thought. So glad you are having good results from pembrolizumab as well 🙂

                              • November 25, 2014 at 10:51 am
                              Jubes
                              Participant

                                Thanks for your replies! That's what I thought. So glad you are having good results from pembrolizumab as well 🙂

                                • November 30, 2014 at 2:54 am
                                ecc26
                                Participant

                                  Hi, I'm 33 and have had 8 infusions of Pembro (due for another in about a week). I also have a history of a course of whole brain radiation, 2 gamma knife proceedures, and most recently a craniotomy for brain mets. Following the WBR I had a little trouble with my memory for a while, but it seems to have improved and I haven't noticed any trouble since starting the Pembro. I did however notice that I was missing a lot of minor details (I'm a lecturer at a University) in the week or so leading up to my craniotomy this fall and then for a couple of weeks after the craniotomy. I'm sure that stress had plenty to do with that. I also spent a couple of years not working (due to being treated with other meds, etc) and it nearly drove me insane. I seriously felt like I was getting dumber by the minute not being at work and engaging my brain the way I was used to, so that may be playing a part for you as well. I don't know what your proffession is, but I would suggest spending some time each day studying or reviewing something related to your work or finding some mental challange (reading, mental or physical puzzles, etc). I know that reviewing things related to my proffession and doing some writing really helped me out a lot.

                                  Best of luck to you

                                  • November 30, 2014 at 2:54 am
                                  ecc26
                                  Participant

                                    Hi, I'm 33 and have had 8 infusions of Pembro (due for another in about a week). I also have a history of a course of whole brain radiation, 2 gamma knife proceedures, and most recently a craniotomy for brain mets. Following the WBR I had a little trouble with my memory for a while, but it seems to have improved and I haven't noticed any trouble since starting the Pembro. I did however notice that I was missing a lot of minor details (I'm a lecturer at a University) in the week or so leading up to my craniotomy this fall and then for a couple of weeks after the craniotomy. I'm sure that stress had plenty to do with that. I also spent a couple of years not working (due to being treated with other meds, etc) and it nearly drove me insane. I seriously felt like I was getting dumber by the minute not being at work and engaging my brain the way I was used to, so that may be playing a part for you as well. I don't know what your proffession is, but I would suggest spending some time each day studying or reviewing something related to your work or finding some mental challange (reading, mental or physical puzzles, etc). I know that reviewing things related to my proffession and doing some writing really helped me out a lot.

                                    Best of luck to you

                                    • November 30, 2014 at 2:54 am
                                    ecc26
                                    Participant

                                      Hi, I'm 33 and have had 8 infusions of Pembro (due for another in about a week). I also have a history of a course of whole brain radiation, 2 gamma knife proceedures, and most recently a craniotomy for brain mets. Following the WBR I had a little trouble with my memory for a while, but it seems to have improved and I haven't noticed any trouble since starting the Pembro. I did however notice that I was missing a lot of minor details (I'm a lecturer at a University) in the week or so leading up to my craniotomy this fall and then for a couple of weeks after the craniotomy. I'm sure that stress had plenty to do with that. I also spent a couple of years not working (due to being treated with other meds, etc) and it nearly drove me insane. I seriously felt like I was getting dumber by the minute not being at work and engaging my brain the way I was used to, so that may be playing a part for you as well. I don't know what your proffession is, but I would suggest spending some time each day studying or reviewing something related to your work or finding some mental challange (reading, mental or physical puzzles, etc). I know that reviewing things related to my proffession and doing some writing really helped me out a lot.

                                      Best of luck to you

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