On Yervoy and now sick with a cold

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › On Yervoy and now sick with a cold

  • Post
    • September 29, 2011 at 11:29 am
    Lisa13
    Participant

      I caught my daughters cold yesterday which happens to be the first cold I've had in a year.  I had my 3rd infusion of Yervoy last Thursday and was wondering if being sick and having a weakened immune system (at the moment) is going to affect this drug.  I know we're all bound to get sick during the cold/flu season, but I hate feeling defenseless right now when all I want is a powerful immune system. 

      Lisa – Stage 4 – lung mets

      I caught my daughters cold yesterday which happens to be the first cold I've had in a year.  I had my 3rd infusion of Yervoy last Thursday and was wondering if being sick and having a weakened immune system (at the moment) is going to affect this drug.  I know we're all bound to get sick during the cold/flu season, but I hate feeling defenseless right now when all I want is a powerful immune system. 

      Lisa – Stage 4 – lung mets

    Viewing 7 reply threads
    • Replies
        • September 29, 2011 at 3:04 pm
        Jerry from Cape Cod
        Participant

          Lisa,

          IPI works on a specific protein cell in your immune system, if I remember correctly I did develop a "common cold" it nearly stages the trial.   Make sure you contact your coordinator and get your doctors input. It may help alleviate your concerns.

          Jerry from Cape Cod

          • September 29, 2011 at 3:04 pm
          Jerry from Cape Cod
          Participant

            Lisa,

            IPI works on a specific protein cell in your immune system, if I remember correctly I did develop a "common cold" it nearly stages the trial.   Make sure you contact your coordinator and get your doctors input. It may help alleviate your concerns.

            Jerry from Cape Cod

              • September 30, 2011 at 1:51 am
              Lisa13
              Participant

                Hi Jerry,

                I spoke with my clinical trial nurse today and she said it's common for ipi users to catch colds and could be an immune reaction. I'm pretty sure I caught it from my daughter, but it's good to know this could also be an immune reaction.

                Thanks for replying!

                Lisa

                • September 30, 2011 at 1:51 am
                Lisa13
                Participant

                  Hi Jerry,

                  I spoke with my clinical trial nurse today and she said it's common for ipi users to catch colds and could be an immune reaction. I'm pretty sure I caught it from my daughter, but it's good to know this could also be an immune reaction.

                  Thanks for replying!

                  Lisa

                • September 30, 2011 at 2:08 am
                momof2kids
                Participant

                  Right after my 1st injection of Yervoy, I got a cold my oldest son had (I had some extra coughing & runny nose), but that was it. I told my doctor and they didn't seem to even care, so I don't think it matters.

                   

                   

                  • September 30, 2011 at 2:08 am
                  momof2kids
                  Participant

                    Right after my 1st injection of Yervoy, I got a cold my oldest son had (I had some extra coughing & runny nose), but that was it. I told my doctor and they didn't seem to even care, so I don't think it matters.

                     

                     

                    • September 30, 2011 at 2:42 am
                    KatyWI
                    Participant

                      I, too, caught a monster cold during "ipi season" last year.  Looks like it's not uncommon.  I hope you feel better soon!

                      KatyWI

                      • September 30, 2011 at 2:42 am
                      KatyWI
                      Participant

                        I, too, caught a monster cold during "ipi season" last year.  Looks like it's not uncommon.  I hope you feel better soon!

                        KatyWI

                          • October 1, 2011 at 10:44 pm
                          Lisa13
                          Participant

                            This cold is affecting me more than chemo ever did or ipi 🙂   Before this cold, I felt fantastic and now it's just wearing me down.  I would imagine since ipi shuts down the immune system and then turns it on, it's easier to get sick.  I havn't been sick for 2 years, so I guess I'm due.

                            • October 1, 2011 at 10:44 pm
                            Lisa13
                            Participant

                              This cold is affecting me more than chemo ever did or ipi 🙂   Before this cold, I felt fantastic and now it's just wearing me down.  I would imagine since ipi shuts down the immune system and then turns it on, it's easier to get sick.  I havn't been sick for 2 years, so I guess I'm due.

                            • October 2, 2011 at 12:01 am
                            FormerCaregiver
                            Participant

                              Lisa, I don't think that anyone really knows if having a cold will interfere with the Yervoy treatment. There are many things that are unproven with how a virus can affect one's immune response.

                              If I can digress slightly, there is some anecdotal evidence that some natural supplements such as olive leaf extract do have an antiviral effect. However, one just can't be sure that if taking anything while undergoing treatment with Yervoy will be benficial. The other problem is that oncologists probably don't know, and will therefore say that herbs and similar things should be avoided during treatment.

                              Hope you are feeling better very soon.

                              Frank from Australia

                              • October 2, 2011 at 12:01 am
                              FormerCaregiver
                              Participant

                                Lisa, I don't think that anyone really knows if having a cold will interfere with the Yervoy treatment. There are many things that are unproven with how a virus can affect one's immune response.

                                If I can digress slightly, there is some anecdotal evidence that some natural supplements such as olive leaf extract do have an antiviral effect. However, one just can't be sure that if taking anything while undergoing treatment with Yervoy will be benficial. The other problem is that oncologists probably don't know, and will therefore say that herbs and similar things should be avoided during treatment.

                                Hope you are feeling better very soon.

                                Frank from Australia

                                  • October 2, 2011 at 1:34 am
                                  Lisa13
                                  Participant

                                    The clinical trial nurse said it wouldn't interfere, but you're right, how does anyone really know? I do know that the immune system is constantly at work and works hard at getting your body through viruses, etc. 

                                    You're right, I can't take any herbs while on ipi, but I do take a multi vitamin and 2000 IUs of Vitamin D.  I've been able to take over the counter cold meds too which helps. 

                                    Thanks Frank – I'm on my way to feeling better.

                                    Lisa 

                                    • October 2, 2011 at 1:34 am
                                    Lisa13
                                    Participant

                                      The clinical trial nurse said it wouldn't interfere, but you're right, how does anyone really know? I do know that the immune system is constantly at work and works hard at getting your body through viruses, etc. 

                                      You're right, I can't take any herbs while on ipi, but I do take a multi vitamin and 2000 IUs of Vitamin D.  I've been able to take over the counter cold meds too which helps. 

                                      Thanks Frank – I'm on my way to feeling better.

                                      Lisa 

                                      • October 2, 2011 at 11:23 am
                                      Vermont_Donna
                                      Participant

                                        Dear Lisa,

                                        I hope you are feeling better with your cold. Its hard when to avoid germs with kids or even if you go to the grocery store. I wash my hands frequently, use that hand sanitizer stuff and try not to touch my face (eyes, nose, mouth), after touching anything until I have washed my hands. I am hoping so much for you that Ipi works wonders on your lung mets. Thanks for your explanation on the other post (Terra's)…about with sub q's you can watch them disappear and with stage 4 you cant see what is happening…I did know that but its always good to clarify that for other readers too….so I could see an early response to Ipi because sub q's started changing and reabsorbing. I check my leg every day for any new spots or lumps and so far so good!

                                        Hoping that Ipi works for you!

                                        Hugs,

                                        Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED

                                        • October 2, 2011 at 11:23 am
                                        Vermont_Donna
                                        Participant

                                          Dear Lisa,

                                          I hope you are feeling better with your cold. Its hard when to avoid germs with kids or even if you go to the grocery store. I wash my hands frequently, use that hand sanitizer stuff and try not to touch my face (eyes, nose, mouth), after touching anything until I have washed my hands. I am hoping so much for you that Ipi works wonders on your lung mets. Thanks for your explanation on the other post (Terra's)…about with sub q's you can watch them disappear and with stage 4 you cant see what is happening…I did know that but its always good to clarify that for other readers too….so I could see an early response to Ipi because sub q's started changing and reabsorbing. I check my leg every day for any new spots or lumps and so far so good!

                                          Hoping that Ipi works for you!

                                          Hugs,

                                          Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED

                                    Viewing 7 reply threads
                                    • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                                    About the MRF Patient Forum

                                    The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                                    The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                                    Popular Topics