opdivo and pneumonia

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  • Post
    • May 30, 2016 at 6:36 pm
    andybyars
    Participant

      Hello All:

      Just found this forum.

      Diagnosed Stage 4 metastatic Melanoma December, 2015.  Made it through 4 treatments of the Yervoy/Opdivo combo.  Got one of the Opdivo alone  treatments and developed colitis.  Cleared with Mega dose of Prednisone.  Two more Opdivo treatments. Now have pneumonia again.  Biopsy this week to see just what is causing.  Right now all Opdivo treatments stopped.

      Question: Has anyone else experienced pneumonia as a side effect of the Opdivo?

      I have only one symptom: shortness of breath.  No coughing, no chills, no pain in chest if I cough.

      My thanks to you all.  Glad I found this forum.

       

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • June 1, 2016 at 5:18 pm
        Bubbles
        Participant

          Hi Andy,

          I can't say for sure whether you have pneumonia or not.  However, I would certainly talk to my doc about pneumonitis.  That is inflammation of the lungs due to an over active immune response that does not include infection.  Pneumonitis, as well as colitis and other immune related side effects, are fairly common with all the immunotherapies (ipi/yervoy, nivo/opdivo, pembro/keytruda).  Here is a post that I have shared many times here over the years about how immunotherapies work and why they cause these types of side effects.  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/04/background-and-latest-info-on-anti-pd1.html

          There is much more additional info regarding side effects on my blog, easily found using the search bubble.

          I wish you well.  Celeste

          • June 1, 2016 at 5:18 pm
          Bubbles
          Participant

            Hi Andy,

            I can't say for sure whether you have pneumonia or not.  However, I would certainly talk to my doc about pneumonitis.  That is inflammation of the lungs due to an over active immune response that does not include infection.  Pneumonitis, as well as colitis and other immune related side effects, are fairly common with all the immunotherapies (ipi/yervoy, nivo/opdivo, pembro/keytruda).  Here is a post that I have shared many times here over the years about how immunotherapies work and why they cause these types of side effects.  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/04/background-and-latest-info-on-anti-pd1.html

            There is much more additional info regarding side effects on my blog, easily found using the search bubble.

            I wish you well.  Celeste

            • June 1, 2016 at 5:18 pm
            Bubbles
            Participant

              Hi Andy,

              I can't say for sure whether you have pneumonia or not.  However, I would certainly talk to my doc about pneumonitis.  That is inflammation of the lungs due to an over active immune response that does not include infection.  Pneumonitis, as well as colitis and other immune related side effects, are fairly common with all the immunotherapies (ipi/yervoy, nivo/opdivo, pembro/keytruda).  Here is a post that I have shared many times here over the years about how immunotherapies work and why they cause these types of side effects.  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/04/background-and-latest-info-on-anti-pd1.html

              There is much more additional info regarding side effects on my blog, easily found using the search bubble.

              I wish you well.  Celeste

              • June 1, 2016 at 6:53 pm
              blessd4x
              Participant

                Hello Andy,

                Sorry youre going through this.  My husband is stage IV as well and just completed 12 weeks of Opdivo.  He had the shortness of breath as well as pains in rib cage area.  He completed his treatments the last week of April and still has side effects.  Its different for everyone it seems.  Best of luck to you on your journey and many prayers.

                R

                 

                • June 1, 2016 at 6:53 pm
                blessd4x
                Participant

                  Hello Andy,

                  Sorry youre going through this.  My husband is stage IV as well and just completed 12 weeks of Opdivo.  He had the shortness of breath as well as pains in rib cage area.  He completed his treatments the last week of April and still has side effects.  Its different for everyone it seems.  Best of luck to you on your journey and many prayers.

                  R

                   

                  • June 1, 2016 at 6:53 pm
                  blessd4x
                  Participant

                    Hello Andy,

                    Sorry youre going through this.  My husband is stage IV as well and just completed 12 weeks of Opdivo.  He had the shortness of breath as well as pains in rib cage area.  He completed his treatments the last week of April and still has side effects.  Its different for everyone it seems.  Best of luck to you on your journey and many prayers.

                    R

                     

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