› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Interferon SIde Effects
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nlac26.
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- October 5, 2015 at 12:08 pm
I have read about all of the side effects that go along with Interferon, what I don't know is what to expect daily? Do you feel the side effects for the duration you are on it or are there days that it subsides. So do you have good days and bad days?
I have read that once you get past the IV Injections and you go to Home Injections it gets more tolerable. Am I getting this wrong? Are you able to work?
I know everyone is different but I don't know what to expect. I know that any time on Interferon is better than going without. I have also heard that taking it at bedtime helps.
I am going to see my Oncologist this week to discuss my treatment options whether it be Watch and Wait or Interferon and of course I am confused and scared,
Thanks for any input.
Cindy
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- October 5, 2015 at 5:14 pm
Hi Cindy!
I wanted to share my interferon experience with you as I just went thru it this past May. I was initially diagnosed stage 3B and started treatment the first of May. Like you, I read all I could to figure what to expect as far as side effects. Some people handle it better than others..and I considered myself pretty tough in general and didn't anticipate much. My first day I didn't feel much until about 3 hours later and when it hit me, it hit me hard! I face planted in bed with the chills, a 103 fever and muscle aches and pains. They tell you it's like having the flu and they're right. This was pretty much my experience everyday for the first 20 treatments. I had to take the whole month of May off of work because there was no way I could function. I know people who could do half days or a few days a week, I was not one of them. Monday's were always the worse for me because I'd be coming off a two day break, and then get smacked hard with treatment. I often was vomit sick on Mondays and Tuesday with the fever and chills but as the week went along, the nausea seem to fade along with the chills. I always had a low grade fever and joint and muscle aches. The aches would settle in my hip joints and knees and make it hard for me to walk. I had no energy to do much and towards the end of the month I found it hard to even want to get out of bed. It's not an easy drug at all.
I actually decided to get a second opinion on my treatment when it was time to start the self injections. I personally couldn't face the thought of taking that drug another 11 months. I found a melanoma clinic with a specialist in the field. He pulled me off of interferon as he told me, he doesn't even put his patients on it. Last week I started new treatment on Yervoy. Much better! I could actually function the next day and have had no side effects so far. I don't know your specific situation or what you've already discussed with your DR, but keep an open mind to other treatment options before you dedicate yourself to a year of interferon. There are a lot of newer treatment options with great results that aren't as harsh on your body. I felt like I learned that the hard way. I wish you the best whatever your decision! Some have did wonderful with interferon, I just knew in my heart it wasn't what I needed and I'm thankful for my new plan! GOOD LUCK CINDY! 🙂 Niki
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- October 5, 2015 at 5:14 pm
Hi Cindy!
I wanted to share my interferon experience with you as I just went thru it this past May. I was initially diagnosed stage 3B and started treatment the first of May. Like you, I read all I could to figure what to expect as far as side effects. Some people handle it better than others..and I considered myself pretty tough in general and didn't anticipate much. My first day I didn't feel much until about 3 hours later and when it hit me, it hit me hard! I face planted in bed with the chills, a 103 fever and muscle aches and pains. They tell you it's like having the flu and they're right. This was pretty much my experience everyday for the first 20 treatments. I had to take the whole month of May off of work because there was no way I could function. I know people who could do half days or a few days a week, I was not one of them. Monday's were always the worse for me because I'd be coming off a two day break, and then get smacked hard with treatment. I often was vomit sick on Mondays and Tuesday with the fever and chills but as the week went along, the nausea seem to fade along with the chills. I always had a low grade fever and joint and muscle aches. The aches would settle in my hip joints and knees and make it hard for me to walk. I had no energy to do much and towards the end of the month I found it hard to even want to get out of bed. It's not an easy drug at all.
I actually decided to get a second opinion on my treatment when it was time to start the self injections. I personally couldn't face the thought of taking that drug another 11 months. I found a melanoma clinic with a specialist in the field. He pulled me off of interferon as he told me, he doesn't even put his patients on it. Last week I started new treatment on Yervoy. Much better! I could actually function the next day and have had no side effects so far. I don't know your specific situation or what you've already discussed with your DR, but keep an open mind to other treatment options before you dedicate yourself to a year of interferon. There are a lot of newer treatment options with great results that aren't as harsh on your body. I felt like I learned that the hard way. I wish you the best whatever your decision! Some have did wonderful with interferon, I just knew in my heart it wasn't what I needed and I'm thankful for my new plan! GOOD LUCK CINDY! 🙂 Niki
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- October 5, 2015 at 5:14 pm
Hi Cindy!
I wanted to share my interferon experience with you as I just went thru it this past May. I was initially diagnosed stage 3B and started treatment the first of May. Like you, I read all I could to figure what to expect as far as side effects. Some people handle it better than others..and I considered myself pretty tough in general and didn't anticipate much. My first day I didn't feel much until about 3 hours later and when it hit me, it hit me hard! I face planted in bed with the chills, a 103 fever and muscle aches and pains. They tell you it's like having the flu and they're right. This was pretty much my experience everyday for the first 20 treatments. I had to take the whole month of May off of work because there was no way I could function. I know people who could do half days or a few days a week, I was not one of them. Monday's were always the worse for me because I'd be coming off a two day break, and then get smacked hard with treatment. I often was vomit sick on Mondays and Tuesday with the fever and chills but as the week went along, the nausea seem to fade along with the chills. I always had a low grade fever and joint and muscle aches. The aches would settle in my hip joints and knees and make it hard for me to walk. I had no energy to do much and towards the end of the month I found it hard to even want to get out of bed. It's not an easy drug at all.
I actually decided to get a second opinion on my treatment when it was time to start the self injections. I personally couldn't face the thought of taking that drug another 11 months. I found a melanoma clinic with a specialist in the field. He pulled me off of interferon as he told me, he doesn't even put his patients on it. Last week I started new treatment on Yervoy. Much better! I could actually function the next day and have had no side effects so far. I don't know your specific situation or what you've already discussed with your DR, but keep an open mind to other treatment options before you dedicate yourself to a year of interferon. There are a lot of newer treatment options with great results that aren't as harsh on your body. I felt like I learned that the hard way. I wish you the best whatever your decision! Some have did wonderful with interferon, I just knew in my heart it wasn't what I needed and I'm thankful for my new plan! GOOD LUCK CINDY! 🙂 Niki
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- October 5, 2015 at 7:02 pm
Cindy,
I agree with Niki about interferon that it may not be worth the quality of life you will lose. My Dr's said they did not recommend me going on it as it will not cure the cancer and will just keep you in bed for a year. I was also told since I am on anti depressants I should not go on interferon (read into that to understand why).
It really depends on your status. I am a IIIB with full resection and I had to go on a clinical trial to get either Yervoy or Opdivo (NCT02388906). I was told that Yervoy is only FDA approved for Stage IV to have it prescribed to you and also to have insurance pay for it. I may be wrong, but all three of my Oncologist told me this.
Best of luck to you,
Tom
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- October 5, 2015 at 7:02 pm
Cindy,
I agree with Niki about interferon that it may not be worth the quality of life you will lose. My Dr's said they did not recommend me going on it as it will not cure the cancer and will just keep you in bed for a year. I was also told since I am on anti depressants I should not go on interferon (read into that to understand why).
It really depends on your status. I am a IIIB with full resection and I had to go on a clinical trial to get either Yervoy or Opdivo (NCT02388906). I was told that Yervoy is only FDA approved for Stage IV to have it prescribed to you and also to have insurance pay for it. I may be wrong, but all three of my Oncologist told me this.
Best of luck to you,
Tom
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- October 5, 2015 at 7:02 pm
Cindy,
I agree with Niki about interferon that it may not be worth the quality of life you will lose. My Dr's said they did not recommend me going on it as it will not cure the cancer and will just keep you in bed for a year. I was also told since I am on anti depressants I should not go on interferon (read into that to understand why).
It really depends on your status. I am a IIIB with full resection and I had to go on a clinical trial to get either Yervoy or Opdivo (NCT02388906). I was told that Yervoy is only FDA approved for Stage IV to have it prescribed to you and also to have insurance pay for it. I may be wrong, but all three of my Oncologist told me this.
Best of luck to you,
Tom
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- October 5, 2015 at 7:04 pm
Good for you Niki, I hope Cindy will take your advice. I refused interferon because it would cause depression, infertility, and make me feel like crap for a long time. And the doctor told me it didn't do anything to extend my survival. So why do it? There are newer drugs coming out but for now I watch and wait and feel really good!
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- October 5, 2015 at 7:04 pm
Good for you Niki, I hope Cindy will take your advice. I refused interferon because it would cause depression, infertility, and make me feel like crap for a long time. And the doctor told me it didn't do anything to extend my survival. So why do it? There are newer drugs coming out but for now I watch and wait and feel really good!
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- October 5, 2015 at 7:04 pm
Good for you Niki, I hope Cindy will take your advice. I refused interferon because it would cause depression, infertility, and make me feel like crap for a long time. And the doctor told me it didn't do anything to extend my survival. So why do it? There are newer drugs coming out but for now I watch and wait and feel really good!
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- October 6, 2015 at 2:29 am
I am currently be treated for IIIB melanoma at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I like it. I am making the same decisions as you. No interferon for me. Good Luck.
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- October 6, 2015 at 2:29 am
I am currently be treated for IIIB melanoma at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I like it. I am making the same decisions as you. No interferon for me. Good Luck.
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- October 6, 2015 at 2:29 am
I am currently be treated for IIIB melanoma at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I like it. I am making the same decisions as you. No interferon for me. Good Luck.
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- October 6, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Cindy,
I'm currently at the Melanoma Clinic at University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, CO. We hadn't lived in CO very long before my diagnosis and had no clue about this place until I got a new dermatologist and she directed me there. She saw how beat down I was on interferon and suggested I speak with the doctors there. Best choice I ever made! Unfortunetly for me, by the time I got to them and had a new Pet Scan, the melanoma was still growing and I had new spots pop up…which lead me to be a stage 4. That's how I got approval for Yervoy and my insurance to pay for it. Horrible and frustrating way to go about getting better drugs..but I feel had I stayed with the dr who kept shoving interferon in me, who knows when they would have scanned me again and the whole time cancer was still growing. I could have been in worse shape by the time they realized it.
When I first met with Dr Lewis at the Melanoma Clinic, I was still listed as stage 3B. That first meeting he sat with Matt and I and went through everything on Melanoma from A-Z and covered my whole medical history and charts with us. He could answer every question with specific answers and took his time with us. It was like a whole new world that we didn't get at the previous cancer center. These people live and breath for melanoma patients and it gave us confidence and hope to be in their care. I highly recommend you find a clinic or melanoma specialist in your area or make the journey to this clinic. I had a general oncologist before who was a nice man and kind, but really didn't have the indepth knowledge of melanoma that we needed. Even though my stage bumped up, I feel so much better under their watch! Hope this helps you, Cindy! 🙂
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- October 6, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Cindy,
I'm currently at the Melanoma Clinic at University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, CO. We hadn't lived in CO very long before my diagnosis and had no clue about this place until I got a new dermatologist and she directed me there. She saw how beat down I was on interferon and suggested I speak with the doctors there. Best choice I ever made! Unfortunetly for me, by the time I got to them and had a new Pet Scan, the melanoma was still growing and I had new spots pop up…which lead me to be a stage 4. That's how I got approval for Yervoy and my insurance to pay for it. Horrible and frustrating way to go about getting better drugs..but I feel had I stayed with the dr who kept shoving interferon in me, who knows when they would have scanned me again and the whole time cancer was still growing. I could have been in worse shape by the time they realized it.
When I first met with Dr Lewis at the Melanoma Clinic, I was still listed as stage 3B. That first meeting he sat with Matt and I and went through everything on Melanoma from A-Z and covered my whole medical history and charts with us. He could answer every question with specific answers and took his time with us. It was like a whole new world that we didn't get at the previous cancer center. These people live and breath for melanoma patients and it gave us confidence and hope to be in their care. I highly recommend you find a clinic or melanoma specialist in your area or make the journey to this clinic. I had a general oncologist before who was a nice man and kind, but really didn't have the indepth knowledge of melanoma that we needed. Even though my stage bumped up, I feel so much better under their watch! Hope this helps you, Cindy! 🙂
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- October 6, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Cindy,
I'm currently at the Melanoma Clinic at University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, CO. We hadn't lived in CO very long before my diagnosis and had no clue about this place until I got a new dermatologist and she directed me there. She saw how beat down I was on interferon and suggested I speak with the doctors there. Best choice I ever made! Unfortunetly for me, by the time I got to them and had a new Pet Scan, the melanoma was still growing and I had new spots pop up…which lead me to be a stage 4. That's how I got approval for Yervoy and my insurance to pay for it. Horrible and frustrating way to go about getting better drugs..but I feel had I stayed with the dr who kept shoving interferon in me, who knows when they would have scanned me again and the whole time cancer was still growing. I could have been in worse shape by the time they realized it.
When I first met with Dr Lewis at the Melanoma Clinic, I was still listed as stage 3B. That first meeting he sat with Matt and I and went through everything on Melanoma from A-Z and covered my whole medical history and charts with us. He could answer every question with specific answers and took his time with us. It was like a whole new world that we didn't get at the previous cancer center. These people live and breath for melanoma patients and it gave us confidence and hope to be in their care. I highly recommend you find a clinic or melanoma specialist in your area or make the journey to this clinic. I had a general oncologist before who was a nice man and kind, but really didn't have the indepth knowledge of melanoma that we needed. Even though my stage bumped up, I feel so much better under their watch! Hope this helps you, Cindy! 🙂
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