steroid tapering- prednisone and cellcept

Hi Melanie,

A variety of gradual reductions in the use of steroids is common.  Decisions regarding how to implement a decreased dosage is based on the patient's symptoms and ability to tolerate each reduction without a return to the prior symptoms.

Most folks with substantial problems with the ipi/nivo combo do not return to it, BUT can go on to tolerate nivo alone well once symptoms are under control.

Additionally, despite 40% of melanoma peeps having to stop the combo, here is some good news: http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2017/08/40-of-melanoma-patients-stop-ipinivo.html

Here is some additional information that may interest you as well:

Report on essiac from Memorial Sloan Kettering:  https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/essiac  There it is noted:  "Do not take if ~ You have kidney or liver problems.  You are undergoing chemotherapy (in a case report, levels of a chemotherapy drug were increased in the blood of a patient also taking Essiac, with the potential for increased toxicity.)"  

Report on Avemar from MSK:  https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/wheat-germ-extract  They note that this is basically expensive wheat germ, and for many is not a problem, but, is contraindicated for use in…

"Patients with hormone-sensitive cancers, as it may have estrogen-receptor activity.   Patients with organ or tissue transplants.  Patients with bleeding gastric or duodenal ulcers, enteritis/colitis, or malabsorption syndrome.  Patients with sensitivity to gluten and those with fructose intolerance.  The manufacturer recommends discontinuing Avemar usage 2 days before barium X-ray contrast examinations and resume 2 days after procedure."  

Report on Boswellia, MSK:  https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/boswellia  

They note that folks on anti-coagulant therapy may have an increased risk of bleeding.  Additionally, folks with irritable bowel syndrome can have worsening of their symptoms.

"Natural" products can provide amazing solutions and problems for patients.  Think of the lovely periwinkle that allows us to utilize vincristine, a drug responsbile for saving innumerable lives from cancer.  Then, consider hemlock and poison ivy.  Here is a report on just some of what nature has given us: https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2018/03/25-50-of-effective-drugs-we-currently.html  

Bottom line, NATURE doesn't play.  She is powerful and her herbs are as well.  I've shared this with you before, but it is important:

https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2016/05/combining-alternative-and-conventional.html  

Given the fact that immunotherapy puts all of us at risk for colitis and liver function issues, I sincerely hope that you have discussed ALL the "supplements" you imbibe with your docs and wisely consider these issues when recommending them to others.  Still, what we each pursue in search of health is personal, hard, and to each his own.  BUT…I have spent my entire adult life making sure that folks have the tools they need to make INFORMED decisions about their health…..and while you may be informed about these things….others may not be.  So…I persevere.

I wish you my best.  Celeste

My oncologist advised against continuing Opdivo while taking the prednisone. Lucky me, my last scan had been NED so I was able to stop the immuno. ( was on it about 2 years )

I was on prednisone for about a year. I was getting skin lesions from Opdivo.  It was a cycle of weaning off, lesions not going away or getting worse, up the dosage, wean down again, wash, rinse, repeat.

My dermatologist was taking me down 5mg per week ( 7 days ) when I was at finally 5mg he had me do 2.5mg for another week.

I was down, then, up in dosage several times.

As you probably know prednisone has it's own wheel o' side effects.  Seemed like everytime I changed dose, up or down the current side effect went away and I got a new one for the next week.

Hope this helps