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Update on my Mother who has Stage IV Melanoma and had side effects from Yervoy

Forums General Melanoma Community Update on my Mother who has Stage IV Melanoma and had side effects from Yervoy

  • Post
    Marcia1
    Participant

      Thanks to everyone who responded last week when my mother was in the hospital for dehydration and uncontrollable diarrhea.  They didn't use the Rimicade (sp.) but seemed to get it stopped with steroids.  Then she didn't go for 4 days and they gave her Go Lytley – sent her home this past Tuesday and now she's back in the hospital with a blood infection, renal failure and checking for cellulitis.  Her legs swelled up so much they were draining thru holes in her leg.  She doesn't feel really sick, but is weak.  I don't know if all of this came from

      Thanks to everyone who responded last week when my mother was in the hospital for dehydration and uncontrollable diarrhea.  They didn't use the Rimicade (sp.) but seemed to get it stopped with steroids.  Then she didn't go for 4 days and they gave her Go Lytley – sent her home this past Tuesday and now she's back in the hospital with a blood infection, renal failure and checking for cellulitis.  Her legs swelled up so much they were draining thru holes in her leg.  She doesn't feel really sick, but is weak.  I don't know if all of this came from the Yervoy treatment or not.  She's pretty much decided not to have another treatment, which the doctor did want to give her.  She'll be 87 this Thursday.

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    • Replies
        NYKaren
        Participant
          Hi Marcia,
          Glad your mom’s doing better; she’s been on my mind.
          So, this doctor wanted to give her MORE Yervoy? Please, please, get your mom to a melanoma specialist at a melanoma center of excellence. Sorry to be so blunt, but some people here who are younger than 87 have experienced very similar side-effects after their first infusion, and there is very little doubt that it was from the Yervoy.
          When I presented with similar symptoms, the first thing my onc said to me in the ER was that I’d probably never see another Ipi infusion again. EVER!
          Please keep us posted on how your sweet mom is doing.
          Warmly,
          Karen
          NYKaren
          Participant
            Hi Marcia,
            Glad your mom’s doing better; she’s been on my mind.
            So, this doctor wanted to give her MORE Yervoy? Please, please, get your mom to a melanoma specialist at a melanoma center of excellence. Sorry to be so blunt, but some people here who are younger than 87 have experienced very similar side-effects after their first infusion, and there is very little doubt that it was from the Yervoy.
            When I presented with similar symptoms, the first thing my onc said to me in the ER was that I’d probably never see another Ipi infusion again. EVER!
            Please keep us posted on how your sweet mom is doing.
            Warmly,
            Karen
            NYKaren
            Participant
              Hi Marcia,
              Glad your mom’s doing better; she’s been on my mind.
              So, this doctor wanted to give her MORE Yervoy? Please, please, get your mom to a melanoma specialist at a melanoma center of excellence. Sorry to be so blunt, but some people here who are younger than 87 have experienced very similar side-effects after their first infusion, and there is very little doubt that it was from the Yervoy.
              When I presented with similar symptoms, the first thing my onc said to me in the ER was that I’d probably never see another Ipi infusion again. EVER!
              Please keep us posted on how your sweet mom is doing.
              Warmly,
              Karen
                NYKaren
                Participant
                  Oops, sorry I didn’t see that she’s back in the hospital– oh my. And with renal failure. I’m so sorry. I hope with her great spirit that she’ll be better soon. Again, please keep us posted.
                  NYKaren
                  Participant
                    Oops, sorry I didn’t see that she’s back in the hospital– oh my. And with renal failure. I’m so sorry. I hope with her great spirit that she’ll be better soon. Again, please keep us posted.
                    NYKaren
                    Participant
                      Oops, sorry I didn’t see that she’s back in the hospital– oh my. And with renal failure. I’m so sorry. I hope with her great spirit that she’ll be better soon. Again, please keep us posted.
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      My Dad, stage IV and just turned 88, chose not to do Yervoy.  It would have been the oncologist's first choice of treatment given my Dad's low tumor burden.  But he suggested the side effects might be much worse than the quality of life my Dad was willing to give up.  He suggested that the BRAF drug had less side effects but he would only use that for a higher tumor burden.  (My Dad has not been tested for the BRAF mutation).  My Dad does not "admit" to much in the way of symptoms at this time so did not want to spend any of his remaining time feeling sick because of treatment.  He's very good at living in the now – something we should all learn to do.  Good luck on figuring out what is best for your Mom.

                      Janner
                      Participant

                        My Dad, stage IV and just turned 88, chose not to do Yervoy.  It would have been the oncologist's first choice of treatment given my Dad's low tumor burden.  But he suggested the side effects might be much worse than the quality of life my Dad was willing to give up.  He suggested that the BRAF drug had less side effects but he would only use that for a higher tumor burden.  (My Dad has not been tested for the BRAF mutation).  My Dad does not "admit" to much in the way of symptoms at this time so did not want to spend any of his remaining time feeling sick because of treatment.  He's very good at living in the now – something we should all learn to do.  Good luck on figuring out what is best for your Mom.

                        Janner
                        Participant

                          My Dad, stage IV and just turned 88, chose not to do Yervoy.  It would have been the oncologist's first choice of treatment given my Dad's low tumor burden.  But he suggested the side effects might be much worse than the quality of life my Dad was willing to give up.  He suggested that the BRAF drug had less side effects but he would only use that for a higher tumor burden.  (My Dad has not been tested for the BRAF mutation).  My Dad does not "admit" to much in the way of symptoms at this time so did not want to spend any of his remaining time feeling sick because of treatment.  He's very good at living in the now – something we should all learn to do.  Good luck on figuring out what is best for your Mom.

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