MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Will doctor give 3rd IPI infusion if on steroids for gastro issues?
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Will doctor give 3rd IPI infusion if on steroids for gastro issues?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Will doctor give 3rd IPI infusion if on steroids for gastro issues?

  • Post
    • September 22, 2011 at 4:18 pm
    AlanM
    Participant

      I am one week away from 3rd infusion of ipi and just had to start 20mg/day prednisone to control gastro issues. The nurse told me that it generally takes a few weeks for them to take affect and  to taper off the drug. Will being on the steroid cause me to miss my next infusion?  I have had shrinkage in the brain met that I have and I want to keep that moving forward!

      Alan

      I am one week away from 3rd infusion of ipi and just had to start 20mg/day prednisone to control gastro issues. The nurse told me that it generally takes a few weeks for them to take affect and  to taper off the drug. Will being on the steroid cause me to miss my next infusion?  I have had shrinkage in the brain met that I have and I want to keep that moving forward!

      Alan

    Viewing 1 reply thread
    • Replies
        • September 23, 2011 at 2:17 am
        Jim M.
        Participant

          Hi Alan,

           I was about to get my 5th Ipi infusion when an MRI revealed swelling of the pituitary gland. I was taken off Ipi and first put on prednisone. Then I was put on hydrocortisone, another steroid. Since steroids suppress the immune system they work at odds with Ipi. My doctor was considering to re-treat me with Ipi when my hormone levels returned to normal. I don't know if he would have put me back on Ipi while being on hydrocortisone, although I'm taking the normal hormone replacement dose. At any rate I decided not to go back on Ipi as he said there wasn't much added benefit to being re-treated and there's the risk of Ipi attacking something else and causing more damage. My doc. required me to not be on any steroid prior to Ipi treatment ( I went off Nasonex).

           If you're put back on Ipi while still dealing with gastro issues, Ipi could exacerbate the gastro issues. If you need to miss the next infusion, the Ipi that's in your system will continue to rev up your immune system.

           Hope this is helpful. As a last thought you are welcome to email my onc., one of the Ipi immunologist gurus in the U.S. Unless he's away from his email he usually responds to emails the same work day. His email is: jeffrey.weber@moffitt.org

          God Bless and much success,

           Jim M.

          • September 23, 2011 at 2:17 am
          Jim M.
          Participant

            Hi Alan,

             I was about to get my 5th Ipi infusion when an MRI revealed swelling of the pituitary gland. I was taken off Ipi and first put on prednisone. Then I was put on hydrocortisone, another steroid. Since steroids suppress the immune system they work at odds with Ipi. My doctor was considering to re-treat me with Ipi when my hormone levels returned to normal. I don't know if he would have put me back on Ipi while being on hydrocortisone, although I'm taking the normal hormone replacement dose. At any rate I decided not to go back on Ipi as he said there wasn't much added benefit to being re-treated and there's the risk of Ipi attacking something else and causing more damage. My doc. required me to not be on any steroid prior to Ipi treatment ( I went off Nasonex).

             If you're put back on Ipi while still dealing with gastro issues, Ipi could exacerbate the gastro issues. If you need to miss the next infusion, the Ipi that's in your system will continue to rev up your immune system.

             Hope this is helpful. As a last thought you are welcome to email my onc., one of the Ipi immunologist gurus in the U.S. Unless he's away from his email he usually responds to emails the same work day. His email is: jeffrey.weber@moffitt.org

            God Bless and much success,

             Jim M.

        Viewing 1 reply thread
        • 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