Adjuvant Pembrolizumab (Pembro)

  • 107 replies
  • 63 subscribers
  • 13125 views

My right kidney was removed 9 weeks ago.  It was grade 2 with intermediate risk.  A 25% risk of reoccurring within 5 years.   Have been offered Pembo immunotherapy starting on 18th Dec.  It will be  every 6 weeks treatment lasting 1 year.  
I am wondering is there anyone out there who has been on Pembo and how is it working out for them.

many thanks,

Sandysea

  • Hi Del

    Like you, I'm on that drug - but just had 1 session so far. Early days, but like you the itching has been really bad, but only on the back for some reason! Scalp has become flaky as well. And - like you - no other allergies to speak of (well, apart from penicillin...).

    The specialist did say that more side effects could happen once the treatment has been completed. Deep joy. 

  • Good luck with it Michael. These treatments have to be powerful to take on cancer. Our bodies are amazing in how hard they try to cope with everything we throw at them. 

  • Totally agree Del - it's weapon's grade stuff that they are injecting.

    Oh - while I think of it...did you get a mid-term phone call (that is, between each session) to ask how the treatment was going? I was supposed to get one last Friday afternoon but it didn't happen - could be a doctor's strike spin off??

    Thanks,

  • Hi, thanks for sharing your experience! Best of luck going forward.

  • Hi Michael  I get a review phone call  2 weeks after  each treatment  to check on how im feeling  and  if any side effects . Hopefully  because yours was due   a friday they will call tomorrow  but if you dont hear tomorrow  i think you should ring your oncology  dept  all the best .

  • Agreed - on the to do list for Tuesday!

  • Hope you got your dr review call Michael  and side effects  minimal. 

  • Hi Artful

    All OK really - itchy skin and insomnia are the only issues thankfully.

    Next treatment 2 weeks Monday.

    How's things with you?

  • Yes the same.   the tablets  they gave me haven't really helped   much . Just learning to live with it   and trying to keep busy to take mind off itching   And if i dont have a nap in afternoon that helps with the  sleeping at night .  At least no  bigger problems  for now   Thumbsup

  •  Had 4th pembrolizumab  today  much quicker  appointment  as moved to a morning slot all went well  .although  Feel the tiredist I have felt after so far . They precibed me some more antihistamines  ( fexofenadine  hydrochloride) as I found they did start to help after a week .   Gonig in three weeks again and will have 400 mg and be 6 weeks after  from then on .depending  on side effects . Hope all goes well for everyone  else on treatment  .fingers crossed.