anyone feel better after first nivo/ipi infusion

Hi Lisa

Please don't ever apologise for repeating a question here as it sounds like a very stressful time for you and your partner and your head is probably in a whirl. Oh, and by the way, I've checked your activity and you haven't already asked this 

I can't help with your question, as I had a different type of cancer, but I was passing and noticed that no one had responded yet. This is probably because the right person hasn't seen your post. By replying to you it will 'bump' it back to the top of the page where it'll be seen again.

I'm also going to 'tag' this group's Community Champion buttercup01 into my message as she may be able to provide you with more information or know someone else in this group who has undergone the same treatment combination as your partner is about to start and, in turn, tag them.

Sending a supportive ((Hug))

Hi Lisa

Sorry I didn't see this earlier n thanks for bumping it latchbrook

I don't know of anyone in the kidney cancer group on this  drug combo. I think mentions someone can while back. Can u remember who ?

I'll try n search for who it was 

Hi and buttercup01,

I believe that this treatment was one which was initially developed for use against Malignant Melanoma and I think a few people from that group have been on it.  Perhaps , might be able to put you in contact with someone who has a bit more knowledge about it?

Gragon x

Thank you x

Hi , I’m a metastatic melanoma patient I’m still on an Immunotherapy drug called Pembrolizumab which is considered to be the same as Nivolumab but by a different manufacturer. I started Pembro in April 2016, when cancer had spread to my ovary, but in my case I can’t remember having many symptoms at that time the previous drug that I had been on for 9 months worked very quickly, and I was surprised when it had stopped working and I needed to change. A lot of the people on Ipi/Nivo are on the drug for adjuvant treatment where they again won’t have symptoms, so it’s difficult to put you in contact with anyone with the experience that you are looking for. 

Ipi/Nivo can sometimes be quite rough with side effects for the first 12 weeks but your hospital team will go over how important it is to report things to them quickly and you will be given a 24/7 telephone number. Ipi / Nivo can work really well though and within 3 months all my enlarged pelvic and abdominal lymph nodes and ovary showed a virtual complete response and so when I had an all over body rash after 2 weeks I held on to the fact that I was on one of the best treatments. But that rash and feeling very tired for a few days after treatment were the only side effects I had. 

I wish you luck for Monday, I’m wondering if this video by the Lancashire teaching hospital is of any use to you. 

https://vimeo.com/252355507/00d629311d

if you have any questions I can help with, please ask, you may want to do a search in the melanoma group for any mention of Ipi or Nivo,   But remember that all patients react differently to the treatment.

Best wishes

Hi Lisa,

My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 Kidney Cancer at the end of September. He started treatment at the end of October. After the first session his temperature was very high and he had to be admitted to hospital but we found out after that this was quite common. After my husband’s second dose of the nivo/ipi combo he had a rush of energy that he hadn’t had in a long while. This lasted for about three days and it was great to see. Our two young girls were visibly surprised by their daddy’s surge of energy.  It’s been just over a week since his second dose and he now has a cold and a cough. We are hoping he can fight it easily. I hope your husband is feeling better. 

Hi Lisa

I've had another quick look and hopefully these people might see me tag them and reply.

Julie! 's husband is on it

's husband on it

I think nivolumab on it's own rather than combined

I'm not sure how helpful that will be.

Will keep everything crossed for great success for you all.

Thank you for sharing your story. My partner has his first Nivolumab/iPi today so will be on alert for side effects and hoping it also brings some relief.

how did you explain everything to your girls?

Thanks

Hi , my daughters were in their mid 20’s and weren’t living at home, I told them everything as it unfolded, as we keep in contact with face time, (one is overseas) I  notice your children are 10 and 14. Macmillan have a looklet about telling children which they put together with winstons wish.

You might find the below link useful to read on line or Macmillan do a booklet, my hospital have them in the Macmillan area, but you can download the booklet on line or order it online free to be put in the post 

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/coping/talking-about-cancer/talking-to-children

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/resources-and-publications/publications

The schools will give support to and my last link is 

http://www.riprap.org.uk

Keep open, keep mostly positive, keep hugging, keep things to their level

Thanks and for info for

Sue