Keytruda for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer User Reviews (Page 4)

• Nessa
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2020

"My husband had non-small cell stage 4 lung cancer. His doctor recommended infusions of Keytruda because, after testing, he considered my husband to be an excellent candidate for immunotherapy. He had little to no symptoms of lung cancer at the time. The only reason we knew he had it was due to a coincidental CT Scan due to his occasional heart arrhythmia. But after his first infusion, he began much coughing and his incidents of arrhythmia increased to nearly every day from once every 2-8 weeks. He became debilitated from his normal life. After the second infusion, everything worsened and he began having difficulty breathing as the cancer apparently had been launched into high gear by the drug and his lungs were filling with fluid. One and half quarts of fluid were removed from his lungs, but he eventually came down with pneumonia and died 4 days later. I blame Keytruda for taking away precious time we needed together. I would not recommend this drug. It is much too risky!"

• Sunny...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 25, 2022

"My mom was on Keytruda for a year. No side effects for most months. After about 6 months she got a respiratory infection (head congestion, coughing up phlegm, and a little wheezing). Dr's thought maybe it was a side effect, so they delayed her treatment 1 week. She was put on antibiotics and an inhaler. She needed a 2nd dose of antibiotics. She never felt sick. She was just experiencing these symptoms. After about 6 weeks, it cleared up. Other than that she had no issues and she was up and about the entire year. Cancer was mostly stable... (some new small growths, some shrinkage of growths, and most were stable for 1 year). Unfortunately, after 1 year, the cancer is showing some signs of progression, so they are switching her to a new med."

• David
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 3, 2024

"I was diagnosed with stage 4 NSCLC in September 2017. I had a lymph node removed and tested in October 2017. In December 2017, I received my first chemo (Alimta, carboplatin, and Keytruda) and continued receiving it every 3 weeks until March 2018. I was able to continue working daily during the treatment. A PET scan in April 2018 showed no active cancer. I then continued with Keytruda as a maintenance treatment every 3 weeks until August 2018, but at this time I experienced bad diarrhea. I lost almost 60 lbs and ended up in the hospital for a week. I returned to the hospital in November 2018, but was released after three days. I received daily infusions of steroids for 3 more days. In 2021, a lymph node was removed and the results showed it was clear. Today is February 3, 2124, and I feel blessed to be alive and well. Medication effectiveness varies from person to person, but I believe that Keytruda played a big role in keeping my cancer inactive. I also had excellent doctors! In my case, I think I may have been over-medicated with Keytruda due to a lack of data, and I hope that more information is gathered to help decrease the side effects."

• Alpin...
• January 31, 2021

"Keytruda gave me type 1 diabetes after 1 treatment. I stopped because my cancer was treatable with radiation. I indicated in this blog that I’d be reluctant to resuming treatment. Well, after 9 months post Keytruda treatment Ive been diagnosed with inoperable chest wall cancer, very aggressive. With 6 months to live and failed radiation treatment I resumed treatment with Keytruda. I might regret the choice, but have little to lose."

• John
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2023

"I started Keytruda 18 treatments ago on a lung tumor of 9 cm. The tumor shrunk to 4.5 cm after 7 doses and then stopped. The side effects of this medication are ridiculous. My last scan showed the tumor has grown to 5.2 cm now and I now have swelling of lymph nodes by my stomach. I asked to be put on chemotherapy but was told medicare had to approve and that can take 21 days meaning it leaves the tumor to grow in my lung with no treatment."

• motor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2023

"I started Keytruda on November 26, 2003. The first 2 days were OK... I felt no different but I'm scheduled to have my second treatment on December 20, next Wednesday, and I really do not want to do it. I have been so weak, tired, in pain, mouth pain and redness to the point that I cannot eat. It's so bad. Diarrhea, no appetite at all. Losing weight, which I started at 120 and now I am probably 110. I am a 5'9 man, 71 years old. I am wondering if it is worth going through the 2 scheduled treatments. I'm hoping I'll feel better but if it's going to be like this or worse... I'm done. They tell you that it's not as bad as the old chemo but to me, it sounds like all the same side effects."

• Rosey...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 16, 2023

"Diagnosed stage 4 after one year in remission, was a huge shock. I experience a 40lb weight gain, and muscle and joint pain. The dosage began a 21-day cycle along with chemo and 10 months later I went to 6 week cycle."

• Jdan
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2020

"Relaying information on a family member, who probably died due to complications from Keytruda. Protocol of three infusions. Two were adminstered. After the second infusion, she began to have gastrointestinal complications. Hospitalized for five days, while she was stabilized with steroids and antibiotics. Returned home, with a course of oral steroids and Immodium. Continued to slide. Readmitted several weeks later with same symptoms - weakness, debilitating diarrhea. Final outcome - Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage, amemia and hypotension."

• Lala
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 5, 2020

"My brother a disabled vet who has smoked 4 packs a day since he was a teen has Stage 4 SCLC. The VA Dr. gave him 9 months to live. Non operable and no radiation offered. They offered him 8 Keytruda treatments and the tumors did shrink. He’s done well except for horrible leg, feet and especially knee pain so bad he’s wheelchair bound because he’s a fall risk. He is also a diabetic and schizophrenic. He’s been at the VA for over a year and now they have moved him into the nursing home part. Problem is the nursing home part of the VA has not taken him for the Keytruda in two months. Nobody is telling him or me anything and his Social worker that he got two months ago has not reached out to either of us nor have the any of the Drs. Strangely enough he is 63 and diagnosed with schizophrenia at 17. He has been a normal person the brother I am now getting to know since being at the VA for over a year. He is still smoking 4 packs a day. No Drs are telling him what’s going on"

• Sharon
• October 3, 2022

"Stage 4. I went for my first dose got the IV but my sodium was 120 they sent me to the ER with the IV. 4 days and now 4 sodium pills later it’s almost normal. First dose after, I had to stop because diarrhea. 5 months later CT scan showed much regression in the tumors. Started again been getting ever two weeks. 4 treatments ago I broke out in the hives. Next dose no reaction next dose landed me in the ER with anaphylactic shock. Stopped for 4 weeks. Restarting with pre treatment . No problems. I have horrible fatigue but I have MS also and it’s fatiguing. Couple spots of rough skin around my lips a few white spots in my mouth. But in for more treatments it’s been 18 months and still going slower but better."

• Linda
• February 13, 2023

"I was diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer plus a large tumor on my neck, that's attacking my lymph nodes. I have several small tumors on my neck as well as a mass on my right lung. I'm in a lot of pain physically and mentally. My doctor wants me to start Keytruda soon and I would like to know if anyone can share with me the pros/cons they have had using Keytruda."

• Kenny
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 13, 2024

"My lung cancer traveled to my bowel and I turned stage 4 during an ICU stay. They released me to hospice after my weight was 60 pounds. I had been intubated for a month (2 of those in a coma. 2 trach to vent). My right lung was completely collapsed under an 11cm tumor, I had 8 Mets in my small intestine, also collapsed from no food in a month. I could not sit, stand, or walk. I could not talk till I left the ICU. 6 days after regrouping in hospice, I 'ran away' to get Keytruda. In 4 infusions, I was cancer-free. I was diagnosed 5 years ago tomorrow, I have been cancer-free since December 2019. I took it solo for 17 months. My PDLI was 80%. I had no side effects except getting thyroiditis (not worth complaining about vs death), and I am completely healthy now."

• Lori
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 26, 2024

"I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer that spread to my brain, chest, and abdomen in 2020. I underwent radiation and CyberKnife. Then I was put on Keytruda – one treatment every 3 weeks. I've had no side effects and never missed a day of work. I continue to work at Home Depot in receiving, unloading, and breaking down trucks! I just celebrated my 60th birthday. I'm still working, gardening, and enjoying my grandchildren. I continue to do my treatment every 3 weeks. Thank you to my wonderful doctors and nurses and of course, Keytruda, at the Lowell Cancer Center."

• J C
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 14, 2019

"I have been on it for nine months and have had not problem and three clear CT scans. I have stage four small cell lung cancer. Working for me."

• yago
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2018

"Had five treatments, 2spots gone and one has shrunk by 25%."

• swayne
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 3, 2018

"My mother been on Keytruda for 6 months , is doing very well. Has had very little side effects. She has 4 stage lung and met bone cancer"

• Nick
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2018

"It gave me extreme diarrhea and terrible stomach pain. If I could go back and not take this medication, I would. I discontinued it after 30 days."

• Nancy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2018

"This medication killed my brother..."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2018

"Well my mom took one dose she had been tired, not much of an appetite. Have hope this will lengthen her life. We will see her when she has her scan done, hopefully it reduces."

• Sandra
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 27, 2024

"Excellent 5.5 years, tested 80% positive PDL... Original diagnosis Nov 2017, Stage 4 metastatic NSCLC. Stopped treatment Oct 2022... Regular scans show no active disease."

• RBs
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2024

"I'm having hungry feelings but don't want anything. I think I do, but I don't. I have no pain. Food is either too salty or too sweet."