Nivolumab for Non Small Cell Lung Cancer User Reviews (Page 2)

• Pat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 13, 2021

Nivolumab "My husband, a smoker for 60+ years, was diagnosed with NSCLC in 2015. After several months of traditional ineffective chemo, his doctor recommended the newly discovered Opdivo. That was late 2015. It is now Feb 2021, and he is still going strong with no/minimal side effects. As I’m sure many fortunate patients can attest, every day is a blessing!"

• Pow...
• January 19, 2017

Nivolumab "I have been taking Opdivo since March 2016. My cancer is now in my liver, and the medicine seems to be keeping the cancer strictly in my liver, due to a PET scan in 12-2016. I have developed a red rash and found that lotion and creams do help. Lately, I have noticed my nails looking strange, and the thumbnails look like they may come off. Have not discussed with my doctor, and will do so at the next appointment. My cancer started in a knot on my neck and in my lung as stage 4. I only have the cancer in my liver. I am unsure as to what I will do considering that cancer has been contained to my liver only. I have had cancer since August 2013."

• ein...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2015

"Been on Nivolumab since July 31, every 2 weeks. As of Sept. 14, I've lost about 10 lbs, have loss of appetite, cough, and fatigue. I will be starting acupuncture today (9/15) and believe this will help me. I went through 6 weeks (every day) of radiation and chemo last year and started acupuncture at the very beginning of treatments and never had any side effects except loss of hair, and I walked 2 miles every day while undergoing treatments. I'm very encouraged and believing that Nivolumab will eliminate my cancer. I can't compare the side effects of my treatments last year with Nivolumab because of the timely manner of acupuncture."

• Bab...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 2, 2018

"Diagnosed with NSCL Stage III B in December 2003. After 6 treatments (carboplatin/taxotere), was told that I was stable, but disease would come back within 2 years, and then I would have 6 months, and that would be it. In May of 2016 (after x number of chemo treatments), I was put on Opdivo and have felt great ever since. I use lots of body lotion after showers to keep the occasional rash in check. This is the only side effect I have to deal with. Love Opdivo and the carefree life it gives me."

• Lea...
• July 18, 2017

"Love this stuff, works miracles. I was stage 4, spread to numerous lymph nodes. I was diagnosed in June 2016 and started chemo, which knocked the hell out of me, only on chemo for three months. Then started Opdivo. After only 15 treatments, I am cancer-free. I have never had any side effects, gained more weight than I needed, and actually feel better than I ever have. It doesn't work for everyone, I think about 20%, which I think is roughly the same for chemo. It's sad we need something that works for 100%."

• JSa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2019

"Opdivo caused increased intracranial pressure or demyelination to my mom 3 weeks after her first IV dose (stage IV NSCLC -- slow metastasizing type of cancer). She was having trouble speaking as her first adverse effect. Healthcare practitioners were unable to tell what exactly caused it because this drug is so new. She was given the only thing the books tell them to do in such situations: high doses of steroids. She faded fast and died about a month after her first treatment. This drug is not for everybody; I wish I knew of these reviews before she started treatment. By then it was too late."

• Kim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2017

"My dad was diagnosed last August 20, 2016, with stage 4 lung cancer. He came home from the hospital, and he started chemo right away. He had about 7 rounds of regular chemo. We thought he was doing so well. He had a scan in December, and they said it was stable. Still continued treatment through February. In the middle of March 2017, my dad went in the hospital. He was there for 10 days. Dr. said the cancer was spreading, he needed treatment. The new treatment, Opdivo, brought him home, and 3/29/17 my dad had his first treatment of Opdivo. My dad seemed to start going downhill, couldn't walk, was having a hard time breathing. He never made the 2nd treatment, my dad died 4/19/2017. I am not saying it was from the Opdivo, but it sure makes me wonder."

• JJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2018

"My beloved mother is no longer with my family or me. Such an incredible shock this is. In my honest opinion, it wasn't because of the cancer itself, but from the allergic response and adverse effects of this drug, which hastened her death unquestionably (severe motor dysfunction and hydrocephalus). I wish I did my homework on her new 'treatment' before it was too late. If I could tell anyone about my story, it would be this: do your research on cancer medications (antineoplastics) because sometimes the risks outweigh the potential benefits. Immunotherapy drugs, e.g., Keytruda, Opdivo, should be used with EXTREME caution in patients with a previous or current autoimmune disease and those who show signs of generalized weakness before starting treatment. Thanks for taking my mom sooner than she needed to go, Opdivo."

• MJW...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 22, 2019

"In April 2017, I was diagnosed with stage IIIB metastatic lung cancer, having gone to my lymph nodes. I had chemo and radiation, which shrunk the tumor in my lung and destroyed the cancerous lymph nodes. But the next scan showed new nodes involved, so I was started on Opdivo in September 2017. After one year on the drug, I showed No Evidence of Disease - cancer-free. I have continued to stay cancer-free, but the side effects have worsened over the last year. Severe fatigue, worsening shortness of breath, nerve spasms, hot sweats, muscle weakness, and pain. The side effects now are taking a toll, so I had my last infusion two weeks ago. Now it will take some time to start feeling better. I gave this drug a 9 because it saved my life and was tolerable for two years. I am very grateful, and I do believe I will start feeling better soon."

• Chr...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 2, 2024

"I have had monthly injections of nivolumab since 2018 for stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer! That's 6 years which I wouldn't have had with chemotherapy. I had a full-body rash after the first dose that was treated with steroids. It did not recur. I feel well and owe my life to this drug. Full disclosure, I live in Canada and the government covers all my medical costs associated with taking this drug."

• Car...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 22, 2023

Nivolumab "Nine years ago, I was told I had 6 to 9 months to live as I was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer, which had spread to the bone, liver, and brain. I was on chemotherapy for the first year and then switched to Opdivo, which I have been treated with for the past 8 years. My current condition is described as stable, and Opdivo treatments were recently discontinued as it is believed that my own immune system is now attacking cancer growth. I consider Opdivo to be a miracle drug which, for me, had only mild and limited side effects, such as difficulty sleeping, headaches, etc."

• 77S...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2023

"On January 17th, 2023, I began treatment for stage 3a NSCLC, which included infusions every two weeks. At 75 years old, I was diagnosed on April 6th, 2022, after discovering a 1.9mm nodule at the bottom of my left lung, along with malignant hilar lymph nodes. Initially, I did not undergo any therapy for 9 months, opting instead for CT/PET scans every three months. During this period, there was no growth in the nodule, and the SUV hypermetabolic activity remained at around 7.7. Following five infusions, my doctor performed a PET/CT scan, which revealed that the hilar lymph region was cancer-free, although the nodule had grown slightly. However, the SUV was low. My next step is to have a radiation oncologist map the location of the nodule and perform a direct radiation beam, known as radiation surgery, to eliminate the nodule. Fortunately, I have an outstanding doctor who has not overtreated me. Despite initial fatigue and headaches, the side effects of Opdivo, the treatment I'm receiving, disappeared after a couple of infusions. I am scheduled for my seventh infusion on April 17th. Throughout my illness, I have not experienced any symptoms and have remained very active, participating in activities like surfing, mountain biking, hiking, and walking."

• Kyr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2022

"This drug caused the death of my father earlier. When he received this drug, he had advanced non-small lung cancer (squamous) with multiple bone metastases. After the second dose, my father could not walk, and after 20 days, he passed away in the hospital. Do not give this to your loved ones in advanced stages. There are no benefits."

• Joc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 29, 2018

Nivolumab "I have stage 3B lung cancer and was on chemo but couldn't take it, so then I was on Opdivo. I was doing fine, but it triggered my lichen planus back, wondering if anyone out there ever heard of this or had it also."

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2018

"My husband had NSCLC in 2011, then in 2013 it went to his head. After many rounds of chemo between 2013 and 2017, they weren’t working anymore. Opdivo was the answer for the doctors. He was to have his second Opdivo treatment, and on the very day, I woke to him seizing in our bed. After an ER trip, we found out he had blood clots all up one side of his head, and he died three days later."

• PRo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 31, 2022

Nivolumab "I've been on Opdivo for 4 years. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer on Feb. 7, 2018. I had chemo once a week for about 3 months, but radiation 5 days a week at the same time. Then, a month and a half later, more radiation for about another 5 weeks. Started Opdivo treatments in Sept. 2018. I go every other Friday. My side effects were/are joints aching, with swelling. Get tired and feel fatigued at times. Had some weight gain also."

• His...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2021

Nivolumab "Opdivo is a joke! My husband had a heart attack the day of his second treatment and died the following week because he could not undergo surgery due to being so weak. We were not aware of some of the side effects. After his death, I owed more to the cancer center than the hospital due to the fact that this immunotherapy drug cost $16,000 per treatment even though Medicare and the supplement helped pay. The only ones who benefit from these drugs are the drug makers. I honestly do not know a single cancer patient that immunotherapy has saved."

• Anonymous
• July 17, 2017

Nivolumab "My brother died from taking this medication. His cancer was in his lungs. When he started Opdivo, the cancer quickly went to his brain. He died weeks later. Why did the FDA approve this drug?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 24, 2020

Nivolumab "My mom has stage 4 NSCLC in year 7. She started Opdivo 4 years ago, and at age 74, she’s still going strong. Minimal side effects, cancer is almost non-existent."

• 921...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 21, 2017

"Very positive till mouth sores and rash. Truly love the drug, so much better than chemo. Allows me to do things I couldn't under chemotherapy."

• Ray...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2017

Nivolumab "My mother died from lung cancer. Her last hope was this medication. Within a couple of months, she was gone."

• Reg...
• April 15, 2017

"I was done. The choices were crappy. No more chemo could even help. I hate big chemo companies. Sorry, this stuff works, period. Now how do you stop... 10k a pop. They say to keep going."