Nivolumab and Cough: What Users Say

• kde...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2023

Nivolumab for Urothelial Carcinoma "My dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer that spread to his prostate, and in August 2022, he had both removed. In October 2022, he started taking Opdivo. After two treatments, he developed a rash and was treated with steroids. In mid-November, he had another treatment along with a steroid IV to counteract another rash. However, he gradually worsened. He developed a fever, became weak and tired, lost his appetite, experienced severe back pain, and had a cough. He had another treatment at the end of December. At the end of January 2023, we took him to the emergency room where he was diagnosed with pneumonia in his lungs, a kidney infection, a blood clot in his right leg, and a blood clot near his heart in his lung. He also had mild fluid surrounding his heart and gastroparesis. It is February 3rd and he is still in the hospital. The doctors have confirmed through dye and X-rays that gastroparesis is a side effect of Opdivo and not caused by a blockage or mass. They are trying to figure out how to treat him as steroids are not working. Our experience with Opdivo has been thumbs down. If only we had known beforehand."

• Dan...
• April 24, 2019

Nivolumab for Small Cell Lung Cancer "Writing this review on my father's behalf, may he rest in peace. He got diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung cancer with metastasis in the liver and lymph nodes. After his first round of chemo, they did a new CT scan and PET scan, miraculously, the doctor said the cancer is reduced to scarring and continued the radiation preventively. Three months later, he is back in the hospital and things are not looking good, yet stable. From the first dose of Opdivo, it was a rapid decline. He passed away within 24 hours of the second dose on Feb 14. He couldn’t eat or sleep, he couldn’t talk or walk, his face was dropping, and he had a cough that wouldn’t give up. I can’t help but feel that they used my dad as some sort of lab rat to test this on. I know that cancer is terrifying, and I know that you may feel there are not many options, but please consider finding another option than this medication. My father was strong even in his final moments, but I genuinely feel he would still be alive if not for these meds."

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

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "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."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2022

For Melanoma "I had stage 3 melanoma. 15 years earlier, I had a malignant melanoma mole removed from my lower back. Then it came back in my lymph nodes in my groin. Surgery removed 13 lymph nodes. They recommended nivolumab as adjuvant treatment. First treatment, I developed a mild cough. I let them know, but they were hyper-focused on Covid, so they said it may be that. I did two more treatments, and the cough got really bad. Pneumonitis was diagnosed. They took me off of nivolumab and put me on prednisone, an antibiotic, and a stomach pill to turn off my immune system. I had such a bad reaction to the antibiotic that I ended up in emergency. I never felt so sick and utterly exhausted. I regret all the pharmaceuticals they gave me. I wish I had just stopped with the surgery."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2022

For Melanoma "I had stage 3 melanoma. 15 years earlier, I had a malignant melanoma mole removed from my lower back. Then it came back in my lymph nodes in my groin. Surgery removed 13 lymph nodes. They recommended nivolumab as adjuvant treatment. First treatment, I developed a mild cough. I let them know, but they were hyper-focused on Covid, so they said it may be that. I did two more treatments, and the cough got really bad. Pneumonitis was diagnosed. They took me off of nivolumab and put me on prednisone, an antibiotic, and a stomach pill to turn off my immune system. I had such a bad reaction to the antibiotic that I ended up in emergency. I never felt so sick and utterly exhausted. I regret all the pharmaceuticals they gave me. I wish I had just stopped with the surgery."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 13, 2025

Nivolumab for Colorectal Cancer "Completed 52 cycles of Nivolumab and have shown slow but steady and excellent results as tumors in the body have gradually lost all metabolic activities and have shrunk in size. But the tumors are still present in the body, though now at a very tiny size. I am still further advised to continue with Nivolumab. Side effects during treatment were upper respiratory infections like cold and cough. Recently, hypothyroidism has been shown, which is now treated with medications. Rest, I am as fit as any regular person going with his office work as usual. Thanks to Nivolumab and my doctor!"