Keytruda and Cough: What Users Say

• lin...
• March 21, 2021

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My father is in ICU. He asked me to share this with you. He has had COPD. Recently, he got a spot on his lung but otherwise he was strong, though overweight. After his 3rd Keytruda treatment, everything went wrong. He lost his voice, kept feeling 'particles' in his nose and mouth, didn't sleep for over a week, feet swelled up like footballs, and had awful coughing. The doctor said he had a lung infection and sent him home with antibiotics and Lasix. No effect, he swelled up even more. He stopped going to the bathroom... both. He could barely walk, and we had to lift each leg into our SUV and pull them out one at a time when we got to the hospital. His liver and kidneys are shutting down, he still cannot talk, only whisper. He's dying. He agreed to do this because they said it uses your immune system, and my father has a very strong immune system. He assumed that Keytruda would use his already good immune system to beat the cancer."

• Mic...
• May 5, 2020

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "I was diagnosed with lung cancer on January 27th. Later, a brain scan revealed seven brain lesions for which I have been treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). Before January 27th, I experienced arrhythmia fairly regularly, anywhere from every two weeks to at least once a month. After my first infusion, my arrhythmia has occurred daily, lasting anywhere from 4 to 12 hours, which debilitates me, often leaving me very weak. (Last week, my cardiologist gave me a more powerful anti-arrhythmia prescription, but to no effect.) I also experience a persistent dry cough, which sometimes makes talking difficult. There is also shortness of breath. And since my second infusion 2 weeks ago, there is occasional neuropathy in my feet. My daily quality of life seems worse than the disease, although the latter's outcome is assured. So I ask myself, two years of feeling like this daily? No way. And at what point is quality of life to be sacrificed for treatment? Of course, it's an individual assessment. Nevertheless, your thoughts?"

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2022

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "Going for my third infusion in a few weeks and a cystoscopy. I get the infusion every six weeks. So far, just minor complaints, weight gain, rash that comes and goes, cough, some diarrhea, muscle pain sometimes, and face a little puffy. Bloodwork has been good so far. Had a TIA a month ago, but the oncologist said it wasn't the Keytruda. I'm going to my primary care this week to see what's going on. Not sure how to rate Keytruda yet, so I'll give it a 5."

• Mic...
• May 14, 2020

For Small Cell Lung Cancer "After the first infusion, immediate aggravation of my arrhythmia to the point of having episodes daily unlike ever before. Developed a persistent cough which made speaking difficult. Also, shortness of breath. Mentioned arrhythmia to my oncologist who was not inclined to blame Keytruda for the increased frequency, although arrhythmia is a known side effect. Three weeks later, the second infusion, everything worsened to the point of debilitating weakness. Researching Keytruda, I discovered it is NOT the wonder drug touted by so many. A lot of side effects, failing health, and death. Prior to Keytruda, I experienced myself daily as healthy, although diagnosed with lung cancer and infrequent arrhythmia. Today, my quality of life is so little that I have decided to discontinue treatment. A third infusion might very well kill me. It's just not worth it. While Keytruda does seem to help some, it seems to injure many more, like myself."

• Blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2022

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "My mom was diagnosed with kidney cancer that spread to her lungs. My mom was talking, walking, aside from the cancer, nothing physically was wrong with her. When she had her first treatment of Keytruda, she started experiencing coughing up blood, severe diarrhea, it got so bad to the point she ended up in ICU, unable to walk or talk, and eventually she ended up passing away. This drug does not help, it only speeds up the death process."

• Nes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2020

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "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 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 a 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!"

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

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "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). Drs 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."

• Dad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2020

For Small Cell Lung Cancer "Father was not a candidate for chemo, so his last option for treatment was Keytruda. He constantly had pneumonia. Three months after his treatment with Keytruda, he was hospitalized with pneumonia. Developed heart erythema, cough, blisters deep in his throat, hoarseness, could hardly speak. Hospital tried “magic mouthwash,” “lidocaine lollipops,” several antibiotics. Nothing worked. I believe it burnt his lungs up. Was scheduled for a PET scan, but passed away 5 days before. I am convinced Keytruda killed him before the cancer did. Once damage is done, it can’t be undone. Please weigh the options before starting this expensive treatment."

• Vag...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 26, 2023

For Melanoma, Metastatic "Been on Keytruda for about 8 months. Recently developed a persistent cough and subsequent sore throat. But it has taken care of the initial cancer - vaginal melanoma and a metastatic over the adrenal gland (in conjunction with radiation)."

• JDS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2024

For Urothelial Carcinoma "My maculopapular skin rash and itching symptoms increased to the point of being quite bothersome when the dose was increased from 200 mg q.3 weeks to 400 mg q.6 weeks. I am using 10 mg of Aller-Tec bid to control my itching and either 1% or 2.5% cortisone ointment for my rash. My hoarseness and dry cough increased as well. My paresthesia of my fingers is constant on both doses. I nap every afternoon for 1.5 hrs because of fatigue. I take Colace bid for bowel regularity. My upcoming MRI will shed some light as to how long Keytruda will be continued."