Pembrolizumab and Shortness Of Breath: What Users Say

• Toy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My father was diagnosed with NSCLC in July 2018. We were told he was not eligible for chemotherapy and that Keytruda was his best option. My father had his first treatment 1 week later, and 2 weeks after treatment, he presented to the ER with weakness, severe shortness of breath, and restlessness. He was admitted for pericardial effusion. He had his 2nd treatment, and 1 week later he went back to the ER with severe shortness of breath, loss of appetite. At this point, he had lost weight and was admitted for pneumonitis and hypoxemia. My father's health declined so rapidly after taking this medication within a month's time. After his 2nd hospitalization, his quality of life was minimal to none; he was a total assist as he could not do anything for himself. He was placed on hospice 1-2 weeks after his last hospitalization and passed away 1-2 weeks after being placed on hospice. My family and I were given false hope regarding this medication, and it killed my father and stole what time we had left with him."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2020

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "I believe that Keytruda killed my dad. The doctor told him most people don’t have side effects and this drug works great. My dad was feeling good, and after the second treatment, had nonstop coughing and severe shortness of breath. He could no longer breathe, collapsed, and died. The doctor had no explanation or comments. Upon further research, it looks like this drug only works for 20% who use it. I would explore other treatment options before using this drug. It’s marketed as a miracle drug, but they don’t tell you it only works for a small percentage of people, and a side effect may be death."

• 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?"

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2023

For Endometrial Cancer "My beautiful mother was pretty much cancer-free and was prescribed Keytruda. She had two infusions and was dead within six weeks. She was walking around perfectly, walking, talking, doing dishes, pretty much running around like a kid, and all of a sudden she lost her voice, was hunched over all the way, couldn’t even keep her head up or walk, and was extremely weak, couldn’t even cough. She developed pneumonia, then respiratory failure, organ failure, and pretty much death. The most horrific way to go out. One week feeling okay and the next week that was it. I hope I save somebody’s mom by leaving this review. Please never take this medication. I lost my mom so much sooner than she should’ve been taken from this world. I don’t know how I will ever be the same."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My mother, after her 1st dose, was short of breath, lungs filling, shaky, and needed to be on oxygen. After the 2nd dose, she could barely walk or breathe. She has suffered from a cardiac arrest and needs steroids to keep her lungs from filling. This drug is horrible. My mom was a fully functional, mobile person who is now fighting for her life. The doctor says cancer is gone, but so is she, so what was it all worth."

• Sti...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My husband's small cell lung cancer spread to the brain. Dr. recommended Keytruda, has had 5 treatments, 1 every 3 weeks. Dr. says scans and blood work look good, however, he has lost a lot of weight, no energy, can't eat, also short of breath. He is thinking of stopping treatment because of side effects. Was praying this would work, however, I don't think it is."

• Ups...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2018

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My mom tested as PD-L1 70, and Keytruda was used to treat. Immediately after her second infusion, her muscles were affected, sore, and swollen. Her heart started to beat erratically, then shortness of breath. After five days of doctors treating her with steroids, then having no idea what to do or how to treat her, she passed away-while suffering. No cancer was present via CT scans performed the day before she passed."

• 4JC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2018

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "Oncologist confirmed it caused a heart attack and severe pneumonitis. Watch your family member closely for shortness of breath or feeling like they are smothering. Side effects worse than chemo. Has now probably shortened life and diminished quality of life left. We were so excited and hopeful after being approved, now we are devastated. Never thought it would happen because the side effects are so 'rare,' but it did... after 2 treatments."

• baf...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 1, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "Husband was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer in April 2017, after heart surgery. Was put on it in the beginning, and I believe that this is the only thing keeping him alive. Never been sick or weak, no problem except hard to breathe at times."

• Con...
• April 12, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My husband has stage 4 NSCLC diagnosed in 2016. On March 31, 2018, he was diagnosed with a 5 cm tumor on his right frontal lobe of his brain, which was surgically removed. Dr. started my husband on Keytruda in May of 2018. All was going well until Nov 29, 2018, a brain scan showed 5 tumors on the dura lining around his brain, which is inoperable. He had radiation, which did get rid of the tumors for now. Dr. kept him on Keytruda. 6 weeks ago, after his Keytruda treatment, my husband got very weak, short of breath, and stayed in bed 95% of the time as he was so exhausted from doing nothing. 3 weeks later, he had another treatment of Keytruda and the same thing again: weakness, in bed all the time, and short of breath. Today, he was feeling much better but had to have his Keytruda again today. I will monitor him to see if this treatment kicks him down again. Does anyone have any advice? His oncologist states that Keytruda is the only thing keeping him alive right now."

• 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."

• HBN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2022

For Melanoma "My grandmother was diagnosed with nodular melanoma (without metastasis). Her oncologist suggested trying Keytruda. She died after two doses! Before starting immunotherapy, she was fine and very active. Side effects: weakness, muscle pain, weight loss, fatigue, dropping eyelids, dysphagia, breathing difficulty, severe diarrhea. I would not recommend this drug based on our experience!"

• 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."

• pau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2020

For Melanoma, Metastatic "Stage 3C melanoma, tumor was removed with lymph nodes and put on Keytruda. After each treatment, I've had side effects: diarrhea. After the 2nd treatment, the lymph nodes in my lungs were enlarged and made it very difficult to breathe. I should have gone to the hospital, along with the dizziness, confusion, loss of memory. My thyroid got way out of whack. I have been put on steroids, and the Keytruda has been put on hold. So far, it has been VERY difficult. This shows that the side effects are different for each person."

• JQa...
• January 12, 2021

For Small Cell Lung Cancer "My father was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in September. The doctors started pushing him to take Keytruda. After his first treatment in October, my dad began experiencing extremely painful indigestion. A few weeks later, he became weak and tired, and his shortness of breath worsened. Just after his 3rd round of Keytruda, my dad couldn’t get out of bed for 2 days. We FaceTimed with his doctor a few days later, and he showed her his heart rate, which was very high, as well as his O2 levels, which were low. She said that all he needed was to be put on steroids and that they would skip the Keytruda the following week. I was on that call. The next morning, December 5th, my father was found dead on his living room floor. DO NOT USE THIS DRUG. Please read up on its deadly results with patients with lung cancer before letting doctors who want to use your loved one for an experiment."

• Kik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 22, 2025

For Breast Cancer "Not really happy about the many side effects I am experiencing! Daily headaches, extreme fatigue, mild shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, sweating, feeling cold, nerve pain, bone, muscle, and joint pain, decreased appetite, abdominal pain that is always present and gets worse every time I eat, mucus in stools, nausea unrelated to eating, tingling and random stabbing nerve pain. I have 3 more treatments, and I’m finished unless the TNBC comes back. My oncologist has given me the choice to stop the Keytruda infusions if I can’t tolerate the side effects, but I’m afraid that the cancer will come back! The pathology report from my mastectomy showed a complete response to the chemotherapy and no positive sentinel or other lymph nodes, so at present, I am cancer-free. I want to stay that way, so I’ll keep doing the infusions unless my oncologist says they have to be stopped. I can’t describe if it worked or if it was the other chemotherapy drugs that worked. Despite side effects, I’ll continue."

• Chr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 4, 2025

For Breast Cancer "Side effects: unrelenting itching, increased nerve pain such as carpal and cubital tunnel pain, fasciculations, paresthesias, random sharp nerve pain strikes like I am being stabbed with an ice pick, joint pain, worsening of back and hip pain, arms feel heavy, leg and ankle swelling, abdominal pain, headaches, nausea, mouth sores, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, hair loss, increase in tinnitus. I have CRPS, and it has definitely caused an exacerbation of pain in that area! I don’t know if it’s working. I’ve been on it every 3 weeks for 1 year. I only have 1/2 to 1 day of feeling semi-OK within the 3-week cycle, and that is the day before the next infusion! I hope it’s working, but don’t know if it is. I think it’s worth a try if you can stand the side effects, but regardless, if you have an aggressive cancer diagnosis, you’ll do anything necessary or recommended in an effort to keep it from coming back!"