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Keytruda side effects after completing 2 years lung cancer treatment
Lung Cancer | Last Active: Nov 11 9:52am | Replies (23)Comment receiving replies
Hi Lisa, my doctors (primary, oncologist and gastro) ran many many test. Including colonoscopy and biopsy’s, endoscopy, stool testing, blood samples, MRI and CtScans. Many different medications. Nothing helped. Everything has come back negative. My body is not able to absorb nutrients. Lack of protein is thought to be cause of ankles swelling. I’m working on meeting eating/drinking protein limits. Diarrhea so severe I need to take 2 Imodium tablets 3 times a day. Otherwise my trips to the bathroom can easily add up to 10-12 times a day without them. The pain is excruciating. Food bypasses normal digestion process.
I have not only lost so much weight but all my muscles are mush. Right now I’m on 60 mgs prednisone with the hope it will reduce inflammation, which may be cause of
soft yellow smelly and floating stools, or oily yellow watery diarrhea. It’s a process of elimination at this time.
Hopefully my oncologist has additional information related to my side effects. I’m so grateful there is no sign of cancer. I truly stay in the day. Looking beyond this is to scary.
Thank you for reaching out. I will read the discussion sites you passed on.
Pat
Replies to "Hi Lisa, my doctors (primary, oncologist and gastro) ran many many test. Including colonoscopy and biopsy’s,..."
Hello
In searching for information about my daughter's long lasting side effects from Keytruda I came across this site and your post. My daughter's Onco told her that Keytruda affects every system in the body. While you may not have diabetes you could have poor amylase amounts and are unable to digest your food. The pancreas also puts out enzymes so you can digest and absorb nutrients. There is an actual name for this, but I can't remember it. My father had the symptoms you describe about your diarrhea, and he took amylase when he'd eat. The amount depended on how much and/or how fatty his meal was. There is medication for this now also.
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@par92, Oh this sounds so painful and challenging. Keytruda is fairly common now, and I'm sure your oncologist has had many patients go through the treatment. Hopefully they will have more ideas of what you can try next.
I wonder if reaching out to the manufacturer (Merck) may be helpful too. They may want to know what you are experiencing, and they may have other suggestions on what to try next. Just a thought.