← Return to Keytruda for melanoma. Anyone experiencing extreme stiffness?

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Profile picture for Susan, Volunteer Mentor @grammato3

@jaxthecat Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I’m sorry to hear you’ve been experiencing these side effects. I’ve also been on Keytruda for metastatic melanoma and have encountered some adverse reactions to various extents although not this particular one. There are potentially quite a few as listed here, so to encounter one, two or more is regrettably not unusual: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/pembrolizumab-intravenous-route/description/drg-20122552. In my case, they’ve been tempered by the fact that the immunotherapy has been successful.

In most cases, the adverse effects tend to subside but during a flare they can be quite troublesome. It sounds like you’re taking the proper steps to treat, among them using heat or cold packs, gentle stretching, and over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If these become ineffective or your symptoms worsen, talk to your provider who may consider stronger meds or corticosteroids.

Can you circle back in a few weeks to let me know how you’re doing?

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@grammato3
Met with an MD Monday who diagnosed my soreness and pain in between my hip and knee as a problem with my IT Band.

He suggested stretching, PT, advil, tylenol, heat and ice and provided me with a referral for a steroid injection in my hip, which is scheduled for three weeks from now. I was unable to get him to provide me with any medicine that might resolve the pain and stiffness. I cannot take tylenol, other than in small doses and advil is a concern for its impact on my liver.

A friend who has had problems with his IT suggested that a 'hand' roller applied to my IT band might loosen it up. I bought one yesterday and used it . Also stretched using IT Band stretches I found on the internet.

I woke this morning without severe pain. Yay.

I have come to accept that Keytruda seeks out weaknesses in my body.