Immunotherapy - Keytruda for colorectal cancer

On Monday, Dec. 5, I will have my fourth Keytruda infusion for anal cancer. I have been extremely fatigued since beginning infusions; is this normal? Also, no hallucinations, but strange dreams. Anyone else?

After Monday's infusion I will have a CT scan and MRI, and meeting with medical team on Dec. 15 to get results so far and determine future course. I am quite apprehensive.

Mike NH

Hello @mercator and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I wanted to more quickly connect you with previous comments from members as well as other members too, so you will notice that I have moved your post into an existing discussion on the same topic, which you can find here:

- Immunotherapy - Keytruda for colorectal cancer: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/immunotherapy-keytryda/

Members @bjs06 @sundance6 and @virgo1952 have been part of this discussion and may be able to share more with you.

Have you shared your fatigue with your oncologist?

Thank you. I have told my oncologist about my fatigue, but she has no comments. I will tell here again tomorrow.

Hi @mercator Welcome to the group. Sounds like you have a great team of medical providers to help you brain storm your medical care. I had colon cancer and underwent surgery ( removing the cancerous tissue) and then I found I needed to change my eating habits and bring in supplements, fiber and daily exercise. 3 years now and I’ve pretty much have a working routine. It sounds like you are at a different place, but there are plenty of other members who can relate to your story. Keep sharing and asking questions and I know (cause it happen to me when I first joined) you will get responses as members reach out to you. Take care virgo52

Thank you for writing to me. This is not someting to be experienced alone. I am grateful for your support.

I was on Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)for 5 years for Colorectal cancer. I was diagnosed in Oct. of 2014 after other treatments of Chemotherapy Radiation and Targeted therapies, I was put on Keytruda in April of 2017. Last dose was Jan. 2022.

I was on Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for 5 years for Colorectal cancer. I was diagnosed in Oct. of 2014 after other treatments of Chemotherapy Radiation and Targeted therapies, I was put on Keytruda in April of 2017. Last dose was Jan. 2022.

I remember being extremely fatigued at the beginning but I had been doing other treatments prior to that so I wasn't sure if it was from the Keytruda. I know that everyone has different symptoms from medications that they take so it is always imortant to tell your doctor and care team nurse how you are feeling.

Thank you very much for your note. My oncologist says that fatigue could certainly be from the infusions. Everyone does react differently. I am reassured by your answer.

@mercator I’m sorry I can’t be more help to you from a medical standpoint. I had my colon surgery (bye bye 1/2 of my colon) the end of October and by February, we were in Covid lockdown. Being able to have a place of resource and, yes, not go it alone was a huge comfort. You know how your mind can take you to the worst possible places when you try to carry it all on your own. So. this is a place to stay in the reality. Everything is discussed 😂😂 Poop, diapers, constipation, loose bowels and gas are words used by many when talking about their “new” normal. So, don’t hold back, we can take it. Remember to Celebrate the victories along way. You deserve it 😁virgo52

Thank you, Virgo. In my adult Sunday School we are reading a book called "Walking with God through Pain and Suffering." Sunday I told the folks about something that was not in the book and no one had mentioned. I call it the Fellowship of Suffering. You write it was a huge comfort not having to go it alone. You are so right. We are part of a fellowship, we share, and we help each other.