PADCEV AND KEYTRUDA TREATMENT results and side effects

Posted by scbil @scbil, Apr 8 8:25am

My wife was diagnosed with bladder cancer January 2025. Due to age and physical condition she could not undergo bladder removal so underwent BCG and radiation/chemo treatments. Her bladder cancer was in remission but the cancer had metastasized stage 4 to her lungs. In January 26 she PADCEV AND KEYTRUDA TREATMENT with a repeating schedule of treatments for two weeks on and one week off. She has completed two series and been hospitalized following both. The first with a rash, sepsis any Ecoli and the second with dehydration, diarrhea and vomiting whenever she tries to eat or even smells food. Has anyone else had similar reactions to this treatment and, if so, did it improve or worsen?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

mamajite | @mamajite | Apr 8 2:48pm

@scbil I don't have experience with either treatment. but I just wanted to comment that it sounds incredibly difficult for you and your wife. if it was me, I would have a frank conversation with her oncologist about pros/cons of this treatment, and ask what else can be done to help support your wife. I would also ask to speak with the palliative care team, they can help with improving quality of life.

scbil | @scbil | Apr 8 3:50pm

Thank you for these suggestions. We are meeting next Monday.

mamajite | @mamajite | Apr 8 7:05pm

In reply to @scbil "Thank you for these suggestions. We are meeting next Monday." + (show)

@scbil that's good to hear. please let us know how it goes. have they given your wife nausea medication like zofran/ondansetron? my mom used that to keep her nausea during chemo under control. she also used a marijuana based mouth spray to help with improving her appetite. of course that's not a legal option everywhere, but it is where I live.

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | 5 days ago

In reply to @scbil "Thank you for these suggestions. We are meeting next Monday." + (show)

@scbil, From reading some of the posts about this combination of treatments under the Bladder Cancer group, it sounds like it can be quite effective for the right person. But not everyone will be able to tolerate each type of treatment. There are people here with stories of adverse reactions from Keytruda for a primary lung cancer, but there are many success stories too. How did the appointment go today? Will she be continuing with the Keytruda/Padcev combination?

This discussion regarding Starting Keytruda may be helpful, if she is continuing with the treatment: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/starting-immunotherapy-keytruda/

scbil | @scbil | 4 days ago

In reply to @lls8000 "@scbil, From reading some of the posts about this combination of treatments under the Bladder Cancer..." + (show)

@lls8000 thanks for this note. Some really interesting information and pro/con testimonial comments. We didn’t make our appointment with the oncologist as my wife was just released from six days in the hospital for nausea, diarrhea and inability to eat anything without a gagging response. She was simply too weak to meet with her Dr. today. This is her second hospitalization in a row following the treatments and subsequent significant tests and procedures each time without any definitive results. A new treatment series starts this Wednesday so I’m anxious and concerned to see how the reaction is this time. Thank you again for the information and links. I will have my wife review them all this week.

mamajite | @mamajite | 2 days ago

@scbil wishing you both the best of luck with the new treatment. please update us as you can. 🙏🏻

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