Opdivo and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Adl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 17, 2016

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "Original diagnosis stage IV lung cancer, July 2013. Received chemotherapy every 3 weeks for two years. July 2015 PET test showed cancer had metastasized to liver. Started on Opdivo August 2015. I have been on Opdivo every two weeks since August 2015. Last CAT scan (June 2016) tumor in liver is shrinking AND NO LONGER ANY TUMORS IN EITHER OF MY LUNGS. Slight side effects: minimal, slight body aches, and tiredness."

• Dav...
• August 11, 2017

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My mom started this treatment after her oncologist suggested that it was an alternative to other chemo because it was not as harsh. Well, after her initial treatment ($27,000), she started swelling, couldn't eat, had no energy, was confused, basically confined to her bed, and then the second treatment, she developed pneumonia and was hospitalized 4 days later. Mom passed after 4 days, after numerous antibiotics, blood transfusions, and a lot of agony. I would not recommend this treatment to anyone. It's awful with life-threatening side effects. I think this is just a money racket to get cash from the dying and the government."

• Jea...
• May 19, 2017

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My husband was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in October 2012. He had surgery to remove 1/3 of his lung, chemo, and radiation. In July 2013, he had a double bypass surgery. In July 2014, it metastasized to the brain. Gamma knife shrunk the 2 tumors. In September 2014, he started another round of chemo, but 2 months later he had a TIA, they took him off the chemo. In September 2016, he started Opdivo. Doing well, no new tumors in the lungs or brain. Side effects are severe tiredness, sleeps all the time, body aches, depression. His quality of life is very bad. The depression really worries me. Has anyone else been dealing with depression and severe mood swings on this drug?"

• kde...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2023

For Urothelial Carcinoma "My dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer that spread to his prostate, and in August 2022, he had both removed. In October 2022, he started taking Opdivo. After two treatments, he developed a rash and was treated with steroids. In mid-November, he had another treatment along with a steroid IV to counteract another rash. However, he gradually worsened. He developed a fever, became weak and tired, lost his appetite, experienced severe back pain, and had a cough. He had another treatment at the end of December. At the end of January 2023, we took him to the emergency room where he was diagnosed with pneumonia in his lungs, a kidney infection, a blood clot in his right leg, and a blood clot near his heart in his lung. He also had mild fluid surrounding his heart and gastroparesis. It is February 3rd and he is still in the hospital. The doctors have confirmed through dye and X-rays that gastroparesis is a side effect of Opdivo and not caused by a blockage or mass. They are trying to figure out how to treat him as steroids are not working. Our experience with Opdivo has been thumbs down. If only we had known beforehand."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2022

For Melanoma, Metastatic "I had melanoma in my lung, large intestine, and thigh. I am also on dialysis. I took a six-month course of Opdivo and had no cancer cells at that time. Five years and PET scans later, I am still cancer-free. Yes, Opdivo is a tough regime of medicine: very tired, achy, depressed, anemia, and at the end, some sort of acute lung problem (that's when they took me off the medicine). After I stopped taking Opdivo, it still took four months to get it out of my system. Was it worth it? Damn right."

• PRo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 31, 2022

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "I've been on Opdivo for 4 years. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer on Feb. 7, 2018. I had chemo once a week for about 3 months, but radiation 5 days a week at the same time. Then, a month and a half later, more radiation for about another 5 weeks. Started Opdivo treatments in Sept. 2018. I go every other Friday. My side effects were/are joints aching, with swelling. Get tired and feel fatigued at times. Had some weight gain also."

• Mau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2023

"I have bladder cancer and started Opdivo 2 weeks ago. At first, no side effects, but after one week, I noticed achy elbows and hips, plus my lower back, along with being unusually tired. The next day, had the same joint aches, plus a headache and tiredness. Took 2 Advil for relief. 10 days out, and I am extremely tired, have aches in my joints still, and now have pressure behind both eyes and headaches. No vision change. Trying to stay well hydrated and rest to see if symptoms go away or lessen. Scheduled blood tests with a consult with the oncologist in 4 days. Will review this with her then or call her if symptoms worsen."