Opdivo User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• J P...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2022

For Melanoma "I had a spot of melanoma skin cancer on my side, and it spread to two lymph nodes. All the cancer was removed by surgery. No more cancer, but Opdivo was strongly recommended as a preventative. I was told there may be side effects with Opdivo, but had no idea of what that really meant, or how severe they could be. I was put on the once-a-month regimen, so I was given the double dose. A few days later, my daughter rushed me to the hospital with a fluttering heart and a pulse way over a hundred. My body was beginning to experience massive inflammation. Opdivo attacked my heart, thyroid, liver, eyes (double vision), severe muscle pain, no control of bowels, severe rash and itching, extreme weakness. I was put on six weeks of prednisone to, as they said, 'put out the fire.' The Opdivo had already done its damage to my heart, I had to have a catheter ablation, and I will be on thyroid medication the rest of my life. Don't just jump into Opdivo, do your own research, or have someone help."

• 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."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2022

For Melanoma "My husband was diagnosed with stage III melanoma and had a softball-sized tumor removed 11/11/21. His first Opdivo treatment was at the end of December. He had some reactions to the medication - the second and final treatment was at the end of January. Ever since the first treatment, he has had mouth blisters/ulcers. He got 'black tongue.' Had double vision issues. Still has fluttering heart. He is suffering from severe arthritic pain. If we had realized the potential long-term effects, we wouldn't have started treatment. My husband has always been a healthy, active, hard-working kind of guy. He has been on various doses of prednisone ever since. (Adrenal insufficiency at this point, as well.) This drug has destroyed his quality of life. Please do your research. This drug was basically fast-tracked for approval. In addition, at $37,000 a pop for treatment...makes you wonder who has the patient's best interest at heart."

• DDE...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 3, 2023

For Melanoma, Metastatic "At my appointment for the second infusion of Opdivo, it was discovered that I had lost 15 pounds, and I recalled that I was experiencing frequent urination, extreme thirst, and fatigue. My previously normal blood glucose and A1C were always normal. At this visit, my blood glucose was 680!! My doctor informed me that my immune system had attacked my pancreas, causing irreversible Type 1 Diabetes. I will be on insulin for the rest of my life. I was in the hospital for 4 days to get my blood glucose down and to learn how to monitor the readings, count carbs, and inject myself with insulin. Time will tell if the Opdivo is going to help with the melanoma. Repeat of PET scan in 3 weeks."

• Foo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 15, 2021

For Melanoma "Boyfriend diagnosed with 3C metastatic melanoma in 2017. Surgery (WLE) to remove tumor in upper arm and several lymph nodes removed. One year of monthly Opdivo infusions following surgery. Hasn’t been the same since. Multiple infections and syndromes (C-diff, diverticulitis, SIADH...) one thing after another. He has lost a ton of weight and is pretty much bedridden 20 hrs per day. In his case, I truly question whether the benefits outweigh the risks. After watching his decline, I would have serious reservations. No quality of life at 64 years old."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2021

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "I took 4 treatments of Opdivo Yervoy, and I have horrible joint pain in my knees, hands, and shoulders. It's been a month since the last treatment, and still severe pain. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Dr. keeps telling me it will go away. Pain medications don't work!!"

• CJL...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 22, 2021

For Head and Neck Cancer "When I was about to start Opdivo, I was told it was not a cure but a life extender. I prepared myself by taking natural immune boosters one month before the start of Opdivo and during treatment. The tumor in my mouth started shrinking after 10 days from the start of treatment. After 25 doses (4-week schedule) and two years, I stopped my treatment. The tumor was gone by the first year. Hospice was my option before Opdivo saved me. Side effects were a rash on my face for a week every three weeks out from my dose. Natural immune boosters, Chaga tea, Astragalus, and Boswellia serrata."

• Bur...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 26, 2022

For Melanoma "To put my experience with Opdivo in perspective. I was stage 4 melanoma, had radical dissection on my left neck, removed 29 lymph nodes. I was then given Opdivo for 8 months. First PET scan showed no recurrence. Was to get 12 doses, only took 8. At this time, the side effects of good organs being attacked started-my lungs and my heart. Prednisone is used or was used by my doctor to back the immuno down. This steroid has its own side effects but did what it was supposed to do. This was all in the first year of using Opdivo. It's been four years since it all started, I have had no recurrence at this time."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2018

For Head and Neck Cancer "Just started Opdivo last week. Will have it every two weeks. Had to have a full laryngectomy seven months ago because of a tumor in the back of my throat. Was hoping to get a voice prosthesis to talk again, but they discovered two small cancerous tumors on my tongue. Surgery, of course, is not an option. Hoping Opdivo will shrink these tumors at the very least, if not destroy them altogether."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2022

For Colorectal Cancer "My brother was in the clinical trials. His tumor had gotten bigger after Opdivo treatments, so he was dropped from the clinical trials. Months later, my brother's tumors 'appeared' to have shrunk, so he was immediately put back into the trials, so his data could be counted."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 20, 2023

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "This is a follow-up to my February 2023 posting. I've completed my 24th Opdivo infusion with no adverse side effects. I've already scheduled number 25 and 26. Yesterday, I had my first-ever PET scan. My results were totally unexpected - NED, no evidence of disease (remission). I will be meeting with my doctor to plan my future course of treatment. I believe my Yervoy/Opdivo treatments have saved my life. Stage 4 CCRCC with NSCLC is not the end, it's a starting point. Explore all your options and go forward."

• His...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2021

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "Opdivo is a JOKE ! My husband had a heart attack the day of his second treatment and died the following week because he could not undergo surgery due to being so weak. We were not aware of some of the side effects. After his death I owed more to the cancer center than the hospital due to the fact that this immunotherapy drug cost $16,000 per treatment even though medicare and the supplement helped pay. The ONLY ones who benefit from these drugs are the drug makers. I honestly do not know a single cancer patient that immunotherapy has saved."

• Rob...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 27, 2021

For Colorectal Cancer "I have been dealing with abdominal tumor growth for 15 years. I started Opdivo three years ago after two scans that showed tumor growth. It kept my tumors from growing for 2.5 years. I had almost no side effects. Just occasional loose stools and occasional rashes that were not itchy and went away in a few days. I started taking it every 2 weeks and then moved to once a month. I was in and out of labs and infusion in 1.5 hours, so I never needed to miss work."

• Pie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2023

For Melanoma, Metastatic "Significant reduction in right lower pulmonary nodules and hepatocellular metastases after 4 injections. Side effects: Very high fever (required hospitalization) Pain in the abdomen, feeling of organs being inflamed Very high sensitivity of chest skin. The treatment is underway."

• Car...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 22, 2023

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "Nine years ago, I was told I had 6 to 9 months to live as I was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer, which had spread to the bone, liver, and brain. I was on chemotherapy for the first year and then switched to Opdivo, which I have been treated with for the past 8 years. My current condition is described as stable, and Opdivo treatments were recently discontinued as it is believed that my own immune system is now attacking cancer growth. I consider Opdivo to be a miracle drug which, for me, had only mild and limited side effects, such as difficulty sleeping, headaches, etc."

• Buc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2023

For Head and Neck Cancer "Well, it seems to work. I had squamous cell cancer in my left sinus, and after three treatments, the cancer is resolved, apparently. The side effects are brutal, though - diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, skin issues, sleep issues, and fatigue. Don't know how long they're going to go on."

• Lon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 21, 2022

For Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma "I have peritoneal mesothelioma. This drug, along with Yervoy, gave me colitis and caused me to be adrenal insufficient. The treatment was worse than the cancer. I’ve had 3 infusions of Opdivo, and the 1st and 3rd were combined with Yervoy. Each infusion gave me a worst case of colitis. The colitis required steroids to combat its symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. Each of the 4 times my doctors tried to wean me off the steroids and stopped them, within 2 days I would end up in the hospital because of vomiting and diarrhea and dehydration. After the 3rd infusion, the steroids were ineffective in treating the colitis, I was in one hospital for almost a month while they kept giving me steroids thinking it was treating the colitis. When I went to a different hospital, one that specializes in cancer care, they immediately discovered that I had inflammation and infection in my esophagus and small and large intestines after an endoscopy and colonoscopy, proving that the steroids no longer were effective in treating the colitis."

• Joc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 29, 2018

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "I have stage 3B lung cancer and was on chemo but couldn't take it, so then I was on Opdivo. I was doing fine, but it triggered my lichen planus back, wondering if anyone out there ever heard of this or had it also."

• Wha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 14, 2025

For Melanoma "I have had great success with Opdivo for the first 14 months. I was in remission after 9 months. I have had very few side effects. Diarrhea was the most common, nothing Imodium AD wouldn't take care of. My most recent side effect is joint pain in ankles and wrists. No one can tell me if this is temporary while using the Opdivo or if it will be permanent."

• 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."

• My ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2021

"My daughter was in treatment for Wilm's tumor. She was in treatment for over 3 years. She received chemo, surgery, radiation, proton therapy, more radiation, and a stem cell transplant. She was okay for 8 months post-transplant until the cancer returned to her lungs. We revisited drugs that she had not had since the beginning of her treatment. When all options were exhausted, her oncologist decided to try Opdivo. My daughter was already having trouble breathing, but after the first treatment, her breathing worsened. 3 weeks later, she had her second dose - the date was Dec 18th. Her breathing worsened even more to the point where she couldn’t walk. She had to be wheeled into the ER on Christmas night 2019. A CT determined there were many tumors in both lungs - too many to count. We were told there was nothing they could do. My beautiful daughter lost her battle on Jan. 12th, 2020. 15 days after her 15th birthday."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2021

For Colorectal Cancer "Was out of remission and had to take radiation and Opdivo . The cancer was resolved by the radiation treatment not the Opdivo. What the Opdivo did was damaged not only my thyroid but my salivary glands as well and caused blisters in my mouth."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 4, 2025

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "Received my 28th and last Opdivo infusion 11 months ago. I opted for going past the recommended 24 months of treatment. It’s hard to stop treatment when the treatment has saved your life and with very few side effects. It’s 12 months since being given a remission diagnosis, and all the intervening CT scans have indicated my tumors are not changing or metabolizing. Opdivo was my magic bullet and remains a viable option to look at when researching a treatment protocol for your cancer treatment."

• Mar...
• February 26, 2025

For Melanoma "My eyes have changed. I have developed macular degeneration. Because my left eye was wet, I have been getting eye injections. My vision is changing constantly. Would this be part of my Opdivo treatment? I also need cataracts removed. Would my Opdivo treatment affect this?"

• Wal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2025

For Melanoma "I was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma that had metastasized to my left lung. I had real good success with this treatment. Had a couple side effects, but nothing serious. I received treatments for 10 months and I was in remission. Just starting to see some more side effects: swollen ankles, wrist joints, and itching. Other than that, I am happy with the results."