Pembrolizumab for Non Small Cell Lung Cancer User Reviews (Page 4)

• Mom
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 7, 2023

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "My mom, at age 87, was diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer in February 2020. She had SRT (Stereotactic radiation therapy) 5 treatments and had CT scans every 6 months. She was told everything was well. However, in January 2022, she was diagnosed with malignant pleural effusion, and her only option was immunotherapy. Her PDL1 met the criteria, and she had 9 treatments, with infusions every 3 weeks. She had zero side effects, but the effusion did not subside, so she stopped treatment. Her oncologist told me to bring in hospice. However, 8 months later, she is still here and doing quite well. She is on oxygen 24 hours a day, but at age 90, she is enjoying her life. I feel bad for everyone who had a terrible experience with this drug. I am not sure if the Keytruda helped; hospice has been giving her daily prednisone, which also seems to have helped. I am now not sure what to think."

• Gary...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 6, 2023

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "Stage four non-small cell lung cancer. April 26, 2019 - mass with biopsy of a lymph node showing adenocarcinoma of lung origin. June 2019, after having recently been started on Keytruda immunotherapy. And I am using it now."

• Nessa
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2020

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "My husband had non-small cell stage 4 lung cancer. His doctor recommended infusions of Keytruda because, after testing, he considered my husband to be an excellent candidate for immunotherapy. He had little to no symptoms of lung cancer at the time. The only reason we knew he had it was due to a coincidental CT Scan due to his occasional heart arrhythmia. But after his first infusion, he began much coughing and his incidents of arrhythmia increased to nearly every day from once every 2-8 weeks. He became debilitated from his normal life. After the second infusion, everything worsened and he began having difficulty breathing as the cancer apparently had been launched into high gear by the drug and his lungs were filling with fluid. One and half quarts of fluid were removed from his lungs, but he eventually came down with pneumonia and died 4 days later. I blame Keytruda for taking away precious time we needed together. I would not recommend this drug. It is much too risky!"

• Lori
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 26, 2024

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer that spread to my brain, chest, and abdomen in 2020. I underwent radiation and CyberKnife. Then I was put on Keytruda – one treatment every 3 weeks. I've had no side effects and never missed a day of work. I continue to work at Home Depot in receiving, unloading, and breaking down trucks! I just celebrated my 60th birthday. I'm still working, gardening, and enjoying my grandchildren. I continue to do my treatment every 3 weeks. Thank you to my wonderful doctors and nurses and of course, Keytruda, at the Lowell Cancer Center."

• motor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2023

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "I started Keytruda on November 26, 2003. The first 2 days were OK... I felt no different but I'm scheduled to have my second treatment on December 20, next Wednesday, and I really do not want to do it. I have been so weak, tired, in pain, mouth pain and redness to the point that I cannot eat. It's so bad. Diarrhea, no appetite at all. Losing weight, which I started at 120 and now I am probably 110. I am a 5'9 man, 71 years old. I am wondering if it is worth going through the 2 scheduled treatments. I'm hoping I'll feel better but if it's going to be like this or worse... I'm done. They tell you that it's not as bad as the old chemo but to me, it sounds like all the same side effects."

• Sunny...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 25, 2022

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "My mom was on Keytruda for a year. No side effects for most months. After about 6 months she got a respiratory infection (head congestion, coughing up phlegm, and a little wheezing). Dr's thought maybe it was a side effect, so they delayed her treatment 1 week. She was put on antibiotics and an inhaler. She needed a 2nd dose of antibiotics. She never felt sick. She was just experiencing these symptoms. After about 6 weeks, it cleared up. Other than that she had no issues and she was up and about the entire year. Cancer was mostly stable... (some new small growths, some shrinkage of growths, and most were stable for 1 year). Unfortunately, after 1 year, the cancer is showing some signs of progression, so they are switching her to a new med."

• Alpin...
• January 31, 2021

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "Keytruda gave me type 1 diabetes after 1 treatment. I stopped because my cancer was treatable with radiation. I indicated in this blog that I’d be reluctant to resuming treatment. Well, after 9 months post Keytruda treatment Ive been diagnosed with inoperable chest wall cancer, very aggressive. With 6 months to live and failed radiation treatment I resumed treatment with Keytruda. I might regret the choice, but have little to lose."

• John
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2023

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "I started Keytruda 18 treatments ago on a lung tumor of 9 cm. The tumor shrunk to 4.5 cm after 7 doses and then stopped. The side effects of this medication are ridiculous. My last scan showed the tumor has grown to 5.2 cm now and I now have swelling of lymph nodes by my stomach. I asked to be put on chemotherapy but was told medicare had to approve and that can take 21 days meaning it leaves the tumor to grow in my lung with no treatment."

• Lala
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 5, 2020

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "My brother a disabled vet who has smoked 4 packs a day since he was a teen has Stage 4 SCLC. The VA Dr. gave him 9 months to live. Non operable and no radiation offered. They offered him 8 Keytruda treatments and the tumors did shrink. He’s done well except for horrible leg, feet and especially knee pain so bad he’s wheelchair bound because he’s a fall risk. He is also a diabetic and schizophrenic. He’s been at the VA for over a year and now they have moved him into the nursing home part. Problem is the nursing home part of the VA has not taken him for the Keytruda in two months. Nobody is telling him or me anything and his Social worker that he got two months ago has not reached out to either of us nor have the any of the Drs. Strangely enough he is 63 and diagnosed with schizophrenia at 17. He has been a normal person the brother I am now getting to know since being at the VA for over a year. He is still smoking 4 packs a day. No Drs are telling him what’s going on"

• Sharon
• October 3, 2022

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "Stage 4. I went for my first dose got the IV but my sodium was 120 they sent me to the ER with the IV. 4 days and now 4 sodium pills later it’s almost normal. First dose after, I had to stop because diarrhea. 5 months later CT scan showed much regression in the tumors. Started again been getting ever two weeks. 4 treatments ago I broke out in the hives. Next dose no reaction next dose landed me in the ER with anaphylactic shock. Stopped for 4 weeks. Restarting with pre treatment . No problems. I have horrible fatigue but I have MS also and it’s fatiguing. Couple spots of rough skin around my lips a few white spots in my mouth. But in for more treatments it’s been 18 months and still going slower but better."

• Jdan
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2020

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "Relaying information on a family member, who probably died due to complications from Keytruda. Protocol of three infusions. Two were adminstered. After the second infusion, she began to have gastrointestinal complications. Hospitalized for five days, while she was stabilized with steroids and antibiotics. Returned home, with a course of oral steroids and Immodium. Continued to slide. Readmitted several weeks later with same symptoms - weakness, debilitating diarrhea. Final outcome - Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage, amemia and hypotension."

• Rosey...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 16, 2023

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "Diagnosed stage 4 after one year in remission, was a huge shock. I experience a 40lb weight gain, and muscle and joint pain. The dosage began a 21-day cycle along with chemo and 10 months later I went to 6 week cycle."

• Stewb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 27, 2019

"After intense chemo and radiation my wife was given this drug. She is about to hit the 24 month timeframe and is mostly cancer free. One hot spot remaining. Our Oncologist said that it does not work for everyone, but it was worth trying, considering the alternative. Once stage 4, there is not much hope, there is only so much chemo they can give you. There have been side effects, sure, thyroid and adrenal failure, but mitigated by drugs. Yes, this drug can damage or kill healthy organs. But, it can be a lifesaver for some. In my wife’s case it has prolonged her life and almost getting to where we use the word remission! Yes, her oncologist stated that he can count on one hand the number of his patients who could stay on this drug as long as she. It is working for her. But, it may not work well for you."

• Linda
• February 13, 2023

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "I was diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer plus a large tumor on my neck, that's attacking my lymph nodes. I have several small tumors on my neck as well as a mass on my right lung. I'm in a lot of pain physically and mentally. My doctor wants me to start Keytruda soon and I would like to know if anyone can share with me the pros/cons they have had using Keytruda."

• Sandyby
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2017

"My wife started treatment with pembrolizumab in March of this year having been told that she was an ideal candidate. The previous three years of 4 regimes of chemo and 15 sessions of radiotherapy had only managed to contain the lung tumor although the last scan before starting the immunotherapy did show a slight growth. Unfortunately since being on this treatment for the last four months the cancer has spread to her spine causing extreme pain and the lung tumor has also "mildly" increased in size. My wife is now waiting to start a course of radiotherapy to treat her spine, in the hope this will help reduce the pain, followed by a further regime of chemo."

• nig
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 4, 2024

"This drug helped me. I was diagnosed in 2014 with a shadow on my left lung. Operation to do a resection of left lower lung was done. Cancer restored itself into the top right lung after some time, again surgery to remove was performed. After a time, it showed a shadow on my liver. Doctors tried Cisplatin but I had a severe reaction resulting in being hospitalized for 7 days. After this, it was decided to use a new drug called pembrolizumab with the immunotherapy approach. I was put on the drug for 2 years at 6-week intervals. The only side effect I had was that my hair grew really fast and as the majority of my cancer was during COVID, it was hard to get a hairdresser. I had fatigue. But the outcome of the drug is that it stopped the growth, and the shadow is no longer there. I think, in my case, an excellent drug; it worked for me. Other than shortness of breath (from the resection), I feel really good for a 67-year-old male. Thank you, pembrolizumab."

• J C
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 14, 2019

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "I have been on it for nine months and have had not problem and three clear CT scans. I have stage four small cell lung cancer. Working for me."

• yago
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2018

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "Had five treatments, 2spots gone and one has shrunk by 25%."

• swayne
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 3, 2018

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "My mother been on Keytruda for 6 months , is doing very well. Has had very little side effects. She has 4 stage lung and met bone cancer"

• Nick
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2018

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "It gave me extreme diarrhea and terrible stomach pain. If I could go back and not take this medication, I would. I discontinued it after 30 days."

• Nancy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2018

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "This medication killed my brother..."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2018

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "Well my mom took one dose she had been tired, not much of an appetite. Have hope this will lengthen her life. We will see her when she has her scan done, hopefully it reduces."

• RBs
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2024

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "I'm having hungry feelings but don't want anything. I think I do, but I don't. I have no pain. Food is either too salty or too sweet."

• Dutch...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 19, 2022

"although there are few, new metastases in brain (probably because of blood-brain-barrier) I believe that first 12 months of Pembrolizumab did a great job, no side-affects"

• Sandra
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 27, 2024

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) "Excellent 5.5 years, tested 80% positive PDL... Original diagnosis Nov 2017, Stage 4 metastatic NSCLC. Stopped treatment Oct 2022... Regular scans show no active disease."