Keytruda and Swelling: What Users Say

• lin...
• March 21, 2021

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My father is in ICU. He asked me to share this with you. He has had COPD. Recently, he got a spot on his lung but otherwise he was strong, though overweight. After his 3rd Keytruda treatment, everything went wrong. He lost his voice, kept feeling 'particles' in his nose and mouth, didn't sleep for over a week, feet swelled up like footballs, and had awful coughing. The doctor said he had a lung infection and sent him home with antibiotics and Lasix. No effect, he swelled up even more. He stopped going to the bathroom... both. He could barely walk, and we had to lift each leg into our SUV and pull them out one at a time when we got to the hospital. His liver and kidneys are shutting down, he still cannot talk, only whisper. He's dying. He agreed to do this because they said it uses your immune system, and my father has a very strong immune system. He assumed that Keytruda would use his already good immune system to beat the cancer."

• Anonymous
• October 25, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "1 treatment and 2 weeks later he was gone. Horrible swelling, unable to focus, couldn't eat, couldn't walk, before treatment was doing okay. This took him out really fast, went from functional to non-functional after 1 treatment. Thought this medication would help, instead it only sped up his death."

• JD8...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 17, 2025

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "I had minimal side effects vs. benefits. I was diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma with extensive rhabdoid features (extremely rare in adults and very aggressive). I was stage 4 when diagnosed. I had a nephrectomy and then straight Keytruda treatments every 3 weeks. It had metastasized into both lungs and spine prior to treatment. Fatigue was my major side effect. I did have knee and ankle swelling after the first few treatments, but nothing serious."

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2023

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My brother was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in October 2022. He had his port put in on October 12, and they started his first round of chemotherapy and Keytruda on Friday, October 14, 2022. Five days later, Wednesday, October 19, he was admitted to the hospital for a severe lung infection and was put on several antibiotics, but the infection got worse. He began to swell so bad that his skin was literally leaking, his kidneys shut down, he was incoherent, and couldn’t speak. He had 20 lbs of fluid on him. He was on almost full oxygen and full dialysis. He had never had kidney problems before. They did so many procedures trying to figure out what was wrong. We weren’t told of the side effects of Keytruda and what it would do to him. Keytruda killed my brother in 30 days!"

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2019

For Non Small Cell Lung Cancer "My husband, age 66, with lung epithelioid sarcoma stage 4. Rare form and aggressive. Keytruda caused hypothyroidism, weakness, aches and swelling in arms and legs, tingling and numbness in feet, severe mood changes. Yes, this Keytruda has helped him fight this cancer but at a cost to quality of life. It is wonderful to have him here with us after 20 months of battling this cancer, but it saddens me to see he cannot fully enjoy life. Keytruda also caused his eyes to blur and therefore he cannot read books, which he has always loved to do! At what cost shall we suffer just to stay alive? Not to discourage others from taking this drug, everyone reacts differently to drugs, and many can continue to support their families. But in my husband's case, he has the side effects listed on the website."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2022

For Renal Cell Carcinoma "Going for my third infusion in a few weeks and a cystoscopy. I get the infusion every six weeks. So far, just minor complaints, weight gain, rash that comes and goes, cough, some diarrhea, muscle pain sometimes, and face a little puffy. Bloodwork has been good so far. Had a TIA a month ago, but the oncologist said it wasn't the Keytruda. I'm going to my primary care this week to see what's going on. Not sure how to rate Keytruda yet, so I'll give it a 5."

• Ajc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2022

For Solid Tumors "My dad has brain tumors and has had a few brain surgeries for removal, and recently tumor cells got in his cerebral and spinal fluid, causing tumors on his spine. The doctor recommended Keytruda as the only option. After the first treatment, he became extremely weak and has swollen legs and feet, plus loss of appetite and fatigue. By the second treatment, 3 weeks later, he became paralyzed in both legs and lost all bladder and bowel control. The tumor is now larger, but the doctor said it could be caused by Keytruda attaching and causing inflammation. We just decided to stop treatment and focus on quality of life. Hopeful he can fight and gain back what he lost from this terrible drug."

• Pet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2024

For Bladder Cancer "I am experiencing numbness in my hands and feet, muscle pain in my shoulders, legs, and hips. These pains are worse in the AM and subside as the day progresses. The swelling and numbness in my ankles and feet usually happen late at night, before night."