What are your experiences with immunotherapy after chemo?

I was on Avastin for close to a year. I had a lot of pain in my arms, and eventually had to have shots in both my shoulders because they became frozen. I also developed floaters in both my eyes. I am told this is not typical, but I have spoken to other people who had the arm pain. As soon as I resolved the arm pain though I had a recurrence and just started chemotherapy again yesterday.

Oh Sheri I am so sorry to hear this I hope this is appropriate to say and not offensive... I am praying for you.

Thanks Barbara! I’m a woman of faith and appreciate all the prayers!

1.5 years before reoccurrence with Zejula. 6 months before reoccurrence with Avastin.

Nancee, what side effects did you have, if any, with Avastin and the zejula? My Dr. is suggesting Olaparib, a pill and Avastin.

No side effects with Avastin. Zejula was lots of nausea. I snacked (handful of nuts) every couple of hours or so to help with that but it never went completely away. But I went off of it to “enjoy” our three week family Christmas trip and had a reoccurrence by end of January.

Nancee, thank you for the info. I am so sorry about reoccurrence, prayers for you

No diverse affects from Avastin. Kept me disease free for 10 months and then quit working. Cancer has spread more extensively now.

I’ve been doing Avastin every 3 weeks for 17 months and have had no side effects. My doctor wants me to take Lynparza but those side effects sound terrifying even if I only get a few

I’m taking Lynparza, I have joint and bone pain, and I’m tired a lot. I can handle this . Anyone else taking Lynparza , if so what are your side effects? I was dropped a dosage of 250 Mg , 4 a day to now 100 mg two in the morning And two at night. The first dosage was too much. I definitely don’t want my cancer to come back, so I take it. I do wonder what if I don’t take?

I don’t really want the pills (2 a day to start and see how it goes), since the Avastin appears to be working. Started chemo 7/2023, surgery 10/2023, and then more chemo until the end of January, 2024. Went back to work in October, 2023 after too much chemo for 4 weeks straight that put me in the hospital for 9 days. That was the worst part of my 2 years and I don’t want to go back to that time. Do you have immunotherapy and lynparza? Or just the pill?

Nancy, I have appt. 6/30 to decide..she wants me to start Avastin and the pill, Oleprarib. I was worried about Avastin side effects.

Never really had any side effects. I don’t have a port so trying to find a vein is tricky. Sometimes 1st try, a few times 4 tries. The pill has some very serious side effects - liver, kidney, bone marrow that I think I just want the Avastin. Also with the pill again hair loss, no appetite, no saliva so it’s hard to swallow. So I don’t want both. I got approval last summer for lynparza but declined. Waiting on approval again. I guess it’s a wait and see game for now.

Good luck on your dr visit monday

I am on lymparza, fairly easy on the system…you cancer has to be a certain type… I would ask to see if you are a candidate!!! Best of luck

Morning. Glad you haven’t had any issues yet on lynparza. Do you take 4 pills a day? Are you also on infusion? I’m trying to get a PET scan done or at least a CT scan and see if anything has returned and then make my decision. I don’t work in the summer - go back 8/11 so I’m running out of time to start the pill and see what side effects I have. Getting my doctor to reply to me in frustrating. Not sure if it’s the nurse or doctor who won’t answer. Continued good luck to you

Deborah Emery I was approved for Lynparza and appt. 7/25. I will see how I do.

Nancy Jesaitis.. Sorry to hear of delays in hearing from your Dr. Hopefully you have heard something by now. My Dr. and her nurse are awesome. I had my CT scans on 7/1... all clear for cancer but chemo caused a blood clot that I am taking meds for to dissolve.

I’m having my CT scan 7/27 and I’ll see what the results show. Lynparza is on hold until then. I may actually get a port if I’m staying on Avastin. Getting much harder to find veins. I’m feeling tired a lot but it’s extremely hot in south Florida and I’ve gotten over liking hot weather. Got lucky with your 7/25 dr. appointment

I take lymparza, the only symptoms I get now are a bit tired fortunately I’m a high energy person so I prop my feet up for a bit but carry on I had queasiness at the beginning, but that went away and it seems to be a reasonable drug to take for Maintaince .

Glad to hear you don’t have many issues with lynparza. Is that the only drug you’re taking. Mr doctor also wants that with Avastin. I don’t see him until 8/12 and then I’ll find out if I’m to take both or just one. Hopefully I’ll have my CT scan results tomorrow

I took Lynparza for almost one and a half years and diagnosed with recurring in January 2025. If you take Lynparza Bananas are good. I took half or a whole banana when I had to take the Lynparza and had no side affects.

Before I started Lynparza I was terrified of the side affects. I was told to eat a little banana with it and that will help. I did that and had no side affects for the 1 and 1/2 year I was on it.

Navigating treatment decisions after completing chemo and surgery can feel overwhelming, and it's completely natural to want to hear from others who have walked a similar path. Many community members have shared their experiences with maintenance therapies, and their insights about managing side effects and what to expect can be incredibly valuable as you have these important conversations with your medical team.