Has anyone had positive or negative experiences with Keytruda?

Starting a new treatment like Keytruda after surgery can understandably bring up concerns and questions about what to expect. Treatment experiences can vary greatly from person to person based on individual health factors, cancer stage, and other medical conditions. Many community members have shared their journeys with Keytruda and other immunotherapy treatments, and connecting with others who have walked similar paths can provide valuable insights and support during this time.

August 16 of 2021 I was diagnosed with stage IV RCC. I was 48 years old and in excellent shape til then. It had metastasisized to my cerebellum. That was day one of the life changing challenge I had to accept. August, 23 brain surgery to remove the tumor. Sept. 3 kidney surgery to remove 13 cm tumor and left kidney. I started keytruda injections along with the daily lenvima pill immediately following radiation to both locations. I was on 3 week injections of keytruda until medicine induced colitis hospitalized me on Sept. 3 of 2022. After treating the colitis I have not taken keytruda or any other chemo or immuno therapy drugs since then. I can tell you how it effected me through the various symptoms after I had stopped taking the drug but from what I understand it acts differently to everyone. I can also say without a doubt in my mind it saved my life. Four years later (almost to the 5 year milestone!) I have also talked to other RCC warriors that they did not take well to the drug so they were not on it for very long. I hope this helps and brings some comfort to you! There is so much I have learned throughout this process about life, love, religion and death but that is my journey. *Win The Day

I was treated with Keytruda after losing my left kidney to clear cell. Supposed to have 17 treatments, every three weeks apart. Supposed to increase 5 yr survival rates. It supercharged your your immune system. Had three , experienced mild side affects ( fatigue and loss of appetite ). Bloodwork every weeks, after third treatment my liver and thyroid were being attacked by the ketruda. They put me on high dose of prednisone, was reduced over the next 3 months. Had another two and liver and thyroid attacked seriously. Higher dose of prednisone and liver and thyroid specialist. Took over 6months to wean off the steroid. Gained 40 lbs , didn’t sleep well. Good part is was we selling vacation home and the speed effect came in handy packing. No longer qualify for Keytruda study and protocol. Rang bell in late August as imaging showed no cancer. Still being monitored for the liver and thyroid issues, they say don’t know how long the Keytruda lasts. I experience dizziness several times daily and have about 75% of my pre surgical daily energy. We will see this March when I visit oncology again. Wanted to play the odds on the treatment decision. One note , a new study of 55 k patients on Keytruda turns out if your over 62 The results tank Considerably! Peace and best wishes.

I'm m currently on Keytruda and Lenvima after having my left Kidney removed along with a 10cm tumor. I also had 10 days of radiation done to the T3 area of my back.The drugs and the radiation hit me hard at first. Exhaustion, shortness of breath, dizziness, tightness in my chest, no appetite and constipation. 6 months later and I'm doing much better. Cancer is getting smaller and I'm feeling much better. I'm 63 years old. Best of luck!

I also has a nephrectomy in December of 25. I Qasim on Keytruda and Inlyta from July of 24 thru August of 25. With these drugs my cancer remained unchanged. Summer of 25 I started having toxic side effects. Inlyta sent my liver enzymes through the roof and I got really bad colitis, with up to 10 episodes of diarrhea per day. They stopped both the meds and 2 months later, the tumor on my kidney started bleeding into my bladder and I couldn't pass urine. Was in hospital for 10 days. Them about a week later I had the nephrectomy

I had left kidney remove because of clear cell. Went on immunotherapy. Nevolamaud. It Destroyed my thyroid and then attacked my pancreas. Became a type 1 diabetic from it. I now have cancer in my right kidney with likely need that kidney removed as well and likely a life on dialysis. Right now the diabetes is tougher to deal with then the cancer. If I had 20/20 hind sight I would not have done treatment. But on the other hand you need to do something. Maybe things would have been worse if I didn’t do treatment.