What are common side effects of Keytruda for breast cancer?

Hi Sylvia , personally I didn’t have any, the short period of that I got it . I had to do a combination of both . Please keep me us post it .

It killed my thyroid function, I now have to take meds for thyroid. It also made my joints stiff and hurt. I was moving very slow and could not bend well, caused weight gain, and then they had me do high steroids to get joint pain (rheumatoid arthritis is what it was acting like). I hated how it made me so immobile and like a very old slow gal. I took Keytruda for one whole year. My cancer came back in 2024 TNBC - and now it’s stage 4. I am taking trodelvy now and it has been okay so far.

Silvia, I’m not a Keytruda candidate because of 5 autoimmune disorders. Too dangerous for me. I appreciate Stephanie’s comments and recognize that no treatment is easy. I had a full year of chemotherapy… aggressive doses because of BRCA 2 gene and triple negative cancer with a Ki score 95%. I also had radiation 3 weeks and now on a PARP inhibitor that goes after the gene mutation. I’m 2 years out and doing ok. I did require double mastectomies and very grateful I did as recommended… in surgery my tested nodes and margins clean but I regionally metastasized to a node 10 months later, thus beginning the treatment needs that continue now. Prayers for you on your journey. My recommendations are to find doctors that you trust and do as recommended… I’m a critical care RN and appreciate experts. 🙏

Thank you, ladies. First infusion went well.

What stage you where diagnose the first time and how many years before you had recurrence.

Hi Elizabeth, For me, in March 2023, I was a stage 1 but high aggressive Ki score 97%. Triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma but 1 tumor pre op and very small, no need for chemo, but I opted for double mastectomies as recommended because BRCA positive. 3 nodes negative and breast margins clean. They found another tiny tumor in surgery well hidden. 3 month scans clean but 10 months post op, still pain in armpit and edema. Oncologist felt tiny lump and I was sent for ultrasound that was grossly positive and node necrotic, and tumor markers always positive in January 2024. Note CT scans were all clean. The single axillary node made me regional metastasis and Dr would not discuss stage, but considers me still curable. That’s when I required full year of chemo, followed by 15 radiation, and now PARP inhibitors. I’m not a candidate for immunotherapy… could die. In Sept 2024, Post 6 months aggressive dosed chemo of 4 agents, my scans clean (PET) and I had the residual cancer nodes x2 removed. I’m still on oral medications to hit BRCA mutation and get 6 mon PET scan again soon. I’m very active, thin build, and push through treatment needs. Many side effects but all managed and I know the meds are needed. I’m wishing you the very best. Everyone has a different journey. I’m following Dr recommendations as they are the experts and I am a critical care RN 45 years. Stay positive no matter what. 🙏

Thank you for your respond🙏

Common side effects of Keytruda can include fatigue, skin reactions like rash or itching, diarrhea, nausea, and muscle or joint pain, though everyone's experience varies. Sharing experiences with side effects can be really helpful for others in similar situations, so hopefully other community members will chime in with their own insights to give you a better picture of what to expect.