Keytruda and Now I Need a Healing Remedy for Colitis

[DMohr011]

Had an appointment for a scheduled Keytruda infusion last week. It was to be my last one! Recent PSMA results all point clear, and appears I now join the ranks of the 'Undectables'! Just crazy, and it hasn't fully sunk in yet.

Doc went thru the usual questions, how do you feel. I responded in the usual way - feeling great except for this nagging lower end issues from the radiation. Urgency, some minor bleeding/snotty mess/shitting many times a day has been an issue since radiation ended last August. This time, I nagged about my stomach hurting too. That got attention. Keytruda was then put on hold, and colonoscopy ordered, stat.

I was due for a Colonoscopy anyway, and they were able to get it scheduled this past Monday. This time they gave me a blend of fentanyl and i was quazi awake for the procedure. Really cool, and really gross. It looked like a crime scene. Serious Colitis throughout the entire colon.

Sneaky side effect of Ketruda is colotis of the colon. Sneaky I say b/c hear I was always complaining about the lower end, and with the radiation i went thru, everyone just assumed that was the cause. Wonder how long Ketruda was tearing things up. Have been taking it since last July. Couldn't be an easy side effect, like skin rash. Noooo !

Oh well, roll with it. Now I'm on 80mg of Prednisone and working with it's wonderful side effects!

Avoiding the heavy fiber diet for now, going back on some carbs, protein shakes. Any natural suggestions for severe colitis, and anything special to take with 80mg of Prednisone?

Dave

[Tall_Allen]

Avoid tinkering. Talk to doctor about hyperbaric oxygen.

[tango65]

With that amount of prednisone, discuss checking glucose, electrolytes, blood pressure, bone density and taking drugs to control gastric acid secretion.

[Canoehead]

After my pelvic IMRT I developed microscopic (collagenous) colitis. My MO called it radiation colitis. I am now especially susceptible to fried foods, fatty foods and dairy products. I can mostly control this through diet, but when it flares up, the only thing that works is budesonide, an immunosuppressive steroid that is quickly metabolized, thereby avoiding most steroid side effects. Ulcerative colitis, the more common kind, is now allegedly managed with a daily pill

[j-o-h-n]

Again again......Keytruda worked for my lung melanoma...... No side effects at all....... Regards..

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 05/14/2022 1:38 PM DST

[Hotrod65]

Dave, 55 infusions of Keytruda and counting over last 7 years has me currently in long term durable Clinical Remission NED , I have been extremely lucky on side affects..no colitis, no rashes, it's the Prednisone I have to take 25 mg for Adrenal Insufficiency that is doing a job on me..mostly vision related , but your right, just deal with what comes along we are still alive is all that matters..I'm small cell Neuroendocrine differentiation from diagnosis and had a 3-6 month terminal diagnosis....livestrong and long...God Bless

[GAdrummer]

We are still fighting the battle against bloody diarrhea after 2+ years of Keytruda. My husband had been doing well with a combo of Mesalamine DR and prednisone. The weaning off of the prednisone seemed to be going well until the 10 mg level was reached. He had gained back 8 of the 30 lbs. he'd lost before the colitis was confirmed as autoimmune origin. After a week or so, suddenly the diarrhea was back and he lost 5 lbs. Imodium was recommended and the prednisone dosage doubled by the MO. So far it isn't stopping the issue. Why do problems hit on a Friday night? It was his birthday (84) and he couldn't enjoy it.