Anyone dx with rheumatoid arthritis as as side effect to KeyTruda?

[Trying2survive]

I was dx a month ago with rheumatoid arthritis and they held my KeyTruda in December. I am still in a lot of pain and discomfort. My doctor said this is rare and trying to confer with her colleagues. Their is no quick solution to be out of pain.

Thanks everyone!

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Not me but a friend who had Keytruda in a clinical trial. At the time she developed it her doctor denied it could be the Keytruda. Months later she apologized and said that it is became a known side effect. I’ll reach out to her and see what she’s doing for pain.

[Trying2survive in reply to Denzie]

Thank you kindly for checking With your friend.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to Trying2survive]

So, I’ve heard back from her. She ended up going to a rheumatologist who told her that some people only respond to high dose steroids. Eventually her rheumatologist got caught up on immunotherapy induced arthritis and put her on methotrexate which is giving her some relief. If I understand what she was telling me, methotrexate is a biological which previously contraindicated in cancer patients.

Hopefully this will help you. At least it gives you a direction for inquiry.

[Cindy121 in reply to Denzie]

There are increasing numbers of cases of immunotherapy-triggered autoimmune disease. I have Eosinophilic Fasciitis. I don’t know the earliest signs of RA, but need to flag eosinophil counts for early diagnosis and treatment of EF for best prognosis. Denzie, where can I find out more about methotrexate no longer being contraindicated for cancer patients. Methotrexate is a cancer drug ( in much larger doses), and I have been on the immunosuppressant I was told is my only option because I’ve had chemotherapy. Thanks.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to Cindy121]

My friend who answered the question is being seen by a rheumatologist at Henry Ford Hospital. I don’t know if it’s the one in Detroit or Farmington Hills, MI She’s been on the methotrexate for a while now. I’ll see what I can find out.

[Cindy121 in reply to Denzie]

Thanks. I think I may know her also, but we haven’t communicated directly in awhile!

[pcsangel64]

I too developed RA last year as a result of Keytruda. Oncologist had me take a 3 month break from Keytruda as I started methotrexate and prednisone, which definitely helped with the pain and inflammation. I started back up with Keytruda in October, still taking the methotrexate and am weaned down to 2.5mg of daily prednisone. Even with the pause in infusions for 3 months, I still saw tumors shrinking. My RA doctor said methotrexate used to be used years ago as a cancer treatment.