Hello, Can keytruda cause coughing as a side effect? Mums scans show reduction but she’s got a persistent cough that’s not too bad but definitely there and niggling. The issue we have is that she point blank refuses to talk to her doctor about it, it doesn’t bother her she says and I think deep down this is reminiscent of the cough she had prior to diagnosis so she worried something is wrong. We’ve another scan booked next month, but I wondered if it’s normal to have a cough despite treatment or if it can be a side effect.
Dad says it may even be aggravation due to pollen but it’s hard not to link everything to the cancer.
Hard not to worry something is wrong but she’s well and no other symptoms.
Thanks!
Hi there. Sorry to hear about your concerns. My partner started on Keytruda this week, so very new to this. As well as a cancer treatment log/tracker with information about recording any changes in health/side effects, we were given a chart to show main symptoms to look out for. We were advised to contact a 24 hour immunotherapy triage number for any concerns, not to wait. The chart indicates to look out for' I have developed a new or worse cough'. Do you know if you mum has been given an immunotherapy triage number? I dont know how involved you are able to be with your mums treatment, but if she has a folder with details, could you maybe help make a call to alleviate your worries. As mentioned we are only into the first week of keytruda as primary treatments, so not experienced at this, but I would try and work a way to get this noted. Good luck and wishing your mum well.
Thanks for your kind words and advice. Its a tricky situation, mum just will not make the call to her doctor and she is after all the patient. She has another treatment on Monday and she will have the nurse call her before so I guess we will need to see if she raises it then. She’s very stubborn and it’s causing her to completely shut down if it’s mentioned. I’d say she’s had the same cough throughout but sometimes it’s worse and more noticeable. Hope your partner is doing well. All the best
Hi there how troubling is your mum's cough? My husband has had 2 immunotherapy cycles and developed an awful cough which stopped him sleeping . I can't say if it is connected to the immunotherapy because obviously coughing is a symptom of this cancer. He is currently on oxygen as the cough and shortness of breath meant he could not breathe. His cycle of immunotherapy could not go ahead last week so we have a break now and will see how is cough is . Does your mum have shortness of breath associated with the cough?
Hello, mums cough isn’t too bad. It seems to irritate her more at night when she lays down but during the day it’s not really too noticeable. I only notice is more due to her diagnosis. She’s doesn’t have shortness of breath and so it’s difficult to pin what is causing it. Gladly she will be discussing with her doctor on Monday so we can try to manage it. I’m keen for her to mention it just in case she’s got an infection of some sort which they can treat.
I hope your husband starts to feel better during the break from treatment. It’s such a bumpy road to be on but you have my very best wishes x