Hi Fairman and welcome to the forum.

Hopefully some of our members who have had this type of immunotherapy will share their experiences with you soon, but in the meantime I hope this information we have about pembrolizumab, including a list of side effects you may experience, will be useful.

If you have any other questions or concerns about starting your immunotherapy that you'd like to discuss with someone, you can give our cancer nurses a call on 0808 800 4040. Their phone lines are open Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m and they will do all they can to help.

We're sending you all our support Fairman and wishing you all the best with your treatment.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Thanks Steph, I know side effects can differ from person to person but I thought maybe somebody who’s been through it could throw up a little insight as to what they personally experienced.

Hi Fairman

This link to an old thread has many first hand experiences of Pembro

https://cancerchat.cancerresearchuk.org/f/living-with-cancer/122103/immunotherapy-treatment?pifragment-396=5#pifragment-396=1

If you search the forum you will find many more

Ed

Hi Farmer Ed, 

Thanks for the link, I read through them all and now feel a bit more informed and relaxed about starting the Pembro journey next week .

Fairman

Hi Farmer Ed, many thanks for the link, I've went through all the pages , it's really helped to calm the reservations I had about starting the Pembro, I start on it next week so hopefully not have too many adverse reactions as it was just the information I was looking for to give me the insight into  other people's experiences.

Thanks again.  Fairman

Hello Fairman

Wishing you the best possible outcome for your upcoming immunotherapy treatment with pembrolizumab. It seems fairly well tolerated by the majority of people. Ive been receiving a same category immunotherapy drug Cemiplimab for over a year now. My side effects are fatigue and an itchy skin rash both of which are manageable. It is keeping the cancer stable and I have a fairly normal life. You will be closely monitored have frequent blood tests, scans. Should be given a 24 hour number from clinic should you need help or advice. Report any symptoms side effects immediately, the care team will be able help you.

Ed

Hello Fairman

Wishing you the best possible outcome for your upcoming immunotherapy treatment with pembrolizumab. It seems fairly well tolerated by the majority of people. Ive been receiving a same category immunotherapy drug Cemiplimab for over a year now. My side effects are fatigue and an itchy skin rash both of which are manageable. It is keeping the cancer stable and I have a fairly normal life. You will be closely monitored have frequent blood tests, scans. Should be given a 24 hour number from clinic should you need help or advice. Report any symptoms side effects immediately, the care team will be able help you.

Ed