hello, I was wondering if any one here has experienced side effects from this drug? My oncologist has written me out a script for it, but warned that some people have severe mood swings after taking it!! I start chemo next week on 10/1/18 and along with other anticipated side effects, I think I could do without personality changes!! Thank you for any comments.

Hi @duxx1234, my onc prescribed just as yours is. Dex is a steroid and will help prevent reactions to your chemo and help with nausea. It's like 'pumped up' Prednisone. I found it just made me feel a little wide eyed, energy twitchy but you'll find your body does get used to it as well. Have you got a breast care nurse? She might be able to give you some literature to read. I found being able to wholly trust in my oncologist really helped. I found her wonderful and she never overwhelmed me with too much info. I got a very measured amount which is great as it's all so overwhelming. Xxoo

Hi I was on Dex for many years. Doses varied depending on what treatment I was having. Initially started with 4mgs when I was first diagnosed with bone mets and undertook radiotheraphy. Its very good at alleviating pain and reducing inflammation caused by radiotherapy. I did not notice any mood changes but did retain fluid. Remained on 0.05mg for many years. After 10 years came off it with no adverse affect. I still do have 5mg when I have my monthly infusion. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your feedback LucyE. It is a matter of seeing how I go! Best wishes.

Hi Sunshine0206What does AC stand for? I see it mentioned quite a bit in posts. Pardon my ignorance

Dexamethasone side effects | BCNA Online Network

Jen79x
Member
8 years ago
Love hate relationship too !
i had it for 4 days with ac (8mg slowly reduced to 2 mg by day 4)
i now have 4mg just on the day of chemo with weekly taxol weekly carboplatin.
it helps immensely with the nausea however if also makes me emotional (just what you need) constipated and I also can sleep
It’s awful but it works - I just had chemo yesterday and last night was in tears because I was so tired but I couldn’t sleep :(
Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
I took 8mg for four days starting 24 hours before chemo. It made me snarly and churny, but then I'm sort of like that anyway. It also kept me awake-- but I don't sleep well at the best of times.
LMK74
Member
8 years ago
The only thing I noticed was red cheeks that I still have. I had no nausea while on chemo which I attributed to the steroid.
Spillsy
Member
8 years ago
agree you need it to prevent the nausea, as that's really important to minimise. Side effects of steroids have already been noted, but this is a short sharp dose to help reduce nausea so worth it.
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
Sorry, meant cut it out!!
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
Dexamethasone is frequently given with chemo to reduce nausea. I had no nausea and as my oncologist agreed that it was contributing to constipation, he agreed to fit it out after my three weekly A/C was over and when I switched to Taxol - on the strict understanding there were no complaints if I developed nausea
primek
Member
8 years ago
The dexamethasone really makes a difference with nausea. I needed it for 4 days on AC. I was given it at the chemo unit but everwhere does it differently. Some regimes start day before. Do you know what regime you are on yet?
Sunshine0206
Member
8 years ago
Sure. Here it is. :smile:
duxx1234
Member
8 years ago
Hi Sunshine0206
What does AC stand for? I see it mentioned quite a bit in posts. Pardon my ignorance
Sunshine0206
Member
8 years ago
Hi,

it it also helps with nausa as per my oncologist. It was one 8mg dose on day of then 8mg for the first 2 days after. This was with AC.

With taxol the dose was weekly a reduced over 2 weeks.

No no mood changes. But certainly an appetite. X