Forum Discussion

GenK's avatar
GenK
Member
3 years ago

Steroid side effects

Hey. Just wondering if you or your loved ones noticed behaviour changes on steroids and how you handled them? 
In short mum’s on TC, with dex day before, day of and day after the chemo, and the day of and day after chemo she was more scatty, foolhardy, snappy, argumentative and irritable. I will speak with her clinicians about this when I get a chance, and thankfully appears to have eased 24hrs after last dose (this is first cycle), but was emotionally exhausting and in some cases actually scary/worrisome those couple of days (eg needing me for stability walking to car then going off in shopping strip without a phone or letting me know where she was, and feeling ‘woosy’ but bending over to cut the grass by hand). The physical side effects we’re aware and have a plan in place, but wondering how common this is and most articles I can find relate to research regarding kids not 70yr olds. 
Otherwise so far mild side effects to the chemo and aloxi so fingers crossed but know that can change with later cycles.
keep well and thank you 🌺
  • GenK's avatar
    GenK
    Member
    3 years ago
    Thanks Christabel…onc decided not to change dose second cycle, despite breast care nurse as concerned as me. I had to just try and tag team, do multiple short visits for breaks between to settle myself, and tbh had to use more of my Valium (I’m prescribed it anyway for ptsd) than typical to keep my cool as I know it’s the medication rather than mum. She is having more chemo fatigue this time, which I’m aware can be cumulative until it’s finished, so we got through, but even the dr could barely get a word in so see if she’ll reassess next time. I’ll speak with the clinicians again. Thank you, especially for reassuring me it’s not just mum. She’s not aware at the time either. I might know, but hearing others experience it is more reaffirming than just literature saying something. 🌺
  • Christabel03's avatar
    Christabel03
    Member
    3 years ago
    Hi @GenK
    Sorry to hear about Mum. The dex I think is the worst. I was the same when I was on AC chemo dex on the day and then tablets for three days after and my behaviour was a bit out there. According to my sources ( Mum Dad Husband...) I would get really snappy argumentative and almost unbearable. If we went out in the car for example I would be losing it at someone else driving just not coping with it at all and causing them stress but not meaning to it would just happen. It is also really hard to explain the behaviours to people and trying to making them understand that the medication does cause you to react or lash out. I actually didn't realise I was as bad as I was, I certainly left a few moments with my tail between my legs and lots of apologies. I'm not sure how I really handled it, I know my family just used to let me go and not take me to task on it to make me feel worse. 
    It is exhausting to those that are trying to help and are the carers and I really think speaking to the specialists is a good place to start. My dex ended up being dosed down and I think that helped in the end. It's really tough I feel for you both xx 
    Good luck and big love to you both xx