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Kiwi_Angel's avatar
7 years ago

The Joys of Dexamethasone

Well, the side effects of Dex have truly hit me in the last few days!  Less than a week out from my third chemo and I am sick of feeling like a bloated lump who gets home each night with cankles and sock and pant marks embedded into my legs, the low grade nausea when I eat for the last few days, vaguely funny stomach and the muscle weakness is a killer. Used to be just when I exercised and tried to run (not that I can do that now) or walk uphill but in the last few days it has turned into more of a constant. My lymph node removal arm that slightly puffed up when I started chemo now feels more uncomfortable. Feel about 80 years old today. I know there are people that have it way worse than me but just had to have my whinge today!!  

48 Replies

  • @kezmusc u poor thing having to be on it for so long. I actually asked my oncologist if I was allowed some time to be normal again before I have to start on tamoxifen- she said it’s the most hated drug on all the blogs. 

    @Zoffiel I’m pretty sure I’m more impatient and cranky than normal too. 

    Thanks ladies. xoxoxo


  • Keep plodding. Its hard work and gets harder the closer you come to finishing. Dex made me savage and snarky and bloated and sleepless and mean. Or more so of the above than normal, some may argue. You are nearly there. Mxx
  • Hi @"Kiwi Angel",

    I used to have my chemo on a Friday,  I would get up Saturday morning looking like a puffer fish LOL. Everything was bloated. Didn't help that I had a weird skin reaction to Paclitaxel and had to stay on Prednisone the whole 12wks as well.  Put on 5kg over the whole thing.  It came straight off afterwards though within about 4 wks.  I guess you know how I feel about Tamoxifen, however I have lost 8kgs while on it.  So yay for one good thing about it.
    Hope you feel better soon lovely.
    xoxoxo
  • Oh golly ..... I'm thin also ..... that's why I get a lot of eye-rolling if I mention weight gain.  I just hate feeling uncomfortable in my clothes and refuse to buy new. I'll weigh myself tomorrow .... I've always had a rolly  tummy .... if it gets rollier I'll be furious ..... is it the Dex or is it the Docetaxel? Is it fluid or is it weight gain? Sheeeesh 
  • @Finch - that is exactly how I feel and my hubby just rolls his eyes at me. I feel uncomfortable in my own body. I have put on 3kg since I started on the dex with the fluid retention which isn’t a big thing as I am thin but it makes me feel gross. @jennyss thanks for thinking of us - can wait till all this crap is out of my system and then I get to start on tamoxifen- yah!!!
  • How do you spell 'Bleaaagh' and 'Yucckk' ,  but I really hope you are feeling better soon. Best wishes from jennyss
  • My chemo buddy .... I feel bloated also and I feel like I have a fat tummy. I'm not allowed to say that as I get shouted down by everyone, but that's how it feels to me . Sorry you have nausea and achey . I've heard we can put on weight with this chemo regime .... I hope not . XXXX