Forum Discussion
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
- I'm just about to start AC chemo but have been given a script for Dex with the directions to take 8mg the day after chemo then 4mg on days 2 and 3 - also maxalon to take only if I need it. Can't wait to see what it does :neutral:
- @Finch - I’m basically the same as u but take an extra dose on Wednesday morning.
@Wildplaces it’s amazing the difference in prescribing isn’t it. - Kiwi,
Thank you,
Everyone is just a little different - but I think it's worth asking about it. - I'm on 8mg morning and night for three days
- Yep, my onc said not to be alarmed by reading about doses of 8mg, she found 4mg did the job just fine. I didn't vomit once.
- @Wildplaces interesting articles. I’m amazed just by reading in here how wildly the doses vary.
- This was in 2004
http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/2004/20040315-chemo.html
Fast forward 2015
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4839331/
And maybe Dex has a lot to answer for. It certainly does strange things to our body.
There is now good evidence that at least part of the chemo effect is off target ( not related to DNA ) - specifically chemo can cause stimulation of innate and adaptive immunity - and part of that ties in with blood sugar levels, insulin levels, IGF...
Dex modulates all that. I feel it is worth asking oncologists how much do we really need to take and what is the dosage optimal timing as it relates to individual chemo protocols.
I take some Dex with my chemo - I was allowed to take if needed for nausea with AC, and I just managed on ondansetron - they are strict on the pre dose with Taxol because of the concerns over allergic reactions. - Had to laugh at the murderous rampage. My (cancer nurse) son described my mood swings as 'roid rage ...
There is light at the end of the tunnel. I feel so much better ( finished chemo in December last year). Finally ditched the vomit bag i had in my handbag.... - @Finch homemade chutney sounds yum!! Warm here too in Sydney - crazy weather! I go on Saturday too. Just about time for tablets again.
- ha ha ..... I have been on a murderous rampage . I picked 2kgs of green tomatoes and ripped out the plants. Right now they're turning into chutney in my oven. It's such a warm evening here in Victoria. Strange weather.
When do you go for your blood test @"Kiwi Angel", I go on Saturday.
