The Joys of Dexamethasone

I puffed up on dex. I had breast oedema (or reconstructed breast oedema) my underarm was puffy where I had sentinal node and Id have tightness across my back from my muscles being stretched...it was just weird. I tried lymph sleeves and compression singlets which pushed the fluid up to my collar bone. My legs ended up feeling like walking through concrete. But....you get through and it's joyous not to need it anymore and watch all the fluid then leave your body. 

@kezmusc Chemo's a bastard for the 'after' effects eh? Amongst other things I've got five fingernails still trying to fall off. They look revolting...

I find definitely the zoffran is a go!!!

I found Maxalon about as useful as eating fruit tingles.  Pramin worked ok, but ondansetron was the bomb.  If you get sick of popping drugs, the ginger travel sickness tablets worked reasonably well too,  The effects don't last long but handy to have in your bag out shopping or whatever as a back up.  Mind you, I can't stand even the smell of them these days.

I was pretty luck with the eyebrows and lashes.  Enough stayed that with make up it wasn't noticeable.  Wunderbrows is really good to add in some fibres and stays on all day.

My eyelashes did eventually go but not until a month after chemo.  I'd been out and worn makeup. When I used  the eyemakeup remover that night they all came out! They did that again about two months later.  It was a bit of a shock as I though I was home and hosed after chemo finished, but no.  

@Eastmum I have had Maxalon and zoffran prescribed if I need it and luckily I haven’t too much but did take a zoffran yesterday morning and it worked a treat. 

@Eastmum My oncologist prescribed me Pramin for nausea during chemo and I found it worked beautifully. I had Ondansetron repeatedly last week after my BMX & recon. It also worked well.

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a609009.html

Here is a bit more on it, application, side effects etc - It will NOT completely save your eyelashes but it will help and any bit left is a stronger hair - also starting really early is better so that why I said newbies...

Ativan ( lorazepam ) is a benzodiazepine ( aka Diazepam - Valium ) but a little less sedative and more anxyolitic. Works well for chemo nausea - great to have on hand if you are on your 3-4th infusion and getting a little weary of being treated.

The biggest annoying thing with ondansetron is that you can only get 4 at a time under PBS - you need a new script each infusion more or less...

My lashes hit the floor last - but I was happy to be finished I did not mind so/as much...well, it's all crap but it's doable IMO.

Search Lattice for the eyelash component - Lumergan is name of the drops you aim to get from the GP. Its the same substance - bimatoprost.

I know lots of people have used Ondasetron - not sure why my onc hasn't suggested it but he reckons the best is Ativan - it has the added benefit of knocking you out a bit when you feel so crook, as well.  Maxolon might as well be Smarties for me.
 

Wow thanks @Wildplaces - great info - I hoping the Dex will be enough and I won't need the Maxalon but I'll keep the Zofran in mind. I remember taking metoclopramide to increase my breast milk supply when I had my first baby (23 years ago!) but I've also heard about a correlation between metoclopramide and parkinson's disease, which my mum had, so I'd prefer not to take it if I can avoid it. 

I'll absolutely look into the Lumergan! Is it true that eyebrows and eyelashes are the last to go?  Or do they fall out straight away?