Decadron

TerryNY

What is the purpose of decadron? Is it used as an anti-nausea med or as a precaution against an allergic reaction?

lastminuteD

Hey Terry!

I read that "decadron decreases inflammation and decreases your brain's sensitivity to nausea". I seem to remember (which I'm having problems with!!! ) one of the nurses saying that steriods also help the other anti-nausea meds work better.

Hope that helps and that I've got it straight!!

Dawn

Calico

I think it is to help with allergic reactions as well.
Whenever I am given steroids, I get extremely nausea. I had to do my last two Taxols without it....but I was okay.

God Bless

TerryNY

I'm dreading my next tx because of this drug..it makes me so jittery and my BP soars the next day because of it. I was wondering if the onc could substitute something else for the same purpose. I'm going to mention this to him my next appt and ask.
Thanks for the replies.

Kate0574

Hello Everyone

I did alittle research on Decadron oral dose and here is what I found:

Dexamethasone is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood/hormone/immune system disorders, allergic reactions, certain skin and eye conditions, breathing problems, certain bowel disorders, and certain cancers. It is also used as a test for an adrenal gland disorder (Cushing's syndrome).

This medication is a corticosteroid hormone (glucocorticoid). It decreases your body's natural defensive response and reduces symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions.

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This drug may also be used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy.

This came from web MD, seemd of though it is for multi uses, allergic reactions and anti nausea... hum

I get it also before tx. the whole tx process keeps me up for two days feeling like I cna go anything then I crash this is because of the steroids...

Hope this helps a little

Kate

Cynthia1962

Terry,

I'm wondering if maybe you just need a lower dose? I don't know how much I'm given in the premeds, but for the two days after I take 8mgs each day and I barely feel it. I've noticed that I eat a bit more than I normally would and it's probably helping a bit with the fatigue, but it isn't helping me have the energy to clean my house, lol. I was so looking forward to that.

My onc uses it the premed infusion for both AC and Taxotere (which I'm on now). It helps with nausea and to prevent allergic reactions as other posters have mentioned.

Cynthia

SueB46

I'm also getting it in a drip with my AC. When I first started I was given Decadron (Dexamethasone) in pill form to take for three days post chemo. I wasn't given any to take pre chemo. The first time I took them I felt dizzy and my heart raced. Before taking the next days dose I called my Onc who said I could stop them if I wanted, so I did. Didn't take any after round two AC and felt fine. My chemo nurse said it is given to prevent nausea, stimulate appetite and to give an energy boost.

Sue

TerryNY

For my first tx with AC I had the drip before the chemo infusion and then had pills to take at home too. I had my infusion on Monday and by Wed AM I was on the phone with the onc's office asking if I could stop the pills and they said 'yes'.
So, the second tx I was only given the drip before the chemo, 10 MG...apparently that is the lowest dose? No pills at home. Again, had my chemo on Monday and by Tuesday was feeling like I was going to stroke out. My BP was 159/90 and heart was racing and I felt jittery. I did have a lot of energy though!
I'm just going to ask if I have to have it at all next time, round three.

Cynthia1962

I did notice that with my first AC, the Decadron in my infusion made my heart race. I made the mistake of drinking a large glass of iced tea later that day, and I thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest. I avoided caffeine after that on my tx day. For some reason, I can now have caffeine with the Decadron and it doesn't bother me. I wonder if it's possible to develop a tolerance.

Hope everyone finds something that works for them. It sure can seem to take awhile to get the right combinations.

Cynthia

rspayne

I just started chemo on 7/9. I was given decadron pills to take the day before , got an infusion on treatment day, and pills the next day. I had my treatment in the afternoon, and could not sleep until 3:30 A.M. I was supposed to take four pills the following day, but was told that I could cut it down to two. I'm dreading the next round!!!

SharonDe

People do react differently to the decadron. I didn't get jittery, but couldn't sleep - my onc reduced my pre and post dosage by half.  Even with that, it made my blood glucose levels skyrocket, so then there was another pill for that.

On the positive side, my joints felt the best they had in years, and my skin benefited as well.