Decadron side effects - how worried should I be?

beau

Decadron side effects - how worried should I be?

beau

Hi All,

 I had my first chemo round Sept 10th, but my second one just got delayed a week due to some high liver enzyme counts. However, I had already taken the premed of decadron (4 pills day before and 2 pills morning of) before my chemo was cancelled. 

I just had the hardest 24 hours of my life! In addition to the usual red face, hands, feet, some swelling and fluid retention from the decadron, I also had an intense headache, some nausea, exhaustion and a "brain breakdown", where I really felt paranoid and unable to cope. Is that what is called the steroid crash? Is there a way to manage it better than I did today?  I did take some ativan and it helped some, but the intense headaches kept coming back and I felt really unhinged.

What i went through today really scared me. I would love to hear how other people have coped with their reactions to steroids.  I hope folks are having a s/e free day. Best, Beau

  

nancyh

Dear Beau,

I don't have a medical answer to your post, but I'll give you my 2 cents.  My recollection of taking decadron was it was a pain over the long haul, I don't recall having severe immediate reactions you are describiing.  I'm thinking this will pass if you just wait it out.  I've had random headaches on all my chemos, but when my oncologist recommended tylenol/advil (duh!), I felt much better.  Don't read too much about the crazy side effects of steroids - I think it is easy to over analyze (and I'm saying this as someone who over analyzes all the time, so I am trying not to sound condescending).   Anyway, in my experience, and I'm sure others will chime in, the effects of decadron were more annoying after taking it for 6 months.  It can make you a little wired in the wee hours of the morning. The thing I found most annoying was that I was all puffy/bloated looking on decadron.  Good luck and I hope this is just a passing thing and you'll be feeling better soon.

Celtic_Spirit

Decadron can cause some freaky psychological effects. I've been accused of having the emotional range of Mr. Spock. On Decadron, I became a weepy, hyperemotional wreck during the week I took it pre- and post-infusion. I seriously thought I was losing my mind until I learned what Decadron can do to you. Knowing this helped me cope with the "emotional" side effects and helped me to control my dark and depressing thoughts. I've read some accounts of people becoming violent while on this drug. Perhaps this is what's causing your paranoia.

As far as the physical side effects, it only gave me a slight "sunburn" appearance and a lot of energy. My onc gave me ativan to help me come down enough to sleep.

NatureGrrl

I had some SE's from the steroids, too... the one I disliked most was feeling so aggressive (good thing I wasn't driving a tank, I would have driven right over a lot of cars, I got so frustrated with bad drivers!).  The SE's passed after a few days and once I knew what to expect I was able to cope better. 

You might ask your oncologist (if you haven't already) what you can do to deal with this (or his/her nurses -- they often know more about the details like this). And the women here will have more to say, too, I'm sure.

This isn't a time to suffer -- I know I never used to take things for pain, for example -- but if you're having headaches, don't hesitate to take something.  You and your body and spirit have enough to deal with.  Ask your dr. what OTC meds are OK to take and then use them when you need them.

I drank a lot of water because of the chemo but think that might have helped with the steroids, too.  It may sound counterintuitive but if you're retaining water, it often helps if you drink plenty of fluids -- ask your dr.  And I used the excess energy to get things done because I knew I'd crash after.  When I was exhausted, I rested/slept.   Relaxation stuff helped me a lot, too, even deep breathing while in the car to calm myself down over the idiots on the road   Try to eat well -- keeping properly fueled and rested will help you cope with everything a bit better.

For nausea, I used ginger (many forms, from candy and ginger ale to capsules, find one you like) and ativan.

Best of luck.  It's a pain to go through; try just taking it as it comes, and hang on to the thought that it will pass.

lago

The only real SE I have from decadron is the bloat. My face actually looks better with the bloat because it fills it out. The stomach bloat not so much fun but gone today. I never really got hyper on it (too bad I would have enjoyed that). Slept well the last few nights.

But everyone is different. Most seem to get a bit hyper and have sleep issues.

coonie

I hated the Decadron too. Mine was administered through the IV at treatment times. I can just remember being wide awake all night the day of treatment, and then around the 2nd or 3rd day just crashing. Sorry you had such bad SE's.

pumela115

Hi Beau,   I hated the decadron so much that i stopped taking it. But i only took one 1mg pill the night after DD AC chemo and i think 1 pill the next day. I was suppose to get taxol the next round but chose to get abraxane just so i wouldn't have to do the steroids. They do put a little in my infusion, but i don't notice it at all. I don't know what kind of chemo you are having or the strengh of your pills but 4 seems like alot. I would tell your onc and see if you can cut down on some of them. I think what you are experinceing is normal, but you should let your dr know. I wish you the best and hope you have no more side effects as intense.                                    Pam

redninrah

my stomach is bloated............not sure what to do. ITs like a huge pout just sticking out. My face is a moon face, i have mood swings, emotional one day/ and normal the other. I get so hungry like ive never ate in a long time. and im never never full!!!

If i drink water, its just locks into my body! im a fatty!! aghhhhhhhhhhh please can i have my old body back!!!