Steroids - take or don't take?

Sjd

I have an over the top reaction to steroids (always have) but I am supposed to take 8mg 1x per day for the 2 days after chemo. I get a dose via IV on chemo day. (Tues/Wed I took 1/2 the dose... 4mg.) (I am on weekly Taxol/Carbo for TN idc)

My doc prescribed Ambien to be taken on steroid days only and we were shocked that it didn't even make me drowsy. She then said take the Ambien and if not asleep in couple hours take Ativan. Still nothing. Plus I shake, etc etc etc

I literally do not sleep but 10 minutes here and there from the 1st day I take the oral steroid (Tuesday) until sometime Friday. Due to cumulative effect of Monday/Tuesday/Wed Not to mention the gluttonous eating.

All this to say... my PA said it appears we will just continue with the IV steroid Monday and skip the oral Tues & Wed.

I am a bit concerned since the steroid is taken, I believe, to combat inflammation. If I do not take it....is that dangerous.

I will be asking my onc and my pharmacist what the adverse effects could be from not taking it.

In the meantime I am wondering has anyone else not taken the steroids?

Thanks for ANY info or thoughts you can provide!

Anonymous

I didn't take any steroids at home. For the Taxol infusion, my steroid dose was reduced from 10 mg to 8 mg. I also had 12.5 mg of Benadryl with Reactine, an antihistamine. Even at that dose, Benadryl knocked me out. Once neuropathy started (after Taxol #9), I started taking Reactine and vitamin B12 every day which kept the neuropathy at bay. I was able to stop Reactine a month after chemo ended.

Hope you can get some sleep. I still had trouble sleeping when getting steroids once a week.

Whirlaway

I am very sensitive to steroids. I was on dose dense A/C and had to take the steroids before chemo (pill-form in hospital) but could not take the oral pills at home or the Emend (anti-nausea pill). However the nausea was quite brutal after the 2nd round even though I never threw up. My stomach was in such spasm. Ginger teas, Gravol, deep breathing and acupuncture twice a week got me through it. 

With Taxol there was only steroids as pre meds (IV) and after the first 4 rounds (to be sure I don't have allergic reaction) they started to cut down the dosage for me. At least my stomach/esophagous started to recover and I didn't have nausea with Taxol. Taxol was "easy" for me. 

We are all different on how we metabolize. Speak with your onc /pharmacist if they can adjust dosage for you.

Sending you good thoughts!

Whirlaway

Forgot to add they started me on 8 mg on Taxol and we went down to 6 for the rest of infusions. I got some mild neuropathy last round of Taxol. Even though the Benadryl nearly knocked me out, the steroids were still keeping me up so right after Taxol infusion I used to walk/run in the woods to make me sleepy so I got 4 h of sleep on chemo day. Next day was acupuncture and my body adjusted for sleep normally. 

Good luck!

Sjd

Serenity, Thank you so much. I appreciate your reply!

Sjd

Whirlaway, it amazes me how quickly people respond to posts on this site! Thank you so much for taking the time.

Reikion

You could try Frankincense oil for sleep - a few drops on the soles of your feet. Lavender oil helps too.

And I recommend acupuncture too. Used it throughout my 1 year of chemo (ATEMPT clinical trial). Helped a lot to manage the side effects.

I had benadryl and hydrocotisone before each chemo. Dexamethasone did not work for me - gave me a rash and foliculitis the one time they tried it.

Wishing you the best!

beauz

Hi, Sjd. As far as I was told by my doctors, steroid was given to control nausea as well. I was prescribed steroid and anti nausea tablets for two days after each of my standard AC infusion. I did take them after the first AC, but I didn't like that I had not much sleep on the second night. I firmly believe that good night sleep is vital for recovery. So after AC#2, I only took steroid for one day and no steroid tablet at all after AC#3&#4. I think I could do this because I didn't have much nausea. Best wishes for you.