Steroids

Options
Tina-in-Seattle
Tina-in-Seattle Member Posts: 100
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I start my first round of chemo tomorrow.  I have stage IIa IDC.  My doc has given me a mega dose of steroids to take prior.  It works out to 16 mgs a day for 3 days, day before, day of and the day after.  Anyone taking something similar, is this usual.  All I know is I am ready to start chewing my desk.  Would taking a zanex help?

What a strange trip this is!

Blessings to all,

Tina

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • paweed
    paweed Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2009

    Tina  the roids were tough.  the day before the chemo I actually liked it.... I felt zippy and thought I got a lot of things done.  then night came and I couldn't sleep.  No problem..... since I wasn't working I would just get up and watch tv.

    the problem , for me, came the next few days as the roids still prevented me from sleeping.  I tried ambien, didn't work.  they gave me something else but that didn't work well either.  I finally realized that I just needed to rest, nap, relax when I had the chance and not fight it too much.

    I also took 16 mg.  8 in the morning and 8 at night

    this is a strange trip we are on.  I'd like to get off the boat any time now!!!

    my best advice it to rest when able, drink plenty of fluids, and try not to fight the roids too much.

    Hang in there and a big hugg to you 

    Patty

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 308
    edited March 2009

    Ask your Dr. for an Ambien to sleep...it really helps at night!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited March 2009

    My Dr. had to take me off the steroids!  My heart raced and pounded until I felt it was coming out of my chest!  I did fine after that.  Cora

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 1,203
    edited March 2009

    I had the same dose. After a few Tx, I asked the onc if I could cut the dose in half to 8 mg a day and she okayed it. That still is enough to make it hard to sleep the first night but it still was an improvement.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Denali
    Denali Member Posts: 347
    edited March 2009

    The steroids were driving me crazy too.  My personality and steroids just don't mesh!  After the first treatment, I said something to my dr and, like Bluedasher, I got to cut it in half.  I can tolerate that so much better.  I have Ambian this time round and it helped me sleep the first 2 nights--tonight will be the real test.

    But on the positive side, I got loads of housework done today!!  My DD came over and helped lots as she had the day off from work.  So I'm all set for my chemo crash, which should hit on Sunday.  But at least I won't lay there and have to look at cobwebs!

    I just saw my oncologist yesterday (3rd chemo) and she said I may not be able to stay on the 1/2 dose for the whole treatment period.  ugh.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CaliforniaCloud
    CaliforniaCloud Member Posts: 160
    edited March 2009

    I take 4mg of Dexamthasone twice a day, starting the day after chemo (TCH).  I could really use a good a big dose of energy!  I envy your clean house, Linda!

    Cheers!

    Cloud

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories