Has anyone taken Decadron for 3 days after AC?

Marianne1114
Marianne1114 Member Posts: 1
edited February 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Just completed my 12th Taxol infusion yesterday. I will begin my 4 AC dose dense treatments on March 2nd. I was informed that I will need to take Decadron twice a day for 3 days after my chemo treatment (to prevent nausea). So, of course, I Googled the side effects of Decadron and I am not planning on taking the drug. I am meeting with my oncologist tomorrow and will ask if there is anything else I can take. I had 2 nausea prescriptions filled and they remain at the bottom of purse, untouched, throughout my 12 Taxol treatments. The side effects of Decadron that scared me -- swelling in the face ("Moonface"), increased appetite, e.g. eating every in the refrigerator, including the refrigerator, wild emotions (which I already have, can't imagine being any wilder).

I came this far into my treatment without having a puffy face and without gaining any weight. I refuse to look any different this close to the end of my treatments. Maybe it is just vanity, but so be it.

Basically, my question is this -- has anyone gone through 4 AC treatments without having nausea, or what drug(s) did you take to prevent nausea? The only thing I am noticing different about myself is that I now have heartburn, but absolutely no nausea. I drink water during my infusion, after my infusion, more water the following day, until it is coming out of my ears!!! I seem to think that this has helped me immensely.

Thanks for any advice you can give me!!

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited February 2015

    I took Decadron. The first time I took it I had redness in the face but I used Neostrata cream and it took the inflamation down. I also did not have an increased appetite. As far as the nausea is concerned, it is always better to be preventative with it as once it hits, it's diffucult to beat it back. Other than I was fine with it.

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited February 2015

    I had AC (2weely * 4) before Taxol (weekly * 12). During a taxol I never had any nausia and was neither given or needed anything. During AC, I had decadron, but didn't think it was for nausia. I took it with Taxol too, and certainly had a boost on the first day and never went bed early on that day. I tried to go with the flow, I never felt the boost with AC, so I'm glad I didn't do without the Decadron as I would have felt worse that I did.

    My nausia meds for AC were Amend, 1 tab morning of chemo, 1 a day for two more days. I also has Odansetron (Zofran) for 2-5 days as required. I only ever had nausia once, when I stopped the Odensetron early and I didn't do that again!

    It's a personal choice, but there was enough going on for me with the chemo that I wanted to feel as comfortable as possible. To me loosing my hair was the worst part, but I never researched/considered cold caps as I didn't want to interfere with the chemo. I now feel back to normal and the only remaining side effect is a little bit of tingling from Taxol (taxol toes) in my feet. My hair is almost back to normal - just a little shorter.

    Best of luck through AC, it will soon be over. If it's better for you to feel you want to avoid side effects of Decadron, then that's your choice. After all, there feels to be so few choices when we are in treatment.



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  • Sam2U
    Sam2U Member Posts: 233
    edited February 2015



    My treatment was the reverse of yours 4 AC dose dense(every 2 weeks) then 12 weekly Taxol.  I had very little nausea during Taxol, but did have more with the AC.  The first AC dose I did the full Decadron, with the side effects--awake for hours, jittery, hungry all the time, etc. but I also still had nausea.  So we lowered the decadron and upped the anti-nausea pills, which worked better.  Talk to your doctor to see what works best for you. 

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  • Jenwith4kids
    Jenwith4kids Member Posts: 635
    edited February 2015

    I took the decadron too. It's for more than just naseau - it protects your veins from the strength of the drugs. It's a strong anti-inflammatory as well as a a protectant against allergic reaction. After my first AC treatment we modified the decadron - the recommended protocol was too much for me. I was so happy to start taxol because it meant no steroids - but I ended up needing them through my taxol treatment too because of a mild allergic reaction. Talk to you doc, but go with the flow. AC isn't easy. Good Luck!

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  • Astarte
    Astarte Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2015

    Decadron, kytril, and promethazine are what's working for me now. The decadron had me put on 10 lbs in 2 weeks, and that's ok becuase I

    don't eat enough. But the gain could be bloating, not too concerened. Zofran doesn't work for me. I have a Amend but it's too expensive to fill.

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