steriods for fatigue

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sharethehope
sharethehope Member Posts: 115
edited January 2017 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Has anyone been put on steroids for fatigue?

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  • blainejennifer
    blainejennifer Member Posts: 1,848
    edited January 2017

    No, I have not, but I have an opinion anyway :)

    Steroids are great for a short term approach to fatigue, especially if the patient has a depressed appetite, but there are too many negative side effects (mood swings, depressed immune function) to consider steroids for a long term approach to fatigue.

    I am on 36 mgs of Concerta daily for chemo fatigue. This drug is well understood, has been around for a long time, and does a very effective job. The only negative I can think of is appetite suppression in an underweight patient, increased blood pressure, and possible anxiety increase if the dose is too high. Mind you, steroids share the last two side effects too.

    Ask your MO about all the pharmaceutical options you have. Sometimes they just don't want the bother of prescribing a class two med, or have an antiquated idea about ADHD medications.

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  • sharethehope
    sharethehope Member Posts: 115
    edited January 2017

    blainejennier

    Onc wouldn't give me Ritalin said it would make me too anxious. I don't want to take the steroid. Think onc just wanted me to take it because when I was on Taxol I asked to have the same steroid reduced & that made him unhappy. Don't think he likes informed patients either. The 2 best onc have left. Getting second opinion but onc is accociated of mine. Would like opinion from someone not from here. Last 2 scans not good some liver tumors less some worst. Looking at trial or Xeloda. Onc didn' know Provigil either. But will call mon and ask for concertra. Very confused, worried & anxious.        

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  • blainejennifer
    blainejennifer Member Posts: 1,848
    edited January 2017

    Concerta is an extended release form of Ritalin, so your Onc may drag his feet there too. Honestly, he's willing to provide steroids, but not Ritalin because he's worried about anxiety? Has he ever heard of "roid rage"? Steroids mess with your head so much more than low doses of stimulants.

    And, he didn't know about Provigil? Yikes - he's not very informed about treatment for one of the major side effects of cancer therapy, fatigue. That's . . . odd.

    Keep asking. Let it verge on "demanding". Tell him that maybe you get to decide what makes you anxious, and an ill-informed doctor appears to be at the top of that list.

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  • sharethehope
    sharethehope Member Posts: 115
    edited January 2017

    Thank you so much. I get so tiered of having to fight but on Mon there will be one.

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  • JFL
    JFL Member Posts: 1,947
    edited January 2017

    I am currently taking Wellbutrin for treatment-related sleepiness and have taken Provigil and Nuvigil in the past for this issue. All three are great. Out of the three, I would rank them 1), Wellbutrin, 2) Provigil and 3) Nuvigil. Wellbutrin is the least expensive, with or without insurance and easier to obtain. If your oncologist is unwilling to prescribe one of these, you could probably get your primary care doctor to prescribe Wellbutrin.

    I took steroids with chemo when I was early stage and they didn't do anything when I did Adriamycin and Cytoxan but, on Taxotere, I was a ball of endless energy, cleaning and baking all night long. (Totally out of character for me.) It was great! However, it can cause (rapid) weight gain and is more of a short-term solution.

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  • sharethehope
    sharethehope Member Posts: 115
    edited January 2017

    Thanks JL

    Don't like the steroid as it's keeping me awake too late in evening just a when give w/chemo.

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