Can I choose NOT to take steroids?

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abatract
abatract Member Posts: 18
edited October 2017 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

This is all so new to me (got the call on Thursday, and start chemo as soon as tasty results are in). I've read about steroids used for side effects--is that something that always happens, or are there alternatives? I have Bipolar disorder, and I'm really worried that taking steroids could mess with my mental health. I'm also worried about weight gain (I've already gained 50 pounds this year from a thyroid problem, and I just can't handle any more!), though this is less important than the possible mental health effects.

So, how many people had to take steroids? Was anyone recommended them and given another choice?

Thanks!

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  • xxyzed
    xxyzed Member Posts: 230
    edited October 2017

    I’m pretty sure steroids are standard with cancer treatment. They have a number of benefits. My husband had lymphoma and developed severe mental health issues due to an allergic reaction to the steroids used in his treatment. They developed a protocol for his allogenic stem cell transplant without steroids but unfortunately the side effects of the treatment killed him. He was heavily pre-treated and may not have lived through it anyway but not being able to have steroids didn’t help.
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  • l_brain
    l_brain Member Posts: 71
    edited October 2017

    I had Taxol. My oncologist only required the steroids for the first couple infusions. Then I was able to discontinue. I think it depends on the treatment plan and your doctor. I was happy to not have the added side effects of the steroids. I'd talk to your doctor and see what your options are.

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  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 448
    edited October 2017

    I only take steroids 4 days per three week cycle. I got very bad acne the first round, and asked if I could opt out. Dr. was pretty against that idea, so I stuck it out. I have not gotten the acne again, and the steroids have not made me gain weight.

    I'm not bipolar, but have anxiety and depression, and if anything, I feel happier on steroids because I can do more. It may trigger mania, but I don't know.





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  • abatract
    abatract Member Posts: 18
    edited October 2017

    Oh, thank you for your reply! If you don't mind me asking, how much did treatment affect your depression and anxiety? When I was taking to the social worker (she has a background in mental health), she said that it can be hard, partly because the fatigue-type symptoms mimic those of depression, and I'm not sure what else might affect it with the chemo itself (I need to talk to my oncologist again, so I'll def ask).

    And, yeah, the big concern I have with the steroids is the mania. I've been mostly stable for a few years now, but I still get a little bit hypomanic sometimes, with various small triggers. My best friend was on steroids once and had super-manic symptoms, exactly like a classic episode (and she ended up gaining weight). No history of BP or anything since, and that's really the only experience I have with them.

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  • abatract
    abatract Member Posts: 18
    edited October 2017

    I-brain: Thanks for your response. I'll definitely be taking to my doctor about it, but it's really nice to hear from someone that didn't need them and was okay. I wasn't sure if it was something that absolutely had to be taken, it's good to know I might not have to.

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  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 448
    edited October 2017

    abatract, I don't feel that treatment has affected my depression/anxiety. If anything, having a real problem has pushed the things I used to be upset about to the background. I do get depressed during the times that I can't do anything for days, but I think that is a normal human response, and once I can do things again, it dissipates. Fortunately, my conditions were well-controlled with meds (wellbutrin, concerta)when bc hit.



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