Dexamethasone Side Effects

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CAX
CAX Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
Dexamethasone Side Effects
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  • CAX
    CAX Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2007

    Hello.  I will be starting treatment within a couple weeks.  I was told I will be given dexamethasone/decadron.  I have read several very disturbing reactions people have experienced and it makes me extremely weary of using this drug.  Would anyone here mind sharing their experience as well? 

    Thank you in advance and I wish you all nothing but the best!  :o)

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  • emg326
    emg326 Member Posts: 102
    edited October 2007

    I just had my last tx of taxotere and cytoxen with which they gave me decadron. I really haven't had any problems with it. It does wind me up a bit, but then I take an Ativan to help me sleep. I made sure to take it right when I get up and then mid/late afternoon. Good luck!

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  • sharebear
    sharebear Member Posts: 332
    edited October 2007

    It also wound me up a bit. The days I took it I didn't sleep well. Also had some swelling in my ankles and feet. Oh and don't forget about the dreaded weight gain. over the 12 weeks of weekly treatment somewhere between 15 and 20 lbs. Which, by the way, haven't come off yet. Not even 1 lb. and I've been done for a month.

    All doable just a pain in the !/#

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  • bomber410
    bomber410 Member Posts: 564
    edited October 2007

    Same effects on my.  nothing worse than that. 

    Debbie 

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  • HollyHopes
    HollyHopes Member Posts: 497
    edited October 2007
    hi - i took decadron also...had a bit of sleeplessness that night but otherwise no side effects.  i lost weight (30 lbs) while on chemo...but don't worry...it all came right back! (darn it all!! Surprised)
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  • Poppy_Spruce
    Poppy_Spruce Member Posts: 150
    edited November 2007

    I was on 8mg the night before/12 mg the morning of/8 mg the night after. I don't think I gained too much weight. I don't loook at the scale because I have enough to deal with right now! My tx dose did not change so my weight must be within the same range.

    My blood sugars are elevated when I take Decadron, and so is my BP. I get wound right up at night - by the time I have that last 8 mg dose - I am in for an all-nighter. Sometimes melatonin (herbal sleep aid) helped, but I never tried anything heavier.

    I finished my chemo on Wed (10/31) so hopefully, my steroid days are over!

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited November 2007

    They gave my Decadeon IV about 1/2 hour before my chemo tx (A/C) and then I took one pill for the next two mornings to help prevent nauseau.  The only effect I noticed was that I had a beautiful pink flush to my face for a few days.  I looked SOooooo healthy. LOL

    Tina

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  • kikusix
    kikusix Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2007

    I'm on Dex as well and what I've noticed the most is weight gain. Ick! Plus I have swollen knees

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  • pbcc1
    pbcc1 Member Posts: 659
    edited November 2007

    The dexamethasone is used to help decrease the risk of side effects of the chemo. It can make you a bit hyper, and a side effect (not allergic reaction) is red cheeks that are hot about 24 hours later. I used some benadryl prior to the dexamethasone and it pretty much alleviated the red hot cheeks. In addition, it is a small dose and not used for long term. Most people tolerate it without even knowing they had it. Oh.. it can also make you want to eat the house, but that will pass also...lol.   Nothing there to be afraid of...there are many drugs out there that produce a lot more fear in me than that one. You probably won't even notice that you had it. Good luck with treatment and God Bless !!

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  • pbcc1
    pbcc1 Member Posts: 659
    edited November 2007
    HAPPY DANCE !!!   Laughing CONGRATS ON FINISHING YOUR CHEMO !!
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  • Cindi74
    Cindi74 Member Posts: 363
    edited October 2012

    It came with my second A/C on two days ago--just one of the packets they poured into my port.  Immediately gained 6 lbs--but that may have been the gallon plus of water and other fluids I am pouring through me.  Slept fine last two nights and napped in the day.  No nausea, but am on Emend.  Mainly return of fatigue.  Planning to mostly veg out for 10 days. 

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