Palliative use of Dexamethasone in advanced metastatic prostate cancer.

[mwykes]

What is the consensus on using Dexamethasone as a pallative option in advanced metastatic disease. I am Stage 4 currently trying a final try on chemo (forgot name). I get doses every 3 weeks. At that time they give me dexamethasone to help me feel good for a couple of days before chemo effects kick in. For those 2-3 days I feel very good and pain free, alert and awake. I’m going to call Monday and ask if I can get dexamethasone once a week as a palliative option. Note: It is done as an infusion, not a pill.

Has anybody heard of the palliative use of dexamethasone? Why or why not.

[Hidden]

Here is an article on the subject:

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

[TeleGuy]

Here's an article from 2020 on using low-dose dexamethasone for CRPC. Small sample size, but 62% saw a PSA decline >50% from 0.5-2mg of dex per day.

doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(2...

[Joniken]

Hi my man was Gleason 10 stage 4 diagnosed 5 years ago and has exhausted all treatments including 2 courses of chemo. Now on daily pill dexamethasone and what a difference it has made! PSA down from 48 to 9, all blood results fine, masses of energy and redecorating hall, stairs and landing now. Oncologist doesn’t want to see him for 2 months. It certainly suits him for now and we don’t know how long for….but things are pretty good right now so we are making the best of life. Good luck to you on your journey.

[Spyder54 in reply to Joniken]

Wow. Saved your post Joniken. Thanks for jumping in. Curious what the long term effects are using Decamethasone? If light side effects, more power to you both. It seems sometimes that older less profitable pharma are underestimated. Best,

Mike

[Bebby1]

So glad to see this question.My husband has extensive metastatic

Exhausted all treatments , however remains on Eliguard 3 monthly.

Lower back pain became severe approx 8 weeks ago, we live in a very small town and travel two hours for any treatment.

He has had spot ray ( for pain) to neck before which has lasted well, however due to covid and lack of oncology radiologists we resorted to using Dex4mg ( had it on hand due to leftover chemo)

The result has been amazing.

I am a nurse and knew this was used for brain/spine.

Due to great efficacy we asked our Dr if he remain on Dex He agreed, but said we would wean off when radiotherapy occurs( late November)

Initially, energy levels, mood improved and of course pain free was the main celebration.

He has been feeling more fatigued, less energetic last week, skin is frail( known side effect) and face quite bloated( also known)

Energy has gone and sleep seems to be more frequent.

I hope your response continues, and I wish you and all the great men on this site the very best.

It’s a long road trip, and life has changed dramatically for us.

Thanks for raising the question. , I look forward to information from the wise honest well researched men here

Take care

[ctarleton]

Anecdotally, I was given high "pre-load" doses of dexamethasone and other drugs before each of my 4 rounds of carboplatin/taxol when I was last treated a few months ago for advancing metastatic melanoma, which was happening alongside my long term metastatic prostate cancer.

I've since gone onto at-home hospice, and have stopped actively treating the melanoma and also the prostate cancer with lupron and Xtandi. Interestingly, my prostate cancer specialist recommended to my hospice providers that I take a low dose of dexamethasone both morning and evening, for its possible palliative benefits while I survive on hospice. This seems reasonable to me in my situation, and consistent with some of the info provided in the article above by gregg57.

P.S. I was also advised to develop the habit of taking the dexamethasone with food, if possible. (Otherwise, consider using over-the-counter Prilosec in the event of any recurring stomach acid upset.)