Any Alternative to Dexamethasone?

[sharroN42]

I am having an extreme reaction to Dexamethasone withdrawal after 4 days of 40 mg doses; extreme dizziness, intense abdominal pain, unusual tiredness, weakness, fever, chills, eye tearing, head pressure, agitation, hunger but cannot eat, etc., etc. It has raised my platelets from 11 to 153 BUT!! Any suggestions as to alternatives? I'm slated for knee surgery in the summer but don't think I could survive surgery feeling like this. I did find a scientific study on the efficacy of Papaya Leaf Juice.

[exxxon]

I am on promacta and doctor says it will get me up substantially .. let you know … jimmy

[janran]

Hi Sharron

I had exactly the same response to dexamethasone, horrible side effects but good response for platelets. I now am prescribed prednisolone with a slow tapering off to keep the platelet level up. I still have some side effects but nothing like as bad. I also only have treatment when my count drops below 10.

Hope you find something that works for you soon.

Regards Janet

[conquerator2]

I tried prednisolone, methylprednisolone and dexamethasone. Dexamethasone is the strongest I believe, and I usually only took it for a couple days to boost my platelets but like you, I too had bad side effects. I also had side effects from prednisolone. Methylprednisolone has been the best by far so far; have been on it for some time now and before without any bothersome side effects I could notice so far. It is about a fifth stronger than prednisolone, but releases over time I believe, so for tablet use I only ever ask for this of the three.

As others suggested, trombopoetic agents {Promacta / Revolade, NPlate} can also work really well, but they too can have side effects. We're all different, so it's always good to keep trying to find the right one for you!

Best of luck and keep us posted :]

Lukas

[sharroN42 in reply to conquerator2]

Dekkuji, Lukas,

We don't seem to have many options in Canada. My general physician and the pharmacist didn't know about Eltrombopag or Revolade. The pharmacist looked it up and they turn out to be astronomically expensive. I will check out Methylprednisolone. Can you tell me if there are many people in the Cz Republic who have O- blood? Do you?

My reaction continues to react. Horrible stomach issues yesterday and today along with the others. I am both mulish and mewlish.

Frantiska

[conquerator2]

Sorry to hear. Funnily enough, I intend to move to Canada eventually.

You definitely want to go to a Hematologist when you have ITP, GPs aren't gonna cut it.

I have an ARH+ and 0 is rare everywhere I think, though my father is thst blood type.

Which part of Canada are you from? There's Providence Hematology in BC and I am sure there's plenty more specialists who can help you.

Keep me posted or let me know if you have any other questions!

[sharroN42]

I d have a haemtologist who comes to Nanaimo from Vancouver. He's the one I told you about. I do consult with my GP when needed as when my platelets recently crashed. Unfortunately my appointment with the haematologist is not until May. I'll check out Providence Hematology.