Steroids

[tracylawrence]

I am interested to know other ladies dosage on steroids after chemo. I get four for the next day then none, but my friend is staggered down over 5 days and doesn't seem to suffer as many ill effects. I wondered if this is a regional/financial decision or just different Doctors?

[Lyndy]

Hi Tracy

I got 10 2mg pills on eve and morning of chemo followed by 2 x twice a day for 3 days following chemo...so slightly tapered xx

[tracylawrence in reply to Lyndy]

Thanks Lindy I am wondering about the tapering as I am having a lot of trouble going from 4 to none the day after. I wonder why we all get different?

[Susan3 in reply to tracylawrence]

Yeah u switched to tapering ,4mg first day and just 2mg the next two days . I had the ten tablets before  on my first course of chemo , think it was because I had a reaction to the taxol , don't get them this time as on gem carbo . I know there is some in the drip the day of chemo too. Wondering is the dose overall responsible for moon face /weight gain or is it just lack of excercise /bad diet! Would be interested if anyone had chemo without steroids.

[Susan3 in reply to Susan3]

Sorry typo ..I switched to tapering !

[cah48 in reply to Susan3]

The first time I had chemo I at the start of 2013 I had 10 tablets the night before and 10 again the following morning of chemo. It was as though I had been pumped up. I had no neck, moon face, tiny opening for my mouth. Literally everything swelled. On my next course of chemo I specifically asked for no steroids, and this time round I have requested no steroids again. I have anti sickness tablets instead. Happy Easter everyone and good luck Susan3! Carole x

[tracylawrence in reply to cah48]

Good luck to you too. I guess it depends which chemo.Happy Easter

[tracylawrence in reply to Susan3]

I  haven't had any weight gain but get flushed face. I get steroids in the chemo and four next day and none after that, but finding it tough.I too get no exercise as too fatigued and I guess you could say I am on a bad diet as I have been put on low fibre as well.I love my fruit and veg as well!!

[indego]

I had 25mgs dexamethasone the night before and morning of chemo, then 10mgs the two mornings after chemo.

I have wondered why they don't taper down to 5mg on the third day, and THEN have you come off it, because when I take prednisone for my asthma they wean me down so slowly that I end up on half tablets for 2 days.

It'd be simple enough to do seeing as all the tablets are 5mg.

But I often thought that my horrendous crashing on the Monday was partially due to coming off the steroids.

For my last round they sent me home with sleeping tablets to counteract the steroids, to try and prevent that massive crash... But it didn't particularly help.

[tracylawrence in reply to indego]

Yes I know what you mean..my friend is on caelyx but is tapered and her crash doesn't seem so spectacular. I am finding that the hardest bit..maybe I should ask..can't hurt. Happy Easter

[Hidden]

Yes I was tapered down. IV on day of chemo then 3/2, 2/2,2/1,2,1 for taxol/carbo chemo. I have 2mg tablets.

[tracylawrence in reply to Hidden]

I am beginning to feel left out haha. Everyone seems to get the tapering way..maybe they are mean in Leeds. Happy Easter

[Hidden in reply to tracylawrence]

I was always told it was vital to taper rather than suddenly stop steroids. That was what my husband was told 15 years ago when he was on gemcitabine and cisplatin for pancreatic cancer.

[tracylawrence in reply to Hidden]

Well clearly not in my case haha. Will check this out. Thanks. Happy easter

[LesleyGreengran]

I have steroids this time as I'm on cisplatin, which is supposed to have worse side effects. It seems to make the first few days after chemo easier but coming off them is hard and I've had to have sleeping pills a couple of times. I take 2 tablets 3x a day for 3 days, then twice, then once.

[tracylawrence in reply to LesleyGreengran]

Blimey, must be a tough chemo then..I only get four next day and no sleeping pills at all. Happy Easter

[ValB2]

I get 10 for the night before chemotherapy, then some through the drip before the chemo drugs go in, but none for after - I'm feeling left out, but then again, are there side to the steroids?

[tracylawrence in reply to ValB2]

Hi Val, this is what i am trying to find out. Am I better with a massive crash and no steroids or would they help.? I guess I will have to ask. Happy Easter

[GreenSnow]

I get 4 dexamethasone pills after chemo.  To be taken 2 a day for 2 mornings.  My side effect is lobster red face.

I read on another ovarian site this particular steroid causes cataracts.  Many members have confirmed it so for my last chemo I stopped it.  I don't feel any difference and good news I don't get lobster red face. 

[tracylawrence in reply to GreenSnow]

Thanks for info re eyes..as I am having a problem with mine. Happy Easter

[IrishMollyO]

Hi Tracy

 I'm really interested in your question and all the replies and what strikes me is the various experiences. I

When I had chemo the first time I think they gave me steroids in drip and then gave me some to take home . From what I can recall it was 2 aday for 3 days. I cannot recall anyone ever explaining what they were even for. Nausea I think ? Did I even have a choice ? All I remember is that during my whole time of treatment I project managed the complete refurbishment of my mothers house and used to spend nights sitting up working out budgets for the work . As I am about to join the chemo bandwagon again very soon I will certainly ask them to clarify why we get them in the first place. My questioning of everything will be a lot more detailed than first time round . If there is no need for some of us to take them that would be good. Will let you know. Good luck with everything. Take care

XXX