Dextramethasol

[Clematis]

Does anyone else suffer lots of side affects from taking Dextramethasol and if so how do they cope with them. I find my eyes are sore and my mood is really low. Would appreciate others views.

[Hidden]

Hi Clematis, I'm having chemo at the mo & taking dexamethasone after treatments. I find the main symptom is that it makes me hyper - I have loads of energy and can't sleep. Other than that I have lots of side effects but it's hard to know which ones are due to the chemo drugs & which are due to the steroid and the other anti-nausea thing. I have low mood for a week or so after chemo, I've been blaming this on the chemo drug but maybe it's the steroid. My eyes are sore but I've been told that's from losing my eyelashes. I was finding it really hard to sleep with the dexamethasone so I told my oncologist and she's reduced my dose as I wasn't having much nausea. I didn't even have to see her, we just discussed it over the phone. Perhaps you could discuss your side effects with your oncologist or chemo nurse? Hope you're not having a hard time with chemo, Rachel

[Clematis in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply rachel. I am now off the dexamethasone but I found the same, I was really hyped up. Sorry for the delay in replying. Have been in hospital. I still have very low mood. I didn't have trouble with nausea too much, occasionally felt sick but metaclopromide is so good that this is thankfully not a bother for me.

Have you just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer? This is the third time the ovarian cancer has come back for me and I also fighting blood clots on the lungs. Look forward to your reply. Clematis

[janbeegee]

Hi Clematis

I've had 5 cycles of chemo with 2 to go (surgery in between) and my experience of dexamethasone is that I am wide awake (and I mean no sleep at all) on the night of my chemo and then OK after that provided I take all the steroids before 2pm which my nurses advised. I take them only for 3 days and am only given enough supply for those 3 days. I did have one problem which was terrible acid indigestion because I didn't read the small print about taking them with food. My brilliant anti nausea drug is ondansetron and I was told that the steroids were not an anti emetic.

good luck with your treatment, hang in there

Janbeegee

[Clematis in reply to janbeegee]

Thank you Janbeegee. You are a real fighter, I am finding it a real struggle with lots of time on my hands. Do you have any tips on how to cope? I am really trying to hang in.

Clematis

[janbeegee]

One of the ways to cope is guilty pleasures - look after yourself and spoil yourself. Wallow in your favourite movies and TV programmes, treat yourself to lots of magazines and read some easy fiction (Joanna Trollope and Maeve Binchy rather than the Booker prize winners) - stuff with a plot that rattles along rather than 'good' literature. Eat all your favourite foods without a second glance at calories content or nutrition (you can add the nutrition as you see fit) and have a nice glass of wine or a gin & tonic of an evening. E.mail all your friends and acquaintances and tell them what's going on - you will be cheered by the supportive replies. If you're fit enough for a walk then contact your local dog rescue centre and take a mutt or two for a regular stroll, they will love it and other dog walkers will stop and chat. If you've lost your hair, you need to choose some light hats and caps to replace the winter wool stuff so a trip to the shops will pass an hour or so - if you have a TK Maxx close by they have some lovely headgear at the moment. Stop looking at OC on the Internet - get someone to filter information for you, only Ovacome is designed for us the victims of OC - other sites will panic you and depress you (I've been there and in tears reading the 'statistics'). Don't lie awake for hours at night, if you can't sleep then get up until you are tired - maybe plan in advance what you will do if you get up at 3am. Chin up, you are stronger than you think.

with lots of hugs & positive thoughts Janbeegee

[Clematis in reply to janbeegee]

Thanks again Janbeegee what wonderful ideas. I will start this right away. I hadnt thought of the magazines and good thought I like Maeve Binchy particularly. I am beginning to enjoy a glass of wine now that the chemo is wearing off and do have a glass a day.

I am fit enough for a walk despite neuropathy in the feet and finger tips. I have a gorgeous but old dog - he's 16 and still enjoys his walks. I will investigate dog rescue centres.

I will have a look in TK Max for headgear. I wear a wig which looks good but gets on my nerves a bit so a visit to the shops is on the cards.

I do avoid other OC websites and just stick to ovacome as you say.

I am currently on the Warfarin path As well as OV I went on a holiday break at the coast and ended up in hospital with a blood clots on the lungs and couldn't breath. I think much of my feelings are because I am still in shock and trying to get over it.

Thank you so much for your wonderful and helpful answer. I'd love it if we keep emailing whichever way you want, either directly or through ovaome health unlocked.

Hugs are very re-asuring aren't they. Lots of love and best wishes Clematis.

[janbeegee in reply to Clematis]

Hi Clematis

I'm happy to keep emailing and I don't mind either directly or through the site. I am [e-mail] if you would rather that way.

cheers Jan