Has anyone been on DEXAMETHASONE more than 5 months ??

[Frenchie's Wife]

I am on this drug at the moment. It has
proven to be a wonder drug for me.
I am living an almost normal life
while on this.

I was almost bedridden before going
on this drug. The change is spectacular.
I have not felt this well in ages.

Here is the downside. The oncologist
who prescribed them warned me
that they will be only effective between
1 and 5 months

Has anyone had better success with
these than that period of time ??

[skypup]

What is it doing for you, Frenchie?

[pollo65]

It has done wonders for me and was told it could be effective longer than six months but than side effects may become a problem I would have to be reevaluated for remaining in hospice after that time anyway. I have even been thinking about driving my stick shift. I am at the lowest dose possible (2mgs). Between the steroid and the methadone I feel great and have had NO pain for a couple of days.
Pollo65

[Frenchie's Wife]

It took about a week for this drug
to take affect for me. We thought
it would not be effective but then
it kicked in.

I woke up feeling
like I had never been sick !

I thought I was just lucky and having
a good day. That was about 6 weeks
ago. I have been feeling great ever
since !!

It is the only drug I am on, so it has
to be the Dex. It is so exiliterating
to be normal for awhile.

I honestly forget that I have cancer.
Especially now that I don't tell a soul.
The subject does not come up.

[exaussie]

That is so awesome!

[KWT]

That is so awesome!

Second that, hopefully you'll rally and pick up a couple more years.

[trillium50]

In wanted to know the same- what is if for exactly ?

[mstults]

The Dex I get with my infusions makes me feel great.

[WifeOfMike]

The facts:

Dexamethasone
Brand names: Decadron, Dexasone, Diodex, Hexadrol, Maxidex
Other names: dexamethasone sodium phosphate, dexamethasone acetate

Chemocare.com uses generic names in all descriptions of drugs. Decadron is the trade name for dexamethasone. Dexasone and diodex or hexadrol are other names for dexamethasone. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name decadron or other names dexasone or diodex or hexadrol when referring to the generic drug name dexamethasone.

Drug type: Dexamethasone has many uses in the treatment of cancer.
It is classified as a glucocorticosteroid. (For more detail, see "How this drug works" section below).

What this drug is used for:
>>>As an anti-inflammatory medication. Dexamethasone relieves inflammation in various parts of the body. It is used specifically to decrease swelling (edema), associated with tumors of the spine and brain, and to treat eye inflammation.
>>>To treat or prevent allergic reactions.
>>>As treatment of certain kinds of autoimmune diseases, skin conditions, asthma and other lung conditions.
>>>As treatment for a variety of cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
>>>To treat nausea and vomiting associated with some chemotherapy drugs.
>>>Used to stimulate appetite in cancer patients with severe appetite problems.
>>>Also used to replace steroids in conditions of adrenal insufficiency (low production of needed steroids produced by the adrenal glands).
Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians sometimes elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it might be helpful.

How this drug is given:
This medication may be given to you in many forms. In a pill form, it is available in a variety of tablet sizes. If you are on a daily dose of dexamethasone (usually less than 10 mg), and you miss a dose, take the dose as soon as you remember. If you are on high doses of dexamethasone (20 mg or 40 mg per day for 4 days out of the month), and you miss your dose, contact your healthcare provider. You may be instructed to repeat the missed dose, and continue the medication.

Take pills with food or after meals
This medication may also be given by infusion into a vein (intravenously or IV)

Dexamethasone eye drops are given to treat or prevent many eye conditions. The eye drops are most commonly given to patients with leukemia or lymphoma, to prevent inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis), if you are receiving high dose chemotherapy (usually Cytarabine [Ara-C]). The eye drops are given every six hours, in both eyes, and for at least 48 hours after the chemotherapy has completed. Do not stop taking these eye drops unless directed by your healthcare provider.
You may be given dexamethasone as a lotion (topical) to treat skin disorders.

The amount of dexamethasone you will receive depends on many factors, including your general health or other health problems, and the reason you are receiving this drug. Your doctor will determine your dosage and schedule.

Side effects:
Important things to remember about the side effects of dexamethasone:
Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed.
Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration.
Side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects.

The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking dexamethasone:
Increased appetite
Irritability
Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
Swelling in your ankles and feet (fluid retention)
Heartburn
Muscle weakness
Impaired wound healing
Increased blood sugar levels. (Persons with Diabetes may need to have blood sugar levels monitored more closely and possible adjustments to diabetes medications).

The following are less common side effects (occurring in >10%) for patients receiving dexamethasone:
Headaches
Dizziness
Mood swings
Cataracts and bone thinning (with long-term use)
This list includes common and less common side effects for individuals taking dexamethasone. Side effects that are very rare, occurring in less than 10% of patients, are not listed here. However, you should always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
http://www.chemocare.com/chemotherapy/d ... asone.aspx

My hubby took it. He went from pre-diabetic mode, with zero meds/ Minor food tweaking to full blown diabetes. He never had diabetes or issues prior to Dex
Hugs,
Vicki

[Voxx66]

I just can't deal with that drug. I don't sleep when on it. And I am the sort who REALLY needs sleep.

[MamaN]

They gave it to me with my chemo ! I acted like a crazy person on it ! I made them stop giving it to me.
But after my tenth treatment felt like I wasn't going to make it ,on disconnect day, nurse asked me if I wanted decadron (spelling might be wrong ) I just said do what you need to do and I took it . That was the last treatment they gave me. Body could not take anymore . I made it to 10 tx only.

[Frenchie's Wife]

I have a couple of side effects noted
above
. My wife thought it was the
Dex making me be irrational and tried
to have the oncologist stop me from
taking anymore of it.

The oncologist sided with me and the
rest is history in the making !

I am on the open road enjoying
life to the fullest !!.

[steveincolorado]

I was given dexamethasone via infusion through my port for twenty minutes just before receiving the chemo. As mentioned in previous messages my blood sugar levels skyrocketed. I didn't know what was causing elevated blood sugar levels initially until a nurse mentioned the steroid. I was seeing blood sugar levels in the 400's and 500's where before when I tested a high might have been 125. I was placed on insulin while I continued to also take my oral medications and to this day after more than two years I'm still on insulin

I do not recall any additional side effects but it's hard determining which chemical caused what side effect that I did have.

Steve