Postby gfpiv » Fri Sep 20, 2013 3:01 pm
Yes, FUDR and decadron. I should give the caveat that a rare few people DO feel an effect from decadron - though it seems most common when given systemically. Maybe your body gets used to it because of the 2-week on 2-week off schedule in the HAI pump.
As for long-term, I've been getting it for two weeks on two weeks off for approaching 3 years now, with no real ill effects that I know of. But now that I fixed my recent liver count issue with a bile duct stent, my onc preferred to take me off of decadron recently "just in case"...because (a) I probably don't need it anymore since I'm on a chemo break, and (b) slim possibility of some liver damage if taken long term. (then again, they say that for Prilosec too, and I was on that for 2 yrs).
Bottom line is that there's a small amount of evidence that decadron may help improve efficacy of chemo, or more likely help you deal with side effects. If you don't like how you react to decadron, you can always ask them to take you off.
Anyway, best wishes!
-Chip
Chip
DX stage IV CC Jan '10, numerous unresectable liver mets
FOLFOX + Avastin Feb-Jul '10
Colon resection, HAI install Aug '10
Systemic FOLFIRI and hepatic FUDR Dec'10-May'12
Chemo break May'12-pres (tumors calcified & stable, knock on wood)
Billiary bypass surgery and SBRT on pesky liver met in 2015