Decadron

My mom is having chemo for the first time on Wednesday.  (taxol/carboplatin) She has stage lV lung cancer with mets.  My concern is the night before she goes in she has to take FIVE decadrons at midnight and another 5 at 6 am.  She already acts VERY different when she's on this steroid, I just can't imagine what 10 will do.  Does anyone have any input with this situation?  I've already talked to the doctors office and if she wants the treatment on Wednesday she has to take the steriods. 

 Thank you, 

Bobbi

Hello. I am sorry for your mom's cancer. I lost my mom to lung cancer in July 2007. She took Taxol, carboplatin and Avastin together. She also had to take the decadron in large amounts. So I think this is pretty much standard. The only side effects mom had from the steroid was elevated sugar readings. Her cancer had spread to her adrenal glands and forced her into diabetes. So she had to take extra insulin while taking the steroids and for a couple of days after. If you are concerned then you should talk with her doctor. I hope all goes well and you mother does well with the chemo. Take care

On 2/18/2008 bobbi678 wrote:

My mom is having chemo for the first time on Wednesday.  (taxol/carboplatin) She has stage lV lung cancer with mets.  My concern is the night before she goes in she has to take FIVE decadrons at midnight and another 5 at 6 am.  She already acts VERY different when she's on this steroid, I just can't imagine what 10 will do.  Does anyone have any input with this situation?  I've already talked to the doctors office and if she wants the treatment on Wednesday she has to take the steriods. 

 Thank you, 

Bobbi

The 10 pills made my sister work like to plow mules right after the treatment for about 24 hours and eat like a horse.  Afterwards she was tired but alright.

On 2/18/2008 bobbi678 wrote:

My mom is having chemo for the first time on Wednesday.  (taxol/carboplatin) She has stage lV lung cancer with mets.  My concern is the night before she goes in she has to take FIVE decadrons at midnight and another 5 at 6 am.  She already acts VERY different when she's on this steroid, I just can't imagine what 10 will do.  Does anyone have any input with this situation?  I've already talked to the doctors office and if she wants the treatment on Wednesday she has to take the steriods. 

 Thank you, 

Bobbi

My husband has the exact same thing as your mom and started the same treatment Taxol/Carboplatin on 2/11/08. He also was given Decadron in high doses before the first treatment. We were told that is helps to plump up the veins so they can get a good line in for the IV drip.

They also gave him a drug called Aloxi which keeps away the nausea for up to 5 days after. It has been almost 2 weeks from the first treatment and he has not lost a day of work. He is more tired and achy than usual but as long as your mom keeps moving and doesn't give in to the aches and pains and lay there like a lump the better off she will be. We go for the next treatment on March 3rd. Let me know how it goes with your Mom's first treatment. Stay strong.

Denise