I’m on long term steroids - 2mg of dexamethasone a day - for brain mets, and have all sorts of minor symptoms which I think are side effects.I’d really like some feed back from others on similar medication to find out whether these are ‘normal’ or just me. I’m not on oestrogen suppressants or any other medication, just herceptin every 3 weeks to control my breast lumps.
Over tiredness - I just keep going back to bed and sleeping. Every flurry of activity (eg a bit of gardening) is followed by a collapse into bed or the legs start to give way (see below).
Moon face - all very swollen and a tendency for one cheek or the other to turn bright red for no reason.
Bloating - my appetite is very good (ie. I’m always hungry) and am piling on the pounds around my middle, which is particularly unattractive with no breasts.
Hair very slow to grow back after brain radiation ie. no sign of hair regrowth 2 months later.
Drunken legs - still very weak leg muscles, although nothing like they were when I was initially diagnosed & on 32mg a day and couldn’t even get out of a chair without help. I walk with a stick to help my balance, but every so often it feels like the floor has suddenly become a steep hill or tilted to one side.
Grumbling guts - I’ve been on omeprazole for a couple of years now since my stomach was damaged by FEC and then taxotere, but the steroids seem to be making it worse.
Damaged skin - very dry skin, including nose bleeds, but naseptin cream is helping with the nose and aquadrate is very good for cracked feet.
Numb hand - the right side of my right hand feels very numb (like I’ve hit my funny bone) and my fingertips are generally lacking in sensitivity and strength. My GP says that this is due to a trapped nerve in my elbow due to losing a stone in weight when I first became ill in February. But I’ve now put all that weight back on, and the hand is no better.
I think that’s about it for the moment, although I’m sure I’ll think of others later. Amazingly, I don’t have any pain (just the occasional stomach ache), and am generally fit & well.
If anyone has similar, or different, side effects I’d like to hear about them.
Love,
Lynn