Hi everyone! I had my first AC yesterday and was given 8mg of dexamethasone at about 230pm. They told to take another 16mg today, 8mg after breakfast and 8mg after lunch. And then no more until the next cycle.
I hate it, I’ve been wide awake since 3am and am trying to work (from home) today but am really spaced out.
I took the breakfast dose but am going to give the lunchtime dose a miss.
Did anyone not take steroids whilst on chemo? And any tips to help with sleep tonight? I’ve heard piriton or night nurse might help?
I think this a really common side effect of the steroids! I would feel like I’d had 10 cups of coffee when I started chemo. It’s really important to rest when you need to, if you need to nap in the day then go for it!
Steroids are prescribed alongside chemo for a reason, so I would really recommend speaking to your team first before stopping any prescribed meds. I know they reduce inflammation that chemo can aggravate, and can also help reduce risk of an allergic reaction - but this was explained to me by my team, so you will need to speak to your team so they can asses your personal risk.
As it’s your first chemo (yay for ticking the first one off!) your body might not have the same side effects that you might get in 3/4 weeks time. I found that as time went on, I was more and more tired from chemo and so the steroids barely had any effect. Though I appreciate everyone has a difference experience and this may or may not happen for you, eventually your body gets used to the steroid dosage.
Thank you @Yasmeink for taking the time to reply, that makes a lot of sense. I’ll speak to my team but hopefully like you the insomnia won’t affect me as much once the chemo fatigue kicks in!
Duriing EC I had 8mg steroids b4 the chemo and then 8mg for 3 days. My stomach couldn’t take it and passed the 3rd day but oncologist said I needed to take it.
Now on Taxol I get 20mg infuse and no pills after. Works well.
Strangely I have no trouble sleeping. But I read b4 sleep and listen to ASMR on youtube.
Try that maybe? I recomment search for starling ASMR… you might like it
