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Dexamethasone Side Effects!
According to the Mayo Clinic, dexamethasone side effects can be serious. As a survivor of a blood cancer called multiple myeloma, I experienced many of the side effects of dex. listed below.
Like chemotherapy and radiation, I just chalked up my dex. side effects to the many health problems that come with managing an incurable blood cancer.
The video below is an excellent example of an oncologist listing serious side effects of dex but completely dismissing them in favor of the potential benefits of dex to MM patients.
Dexamethasone and other Corticosteroids #myeloma
The bottom line for MM patients is to be aware of the possible side effects of dexamethasone. Please talk to your oncologist about any side effects that you are experiencing.
You are the patient. You are in charge of your health.
Hang in there,
David Emerson
- MM Survivor
- MM Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Prednisone and other corticosteroids
What side effects can corticosteroids cause?
Corticosteroids carry a risk of side effects. Some side effects can cause serious health problems. When you know what side effects are possible, you can take steps to control their impact…
Side effects of corticosteroids taken by mouth
Corticosteroids that you take by mouth affect your entire body. For this reason, they are the most likely type of corticosteroid to cause side effects. Side effects depend on the dose of medication you receive and may include:
- A buildup of fluid, causing swelling in your lower legs.
- High blood pressure.
- Problems with mood swings, memory, behavior, and other psychological effects, such as confusion or delirium.
- Upset stomach.
- Weight gain in the belly, face and back of the neck…
When taking corticosteroids by mouth for a longer term, you may experience:
- Problems with the eyes, such as glaucoma or cataracts.
- A round face, which is sometimes called moon face.
- High blood sugar, which can trigger or worsen diabetes.
- Increased risk of infections, especially with common bacterial, viral and fungal microorganisms.
- Bone fractures and thinning bones, called osteoporosis.
- Fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and muscle weakness.
- Thin skin, bruising and slower wound healing…
Side effects of injected corticosteroids
Injected corticosteroids can cause temporary side effects near the site of the shot. These side effects include skin thinning, loss of color in the skin and intense pain. This pain is known as post-injection flare. Other symptoms may include facial flushing, insomnia and high blood sugar. Health care providers usually limit corticosteroid injections to three or four a year, depending on each person’s situation.
Reduce your risk of corticosteroid side effects
To get the most benefit from corticosteroid medicines with the least amount of risk:
- Ask your health care provider about trying lower doses or intermittent dosing. Newer forms of corticosteroids come in various strengths and lengths of action. Ask your provider about using low-dose, short-term medications or taking oral corticosteroids every other day instead of daily.
- Talk to your provider about switching to nonoral forms of corticosteroids. Inhaled corticosteroids for asthma, for example, reach lung surfaces directly. This reduces the rest of your body’s exposure to them and may lead to fewer side effects.
- Ask your provider if you should take calcium and vitamin D supplements. Long-term corticosteroid therapy may cause thinning bones, called osteoporosis. Talk with your provider about taking calcium and vitamin D supplements to help protect your bones.
- Take care when discontinuing therapy. If you take oral corticosteroids for a long time, your adrenal glands may produce less of their natural steroid hormones. To give your adrenal glands time to recover this function, your provider may reduce your dose gradually. If the dosage is reduced too quickly, your adrenal glands may not have time to recover and you may experience fatigue, body aches and lightheadedness.
- Wear a medical alert bracelet. This or similar identification is recommended if you’ve been using corticosteroids for a long time.
- See your health care provider regularly. If you’re taking long-term corticosteroid therapy, see your provider regularly to check for side effects.
Weigh the risks and benefits of corticosteroids
Corticosteroids may cause a range of side effects. But they also may relieve the inflammation, pain and discomfort of many different diseases and conditions. Talk with your health care provider to help you better understand the risks and benefits of corticosteroids and make informed choices about your health.
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