ANA Discussion Forum
Archive => Archives => Topic started by: Crazycat on April 27, 2006, 08:06:47 pm
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I was wondering if any of you have been given this steroid before and after surgery. Phyl and I were talking about this drug and its generic companion (can't remember the name). Since my ordeal last September, I've added a couple of inches to my waist even though I don't eat any more than I did before surgery. I think I'm starting to shed the weight now. It takes a long, long time to cleanse the accumulation of drug residue from the liver.
Paul
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yes it can cause weight gain. much like prednisone
I've been on it several times
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Decardron is the other name and yes I put on weight before surgery after starting on the drug...still trying to lose it!
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Crazycat,
Yep, it's steriod and can lead to weight gain. When I was on it I had thoughts like "I want a cheesburger........Now".
Regards,
Rob
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LOL Problem was I typically got what I wanted and then some!
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Secondly, I'm curious how long you all were kept on Decadron/Dex. Dr. said yesterday he expects me to be on 7 days including the taper.
Paul, my fellow bird owner, if you caught my comments on another thread (somewhere), I had quite the epiphany when I realized Decadron = Dexamethasone, as Dex is what we give birds that fly into windows, knocking themselves silly, at the wildlife rehab I volunteer at. I've done an IM on many of them with that and they get the taper too. Odd coincidence.
I hope that 7 days isn't enough for significant weight gain, and I hope 7 days is it.
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Ahhh, I am holding the now empty container for the dexamethasone I was given before my surgery. There were 40 tablets. I was instructed to take four a day for ten days before surgery.
My girlfriend has informed me that I was also given the same drug through the I.V. while in the hospital after surgery to decrease swelling.
This I have no recollection of, being out of it as I was at the time.
Paul
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Gained weight even though I had difficulty eating and was bouncing off the walls the whole time. Still trying to shed it, sigh. I was on it for two weeks.
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Mom I know I'm the exception to the "rules" when it comes to treatment. I was on it from aug around october if I remember correctly. I was getting 16 mgs's a day (4mg x4 a day) after surgery before surgery I think I took one day but don't really remember very well. I also had iv steriods during and after surgery to reduce swelling. I curse the drug but also know it saved my bacon so I know it's a necessary evil! :P
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The steroids made me try to eat my weight in mashed potatoes nightly post-op. They were fabulous (the mashed potatoes, not the steroids) I didn't have to make 'em and I slathered 'em in gravy. Was still eating at the hospital cafeteria because we were at House Ear Clinic's guesthouse and all the other AN'ers were there. I won the mashed potato eating competition hands down! ;D
Captain Deb 8)
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Wow, I can talk about this one! Went on the steroid the day of procedure and tapered off a week later. These are important drugs and they give it to you for a reason, as far as I'm concerned. That tumor gets very upset when it get's nuked, and something has to control it's death throes. I was only on it a week. I have no weight gain but then I am also diabetic and couldn't give in to my food cravings, which, believe me I had plenty of those!) I didn't sleep much. Yesterday was a horrible day because I never fell to sleep the night before - just layed there with my eyes shut, then moved to the couch with my eyes shut, then to the other couch with my eyes shut - but no sleep. Got in 2 hours and that was it in the late morning. It was a horrible, horrible day. I called the pharmacist who assured me that the drugs were working their way out of my system (24-48 hrs) and I'd be okay. Last night I finally slept. And dreamed! And woke up and WENT BACK TO SLEEP. Praise the Lord! A good nights sleep is worth it's weight in gold. Especially when you feel like you got a case of the "punnies", anyway. And when the brain says, "sleep is hightly overrated.." then you just gotta wait it out until the meds are gone. I personally don't know how anyone can take those meds and go back to work. At least I wouldn't have been able to.
My mother had cancer and died when I was only 15. She was on some sort of steroid then and for a much longer period of time. She has photos taken of her that don't hardly look like the mother I knew and loved - she had a full moon face and looked like a little dumpling! She NEVER was overweight. She was a foxy chick. ::)
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Sue so sorry to hear about your mom. Yes, dec can cause the "moon face".
Sounds like you are in the decadron crash stage....all you'll want to do is sleep!
I think it's to make up for all the missed sleep LOL
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Hi
Actually, I'm feeling pretty good today. I feel like I crossed some invisible barrier...the brain fog has lifted and I am feeling kind of like old Sue again. My auntie says I sounded much better on the phone. My husband and I went to the fair grounds to take in the yard and garden show for a few hours, and then went grocery shopping. I did pretty good! I made a nice dinner and we watched a movie. I'd still love a good nights sleep. Didn't get to sleep last night until after 3 a.m. Didn't have ANY caffeine tonight and maybe if I read, I'll get sleepy. Don't feel near as tired as I did. But I want to feel sleepy!! I want to sleep for 10 hours. Really, I do.
But, the drugs feel like they are gone. Gad, I'd make a terrible drug addict.
Sue
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Sue you're a hoot!
I stopped caffiene while in the hospital and when I've had it since it wires me! I do not like the feeling at all!
You'll get to the crash and burn stage. My problem was I tried to stop taking naps and just couldn't...problem was I'd want to crash by about 5 in the evening which of course would make it impossible to sleep at bed time. It's such a vicious cycle!
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Yes, I am a hoot!! LOL ;D
I actually drove the car, ran a bunch of errands yesterday morning and did okay. I ended up with a weird kind of headache and had it this morning, too. But another dose of tylenol finished it off. Didn't do much today but I got in two walks and should maybe take another one as I was snacking this afternoon, and shouldn't have done that. Slowly coming back, I guess. Dr.'s office called to reschedule my follow up appointment as dr will be in surgery. Some nerve, huh? So, don't see him until the 11th. Anyway, I don't suppose he'll tell me anything of great interest anyway. Pin sites look good,see you in 6 months, buh bye.
Later,
Sue
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I hate when you schedule and appointment months in advance and they change it. Wonder if we can charge them for missing an appt LOL I had to explain to the determinng disability official why I am not going back until June with all my problems. DUH surgeon said I lived, NEXT LOL I did get interesting info on the ssd process :o)
Sounds like you're doing great! I couldn't drive for months after my surgery. Heck I still don't drive that well LOL
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I refuse to discuss my weight, being 1 week post Decacrap! Diet! Can you say diet?
*plunks head on desk*
ow! No facial numbness today... oy. ;)