Interesting to observe side effects of drugs first-hand.
Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment of brain edema (swelling) in brain tumors. Dexamethasone is the steroid given in the majority of neuro-oncologic patients, at varying doses. Fortunately I am on a low enough dose (2 mg twice daily) to avoid the well-known and serious side effects of corticosteroid therapy.
A retrospective chart review of 88 patients treated with whole brain radiotherapy was conducted for a 6-month period to document steroid doses prescribed, tapering schedules, and steroid side effects. The most frequently documented steroid-related side effects were increased appetite (32%), proximal muscle weakness (28%), and insomnia (21%), which is pretty much consistent with my experience.
A survey of oncologists who manage patients with brain metastases was conducted at the same institution. The most common side effects noted by physicians were increased appetite or weight gain (46%), insomnia (24%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (20%).
Sturdza A, Millar BA, Bana N, et al. The use and toxicity of steroids in the management of patients with brain metastases.
Support Care Cancer 2008;16:1041-8.
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2 comments:
Hi Norm,
thinking of you today. Hope the infusion went well, and that you had a nice trip to the eastern part of our beautiful state. I'll be cheering for your Vik's tonight.
Hugs from P, C and O.
Hi Norm,
How was your trip? Hope you had a fabulous time. Went to my 25 Years of Service dinner tonight. Lots of people asking about you. Saw Jennifer McBride she said they will be having a library at the new Westside hospital with journals, books, and a librarian. So I guess the old physical library has not been totally eliminate in this modern day of electronic journals.
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