Dexamethason and it's long-term effects

[PeacefulSoraya]

I am 21 years old and have been undergoing chemotherapy for 2 years now.  My treatment has gone well and I shouldn't complain.  Though the worst is over and the treatment is not nearly as aggressive anymore, there is just one medication I cannot tolerate.  Dexamethason.  I take it 4.5mg for five days, every month.  I am extremely sensitive to it as I experience all of its side effects from the mood swings, acne, swelling, water retention, low-calcium, low-potassium, and muscle pain... etc.  It actually still frightens me because I know the stress it puts on my poor mortal body.  Though, I wish I can just not take them anymore I have to.  I know that the side effects are due to a excess production of hormones and so I was wondering if there is a way to counteract this to a point where it doesn't produce so much.  I know this is probably defeating the purpose of this medicine but I am desparate.  Also, I have changed so much, physically, because of this medicine, that I hardly recognize myself... will my body regulate itself? and if so how long does it take for my body to do so?  I try things like excerising and it feels impossible to keep fit while on it.  What am I doing wrong?  My diet is very healthy, I even meditate and do yoga often but still I have these disfiguring effects.

Please help.  No one I know who is my age understands how this effects me and so I have no feedback.

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

try to find out if the medication is being given as part of the chemotherapy or is being given as part of nausea control.

if it is being given as nausea control -  discuss with your doctor regarding alternative medications you can take.

if it is part of the chemotherapy then you could inquire about alternative chemotherapy regimens

unfortunately there is no known method in trying to counteract the response of the rest of the body in order to avoid the complications

most importantly, if you are chronically on it, discuss  with your doctor the proper way to discontinue as  sudden stops may be life -threatening ( since your body  may not put up enough steroids to support itself in the event of a sudden withdrawal).

[PeacefulSoraya]

It is actually part of my maintainance therapy so it is part of my chemotherapy.  I am also aware of the dangers that come with discontinuing it but I am afraid my doctor would not consider an alternative.

Thank you kindly for the response anyways.

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,
I think a discussion with your doctor is in order. Oncologists are generally the most amiable and most open to suggestion since they deal with a pretty nasty disease. I find it odd that you use the term "afraid my doctor would not consider"... besides, oncology is always changing, newer drugs are expected to arrive soon (actually the rate of accumulation is making it hard to define how best to use them and on whom), that the alternative may only be awaiting for you to open the discussion.