Side effects from Dexamethasone?

[KT3559]

Two days ago I was diagnosed with a relatively large brain tumor on my brainstem. Toooootally unexpected. They immediately put me on Dexamethasone to reduce swelling, which is apparently minimal anyways, and anti-seizure meds "just in case". Anyways, It's only been a day and a half since I started the meds but I'm experiencing an annoyingly increased heart rate and lots of nervousness, but I don't want to go do anything but sit and stare at things. I feel like I'm crashing from hard drugs (I used to do a lot of meth and oxycontin, but I'm 2 years clean now and I'm really not enjoying this feeling). I know these are to be expected when you're taking steroids, but I'm 21 years old and I RELISH my sleep. Is it okay to take Benadryl in order to help with this? Or melatonin? Will either even help? Or should I quit being a baby and wait it out for a few days and then talk to my doctor again?

Any insights I would GREATLY appreciate. I'm going a little crazy over here and there's nothing on TV! Thanks guys.

Katie/sleepless in North Hollywood

[Doodles_Mimi]

Please, don't ever think that you would be considered a baby, by any means!! You are dealing with some difficult news, and it would be scary for anyone! I wouldn't recommend that you take anything until you can consult with your doctor, if it will be some time before you see him again, you could call his office and leave a message for him to call and maybe let them know what it is regarding. Take care and best wishes for good test results.

[enzymelover]

I need to clarify what I meant to say about the calcium/magnesium. Take 2000 mg daily, in 4 or more divided doses of no more than 500 mg each, throughout the day, the last dose an hour before bed. Most people don't absorb more than 500 mg at a time. Do not take 2000 mg all at once!
Again, I hope this helps.

[enzymelover]

Yes, rumpled is right. The dex will interfere with your sleep, but you definitely need to stay on it for now. You will need to be very diligent about inflammation with that tumor (or rather, your docs will need to be diligent with dosing.) Are you on half a mg, or is it more than that?

Corticosteroids cause you to lose minerals at a faster rate (calcium, magnesium, potassium). You may start to sleep better if you take extra calcium and magnesium. I make my son soak his feet in epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) before bedtime. This helps with calming and muscle relaxing and he falls asleep easier. (he takes dex). My son has digestive/absorption problems, and won't swallow pills anyway, but mag. sulfate is readily absorbed through the skin and circulates about 9 hours or so.

Take the amount your body will use without causing diarrhea. It varies, but try equal amounts of calcium and magnesium (I'd start with 2000 mg each, an hour or so before bedtime). I know, I know, supplement recommendations are to take twice the amount of calcium with mag, a ratio of 2:1, but most people actually need more magnesium.

Hope you sleep better soon.

[rumpled]

Dexamethasone will have a lot of side effects. You do need to talk to your doc - but it will interfere with your sleep.

Dex is a corticosteroid - a powerful one - and taking it will reduce your immune system as well as your inflammatory responses. The anxiety is from the med - you may be getting a bit of Cushing's syndrome with your meds.

I would speak to the doc about lessening the meds a tad bit or spreading them out. Make sure you eat with the dose so you don't get stomach issues as well. The OTC things you mention will not have much effect - you have to speak to your doc and/or pharmacist.

I had Cushing's disease - and my tumor made the corticosteroids so I used to feel that way all the time and never slept well for years... it was not fun.

[caregiver222]

You have to discuss this with your physician. The dexamethasone is an anti-inflammatory and very appropriate.

I would be cautious about the melatonin without consulting with your neurologist and oncologist (if the tumor is malignant).. It is a polypeptide and can cause growth of cells.

Please post as to how the tumor situation resolves.