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• Chris

  

  • 18 posts
  February 25, 2014 5:12:07 AM WATime

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  So I started FEC yesterday, I was given a tablet to take for sickness before getting chemo, I was also given the usual Onestron tablets to take home however I was given 2 Dexamephosone tablets to take today. The nurse said that it was to stop sickness but if I have the Onestron for sickness why do I need these other two tablets? I didn't ask the nurse as they were flat out in there, but has anyone out there get any knowledge as to the steroids purpose?

  Grade 3 ductal, HER2 neg, nodes are clear!
• janetmorgan14

  

  • 2 posts
  February 25, 2014 11:43:43 AM WATime

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  With my chemo treatment I received an info sheet telling me to take the dexamethasone prior to each cycle of chemo. One the night before at 7 pm with food and on the morning at 7am with breakfast. But I was on Taxotere not FEC then.it reduced the likelihood of some side effects of the chemo.

  56 yr young , married mother of 2. DX Aug 2012 Double mastectomy on 14/08/12. All nodes removed L &R. 6 chemos finished. 25 radiotherapy treatments completed in March 2013. Tried Letrozole for 6 months now on Exemastane, and still not liking it.
• lesley1956

  

  • 1 posts
  February 25, 2014 10:04:49 PM WATime

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  Chris I also had Dex to take before and after TAC then when I came back onto chemo post op more dex this time IV. They do help with sickness and side effects but I have had to stop taking it due to Roid Rage.Yep my weird moods of the past few months were all down to the roids. No dex last week and its been like day and night. Yes a bit more quesy but managable and they gave me something else to take but have not needed it. Just remember it was like that for me but heaps of others take it and it does its job with no side effect. hugssssssssssss

  57yo mother of three birth children two stepchildren and numerous foster children one 9yo with special needs at home with husband careing for us both. Lumpectomy 20 years ago with no follow up treatment needed. Ongoing checks. Sore ankle sent me for xray which found a secondary tumour core biopsies then confirmed what fine needle had been missing triple neg breast cancer positive auxillary lymph node and nodes in both lungs.

  haveing radiation for the ankle now doing TAC for 6 sessions and then whatever comes next and it seems to already be working !

• Chris

  

  • 18 posts
  February 26, 2014 6:32:09 AM WATime

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  Lol Lesley I've got an image in my head now of you going all she hulk! Good news that you've found out what's causing the mood swings! I've been taking them like the good girl I am but I'm feeling a bit a wary about them, dunno why when I think of all the other junk being pumped in to me!

  Grade 3 ductal, HER2 neg, nodes are clear!
• Chris

  

  • 18 posts
  February 26, 2014 6:34:28 AM WATime

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  Janet thanks for that, I just wasn't sure why I needed them for sickness when they also give you other tablets to take for sickness too, seemed like overkill( though maybe not because I gave still been feeling queasy even taking all the tablets like I'm supposed to).

  Grade 3 ductal, HER2 neg, nodes are clear!
• Glenys

  

  • 162 posts
  February 26, 2014 8:49:38 AM WATime

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  Yep Chris - Janet & Lesley have said it all ..
  
  The Onestron is a specific anti-nausea medication usually effective in reducing nausea & vomiting due to chemotherapy.
  Steroids such as Dexamethasone have a broader action in reducing your body's response to certain substances and situations - therefore aims to reduce nausea along with other unpleasant reactions you may experience from the chemotherapy.
  Research has shown that Dexamethasone can actually also improve the action of Onestron! - which is why they are usually given in combination.
  
  As Lesley has discovered however, some people have increased sensitivity or even allergic reactions to certain medications - and may need to stop taking them. This information should be provided to each person when being started on any medication or treatment (but I know you can't endlessly read stuff and take it all in!! - TMI!!).
  
  I guess the important thing is to be as aware as you can and if not sure then ask. What's the phrase used a while back ... be alert but not alarmed .. ummmm - maybe that one wasn't the best example, I seem to recall that one wasn't received very well!! :)
  
  Hugs, G xxx

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• Chris

  

  • 18 posts
  February 26, 2014 9:09:46 AM WATime

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  Cheers Glenys! It was quite noisy in the chemo room this week and the nurses were really busy so I didn't like to bother them too much, plus it was hazard to hear what the nurse was saying cos of the noise.

  Grade 3 ductal, HER2 neg, nodes are clear!
• Glenys

  

  • 162 posts
  February 26, 2014 9:30:32 AM WATime

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  I'm always here Chris .. and it's quieter here (at least my end is at the moment!!) xxx

  The Click Breast Care Nurse