Dexamthasone-aka Decadron-steroid?

[mtbboulder]

I am at hospital and they gave me some dexamthasone-----also known as Decadron, anyone have familiraity with this> can I avoid surgery>hemangio at C-4 with syrinx........pain and weakness and numbness down left arm, pain in neck, some numbness in left foot, loss of sensitivity around cape.....and nape of neck and tops of feet,

Lisa
Boulder, CO

[lw]

Hi,

I was on dexamethasone (one tablet twice a day) for 3 months and I was fine. The only side effects I experienced were insomnia and a swollen face (with some facial hair - not very nice but it soon subsides when you're weaned off!). I gained no weight whatsoever and remained extremely thin. I was really nervous about taking steroids as I have a general aversion to drugs and nearly always end up feeling ill and having nasty experiences.

I started taking the dexamethasone a week before surgery and I found that my walking difficulties and some of my sensory deficits subsided. However I was told that there was no alternative to surgery and that my neurological function would rapidly deteriorate further without going ahead. Apparently the steroids reduce the swelling around the cord before and after surgery.

I really hope they're looking after you in hospital. Good luck Lisa and keep us posted!

Leah

[diane]

Steroids are a powerful anti-inflammatory drug and will quickly reduce the swelling in your spinal cord. I'm assuming you are on a very high (what is known as "critical") intravenous dose - I was on intravenous dexamethasone for several days many years ago when my symptoms first surfaced. I entered the hospital almost paralyzed and left walking. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with "probable MS" . It took a long time to finally get the proper diagnosis.

Steroids make you really thirsty and make it hard to sleep but they are a necessary adjunct to spinal cord surgery. You will most certainly need surgery asap as a bleeding hemangioblastoma is quite serious.

Try to relax and have a positive outlook. We will all be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

Diane