Steroids

[juliefromca]

I have read that steroid use is risky because it can cause CSF leakage. However, it seems a lot of people get steroids. Does anyone know why this is? I'm confused.

Also, thank you all for your well-wishes for me on Monday. My family and I really appreciate it!

Julie

[cindylee]

Julie, I was on Decadron to reduce swelling. It was something they had to wean me off. I did not get a CSF leak from it. My blood sugar levels went wacky and I had to temporarily take insulin from it. And I could not sleep at night. And I was starving all the time because they put me on a diabetic diet. As soon as I went off the steroids, I was fine. I wish you all the best on Monday. Hugs, Cindy

[susan]

I was on steroids to decrease swelling starting 2 weeks before surgery and weaned off afterwards too. I had the same thing with my blood sugar while in the hospital. I also did not have any problems with a CSF leak.
I did get a hairy face (it is blond, luckily) I can see it when I put on my make up using my make-up mirror. Everyone else says they can't see it. I joke around that I look like the wolf-man. It's like the hair I had grew longer, not that I grew more hair. I think when it sheds naturally it will come back like it was before.
It is a necessary evil. Id' rather have a hairy face than a swollen spinal cord.

[sudz]

I also was on steroids afterwards. I was always hungry and everything tasted sooooooo good. The best gastronomical experience in my whole life!! I gained 22 lbs and have yet to lose the weight. Ah, well, there could be worse outcomes.

[tony]

I also was on steroids 3 months prior to surgery, it really help me function throughout the day. I always checked my sugar levels and were pretty much under control. On the negative side, i did gain 24lbs. developed stretch marks and something call "moon faces" which is an unusual round face. All these signs make up what is call Cushing's Syndrome, if you interested in looking it up. All my signs and symptoms were reversable once they took me off them slowly post-op. But to answer you question did not experienced any CSF leakage.

Tony

[drummer904]

i didn't have a CSF leak while on decadron but my voice sure didnt sound too manly for a few days...

[missym]

I assume your NS will put you on Decadron or another steroid after surgery to help with the swelling. I felt the opposite of most. I did not feel like eating at all, and was quite sad and weepy. I hated every second of being on the drug but I too did not experience any leaks or other adverse reactions. Lots of good luck
Missy

[susan]

I had the same experience as Missy with the Decadron. I couldn't eat. Everything tasted HORRIBLE. It all tasted like cardboard (or worse), even things that tasted great in the past. That, plus nerves, I lost 20 lbs in 2 weeks waiting for surgery (of course I put it back on again. Almost makes me miss Decadron, hairy face and all.

[msweeney]

I was on steroids after surgery and like Missy and Susan, everything tasted horrible until someone brought me a pain-au-chocolat from the Columbia City bakery. Then I realized it was just the crappy hospital food!