Tumors in brain and Decadron

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SonSon
SonSon Member Posts: 174
edited March 2014 in Caregivers #1
Hello all you veterans and comrades...
My mother-in-law has 3 tumors in her brain causing swelling and was given Decadron to reduce the swelling (this helps reduce confusion and gives her more time).
Has anyone heard of this medicine and about how much more time would she have???
The doctor said that without the Decadron that she'd have days to a week or perhaps a tiny bit more.
I am trying to do some research but hoping someone here is familiar with it.
Thanks in advance.
Fatima

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  • Cindy54
    Cindy54 Member Posts: 452
    #2
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    Decadron
    Hi Fatima, I was given Decadron to reduce swelling in my spinal cord when I had a spinal cord surgery to remove a tumor. I was given this before and after. It is a steroid. The only side effects I had from it were increased appetite, increase in insulin, and restlessness to the point I could not sleep much. And it did work. But I have never heard of it being used in the way you describe. It would make sense to reduce the swelling, but to gain time, I don't know. Maybe someone else will know. Cindy
  • sue Siwek
    sue Siwek Member Posts: 279
    #3
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    my husband was put on
    my husband was put on decadron when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. it is for reducing swelling and i understood to prevent the tumor from growing while being treated with radiation and chemo. ask your doctor for more specifics. he should want you to understand exactly what he is trying to accomplish. unfortunately no one can tell you how long she has, not even doctors really know. steroids generally cause agitation, sleeplessness and anxiety. maybe they are sedating her as well and she will rest comfortably. please talk to the doctor who is handling her case. you and your family do not need the added stress of not knowing what is going on and what to expect as time passes.
  • Beckymarie
    Beckymarie Member Posts: 357
    #4
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    Decadron
    My husband was on decadron during his radiation therapy to reduce swelling and address his headaches. He is now on a much lower dosage. Can't get rid of it completely because he starts to develop headaches. This is only a guess but perhaps by reducing the swelling in your mother's brain and thereby reducing the pressure, it will extend her time. I would think the more swelling, the more pressure and quicker things would progress. You should really call your doctor and run your concerns by him.
  • infoneeded
    infoneeded Member Posts: 23
    #5
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    Beckymarie said:

    Decadron
    My husband was on decadron during his radiation therapy to reduce swelling and address his headaches. He is now on a much lower dosage. Can't get rid of it completely because he starts to develop headaches. This is only a guess but perhaps by reducing the swelling in your mother's brain and thereby reducing the pressure, it will extend her time. I would think the more swelling, the more pressure and quicker things would progress. You should really call your doctor and run your concerns by him.

    steroids
    My husband has received steroids twice for his brain tumor. The first time was to decrease the swelling before he had surgery. (We found out about the tumor in the ER.) The swelling was causing his brain to shift. He was having severe headaches was uneasy on his feet and was confused. The steroids (decadron) worked almost immediately. The second time was to reduce the swelling during radiation. It is my impression the steroids are to control the symptoms of the tumor.
  • sue Siwek
    sue Siwek Member Posts: 279
    #6
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    Beckymarie said:

    Decadron
    My husband was on decadron during his radiation therapy to reduce swelling and address his headaches. He is now on a much lower dosage. Can't get rid of it completely because he starts to develop headaches. This is only a guess but perhaps by reducing the swelling in your mother's brain and thereby reducing the pressure, it will extend her time. I would think the more swelling, the more pressure and quicker things would progress. You should really call your doctor and run your concerns by him.

    you might check with the
    you might check with the oncologist, my husband became adicted to it and was able to get off of it after he was detoxed. first they removed him from decadron and put him another adictive drug i think for a week then back on decadron and then stopped it and he began to sleep and was less agitated. that may be a way of getting rid of his headaches. i guess i am saying to discuss it with the doctor and see if thinks he may be adicted.
  • Jenlbv
    Jenlbv Member Posts: 3
    #7
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    Hi Fatima,
    I'm no expert or
    Hi Fatima,

    I'm no expert or veteran but am in a similar circumstance only a little bit farther ahead. My mother was diagnosed with several brain tumors and was immediately put on Decadron. Before the Decadron she was incredibly weak, paralyzed on one side of her body and was disoriented, confused, and unable to speak correctly. After a week on the Decadron there was quite a difference, she was able to move around, and speak clearly, with no more paralysis.

    It has been two months now. She has deteriorated since those first few weeks but I know she would not have gone this long without the Decadron. She at least had an opportunity to tie up loose ends in her life and enjoy family for a bit longer.

    Good luck to you, Jennifer
  • SonSon
    SonSon Member Posts: 174
    #8
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    Jenlbv said:

    Hi Fatima,
    I'm no expert or
    Hi Fatima,

    I'm no expert or veteran but am in a similar circumstance only a little bit farther ahead. My mother was diagnosed with several brain tumors and was immediately put on Decadron. Before the Decadron she was incredibly weak, paralyzed on one side of her body and was disoriented, confused, and unable to speak correctly. After a week on the Decadron there was quite a difference, she was able to move around, and speak clearly, with no more paralysis.

    It has been two months now. She has deteriorated since those first few weeks but I know she would not have gone this long without the Decadron. She at least had an opportunity to tie up loose ends in her life and enjoy family for a bit longer.

    Good luck to you, Jennifer

    Loose ends..
    Jennifer,

    Thank you for sharing your experience.

    It will be one week on Friday since my mother-in-law started taking decadron. She is still quite confused but is getting a bit stronger.

    We have lots of loose ends that we need to help her finish up - I hope that she gets some clarity for that.

    I am very happy for you that, so far, you have had two months more with your mother. Cherish every moment with her.

    Fatima

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