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inflammatory breast cancer

matthatter1127
matthatter1127 CSN Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I was diagnosed with IBC in January. Have had two chemo treatments and already a trip to the hospital (5 days)because dr. wasn't watching my labs and my white count went way down. Is it common for chemo to include steroid drugs?
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  • shirleyf
    shirleyf CSN Member Posts: 2
    #2
    I have had ibc for 3-1/2 years and have been treating continuously. It is my understanding that steroid drugs are often given prior to chemo to guard against a bad reaction to certain chemotherapy drugs.
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  • lynne40
    lynne40 CSN Member Posts: 87
    #3
    As I understand it the steroids are given to combat the nausea or at least lessen it because extreme vomiting would have its own set of problems.
    Lynne
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  • highaim
    highaim CSN Member Posts: 3
    #4
    Hi!

    Yes, I do believe it is standard of care to include steroids (decadron) with chemo. This is what might make yu ravenously hungry after treatment, and can also lead to severe water retention (swelling of extremities). I gained 15 pounds from this......but it does come off once treatment is done...
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  • johnS
    johnS CSN Member Posts: 4
    #5
    hello my wife has had Inflammatory Breast Cancer for 3 years and has had 3 full courses of chemo. She has been given steroids on occassions to help prevent swelling of the limbs and sickness. It seems quite normal/routine to give steroids with certain types of chemotherapy. Hope this helps. John
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