Dexamethasone and muscle cramps

Sundanceh said:

With Chemo

Hey Chelsea, I believe I only took Dex prior to infusion...any other steroids I did would have been up to 7-days and then discontinued...

28 days sounds like a long time...and it seems like Steve's body is acting out on him. I hope the swelling has gone now by now, or greatly reduced...it sure sounded serious last time you talked about it.

I'm glad they will begin to wean...for cramps, perhaps you could inquire about an IV drip of Potassium? 

That's all I got...well, that and a big hug!

 

Hi chels....no I just took it the night before, then the day of and 2 more days after that.....I hated that darned drug....felt strung out but can't say I noticed any cramps....sorry....I'll send a big hug too

mags

Chelsea71 said:

Thanks Craig,
Today has been
Thanks Craig,

Today has been a bad day. The clot by his port has continued to be a problem. Swollen face and neck, cough, hoarse voice etc...... The onc and thrombosis doc just want to wait for this damn clot to dissolve, but it's just not happening. The symptoms are wearing us down. Now we also have these new steroid effects to contend with, as well. On Monday, I had had enough and called Ottawa and demanded they make arrangements to administer TPA into the central line. (The only reason I even know about this procedure is because of my own research. No doctor ever mentioned that this was even an option). They actually listened to me! I suspect they were holding off due to the expense of this medication. So he went in yesterday and they injected 2 ml's into the port to soak overnight. Today he went for chemo. They sucked it out. Clot is gone. Good blood return for the first time since Dec. Clot symptoms almost gone! Unfortunately, we can't enjoy this moment because Steve can no longer walk. (due to the steroids). It seems like one problem is always replaced with another. CT scan tomorrow in
Montreal. Meet with the surgeon, from Montreal on Monday. There is just so much going on. I'm feeling so worn out. Steve likes to always be so positive and it upsets him to see that I'm upset. I am so grateful to have all you guys to vent to. Sorry for whining. I feel much better now. At least that clot is gone. I'm hoping things will start to turn around soon.

Chels

You aren't whining Chelsea. This is just too much. We shouldn't have to be the researchers too....wouldn't it be nice to be able to count on the doctors to do what they are supposed to do...not like we don't have enough to worry about!  Glad you found that though and it helped with the clot!   Steve is very lucky to have you.  Chin up!  Hopefully he'll get his strength back soon.

Hugs!

Chelsea71 said:

Yes Craig, you made me smile.
Yes Craig, you made me smile. Unfortunately, it's through tears. I'm exhausted and feeling near the end of my rope. Steve's situation seemed much worse this am. Leg was extremely sore, swollen and quite bruised. He had a ct scan scheduled in Montreal. I wanted to cancel, he insisted we go. It wasn't easy. Had to use a wheelchair. We did it though. Headed home quite tired out. (Montreal is an hour and a half east of us). During the drive Steve mentioned that the swelling was expanding down his thigh. He didn't look good. I decided to take him right to Ottawa. This is where he receives his cancer treatment. He is in the ER now. (I'm in the cafeteria). They think it's another freaking blood clot. His thigh looks terrible. Swollen and really bruised. He can't put any weight at all on it. He is medicated to the point where it's hard for him to stay awake. How on earth could he get another clot when he's been on 15000 IU's of Fragmin for six weeks. I give the needle every morning at 7. Have never missed a dose. It's never even been late. They have ordered an ultrasound. We are waiting. I thought for sure it was the dex. He has just been through so much. He looks so sad. The ER doc seemed taken aback when he disrobed to show the swelling. Can't really blame him. He has the ileostomy on one side, the 5th pump on the other, bruises all over his stomach from the needles (dex causes bruising). The one constant throughout this whole ordeal has been Steve's up-beat and positive attitude. Today he was making comments such as, "Sorry for ruining your life.". I guess are both feeling worn down. I'm also concerned about the liver surgeon. I have to think this new blood clot (or whatever it is) is going to be a strike against him. I can't see any surgeon thinking that he is a good surgical candidate. I will have to cancel his app for this Monday. He can't do Avastin anymore. Erbitux is out the window due to the stupid Kras mutation. Chemo for life doesn't look too promising, at this point.

Thanks for letting me vent, everybody. Steve's entire family is gone (deceased). He only has my family. I can't dump all this crap on them, they are already extremely worried (and up there in years). Don't like to talk with friends (believe it or not, I'm actually a private person!). I hate being one of those people who always has some big drama going on. So, I guess you all are the lucky ones.

Thanks for listening to all these scattered thoughts. Next time, I will try to organize my thoughts into paragraphs.

Chelsea

Chelsea, your thoughts are well organized and articulated. Steve is lucky to have you taking care of him. Please try to take care od yourself too. 

You and Steve are in my thoughts and prayers.

Chelsea71 said:

Yes Craig, you made me smile.
Yes Craig, you made me smile. Unfortunately, it's through tears. I'm exhausted and feeling near the end of my rope. Steve's situation seemed much worse this am. Leg was extremely sore, swollen and quite bruised. He had a ct scan scheduled in Montreal. I wanted to cancel, he insisted we go. It wasn't easy. Had to use a wheelchair. We did it though. Headed home quite tired out. (Montreal is an hour and a half east of us). During the drive Steve mentioned that the swelling was expanding down his thigh. He didn't look good. I decided to take him right to Ottawa. This is where he receives his cancer treatment. He is in the ER now. (I'm in the cafeteria). They think it's another freaking blood clot. His thigh looks terrible. Swollen and really bruised. He can't put any weight at all on it. He is medicated to the point where it's hard for him to stay awake. How on earth could he get another clot when he's been on 15000 IU's of Fragmin for six weeks. I give the needle every morning at 7. Have never missed a dose. It's never even been late. They have ordered an ultrasound. We are waiting. I thought for sure it was the dex. He has just been through so much. He looks so sad. The ER doc seemed taken aback when he disrobed to show the swelling. Can't really blame him. He has the ileostomy on one side, the 5th pump on the other, bruises all over his stomach from the needles (dex causes bruising). The one constant throughout this whole ordeal has been Steve's up-beat and positive attitude. Today he was making comments such as, "Sorry for ruining your life.". I guess are both feeling worn down. I'm also concerned about the liver surgeon. I have to think this new blood clot (or whatever it is) is going to be a strike against him. I can't see any surgeon thinking that he is a good surgical candidate. I will have to cancel his app for this Monday. He can't do Avastin anymore. Erbitux is out the window due to the stupid Kras mutation. Chemo for life doesn't look too promising, at this point.

Thanks for letting me vent, everybody. Steve's entire family is gone (deceased). He only has my family. I can't dump all this crap on them, they are already extremely worried (and up there in years). Don't like to talk with friends (believe it or not, I'm actually a private person!). I hate being one of those people who always has some big drama going on. So, I guess you all are the lucky ones.

Thanks for listening to all these scattered thoughts. Next time, I will try to organize my thoughts into paragraphs.

Chelsea