[Johnnie B]

Spacy lightheaded feeling several days after dex

by Johnnie B on Sun Nov 25, 2012 6:37 pm

Curious as to whether anyone has experienced something similar to the following. I take daily Revlimid (20 mg) and weekly dex (40 mg). I have noticed that -- pretty much like clockwork -- about three days after taking the dex, I have a spacy, light-headed feeling that typically lasts about two days.

For what it is worth, I don't experience a huge rush or high when I first take the dex. Instead I experience a bit less sleep the first night after taking dex and then feel normal for the next three days.

Nor have I experienced any adverse effects on blood counts with Revlimid or dexamethasone. In fact, I actually feel very good.

But as this lightheadiness occurs EVERY week on dex -- and disrupts what actually is a quite normal life -- I would like to know whether there are any similar observations or suggestions for reducing this?

[smith]

Re: Spacy lightheaded feeling several days after dex

by smith on Mon Nov 26, 2012 8:13 am

See if your doctor will allow you to drop the Dex dose from 40 to 20 mg. and monitor the changes. Its not always clear to me what effect the Dex has on my treatment. Just that a lot of studies have included Dex as part of the standard treatment regime. I had a good response from just the Revlimid. I believe that Dex is used for its anti inflammatory effect. Perhaps a change in diet can achieve a similar anti inflammatory effect ? I wonder.

I have a similar reaction to Dex as you do. Although at the higher doses during my initial Induction therapy, I was experiencing significant mental highs. Only taking the minimum Dex necessary, I think is the goal. Especially when looking at the long term effects. God Bless.

[Johnnie B]

Re: Spacy lightheaded feeling several days after dex

by Johnnie B on Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:29 pm

Thanks for the advice. Being careful with the dex dose certainly does make sense, and I will look into this. The long-term health consequences of steroids are more than concerning -- and yes, I hope to be around for the long-term! And from what I understand, dex dosing is far from an exact science.

By the way, I also experience a potent mental high from dex - akin to amphetamines. It just does not appear to be as crazily manic as some of the accounts I read here, and I am grateful for that.