Dexamethasone User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica about 2 years ago. Started on 40 mg of prednisone. Slowly reduced to 5.5 over the years. Couldn't get below 5.5 without having a flare. I gained over 20 pounds and went up 3 dress sizes. I perspire terribly just sitting in my chair, my hair looks like I just stepped out of the shower. My pain management doctor prescribed dexamethasone, 1.8 mg, 7-day dosing pack. What a wild ride! Can't sleep, got thrush in my mouth, had so much energy, but it was hard to concentrate. I am so dizzy, I can't move fast for fear of falling. While I was getting lots of things done, I was still exhausted. The doctor told me I could get off the daily dose of prednisone, which is my hope. I just finished my last pill 2 days ago, and I am praying the polymyalgia doesn't return. Is there anyone else out there that has had any experience with the dosing pack?"

• Han...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2023

"I was given this medication when I was diagnosed with COVID. This medication should've never been prescribed to me because of my underlying hyperthyroid disease. I took this medication for 5 days in the hospital and 5 days at home. This medication gave me intense side effects such as: hoarse throat, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, nausea, suicidal ideation, hallucinations, manic episodes, mood swings, aggression, lack of appetite, heart palpitations, and muscle spasms. After calling my doctor, he apologized and said these are rare side effects and only affect 5% of users. Clearly, these side effects affect more than 5% of users, and the FDA really should reevaluate this medication. My symptoms lasted well over 72 hours, which was what my doctor said they would last. I have no memory of everything that happened, I just know the mental trauma from thinking you’re going crazy is not worth it at all."

• pat...
• March 18, 2015

Dexamethasone for Inflammatory Conditions "I was also given this through I.V. and started freaking out as well. I got really cold, and my muscles contracted involuntarily, and my teeth started chattering and grinding. My vision got dark around the edges, and I could only see out of pinhole-shaped openings (like looking through the wrong end of a pair of binoculars). I woke up several hours later wrapped in heated blankets."

• Ms ...
• May 1, 2017

Dexamethasone for Inflammatory Conditions "I have MS and a bad back sometimes. I had saved this for a time when the doctor wasn't helping out enough. My left leg started to hurt from my butt to my ankle. Was taking hydrocodone. Eating 3 at a time wasn't doing enough. Started taking Decadron, pain level dropped a lot, but you need to make sure that you're eating food with them. Had no side effects! Wish I had more! Going to ask the doctor."

• Bec...
• January 23, 2021

For Bursitis "I had an injection of dexamethasone to my bursitic left hip about 24 hours ago. So far, my only symptom, if you will, is pain relief. The injection also helped tremendously with lower back pain resulting from degenerative disc disease. Yes!"

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2022

For Inflammatory Conditions "This drug made me feel like I was going crazy. I was on it for a sinus infection. My whole body tingled all over, to the point I was scared to drive I was so numb. I literally took 3 pills, and two days later I still feel this way. Lightheaded, dizzy, legs feel like jello… Will never take again…"

• Hel...
• January 24, 2022

For Multiple Myeloma "Initially was taking ten 4 mg once a week. Also on Revlimid and a chemo shot once a week. Could hardly stand and walk. Finally told Dr. I was ready to quit it all and just let it take its course, at which point he told me to stop the dexamethasone. Felt better within 24 hours. Six weeks later, he put me back on 3, 4 mg, once a week. Day 4 each week, I start feeling almost good again, but the weakness and fatigue resume the day I take it. Also, an overall feeling of just feeling bad. Don't know how much longer I'm willing to do this. Medically, it's working, but wonder each time if it's really worth it."

• Bro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "I had 2 injections of dexamethasone earlier today for pudendal nerve entrapment that has been causing pain in my pelvic area, legs, and feet for the last 5 months. Tried physical therapy and oral anti-inflammatory medications that did not help. Finally resorted to the dexamethasone injections. I have had the sensation that my heart is beating out of my chest, palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety feeling. No change in my leg and foot pain yet, but it has only been about 8 hours since the injection. I am supposed to get these weekly, but now I am rethinking this. I don't like how this medication makes me feel."

• Use...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2023

Dexamethasone for Epicondylitis, Tennis Elbow "Was prescribed this by pill for chronic inflammation in the elbow (tendinitis). Dr. said to take a ½ pill (4 mg) for 3 days. Couldn’t make it past the first dose, within hours, I was cramping, bloated, and had abdominal pain, and then the dreaded “d” word. Have had rectal bleeding and will see a specialist tomorrow to find out if this one dose wreaked all of this havoc. Pretty sure I know the answer! This stuff is wicked!"

• Bla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 1, 2023

For Inflammatory Conditions "I was prescribed a high dosage of Dex for what they originally thought was Crohn's, which turned out to be lupus. Unfortunately, the Dex ruined my life. When I tried to stop taking it, I experienced convulsions in my legs. Initially, I thought it was a symptom of the illness, but it turned out to be the steroid. Despite being a 5'2" athletic woman, I gained 200 pounds over the ten months they had me on it. I developed Cushing's syndrome, resulting in a 'moon face' and a hump on my back. The doctors were unable to pull off a tapering schedule, so I did it myself, slowly. What started as adrenal fatigue soon became adrenal insufficiency. I lost my hair and suffered kidney damage/failure. Dexamethasone psychosis developed, causing me to hallucinate. I also experienced bone loss and excruciating pain while walking. There were times when I couldn't even walk at all. Eventually, I developed kidney failure, and I was swelling so much that I got an impinged nerve. Despite losing the 200 pounds after a slow self-directed taper that almost killed me, I have significant scarring, and the nerve damage was permanent."

• Wen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2016

For Inflammatory Conditions "I have CIDP - currently taking dexamethasone 40 mg (yes, forty mg) daily over 4 consecutive days of the month. Side effects are horrendous, though thankfully my condition is improving. Insomnia, weight gain, swollen legs and feet, blurred vision, agitation, increased appetite, and flushed face are the most debilitating, but only last for 6 days after finishing the last dose. Treatment plan is 6 months, I am on my fourth dose, and as the months go on, the side effects are getting worse. Would I accept this treatment again... probably not, but it does help my condition."

• Luu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "I have a brain tumor, and it did the job it had to do, but the side effects were horrendous! Gained 10 kg in 1 month! Moon face, which made me unrecognizable, feeling of depression! Very outspoken to my family, which is totally unlike me! Have been off them for 2 months now, haven't lost any of the weight yet, but my body is starting to deflate, feel like I have mainly water retention."

• All...
• February 9, 2010

Dexamethasone for Allergic Rhinitis "Although I have to go to the doctor and get an injection for this medication to work optimally, it does work wonderfully when I am having an acute allergy attack. I end up getting the shot about once a year in the early spring. This medication should be a last resort after other things have been exhausted and is only safe as an injection about every six months. When my eyes, ears, nose, and throat all become involved and inflamed, I know it is time to get a Decadron shot."

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2014

For Inflammatory Conditions "I took medication the first day with food. I was very restless, sweating. I had to change clothes three times. Caused my heart to race. My head was hurting so bad. The reason I was taking medication was to calm down my migraines. I didn't like the medication at all!"

• Dex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "I was prescribed this for dental surgery. I also found, much to my delight, that my constant shoulder pain disappeared. I slept right through the night, waking early and completely refreshed. And all day long, I had so much energy and I felt more positive than I have felt in months."

• Lin...
• December 29, 2014

For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "When I started chemo again for the third time, I was surprised that I had a lot more issues with nausea and loss of appetite, and also fatigue than I did with the other chemos. The previous times I only had 2 days of loss of appetite. Now I was experiencing 4-5 days of stomach upset, acid reflux, and extreme fatigue. My chemo is Carboplatin and Gemzar. I tried other nausea medicines that weren't very effective or made me very drowsy. The Dexamethasone 4 mg dose - 1 pill in the morning, did the trick. My doctor also gave me a pill for indigestion. I could eat anything and wasn't tired. I know I can't stay on it for very long, but I hope it will be OK for the next 9 weeks I have left of chemo."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2022

Dexamethasone for Rheumatoid Arthritis "Was prescribed to use 3x per day for 4 days to help alleviate inflammation from my jaw arthritis. While it helped a bit with the jaw pain, AVOID. I had the most vicious, debilitating, and devastating panic attacks of my entire life, including uncontrollable shaking. Had to stop after 2.5 days due to those side effects. Absolutely horrible."

• grh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2015

For Inflammatory Conditions "I have mixed connective tissue disease, with rheumatoid symptoms. I have severe back pain due to degenerative arthritis of the spine. About every three months, I get an 80 mg Depo Medrol IM injection. Works wonders to knock out the inflammation. I went to my doctor to get an injection - I was in severe pain - the nurse gave me Dexamethasone 10 mg IM instead. My first reaction was acute euphoria - my daughter said I acted like I was drunk - and this lasted about 10 minutes. Then I had something I can only describe as confusion, and the pain came back, and it was worse than ever. I felt terrible for days. I reported this to my doctor and the NP, who were very cavalier and said that it should have worked the same."

• TJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2019

Dexamethasone for Inflammatory Conditions "Had this steroid (Decadron) in addition to an antibiotic shot yesterday for an upper respiratory infection. Headache (migraine) started within 2 hours and has not disappeared to this point. I've taken these same meds before without reaction but don't think I will again."

• Red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "I am on dexamethasone 4 mg, twice a day. I am on day 5 of 7. The last 2 days I have been nauseous, hot/cold, and fatigued. However, my condition seems to have improved (carpal tunnel/ulnar neuropathy)."

• Jin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 26, 2022

For Inflammatory Conditions "I believe this drug is very helpful for individuals who have adrenal issues, like Addison’s disease, etc. For me, the results have been quite mixed. I have had ongoing piriformis syndrome for the past 9 months. I’ve had four trigger point injections with dexamethasone (10 mg). After the first injection, I felt good - my pain went down to almost zero, and I had good energy. I did have some insomnia and increased urination, increased appetite - which resolved. Fast forward to this past month - I had a trigger point injection on 2/25/2022 at 9:15 a.m., and by 2:00 p.m. was feeling very fatigued. I thought it was because I had a busy day. That evening, I was both a bit anxious and tired - and I had trouble getting to sleep. However, the next morning (today), I felt like I took a large dose of Valium. So fatigued this morning, I could not get out of bed - forced myself to. I feel a combination of anxiety and fatigue and a flat mood. It’s effective for nerve pain, but side effects for sure!"

• Pri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2016

Dexamethasone for Inflammatory Conditions "I was given dexamethasone for my cluster headaches. My Dr. injects it with lidocaine in the back of my head. It did take away my headaches for 3 months. I immediately knew when it wore off because I received one of the worst headaches. I had forgotten what it felt like to get a headache. I just received more injections for the 2nd time. He gives me about 5 injections on each side of my head at once. I have gained weight and have a swollen face sometimes."

• Leo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2024

For Inflammatory Conditions "It works wonders for inflammation and pain. But if you take it for some months - like I had to - the chances of adverse side effects go up exponentially. In my case, that translated as a 30-pound weight gain."

• Wan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2022

For Sarcoidosis "Dexamethasone 4 mg (equivalent to 25 mg of Prednisone) has been effective in reducing inflammation considerably within four months, in conjunction with Humira. Side effects were less than Prednisone, and tapering to stop the dosage of Dexamethasone is taking place over a month. Humira will continue indefinitely. The patient is highly sensitive to Prednisone, and a high dose would not have been tolerated. While the high dose of Dexamethasone did cause side effects mentally and physically, it was able to be tapered to 1 mg within 2 months due to rapidly reducing inflammation."

• Dol...
• January 5, 2017

For Multiple Myeloma "Don't like this medicine at all. My doctor told me to take ten 4-milligram tabs every Wednesday. I can't sleep, swollen neck and face, tingling and swelling in the feet, shortness of breath ...and lots more. I'm not taking this medication anymore."