Dexamethasone and Blurred Vision: What Users Say

• Mev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "I was prescribed this because of multiple injuries in a car crash (multiple disc herniations and other injuries), and the doc thought it'd help relieve the inflammation. The doc wanted me to take it for roughly a week, but I couldn't tolerate the side effects after 2.5 days, which I started feeling within hours of the first dose. I experienced sweating profusely around the clock, really bad suicidal thoughts, severe rage issues (I'm normally calm), severe dry mouth, increased inflammation, shortness of breath, heaviness in my chest, exhaustion, dizziness, weight gain, increased appetite, increased pains in the injured areas, no sleep for three days straight, extremely high anxiety with panic attacks, blurred and double vision, and an absolutely horrific headache that wouldn't go away even with ibuprofen. I also experienced crying fits, and I'm not a crier. This medicine didn't help me at all. The brutal side effects I endured aren't worth taking it for me. If you have any sensitivity to them, I don't recommend taking this steroid."

• Sam...
• August 30, 2018

For Cerebral Edema "I was put on Dexamethasone to treat Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis, aka blood clots in my brain. It was prescribed to reduce inflammation in my brain. I was put on such a high dose that I shook like a leaf in the wind. I felt like I was jittering inside of my body. I took my doses 4 times a day for 8+ weeks before we began to taper down from the stuff. I was on it for 12 weeks in total. I ended up putting on 80 pounds of water weight. My face was so swollen that I couldn't see more than a foot in front of me through my blurry slits for eyes. I slept maybe 3-4 hours a night if I was lucky. I dripped with the cold sweats, literally. I ended up on water pills, along with 9 other medications. It took at least 6 months and outpatient therapy to recover from depression side effects. My body has never fully recovered from this medication. I have had issues including a buffalo hump and some bone loss. Spare yourself the pain and trauma."

• Mbo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2015

For Inflammatory Conditions "Lots of pain in my foot due to inflammation causing pinched nerves. Took 3 shots and improved, but problems were not completely gone. Was given dexamethasone. Hasn't helped my foot at all. But I started feeling bad after a day or two, but I didn't think about this med causing the problem. Every day I have been feeling worse: irritable, agitated, heart pounding, feeling like I am coming out of my skin, headaches increasing daily, vision a little blurry now and then. Stopping this drug. Side effects are amplifying each day."

• bbe...
• January 21, 2011

For Inflammatory Conditions "I can say it did some pretty good things for my back (bulging disc). It wasn't a cure at all by any means, but it helped a lot. Downside. Same as others: depression, huge appetite increase, but at the same time, everything tasted horrible, bad mood swings, suicidal thoughts (not normal for me), horrible insomnia, blurred vision, cold sweats, hands and feet tingling, numb. Swollen mouth, gums, lips, almost unbearable chest pain. At one point, my wife was ready to call 911. Oh, can't forget the late night extreme skeletal pain. Every bone in my body felt like it was about to snap. If you're like I was and are in so much pain you can hardly walk, try it. Be careful."

• 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."

• Ldm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2022

For Atopic Dermatitis "On April, I was given dexamethasone for an allergic reaction I had to something I ate. I had dexamethasone as an injection and pills that I took for 3 days. On the 3rd day, I stopped taking them because I developed adverse side effects like fog in my head, confusion, numbness on the right side of my head, blurry vision, adrenaline feeling in my head, dry mouth, lost appetite, and diarrhea, along with depression and anxiety. After 3 weeks, all my side effects were gone except for anxiety and mild depression. I’m on 5 weeks since I stopped taking the medication, and I’m still struggling with anxiety and depression. So far, side effects come and go. Some days I have it, and I don’t, or it comes in and out throughout the day. Side effects are horrible. I can’t wait for this to be over."

• Iri...
• August 7, 2016

"Well, can't tell if it is effective or not, unbearable to keep taking it because of the side effects. Having all that I see mentioned as well: sleeplessness, bad headaches, increased heart rate, very wired, mood swings, blurred vision goes in/out affected me while I was driving, flushed face. Stopped it after the first two days because of this, then, thinking it was a fluke, took it again and felt the symptoms instantly. Calling my doc to see if there's something else :("

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "Taking this as pre-med on chemo day and then for 4 days after. Side effects include: insomnia-I'm still up, it's 5 am, weight gain-I'm always hungry, swollen hands, legs, and feet, blurred vision, lingering dry cough, voice also goes in and out, constant headaches, swollen face and neck, painful bloating, and I'm not overweight. Talked to the doctor, and it was decided that I would only take it on chemo day. Phew!"