Dexamethasone and Headaches: 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."

• Mot...
• October 4, 2019

Dexamethasone for Asthma "I was given this med for asthma from a virus that my inhaled steroids weren’t helping with. I was given a one-time dose of 10 mg, and though it worked for my breathing, the rest of my body is a mess. I have had severe elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, headache, rigor shakes, muscle spasms in the arms and legs, faintness, cold sweats, increased urination, severe exhaustion, muscle weakness, heartburn, increased anxiety, cloudy headedness, nausea, and an intolerance for anything physical beyond just walking. I am a fit 42-year-old woman with no other health issues, and this has been blowing my mind that I could get this sick. I did go to the ED, and I was told that it can cause these symptoms. The worst part is that because it’s long-acting, it can take a week from your last dose for it to be cleared out. So I was told to rest and drink fluids until time passes. The good news is, I can breathe. The bad news is, it has been a nightmare for the rest of my body."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2019

Dexamethasone for Inflammatory Conditions "Was given Decadron shot in ER for a severe sinus infection and upper respiratory infection. I have had a severe migraine for 2 solid days! NOTHING will ease the headache. I will never have or take Decadron again!"

• 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."

• Old...
• February 15, 2017

For Cerebral Edema "I had a seizure, which led to them finding a brain tumor. They put me on Dexa in the ER and I was on it for 2 months after the craniotomy to prevent brain swelling. Don't quite remember the dosing, it was a 1 mg or 2 mg pill I took 2 or 3 times a day. I had insomnia (slept maybe 3 hours a night even on two Percocet every 4 hours), painful acne all over my face and back, mood swings, crazy hunger and weight gain, erectile dysfunction, headaches, and joint pain. I suppose it did what it was supposed to, but the side effects were horrible. Even if I had another tumor, I don't think I'd ever use it again."

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2022

For Inflammatory Conditions "I was given a single 10 mg/ml one ML of dexamethasone orally 7 days ago at a walk-in clinic for a possible sinus infection. The provider drew up the injection in a syringe and shot it into a cup of soda for me to drink. The last 7 days have been hell. Severe confusion, feeling like my brain is in fog, unable to concentrate, waking up in the middle of the night in panic, crying uncontrollably, fearful, scared, dizzy, zero appetite, severe headaches/migraines. This drug is long-lasting, and I’ve been suffering for this whole week with none of the doctors being able to figure out why. Well, I figured it out. I’ve almost had to go to the ER because I’ve been so upset and in absolute panic. Please, please, please do not take this drug in any form. Especially if you have a history of steroid sensitivity or anxiety. I’m praying it will wear off as the days go on."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2020

For Inflammatory Conditions "Just received a dexamethasone injection in my arm for tonsillitis. It initially felt like I didn’t get a shot, then the pain just exploded. I mean, no burning, just felt like I was punched in the arm. It was throbbing, and each throb was stabbing pain. I was bawling like a baby. I do have fibromyalgia, but I have had many shots in the muscle that sting. This was no sting! The doctor chalked it up to 'everything that was going on with me.' I am not a dramatic person, but this was the weirdest, most painful intravenous muscle shot I have ever had! I also have a heart condition, and reading what I am in for with anxiety and racing heart has me very concerned. Shouldn’t the doc have seen that?"

• 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!"

• 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 :("

• Mac...
• November 28, 2014

For Cerebral Edema "After presenting with severe headaches and confusion, two tablets of 4 mg each (one in the morning, one later in the day). A rapid progress was achieved within a day. Operated on the next day for a brain tumor biopsy and have been on it ever since. Just completed my first cycle of chemo - one bag over 3-4 hours, then 3-4 days of a rescue medicine intravenously to strip it out of my system. I have a rare and aggressive Central Nervous System lymphoma (Non-Hodgkin's), which was caught early."

• Nst...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2017

For Immune Thrombocytopenia "My platelet count went down to 15k; the doctor prescribed this med. Took 10, 4 mg pills in the morning for 4 days, then stopped. CBC platelet count went up to 90k. However, for the 5 days that followed, I was in utter pain. Extreme abdominal pain, voice was hoarse, felt like my throat was on fire, headache and sensitivity to light, and the worst was the abdominal bloat. I couldn't move with it being laborious and having shortness of breath. Not a pill I would ever take again. A week later, CBC platelets were back down to 15k. I can live with that."

• Lar...
• June 19, 2017

For Plaque Psoriasis "Started to take this medicine for a tongue condition (geographical tongue). I read it lowers my immune system, and it definitely does. I only have one more day of it, thank goodness. I feel horrible. My head hurts, my eyes are watery, and I constantly feel achy. I don't really see a difference in my tongue either. Just want to be off this medicine! Let's hope the withdrawals aren't bad either."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2021

For Cerebral Edema "Been having on and off headaches since an aneurysm coiling in March. I had to go to the ER yesterday with a bad headache. They contacted my neurosurgeon, he saw some slight swelling around the coiling. Was given this horrible drug through an injection, and 10 seconds after the injection, my body heated up, I felt like I was on fire. The nurse told me that was normal only after she had given me the injection. The following morning, I had the worst depression and horrible thoughts. Never felt like this before. I will never use it again. Stay away from this."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2023

"I had 2 root canals, and the pain afterward was severe, so my dentist prescribed dexamethasone to relieve swelling, pain, and inflammation. I’ve had a headache, upset stomach, and the worst case of the jitters. Food doesn’t taste right, and I’m nauseated. I wish I’d been warned of the side effects. I will never agree to take this medication again."

• uwj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2023

For Asthma "I was recovering from a nasty lung infection, and I was coughing up a lot. Two weeks later, the cough improved a lot, but my lungs were still wheezy, and breathing deeply caused rumbling in my lungs. The doctor gave me a two-day course of 12 mg of these tablets to help cut down the inflammation of the lungs. I was scared to take these as I'm prone to having anxiety/mood issues, and I saw some of the other comments here. Luckily, the dose did have some side effects, but nothing I wasn't able to handle. I took them at 8 a.m. each day, and the peak side effects were around noon. Mainly feeling a bit jumpy, having a headache, and feeling sort of floaty. In the evening, I did have a harder time falling asleep, but I still was able to sleep through the night. My lungs feel a ton better, and my appetite improved, which was a huge relief. I also noticed a significant decrease in chest pain. I think for such a short 2-day dose, even though high, it was helpful."

• Sai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced "I'm given 8 mg IV dexamethasone prior to chemo. You are then prescribed dexamethasone 4 mg orally at breakfast and lunchtime post-chemo for 3 days. The first time I took it, I thought I was losing my head - the headache was mind-blowing, unrelieved by paracetamol. Never again, I’ll put up with the nausea. My weight also ballooned, and I couldn’t stop eating. Dreadful stuff!!"

• ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2025

"Took 2 mg to help with dizziness and headaches, 2 months post concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which finished in Dec 24. Seems that others in similar positions were provided with dex much more proactively, i.e., during radiotherapy, which seems to have been a more successful approach. I'm day 3. Has helped a little, but dizziness is still hanging about. Maybe earlier it or a heavier dose may have been prudent. I'm not sure though if the way I'm feeling is due to the dex, as it outlines dizziness and headaches as side effects... difficult to know if it's been effective, tbh..."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2016

For Inflammatory Conditions "I've started on this medication yesterday for a pinched nerve down from my back to my leg, and I am feeling much better already, but I am now having bad headaches, almost feeling like a migraine."