Dexamethasone and Swelling: What Users Say

• Deb...
• February 1, 2017

For Inflammatory Conditions "I had spinal stenosis. Severe nerve pain stemming from my neck, painkillers do not work on this sort of thing. I went from severe pain to normal within an hour. 4 mg daily for a week. After my prescription ran out that last week, the pain returned and I couldn't get the doctor to give me more, so I had surgery in PA. They were amazing! They fixed my spine, however, the pain was off the charts after, and I didn't understand why I had to fight to get this amazing drug! Over the weekend, I had to be rushed to the hospital due to severe pain from my surgery and swelling. I begged for this medicine. Gave me a shot, relief! Ahhh, I love this drug. It works like no other."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ber...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2018

For Inflammatory Conditions "Twice in a year I've had acute sinus infections. The first was a blocked sinus pathway due to inflammation, and I was given two Z-packs a month apart and got worse with secondary bronchitis. The third month, I was given a 10 mg dexamethasone muscular injection, and I began feeling better within 30 minutes. I was normal for about 5 months. The second had inflammation in my tear ducts and had allergic conjunctivitis that doesn't manifest the same as viral or bacterial. After a month of my eyes tearing without a cause, it turned to a sore throat because I didn't know I had pink eye. I was then treated with a Z-pack and bacterial drops for my eyes. Eyes, nose, throat, and breathing became worse the next few days. On the third day, I went back and was prescribed eye drops for inflammation and a 10 mg IM dexamethasone. Within an hour, I was feeling so much better, and now my eyes have gone from pink to moderately bloodshot to mild to moderate bloodshot eyes, sore throat gone, and a slight cough without fire in my throat."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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!"

• 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."

• Esm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2022

For Inflammatory Conditions "Tooth extraction - 3 days left felt so unwell, high temp, vomiting, racing pulse. Went to A&E, suspected sepsis, further tests revealed, day after, infected swollen airway, couldn’t swallow, morphine wasn’t touching throat pain. Started this steroid by IV as soon as found. Instant results, swelling went down, I could swallow, and 28 hours later, I was discharged with oral antibiotics. I can’t sleep yet, my face is bright red, which I was warned about, and I feel a bit low, but the benefits have far outweighed these side effects. As the doctor said, it’s instantly impacted your airway and stopped the swelling in its tracks."