Steroids

Hi Heather, yes I took steroids three days before each of my chemotherapy sessions. I don't know why I had to do this, it was a small dose, but I felt better when I had them. I did have to watch my sugar then as it was in 2001 that I started chemo and it played havoc with readings but I was told they wouldn't do anything to me, because it was only small doses every three weeks and that was for only six months, a lousy six months, but went by like everything else. My son has had a kidney transplant and he must take a small dose every day. It is 14 years now and he doesn't notice any thing from them, but he is also insulin dependent diabetic because of the long time on dialysis before the transplant, also 14 years, but he feels good and works every day. I think he is the strongest man I know. Sorry for the effects they have on you, but they do help some things. I think your doctor is the best one to monitor this kind of thing for you. Best wishes, and good luck.

Heather, I hear you. I have steroids ready to use if necessary. I hate to use them because I get jittery and my mind won't settle. But, I've come to understand that I wouldn't be here today if not for steroids. I too have been diagnosed with diabetis probably earlier than I would have been if not for steroids. The steroids have destroyed my teeth but I wouldn't be here today...

I always weigh the consequences. Yes, I am amazed the energy I often get when on steroids. Once my husband came home to see one wall of our front room painted. This was when I could barely climb the stairs! It took months to finish the room because I was decreasing my dosage of steroids and the energy disappeared.

I don't think there is an easy answer except balance. Bless you and good luck.

Thanks Elsie, Thanks Trish! It gets hard, the thing that affects me the most is the fibromyalgia. The medicine I take for that works but then I am sleepy all the time. Lower dose doesn't work. I was diagnosed 8 years ago. This is why I have a good day and then some bad days. I try to pace myself but I have so much to catch up on the good day that I think it causes the next few days to be bad. On the steroids I can have an even better good day and it is so wonderful to feel normal, like I was a kid again. I worry about the steroid use because it does damage your body like you said Trish. My one friend was on prednisone almost 30 years ago and it killed her pancreas. She has been on insulin ever since and it is hard to watch her go through this nasty disease and not know if this crisis she will lose her foot, or that crisis she will become blind.

I hope your son is doing better! I pray for him and you Elsie. I pray for you too, Trish!

Heather,

I'm sorry for the life of breathing problems you most strive to live with. I'm don't take steroids but know if I went to the doctor for some of my ills I probably would. I once lived as you where there is high humidity and move to a dryer climate now the problems haven't gone away but they are much easier to deal with. As the high humidity levels cause more problems then they are worth while dealing with the breathing problems alone. Just think back in time a bit and you'll see some of the only treatments given were to move to dryer climates and things for the pain.

Thanks Philip! We had always wanted to move to Arizona for that reason plus it is so beautiful out there. We moved to Florida because I need to help my Dad take care of my Mother. When we put our house up for sale in Pa the first person who looked at it bought it cash, with the condition we settle and get out in 3 weeks. We moved down, going out on a limb with no job prospects for my husband. God rewarded us with his getting a position with one of the largest international computer corporations. Now that my parents have passed away there are many things that keep us here. My older daughter moved down got married and had two children. My husband has his life dream of owning a sailboat and we have one in a slip by the Gulf of Mexico. etc. I have more of a life down here, more friends than any other place that I have lived before. I agree with you though, moving would give me a better quality of life health wise.

We pretty much run the air conditioner 24/7 and I have two air filters, one in my bedroom and one in the living room going all the time too. I avoid going out in the humidity when I can, as I can barely function in it. That is one reason we live on the West coast of Florida not in Orlando where the humidity is a constant.

Thanks for writing Philip, I am sorry to hear you have ills. I hope you can get better!