There are 62 ratings for the drug: DECADRON in the Askapatient database.

Key to ratings for decadron: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken		Date Added
				F  M
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5	severe allergies and asthma	The only side effects are higher levels of energy which causes me to actually lose weight! Not a bad thing for me!	I have nothing bad to say as of yet and I get around 4 shots of 10 mg a year. I also take maintenance doses when needed. After reading all comments it appears it helps allergy needs and henders chemo patients makes me wonder if its the decedron or the chemo?	F	39	4 years		1/7/2010
2	Pinched nerve in neck/shoulder	Severe anxiety, jittery, skin feels hot (like sunburn), flushed cheeks, occasional chills, stomach upset, insomnia, malaise, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate.	I was given one shot of Decadron (unknown dosage) at the emergency room to help with an extremely painful pinched nerve in my neck. My neck does feel better, but the side effects are awful. I have panic disorder, and this just made my anxiety at least double. This is the third day after the shot (max half-life), so I think it's slowly going out of my system now.	M	36	1 times		12/30/2009
1	chronic pain from spine problems	Third day swelling of limbs, terrible muscle weakness and vertigo, crying and feeling very anxious. I am stopping this drug immediately		F	66	4 days		12/23/2009 Email
3	brain tumor, vomiting from swelling	manic - I couldn't stop doing stuff, I felt "10 feet tall and bullet-proof", angry at everyone especially if they didn't listen to me and do what I wanted, unreasonable, insomnia - slept for only 3 hours a night (after taking a sleeping pill.)	This drug really helped with the tumor swelling but the side effects are horrible - ask my fiancee - I was pretty mean and made her cry all the time. I was weaned off once but had to go back on it because of vomiting from tumor swelling	M	59	5 months		11/13/2009
1	After brain tumor was removed	Everything, hot flashes mood swings, rages, beligerant remarks to caregivers, and the list goes on	I would be interested to know if anyone knows how the doctor's determine how long a patient should take this drug, and how they determine the dose? Also what dose someone was receiving after brain surgery? And what the side effects are if stopped suddenly?	M	27	4 days		11/3/2009 Email
1	swelling post gamma knife surgery	My father has had about every side effect listed for drug, the worst being it has robbed him of all muscle in his legs and he can't walk now. So weak, in rehab trying to build up muscle again.	Do not take this drug unless there is no other option!	M	72	2.5 months		10/28/2009
5	Bronchodilator	Had to pee constantly. Kept me awake for three days.	Couldn't breath, went to the doctor and I've got bronchitis. Got a Decadron shot in one hip and a Rocephin shot in the other hip. Doc also put me on Cipro. The shot was like magic. I could breath again within thirty minuets like I wasn't even sick.	M	38	1 days		9/26/2009
1	brain tumour - radiation	facial swelling, insatiable appetite, paranoia, delusions, manic behavior, hallucinations, rages	This is my mother. The drug has put her in the hospital and may kill her. The dr says she can't just stop it but must withdraw over a couple of months	F	76	45 days		8/28/2009
1	Brain tumor/brain swelling	My husband has been treated for a brain tumor and was put on Decadron. He experienced the following: Puffy face, depression, just sort of became a statue and did not interact, and if did, was mean and nasty -- not normal personality. Weakness, difficulty walking, muscle atrophy. On top of all of that, the constant peeing and not making it to the bathroom became a nightmare 24/7. Had to take him to the bathroom (as he was too confused to use a urinal) every 2 hours day and night, and at that became a huge customer of Depends. What a nightmare. His surgeon did not want him on it, but his oncologist won out. It was a nightmare. Had we known, we would not have ever used it.	we have been tapering off now for the last few months VERY slowly, are almost off, and already some of the issues are getting better, but if all of these were caused by this (and the timing of everything would suggest that) then how in the world long will it be to have them gone? Horrid stuff!		59	5 months		8/23/2009
4	Costochondritis and asthma	Leg cramps, shoulder pain	I am one of the few that love this medication. I get a shot roughly once every 3 months. The first night after I receive the injection my legs cramp and my shoulder hurts (I get the injection in my arm) but almost instantly I feel my airway open up and I can breathe! I'll take the leg pain for one night over days of not being able to breathe and chest pain.	F	28	1 years		7/21/2009 Email
1	Given mistakenly	This drug was sheer "hell". I went to my doctor for a B-12 shot and he mistakenly gave me someone else's Decadron injection of 8 mgs. Since it is long acting the symptoms changed and varied. I had initially racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, and had racing thoughts. I was sure I was headed to the ER. The headache was unbearable. The insomnia was unbearable. As it was a time released injection, the second week I had severe nausea, dizziness, profuse sweating and hives all over my body. The third week added devastating fatigue, visual disturbances, weakness, more dizziness. It's unbearable. My immune system seems to be down and I'm picking up everything.	It's been 4 weeks since I was given this injection (mistakenly) and it is still not out of my body. I am so sick, and pray that I am not going to get sicker. Does anyone have an idea as to when this will finally dwindle out of my system? I'm disgusted and so ill.	F	54	1 days		6/7/2009 Email
5	throat swelling - possible allergy	no side effects yet, 12 hours after shot in hip, little pain at injection site	Within about 1 hour my symptoms were reduced considerably and I was able to go home.	F	44	1 days		4/15/2009
3	suspected brain tumor	Been two months since my last post guys. Just wanted everyone to know that most of the joint pain is gone and seems to get better and better. Just wanted to offer y'all some hope out there that it does come to an end. God Bless.		M	41	3 months		4/11/2009
5	canker sores		Decadron along with Kenalog has been a wonder "drug" for the relief of canker sores. (inside my mouth)I have at times had 15 to 20 lesions and with the shot of 30mgs of kenalog and1/2 to a full cc of decadron the pain and lesions begin to dissapear within a couple of days.	M	73	10 years		3/27/2009 Email
5	brain lesion	mistake in my previous post. i was on this stuff for four months. hope this helps		M	40	4 months		2/28/2009
5	Brain Lesion	Was originally put on this because I was told that I had a brain tumor in my brain stem. Effects while I took this was mania, roid rage, extreme insomnia, moon face, weight gain, and tired easily. Found out that the doctor misdiagnosed me as the lesion in my brain got smaller (thank God). Have been off for nine weeks and this stuff is still not out of me. I have swollen hands, join pain that makes it hard to stand at first and walk. This stuff did it's job but I hate it with a passion. God willing I will never have the need for it again but if I do, I will ask the doctor for something else. Does anyone have an idea how long this stuff takes to completely leave your system? Forgot to mention, last three weeks I have broken out in acne all over my chest, shoulders and back. My dosage of this stuff was 12 mg per day when I was on it.	Words can't describe how much I HATE what this stuff does to you.	M	41	3.5 days		2/22/2009 Email
2	ITP	I experienced all of the side effects listed, was on up to 40mg per day for over 6 months. ITP eventually went into remission, but I have had teriible joint pain and fatigue since getting off the medication in September. This is ruining by quality of life and no doctors can figure out why I have these symptoms or long they might last. Has anyone else had a simular experience. I used to run and work out every day; now I can barely get out of bed. I alsdo took predinisone for for 3-4 months prior to the decadron, but it did not work on my ITP.		F	52	180 days		1/2/2009 Email
4	terminal metastatic 'liver' cancer	Yes I have moon face, edema, stiff joints, etc. I even have added a diuretic to ease some side effects. This is a LONG Term treatment.	I've tried to come off the drug twice (I get tired of the side effects.) BUT, the benefits always inspire me to start again. It helps control my pain (|I wear an opiate patch otherwise) and it helps control the nausea.	F	41	9 months		12/21/2008
1	thrombocytopenia	anxiety, horrendous acid/heartburn, dizziness,headachey,blurred vision,racing heart beat, pain in throat, shortness of breath. Been off for three days and feel terrible. (4mg X 10 per day for 4 days)	Its disgusting how I feel - I think I will probably end up in the er before this is over because I feel like I'm having a heart attack.	F	64	4 days		12/7/2008
1	Pinched cervical nerve	Was given large IV dose then "tapered off" via oral (30 mg/day!). While the IV dose did eliminate the intolerable pain nearly instantly, after affects were terrible. While taking, my hands swelled considerably and I was extremely apprehensive. Worst problems began about 12 hours after last dose. I felt like I was "slowing down" and leaving my body. Looking down to the ground from a 3rd floor balcony looked no different than looking down at my feet. Completely lost my sense of taste and feeling in my mouth though it did not feel numb. Was hospitalized with steroid psychosis and truly felt I would die the first night by falling asleep. Monitor technician repeatedly came to room to check connections as my vitals became extremely low. For over a week I could only walk--VERY slowly--by shuffling my feet. Took nearly two weeks for my sense of taste to return. Could barely stand riding in a car as I involuntarily moved with the motions of the car to the point th	While the IV mega-dose did appear to releave an acute situation, the after affects were terrifying, dangerous and extremely costly. Should a neurosurgeon ever prescribe similar for you, watch out! I had taken a steroid (prednisone) twice on previous occasions without any adverse affects.	M	35	14 days		11/2/2008
1	Brain tumour/radiation	Severe weight gain, lassitude and mood swings, elevated anger levels, debilitating pedal/abdominal edema and fluid retention	No noticeable symptoms on initial dosage (2 mg 2pd, tapered over 2-3 weeks, Dec 07); later (indiscriminate) application (May-Aug 08) led to severe bloating/edema, impaired mobility, and mood swings. ¶ Those concerned with quality, rather than quantity, of life should be prepared to be *very* proactive with service providers about dosage and follow-up: this is one nasty-ass drug with some nightmarish side-effect potential, and requires CAREFUL and CONSISTENT monitoring. (I'm presuming an irreplaceably high degree of effectiveness in treatment of the primary condition here; if not, it should be avoided at all costs.)	M	47	3 months		8/12/2008
1	Brain Tumor	Extreme weight gain 5 -10 lbs/ week. Raging paranoia and temper flares beginning after 1-2 days. Extreme swelling of neck and face. Dehabilitaiting loss of calf muscle leading to inability to walk 2-3 months). Extreme arm skin discoloration. Uncontrolable appetite. Dangerous increased uncontrollable blood sugar (non diabetic) beware of this!	The cascade of side affects of this drug drove the adminstering of a cocktail of drugs to counter all the effects of the decadron. This drug lead caused my mother to become to uncontrollable and debilitated that she could not be cared for at home. As a result of the effects of the Decadron, she was then overdosed with other drugs to counter her uncontrollable anger and force her to be bedridden. After she could no longer walk more drugs were administered. Her blood sugar climbed so high that it would not register on the meters. The doctors were so intent on escalating the dosage all of these drugs they totally lost site of the basic requirements to support life. After being diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor, my wonderfully healthy Mother deteriorated every minute after she was given Decadron. There was no medical treatment that provided any benefit to her. There is not enough room here to explain, but I warn you that I am 100% certain that Decadron destroyed my Mothers	F	85	180 days		6/17/2008 Email
5	Asthma	I was given an injection of Decadron & Kenalog this morning to relieve respiratory distress that I was experiencing. The injection was given to me in my upper left fatty hip area. There was no pain during or at the injection site, nor was there any burning or soreness afterwards. I did however feel a great relief in my shortness of breath within an hour of receiving the injection. I was also given Symbicort, an inhalation aerosol, in addition to the ProAir HFA that I was already using. My doctor suggested that I get the Decadron & Kenalog injection at the beginning of every Spring and Fall, since this was the time frame I normally have problems with my Asthma. I was told it would last up to 3 months. It was a life saver for me!	THANK YOU!	F	49	1 days		6/7/2008
1	brain tumor, presumed swelling	sweats, intolerble mood swings, STARVING all thetime, fluid retention, severe weight gain, terrible bone pain when tapering drug	Shoul not be prescribed...SO VIOLENT	F	25	2 months		6/3/2008
3	Reduction of intracranial pressure	Constant hunger! Joint pain once I started tapering off the medication. Water retention.		F	25	28 days		3/29/2008
2	Inflammatory Skin Condition	I took a short burst, of .25 pills. 5 pills the first day, 4 the second, down to 1 on the 5th day. Despite the lower dose-I had significant side effects that did more harm than good. Extreme feelings of stress, anger, irritability, etc. Feeling like I was fed up with everything and had no tolerance. Some agitation, anxiety, revved up feeling. Ravenous--eating everything in sight at night. Increased metabolism, feeling like I was on speed. Also-more flaring/inflammation in some areas. Constant dull headache-back of head. Some more acute pain at base of skull when moved head. Started having what felt like deep-rooted bone or muscular pain in legs and lower part of body. I did have some enhanced cognition-as if I could suddenly understand things more clearly, more efficient, think smarter, etc. but I was too hyper. I also noticed a dramatic increase in Obsessive Compulsive thoughts and behaviors. This was not a good drug for me, and I don't intend to take it again. The side	Although some skin areas seemed less inflammed at first, and were drying up- they were outweighed by increased inflammation and flaring. The drug not only seemed to cause some inflammation; but it increased my stress level, anxiety, and OCD to the point where it was much harder not to react to the skin. I felt on a very acute edge of stress, aggravation, etc. Not good to help the skin! The secondary effects on emotion and behavior did more harm to my skin than any small benefits originally. By increasing my stress/anxiety level, it probably increased skin flares. I could not handle how I felt on this drug, even at a short burst on a lower dose. Felt like it was making me crazy, with some confusion.	F	48	5 days		3/18/2008 Email
3	Post tx for brain tumor	Increased appetite, in a fog, short temper, restlessness and fatigue, bloating, mood swings, some weight gain, desire to eat more sweets, muscle weakness, sleep pattern turned upside down, indigestion that lead to mock cardiac symptoms (chest pain radiating to back and sweating) and a trip to the ER.	I was on 4 mg a day (to start then pushed to less after issues came up) recently (post Cyber Knife radiation treatment for brain tumor) which is not a high dose from what I know. This stuff is wicked and I was on this (assume a higher dose) after having brain tumor removed surgically years ago. I understand that I was IMPOSSIBLE to deal with when I was on the drug the first time. My wife thought that they had cut a wire when they were in removing the tumor. She told them that was not the man she married 15 years ago. This drug managed my issue, headaches post treatment but wow, the price I paid in all the uncomfortableness and side effects. This time, I was on this drug for 11 days total and completed my last dose today and thankful I don't need to take it again. In fact, if they try and prescribe in future, I'll ask for something else.	M	44	11 days		3/16/2008
4	severe pain/osteoartritis/spinal	(see 2 earlier posts) OFF the Decadron for about 6 months per orders from spine surgeon prior to fusion of L4/L5--now tpaerd on from 2 mg./day (too little) down to .5 mg per day. Great help with neuropathy and joint pain. Not 100% as I take Lyrica and occasional Vicodin at night. Most serious effects are extereme thinning/bruising of skin.	Other early side efffects reported (somnolence/mood) are behind me.	M	73	2 years		3/12/2008 Email
3	Migrane rebounds	Bloating, constipation, skin felt like sunburn. Weight gain. Felt like a coating on my tongue, nothing tasted right, was so hungry,,,,	I guess it was worth the side affects. It did stop the migrane I was suffering from for 2 weeks.	F	52	4 days		3/5/2008 Email
2	reduce swelling for brain lesions	head pressure, swelling in face,feet, hands, dizzy, weight gain, blurry vision, muscle pain in legs difficult to walk, back pain, skin feels like sunburn.	wondering how long side effects will last, just weened off it and symptoms feel worse	M	48	8 days		2/23/2008 Email
3	Head Cancer	Severe Wieght gain, moon face, insomnia, serious mood swings and behaviour changes. The worst is the leg pain. Intense severe cramping in knees & thighs. Hospitalized and put on morphine. Lasted 2-7 days. This comes and goes and have had about 4 episodes.	Did help relieve nerve pain in face. The cancer is terminal	F	52	3 months		1/19/2008
1	Brain Tumor	25% weight gain, massive lymph build up below the hips, insomnia (as in 72+ hours w/o sleep), swollen feet, rage mixed with depression, enhanced memory recall and idea connectivity, crazy feelings, insatiable appetite and thirst.	This was the wrong drug for me as the type of tumor indicated a very different therapy. I can only hope it is used sparingly as it took me 6 weeks to titrate from it. The withdrawal symptoms must be akin to highly addictive substances as I felt like a junkie trying to kick heroin.	M	37	9 weeks		11/21/2007 Email
5	autoimmune + inability to swallow	bone pain in broad bones, i.e.shoulder blades	I was a long-term prednisone patient and experienced nearly all the side-effects listed here, but I literally have no other side effects from Decadron beyond the bone pain. I would suggest that others try different glucocorticosteroids because obviously this is the one that works for me, while a milder drug (prednisone) caused major damage. Decadron gave me my life back, I take it in pulses of 6 days on/2 weeks off.	F	43	8 months		11/14/2007 Email
1	Reduce swelling after brain surgery	My husband has been taking this for 1 week to reduce brain swelling after brain tumor surgery. He has turned into the meanest most enraged person I ever met. Me and my children are thinking of moving into a motel until he is off this medication because we are scared of him and what he will do. He has broken nearly 100 items in our home this week. If he cannot find a cup, he breaks everything in kitchen, then cries for hours. What the hell is this drug doing to him? I asked doctors and they told me its called"roid rage" and it is common and to stick it out.. well, me and my kids do not need to live with a timebomb either. Don't take this drug unless your life depends on it!		M	53	7 days		11/13/2007
2	surgeries-VHL Brain Lesions	From Decadron: Moonface-Moonstomach. High-energy Insomnia. Compulsiveness. Mood Swings and Mind Racing. Taste Change. Loss of some Teeth. Skin breakdown due to Staph Overrun. Legs & Feet Edema at times. Hunger for Sweets. Hallucinations. Odd Itches. Cataracts. Suffocating Feeling. Muscle Wasting led to Inabilty to Walk. Repeat Pseudomonas Pneumonias. Hiccups. Bone Pain. Some Tremors. Some Blurry Vision. Weight Gain. Dizziness. To make it worse, Prednisolone bag was hung in post-ops. Most recent--Multiple Spine Fractures led to tube feeds. My broher takes Decadron 6mg. daily to decrease the likelihood of bloodvessels leaking fluid into his brain and to control inflammation. Now, he's alive & lucid, but the only function he can perform without medical assistance is using a tv remote. Prescribed Steroids continue to cause most of his complications and post-op disabilities.	Unfortunately, this potent steroid interferes with immune system and essential body bilogy and can greatly impact quality of life. Not a good long-term solution. I think it should only be taken for brain & organ-saving events and then the smallest dose that will do the job.	M	47	4.5 years		10/28/2007
1	nausea for breast cancer	CONSTANT HEADACHE	I WILL NEVER TAKE THIS DRUG AGAIN!!	F	37	7 days		10/12/2007
1	brain tumor	Um all of the side effects. Confusion, raging bitch, MOON FACE, gaining like 35 lbs., insomnia, constipation, acne, sweating, bone pain (when weening off...take oxycodone), muscle deterioration, urgancy to pee, facial hair growth(that was fun).	Where should I begin?!? So my butt went to my gut and I looked like I had my wisdom teeth pulled in the middle of worse acne ever. I would swear like it was my job. F-bombs were my favorite. If I was talking to you...I would forget what I was saying halfway through. I was afraid to take a bath. I ran around in Depends. WORSE DRUG EVER!	F	21	5 months		10/3/2007
1	brain tumor	Experienced them all: severe swelling- head, neck legs. Muscle weakness. pneumonia, kidney failure, diabetes, paranoia, loss of appetite.	this drug and its wild cascade of symptoms killed my mother.	F	71	6 weeks		7/3/2007
2	Nausea due to Chemotherapy	Bloating, puffiness, weight gain and constipation	Hi! I have Stage IIB breast cancer for which I had a bi-lateral mastectomy in Dec 2006. Started chemo treatment (CMF) mid Jan 2007. Decadron + EMEND + Zofran were prescribed for side effects. I too would like to know how to get it out of my system as I'll finish chemo shortly. I'm going to have Lymphatic drainage (for lymphdema) as soon as dr ok's it and know that will help. I am also trying more alternative options like the Ionic foot bath....don't know if it is wasted money but seems to help. As soon as radiation burn area is totally healed, I will do the Oxygen bath and far-infrared therapy for detox. While these are "spa" treatments, I've done these and again, it seems to help by flushing the body fluids. Of course, not covered by insurances :-( Cancer is a big business....after my radiation burns, I contacted one of the National Burn Centers.....was told (off the record) that their protocol is NOT to radiate BC patients with tissue expanders....frustrated to	F	47	5 months		5/30/2007 Email
1	Multiple Sclerosis	SEVERE muscle atrophy in legs, nausea, decreased potassium levels, hallucinations, bone and joint pain, severe mood swings, hypoglycemia, and steroid-induced myopathy.	Doctor misdiagnosed me as having a severe MS attack (actually had a fratured sacral not MS) and ruined my life with this drug. My leg muscles disappeared literally within just days leaving me in a wheelchair for months with steroid-induced myopathy. If anybody wants to give you this drug run awaying screaming as far and as fast as you can.	M	54	12 days		5/21/2007
1	Acute Contact Dermatitis	Insatiable Appetite, Weight Gain with fluid retention (14lbs in 10 days) symptoms of psychosis, bi-polar symptoms... 4mg bid	almost 1 year later, still retain fluid, 30lbs heavier, distention, bph, high blood pressure... insomnia... joint pain... Fear Cushing's.	M	40	10 days		5/17/2007
4	spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis	skin is very thin, subject to cuts and brusies. Most/all early side effects now gone (somnolence, mood changes, etc.) Side effects an acceptable trade-off for pain relief.	(see earlier post of 4/06) Have been on maintenance dose of .5 mg/day for almost 1 year. In 2 attempts to withdraw, pain came back with a vengeance about 2-3 days after cessation.	M	72	1 years		5/4/2007
1	ITP-Platelet Disorder	Insomnia, irritability, achy muscles in legs, confusion, nervousness, upset stomach, indigestion, loss of taste	My doctor told me to take 10 4mg tablets but I knew from prior episode with itp that 40mg had me in a fog for quite some time so I only took 8mg and still had hidious side effects.	F	44	4 days		4/13/2007
1	For Chemotherapy/Nausa	Huge weight gain, swollen ankles, moon face, anxiety, hand foot syndrome.	I want to know how to remove this horrible drug from my body, I have been off it for 6 months and the side effects are still here. I am told it is stored in tissues and fat cells. There must be a way to detoxify it. Please help if you know of any way.	F	48	9 months		3/23/2007
1	Brain Lesions - CNS Vasculitis	Took 3 weeks for me to keep anything down when I first started it. Ended up in ER for dehydration and receiving Decadron by IV. Spinning, dizziness, insomnia, extreme hallucinations, psychosis, gained 60 pounds in the last 6 weeks (although no increase in appetite or eating behavior, muscle wawasting, weakness, Gross Edema - double chin the size of a papaya, looked like I was wearing an Edwardian collar, Hyperglycemia, short-term memory loss, confusion, muscle wasting, rash, acne, excess Keratin in facial skin I could scrape off with my finger nails, thrush mouth (the worst), asthma attacks when it wore off before the next dose - I felt like I couldn't breath, hump on back, "Cushing's Syndrome" appearance, excess hair on face (like male) - then when it came back out after ceasing the medication, it took more with it, tremors, night sweats,DVT (blood clot that caused hospitalization), stomach ulcer, blurred vision, and on and on. I'M SURE I'M FORGETTING SOME THINGS SINCE I	I was only on this medication for 58 days in 2001. A few side effects ceased as soon as I quit taking the medication. Many of the side effects continued and did not start backing off until 2003. They gradually started backing off and still doing this until 2007. I was told by a doctor at Cleveland Clinic that I was highly sensitive to this medication. I was also told that I would most probably be dead had I not taken this medication. I was also told that I could've been put on a different drug. I will not take this medication ever again and I was advised not too, although no one needed to tell me that!	F	46	58 days		3/10/2007 Email
3	Chemotherapy--to prevent reactin	Severe insomnia, acne, increased appetite and weight gain, irritability.	Taking in IV 3 times a month to prevent allergic reaction to Taxol chemotherapy. I know decadron can prevents life-threatening allergic reactin, but side effects are getting to me.	F	43	10 months		1/9/2007
1	chronic incapacitating migraines	CUSHING'S DISEASE	PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE! My neurologist prescribed it because nothing else could break my migraines. However I developed exogenous Cushing's and now I am very, very sick. Cushing's is a life threatening disorder and you do NOT want to get it.	F	52	10 years		11/29/2006
1	brain swelling maybe...head aches	Hallucenations...things flying up and hitting me in the face, words on a page disappearing, seeing someone looking at me, etc. Swelling of face and neck, weakness of muscles, sweats (all time of the day and night), rash (like acne) on chest and face, feeling of unreality, not able to tell if real or not, hungry all of the time, anger when first coming off of the drug, muscle pain in bones and joints feeling like it was coming from deep within the bones or muscles, insomnia...no sleep but an hour here and there for days, confused. Had trouble breathing felt like my chest muscles were closing off my breathing. Felt helpless!	I will NEVER take this drug again....I'd rather be shot. This drug should be taken off of the market. Even after coming off of it I am still experiencing the side effects. I called poison control and they advised me that the drug should be completely out of my system....so why am I still having the adverse reactions??	F	45	36 days		11/11/2006 Email
1	Brain Tumor	Nausea, decreased potassium levels, severe muscle atrophy in upper and lower extremities, hallucinations, edema, bone pain, sores, fluid retention, severe weight loss, mood swings.	This drug led to the death of my mother.	F		4 days		11/5/2006
1	Brain Tumor	Nausea, decreased potassium levels, severe muscle atrophy in upper and lower extremities, hallucinations, edema, bone pain, sores, fluid retention, severe weight loss, mood swings.	This drug led to the death of my mother.	F		4 months		11/5/2006
1	brain surgery and radiation	When I tapered off it I woke in the morning with pain in my elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. It felt like the pain was coming from deep in my bones. I cannot even begin to describe how badly it hurt. It was definitly crippling and hurt so bad it made me cry like a little kid.	When I tapered off it I woke in the morning with pain in my elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. It felt like the pain was coming from deep in my bones. I cannot even begin to describe how badly it hurt. It was definitly crippling and hurt so bad it made me cry like a little kid. I took a bunch of Oxycodone and waited for the pain to subside. After that episode I went back up in dosage on the decadron and that made all the difference. My Dr. says he's never heard of anything like this, but other people have. Go Figure.	F	27	2.5 months		11/5/2006
4	reduce brain swelling	steroid myopathy of large muscles		M	60	2.5 years		9/15/2006
1	ifarcted 5 6 7 cervical dis	blew up like a balloon, 15 # in 7 days, moon face, neck swollen so bad I was choking and aspirating my own secretions when talking, or aspirated what I drank and ate. legs esp feet so big looked like I was in CHF,.worse part was my belly!!! Still a problem unresolved after being off the drug for 4 months. complicated my breathing, had to have a pulmonary function test, and now an endoscopy cause I feel pressure up against my diaphram which restricts my breathing esp with activity or bending over..COMPLETELY DESTROYED MY FLAT BELLY THAT I FINALLY FOUND A YEAR AGO AFTER SCRAPING UP EVERY PENNY I HAD FOR LIPO, AND TUCK..RUINED. THE SWELLING SO BAD...LIKE I WAS 6 MONTHS PREGNANT,..MAYBE STRETCH, AND LOOSENED TUMMY MUSCLES THAT WERE TIGHTENED. CAN NOT UNDERSTAND IF DECADRON IS TO REDUCE SWEELING,.WHY DOES IT CREATE IT, AND IF IT IS SUPPOSE TO IMPROVE BREATHING,.WHY DID IT AFFECT MINE SO BADLY? i LOOKED LIKE A FREAK! SCARED PEOPLE..WARN EVERYONE NOT TO EVER TAKE THIS DRUG,..FIND ANOTHER. THI	totally destroyed my tummy tuck with lipo,..8 thous $ down the drain...and worse part is that my mid drift looks worse than before I had the lipo..was almost flat, sunk in,..now poofed out and hard,..can't breath well. wanted the tummy tuck 30 yrs..got it now this!	F	53	2 months		8/23/2006 Email
1	lower back pain/swelling	moon face,bloated stomach,personality/mood change,hungry all the time, badly swollen from hips down, tremors in hands, nightmares, night sweats, etc.	It is a drug that should be taken off the market. I got off the medicine a month ago and the side affects are still there. Why would any doctor prescribe this to anyone?	M	71	1 months		7/12/2006 Email
1	brain tumor	Fatigue with insomnia, loss of taste/appetite with ravenous hunger, headaches, hallucinations, the list goes on and on. AND ON. Worst part was wanting to hurt people and smash things all the time, but somehow knowing that doing so wouldn't help.	Decadron is evil in pill form. I'm sure it's good for something, but all it did for me was crush my existing symptoms under an avalanche of side-effects. Once you're on it, you have to stay on it, and the side-effects get worse as you taper down the dosage. I can think of no reason that I would take this drug again short of preservation of life.	M	29	14 days		5/3/2006
1	Brain Tumor	I call this Mickey Mouse medicine. Moon Face look, Swollen ankles, Rash (kind of like acne) on chest and face, Muscle pain and weakness, hair is starting to grow on my chin and lip. Joint pain	I have to take it to stay alive long enough for this surgery to remove the brain tumor. It is a necessary evil. Surgery is 4/27/06 so hopefully i will be off it a few weeks after.	F	28	2 months		4/13/2006 Email
4	advanced lower spinal pian	insomnia, obsessive/compulsive behaviour, unusual high-energy Insomnia bad, but acceptable as I work as a Consultant, so getting up at 3AM is not so bad, as compared to the pain.	70 year old fit male with severe lower spine degradation-- --worked great--NO PAIN almost immediately. Started with 2 x 1mg daily--then after 3-4 days--tapered to 2 x 1/2 mg daily--then (now) off completely 14 days later. Pain returning now--will seek a maintenance dose of .5mg daily or as needed --down to as low as .5 mg every other day. BF	M	70	14 days		4/1/2006 Email
2	surgery for brain tumor	insatiable appetite, water retention, moon face, severe insomnia, muscle wasting. ) abdominal distention, intestinal issues, Gained 12 pounds, 2nd week of taking drug. Currently 5 weeks post surgery still have 'moon face' and all weight gain although appetite is near normal, insomnia is gone.	Abdomen is still distended. I HATED the drug. Maybe it is a necessary evil but I have to believe something is better. Awful to have part of head shaved and then deal with these effects after	F	44	14 days		4/1/2006 Email
3	brain tumor	Hallucinations, paranoia, fear, insatiable appettite, water retention, swollen feet/ankles, blisters on face/chest, facial hair (on female), moon face, severe insomnia, mood swings, euphoria, bone loss, bone/joint pain, muscle wasting, height loss of 2", bad case of the shakes during withdrawal period, and an inability to think clearly the entire time I was on it (like a 24/7 buzz for 4+ weeks).	Decadron is a necessary evil for brain tumors and brain surgery. It does its' job and keeps the swelling down but it has NASTY side effects and we hate it with a passion. I was on a particularly high dose. I did not list all of the side effects I had.	F	29	4 weeks		1/28/2006
1	acute arm pain from discs in neck	Insomina, profuse sweating, depession, skin bruising, high blood pressure, hair loss on head, hair growth on face, bloated face, extreme swollen ankles, weight gain, blurred vision. Since I stopped all muscles ache and spasm.	Drug worked great along with traction; however do not want to take again. 4 pills once a week for 6 months	F	61	6 months		9/26/2005
1	brain tumor	fluid retention, facial hair (female) abdominal distention, leg swelling (large) facial swelling	I hated it, would never take it again, was not informed of side effects when started on drug	F	54	2 months		5/27/2005 Email
1	Severe sciatica	No side effects during taking of decadron. The nightmare started right after I stopped taking it. I developed steroid psychosis manifested by bi-polar symptoms, serious sleep problems, high blood pressure, feeling of being	I took decadron for only 10 days. First 3 days I took 8 mg three times a day (that's 24 mg per day) and decreased the dose over the next 7 days as directed. I never expected that the side effects would be so severe and last for 6 months! I will never take a corticosteroid again!	F	43	10 days		4/15/2005 Email

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Average rating for drug: 2.1. This page is printer-friendly; use landscape print with background color turned on.

Key to ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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