Stomach bloating from Decadron?

hope · 11-19-2005, 08:35 PM

Hi all, Well I just got new a new sypmtom. Somatach fullness and distention. I called onc on calll today about this. He thinks it might be due to decradron retaining water in stomach. Has anyone heard of this? I am taking only 2mg of Decadron per day for brain mets and radiation pneumonitis. I am also taking potassium and phosporus because my levels have been low. Have any of you experienced these symptops while on decadron, potassium or phosporus. I have to call my regular onc on Monday to see what she says. I am getting new CT scans and MRI on abdomen/pelvis right after Thanksgiving. I pray that everythig is shrinking or at least staying stable. Prayers are needed .This is always such a stressful time for me since as you know, I am running out options. I willl update you on my results when I get them. By the way, my latest MRI on brain met 3 weeks ago showed that my brain met is stable. Thank God! The neurosurgeon believes that what I have is brain necrosis, more than active cancer on brain due to Gamma Knife on same site twice. Take care and God bless you all.

StephN · 11-20-2005, 12:53 AM

Dear Hope -
No that is a new one on me.
However, I did have the "moon face" effect and the fluid and puffiness in my neck and shoulders. Before I finished the taper-off I was noticing some fluid retention around me knees and waist.
You have stayed on this mean drug for a very long time by now. I imagine the side effects will be slow to go away and can even keep mounting up with such prolonged use.
I drank a LOT of water and herb teas while on that stuff. Probably almost twice normal amount. I thought this was part of the cause of my bloating, as my body was not used to processing so much fluid.
The decadron also is constipating and this can cause the stomach to distend somewhat. The Senna tea helped take care of that problem. And don't forget the prunes!

I sure hope that brain met is only dead tissue now!

11-20-2005, 06:14 AM

I have severe abdominal distention from decadron. It is a side effect. Rare, but it does happen. I look like I am 7 months pregnant. No joke. My onc says it will take about a month after I go off the decadron for it to start going away. I currently take 3 days a week.

athena453 · 11-22-2005, 11:08 AM

Hi Ladies,

I just finished taxotere and carboplatin (with Herceptin) as adjuvant chemo after AC. I was dx stage 3C in 5/05. I had nausea and vomiting even with all the meds, so they upped my dose of decadron with the last two chemo. My stomach was VERY bloated and distended. It was very uncomfortable and I can really sympathize with you. I also gained 15 lbs. in a few days, all water weight. It did come off quickly for me after I stopped with the steroids. I found that avoiding carbonated beverages helped tremendously.

hope · 11-22-2005, 10:04 PM

Thanks for your support with my stomach problems. I willl certainly take some of your suggestions. God bless you.

11-23-2005, 01:18 PM

Hi, Hope--

It's Stephanie, from San Marcos. I was thinking about you the other day, and was wondering how you were doing.

My mom has aweful stomach bloating from the decadron. She gains 10-15 lbs of water after taking the steriod. Also, her potassium is really low, and I'm sure it's also from the steriod. We went back over all her blood work for the past couple of years, and her potassium didn't start to drop until she started decadron. There's something called Cushing's Syndrome which one can get from steriod use--among other things the symptoms include moon face, abdominal bloating, a "hump" on the upper back from bloating and low potassium.

I will be praying for you--I hope your scans go well.

jojo · 11-25-2005, 03:30 PM

Hope,

I had been on decadron for a good number of months (I think 5 months or even 6) at the beginning of this year 2005, and besides fluid retention (gained 20-25 pounds), I also experienced stomach bloating (just about everyday, right after any meal). Plus, I also found that Aciphex (stomach acid break-down) to be really helpful. Perhaps you might want to try that, or Pepcid AC, or Prisolec (both over the counter), or Nexium. Both Aciphex & Nexium require a prescription from a doctor. All of them did not work for me, except for Aciphex, which was an absolute god-send!

Wishing you best of luck, and please do keep us posted.... I often think of you. Take good care of yourself, Hope.

And happy holidays! :-) God bless you.