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Melanoma brain mets

Forums General Melanoma Community Melanoma brain mets

  • Post
    AmyM
    Participant
      Hey,
      I just wanted to give an update on my dad. I got great news today that we are aiming for stereotactic radiotherapy next week. I was wondering what the common side effects are? Would you usually be on steroids for a time after it? Would they usually stop targeted therapy while under going SRS?
      Thanks so much for all your help,
      Amy
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    • Replies
        JudiAU
        Participant
          I’ve had brain radiation twice to different spots. I was very tired the first time. The second less so. Any sort of brain radiation is usually just a few times because of the delicacy of the brain tissue. When steroids are prescribed at that time, it usually prescribed to control brain swelling. I wasn’t prescribed them “just because” of radiation or whatever but have had very high doses post surgery when that was a concern. I hope never to take dexamethasone again. It makes me crazy.
          lkb
          Participant
            I had gamma knife for a brain met. I think my fatigue afterward might have been from the Ativan. No other side effects to my knowledge. Every patient is different, of course. For example, the medication that made Judi “crazy” brought me significant relief. Good wishes to you and your dad.
              JudiAU
              Participant
                I’m sorry I was trying to make dex scarier than it should be. Even on a small dosage it is a powerful drug. But I had a medical error that cause me to take 40 mg Daily for more than six weeks after I should have already tapered down. I was indeed crazy
                lkb
                Participant
                  Oh no! That sounds miserable. I don’t know what my own dosage was, but it was just one time post-surgery. I can see that your situation must have been more than difficult.
                Summer S.
                Participant
                  Hi Amy,

                  My mom had just had radiation on brain Mets couple of weeks ago, it went very well and all symptoms related to them like coordination issues and imbalance were resolved. She was on low steroids dose during the two weeks of the therapy, then it was reduced gradually. We did not see any side effects but significant hair loss.

                  I hope it works well for your dad too

                  Love,
                  S.

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