Weaning off corticosteroids
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Weaning off corticosteroids

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Weaning off corticosteroids

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    • August 2, 2018 at 5:19 am
    Sardinia
    Participant

    A good friend of mine has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma, in which it spread to 3 spots on her brain, 1 spot on her colon and 1 on her lung on  May 10 of this year; I didn't find out until the end of May. At the time she was still herself, as in walking, talking, and had strength. She had whole brain radiation treatment one time before I found out and like i said she was still herself.   Since completing her WBRT (last one being June 12) she has significantly declined.  She can't walk by herself, she has to wear depends, and is cognitively very slow She also has a blood clot on her brain from the WBRT. She was then put on cortosteroids (unsure exact one), she is now being weaned off them because they are making her weaker.She can't lift her left arm, as a matter of fact she has no muscle on her left side.  Adverse after effects from being on the steroids too long? She had another MRI tonight and now there is talk depending on results that they will start her on Avasta.  Has anyone come across a situation like this? What the outcomes are… or if Avasta is a good option?  Sometimes I think her husband should of just not done the whole brain radiation.  That REALLY took a toll on her and since then she is wheelchair bound.  Can anyone help with the prognosis of this all?  Thank You.    -Sara

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      • August 2, 2018 at 5:25 am
      Sardinia
      Participant

      correction:  The medication is AVASTIN     not Avasta.

      • August 2, 2018 at 12:22 pm
      marta010
      Participant

      Hi – sorry to hear of your friend's decline.  My husband had Avastin to deal with brain edema/swelling resulting from radiation necrosis.  I think he received 3 infusions of the Avastin and the treatment was successful in reducing/eliminating the edema.  I don't think the corticosteroids are the cause of her congitve issues – seems more likely that the brain swelling is the cause and I would assume the steroids would be helping to reduce the swelling.  Hope she rebounds with the Avastin treatment. Take care.

      Ann

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