Steroids with Chemo: What is your experience?

I also took Dexamethasone, once day before and once day after chemo session. I don't recall how it felt. Was also getting Firmagon each month. I finished 10 cycles of chemo in oct of 23. Funny I don't remember it all, only that the chemo was a ride. Thankfully my doctor never mentioned no cure, only that they can control it. I understand no cure at the moment, just don't want to hear those words. He said it's stage 4 aggressive and I fell off my chair. I think I got off track here but wish the best for all.

Hi Northoftheborder; I will ask your question to my medical team when we meet in 3 weeks and I will bring the answer here. All of these medical concepts, words, terms are still new to me and I need the clarity of the scientists to guide me to form my own thoughts , my own hopefully enlightened judgments which will help me draw what I hope will be true and optimistic views if not conclusions.
Thank you for your attention.

Thank you. There's no "wrong" answer, of course. I'm just watching because chemo for bone-metastatic prostate cancer that's still castrate-sensitive is (as far as I understand) still a newish approach, unless perhaps the cancer is very widespread or causing a lot of pain. I'm paying close attention any time I hear about it.

"Cure" is an arbitrary word when it comes to cancer. As a patient (not a practioner), here's what I understand.

1. It's statistical milestone after cancer treatment. If you've gone a certain period of time without treatment and your cancer hasn't become detectable again (let's say, 5 years) you're pronounced "cured." They can't actually test if there are still dormant cancer cells hiding out — if there are, and the cells reactivate later. then they just say your cancer has "recurred."

2. It's a way of describing treatment. "Curative intent" means that they're giving you high doses with sometimes harsh side effects, in the hope of eliminating the cancer; "palliative intent" means they're giving you lower doses to help reduce pain, slow spread, and keep you comfortable.

To make thing even more confusing, my cancer (stage 4b oligometastatic) can't be "cured" — I expect to be on ADT and ARSI indefinitely — but I had "curative" doses of radiation to my prostate and spine anyway, to give me a better chance.

I believe mine is castrate sensitive. Hormone treatment is keeping the psa down. I did have chemo, but as you said, It was for wide spread and lots of pain. I went along for the ride, not really understanding what was going on. Please keep posting the info, it helps alot of us on here. Best to all.

Started chemo July 23. Had the steroids as a drip just prior to the chemo. Treatment was late in the day. Woke up early the next day ready to take on the world, haha, felt great all day. Then the third day hit! Felt like I had the flu for the next 3 days! No nausea thankfully, just zero energy and aches and pains. Started to feel better day five and now two weeks later back to normal. Just give yourself a break those first few days, it will likely get better. 57 y/o, stage 4 metastatic bones and lymph nodes, doing triple therapy to burn this crap out of me! PSA went from 120 to 0.4 in 60 days so I’m thrilled about that! Good luck to all!

I also am stage 4, bones and lymph nodes. I finished 10 rounds of chemo last fall. If your journey gets bumpy, know that you can do this. A lot of people on here can offer help with any side effects you may or may not get. I wish the best for you on your journey.

Thanks so much! Doing well so far, had to get a high and tight haircut today. Started shedding a lot this AM, haha. Attitude is pretty positive, genetics show it’s very “normal” PC so hope the treatment works for a long time, oncologist was glad it was “garden variety.” Every day is a gift…

Yes, that is the pattern my husband displayed when he had dexamethasone with the docetaxel infusions. You can at least plan around it and take advantage of the days you know you will feel OK.