steroid treatment

what are steroids?

Steroids are chemicals that occur naturally in the body. They're also made as medicines. There are many types of steroid and they all have different effects on the body. For example, some steroids help to destroy certain types of cancer cells, and some can make chemo work better.

how are they are given?

• Into the vein through a cannula or central line, either as a quick injection or as a drip, which takes about 30 minutes.
• As tablets, which are swallowed with plenty of water.
• By injection into a muscle.

how long will I need to take steroids?

This depends on why you're taking them.

• To treat an allergic reaction, you might just need a one-off dose.
• For anti-sickness, you'll probably need to take steroids for about 3 days.
• If you're taking steroids to shrink your tumour, you might need to take them every day for a week or two OR you might need to take them for a week or two with each cycle of chemo until your treatment is finished.

side effects

Some people get a lot of side effects while others don’t get so many. The side effects will vary according to the dose of steroid that you’re taking. Also, the longer you take the steroids, the more likely you are to have side effects. Your doctors will keep an eye on things and will pick up any side effects that might be caused by the steroids. But if you notice anything, and you’re wondering if it might be a side effect, let your doctors know and they’ll check it out for you.

common side effects

• Irritation of the stomach lining Steroids can irritate the lining of the stomach (tummy) and may cause an ulcer. Some steroid tablets have a coating on the outside to help prevent this. If the tablets aren't coated you should take them with food or a drink of milk to help reduce this side effect. It should say on the bottle if you have to take them with food but if you're not sure, check with a nurse or pharmacist. Tell your doctor if you have stomach pains or indigestion (like a burning or stinging feeling in your tummy or chest).
  Your doctors may give you medicine to protect your stomach (antacids). Don't take any antacid medicine that you’ve bought from your chemist unless your doctor says it's ok.
  If you're taking coated steroid tablets don't take them at the same time as any antacids, as antacids can dissolve the coating.
• Blood sugar levels may go up while you're on steroids This may happen if you have high-dose or long-term steroid treatment. While you're having this treatment, your blood-sugar levels may be checked by blood tests. They might show you how to test your urine for sugar at home, and you'll be told what to look out for.
  If you have diabetes, you should be more careful than usual about checking your blood-sugar. Tell your doctor if your blood sugar's a bit unstable and let them know if you get very thirsty or if you're peeing more than usual.
• Water retention Your ankles and/or fingers might swell a  bit or you might have a bloated feeling in your tummy. This usually only happens with long-term treatment.
• Increased appetite You might feel hungrier than usual while taking steroids. If you’re worried about this speak to your doctor or dietitian or check out the weight changes section of this site.
• Increased risk of infection and also injuries take longer to heal This happens mainly with high-dose or long-term steroid treatment. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection (redness, soreness or a temperature) or if cuts take longer than usual to heal. It's important to keep clean to prevent infection.
• Changes to your periods Girls may find that their periods become irregular or stop while they're taking steroids. They will start again when treatment is finished.
• Stretch marks You are only likely to get these if you're taking pretty high doses of steroids over quite a few weeks or months. You can’t stop them or get rid of them but they'll fade over time.
• Changes in how you feel You may notice that your mood swings up and down. You might also feel anxious or worried, or a bit on edge. Some people can have problems sleeping. These effects happen mainly with high-dose or long-term steroid treatment and will stop when it ends. If any of this is worrying you, let your doctor know as there may be things that can help. For example, if it's hard to get to sleep, it can help to take the steroids in the early part of the day. You must speak to your doctor first though before making any changes to your medicines.

less common side effects

Some of these can sound a bit scary but they usually only happen if you are taking steroids for a long time. However, if you do get any of these side effects, remember, your doctors can help.

• Eye changes If you take steroids for a long time, you may get cataracts or glaucoma which can affect your sight. There is also an increased risk of eye infections. Tell your doctor if you notice any eye problems.
• Cushing’s syndrome This is usually caused only by long-term use of steroids. It can cause acne, puffiness of the face, facial hair in women and dark marks on the skin. Cushing’s syndrome can be reduced a little by taking the steroids early in the morning, by taking them every other day instead of every day, or by cutting down the dose, but discuss this with your doctor first.
• Muscle wasting Your leg muscles may get weak if you take steroids for a long time. When the steroids are stopped some people have muscle cramps for a short time.
• Osteoporosis With very long-term use of steroids, calcium may be lost from the bones. This can cause pain (especially in the lower back); a higher risk of fractures and it can make you a little bit shorter.