steroid use in palliative care

My dad was prescribed steroids about 5 weeks ago and they helped enormously, with all of his symptoms and his mood, energy levels etc. It's been like giving him his life back again. However we know this is temporary and now that the dose has been decreased to the minimum I am wondering what to expect next. I dread the comedown when his symptoms return and worry so much that he will give up mentally. He has mouth cancer which is not being treated, so his care is palliative and we don't know his life expectancy, except for being told it would be "months" when we decided against treatment, over 6 months ago. Has anyone any similar experience to this?

Parents
  • Hi there, not much help I'm afraid however I just wanted to message you say I am in a similar journey with my dad. He was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and only given palliative care. He also was out on steroids 6 weeks ago and I got my old dad back! I always knew this would mask the cancer however, to have hime back smiling and eating was a blessing.

    his about to have round 2 of immunotherapy so no longer on steroids and his litrally dying before my eyes. He hasn't been sleeping or eating for three days. We just fear the end is in sight let alone having the strength to make it to treatment on Monday. 
    I hope things go ok with your dad and it's such a cruel illness. 
    thinking of you and your family 

Reply
  • Hi there, not much help I'm afraid however I just wanted to message you say I am in a similar journey with my dad. He was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and only given palliative care. He also was out on steroids 6 weeks ago and I got my old dad back! I always knew this would mask the cancer however, to have hime back smiling and eating was a blessing.

    his about to have round 2 of immunotherapy so no longer on steroids and his litrally dying before my eyes. He hasn't been sleeping or eating for three days. We just fear the end is in sight let alone having the strength to make it to treatment on Monday. 
    I hope things go ok with your dad and it's such a cruel illness. 
    thinking of you and your family 

Children
No Data