I had 15 days of wbr in January, 2007 to treat three brain tumours in the cerebellum.
I was prescribed 4 mg, 4 times a day.
When the radiation was completed, I was gradually weaned off the steroid.
By that time, the drug had seriously affected my mental health. I was irritable, edgy, impulsive, ocasionally reckless. I was down to sleeping a maximum of 4 hours a night, even with sedatives. When I was awake, I was fully alert. So while a lot of overlooked chores were taken care off, I was building towards a serious crash. I as also waiting for radiation fatigue to manifest.
As I reduced the intake of decadron, I began experiencing swelling (edema) in the face, neck, lower legs and arms. I also suffered from swollen hip and kneee joints. I was told the steroid caused the blood vessels to constrict creating pressure on the joints.
As I feared the worst of the radiation fatigue and steroid withdrawl overlapped and I was left with little to do but manage the pain with Tylenol 3 and Advil.
It seems to have worked; at least I was free of tumour trouble until the begining of September and was able to salvage a canoe trip and other summer activities with my two children (9 and 2).
Good luck,
Tom