I have a question regarding steroids (prednisone). I have been sick for about a year and have been keeping a journal of my symptoms. I recently discovered significant swelling under my right arm and am currently on prednisone and just finished a course of Levaquin. year. When looking back in my journal, I had sometimes remarked that my symptoms seemed to resolve and I would feel much more "normal". Today I made the correlation of those periods as following the start of prednisone (I take prednisone for asthma/sinus infections). They didn't last long after I stopped the prednisone but the prednisone may have made a difference.
Does anyone know if steroids would help symptoms of lymphoma?
Mel-
Prednisone is used widely in anti-cancer treatment - it is part of many chemotherapy regimens (R-CHOP for instance). The thing is that no one can say precisely WHY it's helpful against lymphoma and cancer in general, although there are a few theories. As noted HERE, prednisone is believed to induce cell death in cancer cells, while it also likely works to reduce the inflammation caused by tumors. It also helps as an antiemetic (anti-nausea), and it stimulates one's appetite, which explains why some people on chemo featuring prednisone actually gain weight.
So to answer your question, yes, steroids do help with lymphoma symptoms.
Thanks for answering Ross. Well, that explains why the swelling goes down with the steroids but comes back when I am finished with them. It would also explain why the nausea goes away when on prednisone. I was unaware of prednisone being used as an antiemetic. All this time I have been taking Zofran, phenergan, compazine, Benadryl, even motion sickness pills, sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.
I see an internist this week and am just finishing up the prednisone. Maybe it wasn't a good time to start it. I hope it doesn't change the diagnostics needed. I have been dealing with these symptoms for over a year and the lymph node swelling under my right arm has been there for over 3 months.
Thanks again! It seems I have so many questions!!!