Hi there!

So far, my hubby has completed 10 radiation treatments and 2 chemo (Erbitux), and things seem to be going pretty well, except for this one thing... He now talks NON-STOP! And at a REALLY fast pace! AND to virtually any passer-by!! Talk, talk, talk, talk!!!! Oh, and he chats online almost constantly too! What on earth?

It's actually pretty funny, and if this is his only side effect so far, then we feel very blessed. But I was just wondering... Has anyone else seen this or experienced it? I may have to stuff a sock in his mouth pretty soon! Ah, the things we do for love....

Would love to hear your comments!

Some of the anti nausea drugs have steroids in them-- at least I htink so. I felt amped up after Erbitux too. Good luck and hoping it continues to be not too bad

Do you know if your husband is being given dexamethasone as one of his anti-nausea meds? It's a steroid and I can tell you from experience that it can make the person crazy as a hoot-owl. Feelings of euphoria, non-stop talking, and some aggression. Sometimes there is a big crash after the med. is stopped.
Anne

Thank you Anne and MissKate!

This is all starting to make sense now. They DO give him IV Dexamethasone with his Erbitux once a week. I bet this is what's causing the "manic" episodes. Anne, what you described seems to be exactly what he's experiencing: "euphoria, non-stop talking, and some aggression." Not to worry, tho. He's never aggressive towards me...he just has a shorter fuse with things, but calms down very quickly.

Do you think having the Dex once a week will cause the same "big crash" as others have described?

Thanks again for the help...it is much appreciated!

Hi Laurie,
I'm not sure about the crash in this case (if he's only getting it once a week). Gordon is getting dex. with his overnight cisplatin in the hospital (once every 3 weeks) and then has to take 5 doses of it in pill form over 2 1/2 days when he goes home.

It was after the first chemo and he had finished the dex. at home, that he had the feeling of being "thrown out of a helicopter" the next day. Maybe if it's only given once a week, there isn't the same kind of let down. You might want to check with your MO about this.

It helps to know what's causing the behaviour, because then you don't think the person is just being difficult.
Anne