Finishing chemotherapy or a course of corticosteroids, also called steroids, for breast cancer can bring a mix of emotions. You may feel relief and hope, along with some worry about what comes next. Both types of treatments can be used during breast cancer treatment, but they work in different ways.

Chemotherapy works to stop the growth of cancer cells, while steroids help manage chemotherapy side effects. After chemotherapy ends, some side effects may continue as your body recovers. People who have taken corticosteroids for several weeks or longer may also have symptoms as their steroid dose is gradually reduced.

One MyBCTeam member asked whether the body goes through withdrawal after chemotherapy and/or steroid therapy: “I finished chemo two weeks ago, and I expected the side effects to gradually taper off or go away altogether.”

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“I finished chemo two weeks ago, and I expected the side effects to gradually taper off or go away altogether.”

— A MyBCTeam member

They continued, “I’m noticing that I have some fluid retention, which is new, and I have periods where the skin around my eyes and face feels almost tight. I’m wondering if it’s my body detoxing from the chemo and/or steroids.”

In this article, we’ll explain what can happen when you stop chemotherapy or steroids, what changes to expect, and why it’s important to share any new symptoms with your healthcare provider.

Can Completing Chemotherapy Cause Withdrawal?

Although chemotherapy doesn’t cause withdrawal symptoms, some side effects continue for weeks or months after treatment ends. Common lingering side effects include:

• Nausea and vomiting — These symptoms generally improve within two to three weeks after your final treatment.
• Taste changes — These changes take one to two months to get better after you’ve completed your chemo treatment.
• Fatigue — Tiredness or weakness from chemo gets better over time. Gentle activity such as walking can help.
• “Chemo brain” — Some people have memory problems or trouble finding words after chemotherapy. These symptoms may improve over several months but can last longer for some people.
• Neuropathy — Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet may gradually improve after chemotherapy, but it can last for months or longer for some people.

Some chemotherapy side effects can take a year or longer to improve.

A MyBCTeam member shared their experience with late side effects of chemotherapy: “Food never tasted different to me during chemo, but I notice every now and then that I get that ‘chemo taste.’ The same taste I’d get when my infusions began.”

“Food never tasted different to me during chemo, but I notice every now and then that I get that ‘chemo taste.’ The same taste I’d get when my infusions first began.”

— A MyBCTeam member

Can Stopping Steroids Cause Withdrawal Symptoms?

Yes. Unlike chemotherapy, corticosteroids can cause withdrawal symptoms if they’re stopped too quickly after being taken for several weeks or longer.

Because of their anti-inflammatory and immune system-suppressing effects, steroids are frequently used to treat a wide range of health conditions, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, allergic reactions, and asthma.

In cancer care, corticosteroids can be used for several reasons. They may help prevent or treat side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. They can also be part of treatment for certain cancers because corticosteroids can help slow or control the cancer itself.

Common steroids used in cancer treatment include:

• Dexamethasone, the most commonly used steroid in breast cancer treatment
• Hydrocortisone
• Methylprednisolone
• Prednisolone

When you take corticosteroids for several weeks or longer or take them at high doses, your body may begin to make less cortisol, a hormone naturally made by the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are small glands that sit above your kidneys.

Cortisol helps control blood pressure, metabolism (how the body changes food into energy), and how the body responds to stress.

If you suddenly stop taking corticosteroids after taking them long enough to reduce your body’s cortisol production, your adrenal glands may not immediately make enough cortisol. This can cause adrenal insufficiency. You may also develop steroid withdrawal symptoms as the dose is reduced.

If you need to stop steroids gradually, your doctor will reduce your dose over time. This is called tapering. Steroid tapering schedules are different for everyone and depend on your steroid dose, how long you’ve taken it, and your overall health.

Symptoms of Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome

Stopping steroids can cause a variety of physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms. Some of the most common steroid withdrawal symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Pain — Joint pain, abdominal pain, and headaches
• Reduced appetite and unintended weight loss
• Emotional and mental health effects — Mood swings, anxiety, and depression
• Fever

A MyBCTeam member shared their experience with steroid therapy withdrawal symptoms: “I had a lot of steroids this year and side effects long after I stopped them. My entire face and neck were red and hot like a sunburn combined with a hot flash. It gradually went away.”

“I had a lot of steroids this year and side effects long after I stopped them. My entire face and neck were red and hot like a sunburn combined with a hot flash. It gradually went away.”

— A MyBCTeam member

Talk to Your Doctor About Your Withdrawal Symptoms

If you need to stop steroids gradually, your healthcare provider will create a tapering schedule that’s right for you. Never stop taking steroids without talking to your doctor first, especially if you have been taking them for more than three to four weeks.

Steroid withdrawal can also affect your emotional well-being. You may feel anxious or overwhelmed during the withdrawal process. It’s important to let your doctor know. They can recommend counseling or support groups to help you through the transition.

Get emergency medical care if you have symptoms of adrenal crisis, a serious complication of adrenal insufficiency. Symptoms can include severe weakness or fatigue, confusion, vomiting, and very low blood pressure. Adrenal crisis requires immediate treatment.

As you recover from chemotherapy and steroid treatments, tell your healthcare providers about any new or worsening symptoms. They can help figure out what’s causing them and make sure you get the care you need.

Join the Conversation

On MyBCTeam, people share their experiences with breast cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you experienced withdrawal symptoms after chemotherapy and steroid treatment? What advice do you have for others facing similar situations? Let others know in the comments below.