New member - Question re oral chemotherapy capecitabine
Mez_BCNA
Administrator, Staff, Member, Moderator Posts: 408 ✭
Original post created by member @Brondocs - moved to Metastatic breast cancer discussions
Hello, I am a new member and appreciate so much hearing everyone’s stories.
In May 2018, I was at work and as I brushed some fluff off my shirt I felt a golf ball sized lump on my chest. This turned out to be triple negative breast cancer and the lump had literally popped up overnight. I know this because I am small breasted and would have noticed if it had been there before. Within two weeks I was in surgery for a lumpectomy which was the easiest part of the whole process. The cancer had not spread to my lymph glands so I felt lucky.
I then started 6 months of chemo. For the first four months of the heavy going chemo I was sicker than I ever imagined from the side effects. I ended up staying in hospital each time.
But after that, when I went to once a week lighter chemo, I was managing pretty well. I was also part of an exercise physio research program which really helped me feel as If I had one thing to help me through. Then I had a month of radiotherapy – which was fine.
THEN I had two years of great health until February this year when I developed a recurrent cough. I thought it was some sort of asthma, so I went to my GP who send me for a chest Xray.
I was completely shocked to find out I had metastatic cancer all through my lungs, in my brain and in my neck.
I had a week’s radiotherapy on my brain which had horrible side effects ( nausea, headaches, hair loss) combined with starting the heavy going chemo for the next 6 months. Again, I had terrible side effects – mainly trouble breathing, dizziness, exhaustion and clotting in my arms for the first four months, so spend more time back in hospital.
My oncologist has moved me now onto an oral chemotherapy- capecitabine. I was wondering if anyone else was taking this and if the exhaustion from the 6 months of strong chemo infusions will dissipate or persist ? I haven’t had any additional side effects so far. My insomnia is also persisting and quite a few of the other side effects from the infusions.
Any advice or info much appreciated !
Hello, I am a new member and appreciate so much hearing everyone’s stories.
In May 2018, I was at work and as I brushed some fluff off my shirt I felt a golf ball sized lump on my chest. This turned out to be triple negative breast cancer and the lump had literally popped up overnight. I know this because I am small breasted and would have noticed if it had been there before. Within two weeks I was in surgery for a lumpectomy which was the easiest part of the whole process. The cancer had not spread to my lymph glands so I felt lucky.
I then started 6 months of chemo. For the first four months of the heavy going chemo I was sicker than I ever imagined from the side effects. I ended up staying in hospital each time.
But after that, when I went to once a week lighter chemo, I was managing pretty well. I was also part of an exercise physio research program which really helped me feel as If I had one thing to help me through. Then I had a month of radiotherapy – which was fine.
THEN I had two years of great health until February this year when I developed a recurrent cough. I thought it was some sort of asthma, so I went to my GP who send me for a chest Xray.
I was completely shocked to find out I had metastatic cancer all through my lungs, in my brain and in my neck.
I had a week’s radiotherapy on my brain which had horrible side effects ( nausea, headaches, hair loss) combined with starting the heavy going chemo for the next 6 months. Again, I had terrible side effects – mainly trouble breathing, dizziness, exhaustion and clotting in my arms for the first four months, so spend more time back in hospital.
My oncologist has moved me now onto an oral chemotherapy- capecitabine. I was wondering if anyone else was taking this and if the exhaustion from the 6 months of strong chemo infusions will dissipate or persist ? I haven’t had any additional side effects so far. My insomnia is also persisting and quite a few of the other side effects from the infusions.
Any advice or info much appreciated !
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Comments
Hi @Brondocs - I am so sorry to hear of your Mets diagnosis.
As @June1952 says, You may like to join the Mets group, where those with more dedicated responses may be able to help you, in private xx @Riki_BCNA should be able to help you join up - have you been able to join yet?
I hope your exhaustion dissipates ....... My Hubby was diagnosed with Mets in January & is on Capecitabine and he hasn't been experiencing any real exhaustion (tho his Oxaliplatin infusion can make him drowsy) - Capecitabine can have some pretty 'ordinary' side effects in itself, so keep an eye out for flaking/peeling hands & feet (pawpaw ointment has helped control his.) I think insomnia would be top of the list with any chemo.
Take care, look after yourself & all the best with your ongoing treatment xx
Sending you a virtual hug x
Let us know how you get on with the Capecitabine, take care xx
I am really sorry to hear all the things you went through... BC is literally horrible!! and MBC!!! so nasty 😡
I had been on Capecitabine for about 10 months. I relatively tolerated it well. But it sometimes gave me unbelievably bad tummy aches. So please please make sure that you take it with food or just after meal - it will save you from hell. Also I have heard lots of people get painful hands and feet, however I was lucky again so I only had a bit of skin peeling, fragile nails and dark spots (pigmentation problems) on hands and feet (and face 😢).
All the best xx
Thankyou so much for your advice about taking it with food. I seem to have an acid stomach all the time and have been taking Salpraz/pantoprazol on advice from my oncologist. I also never sleep much but I guess that is just a side effect we all have to live with.
Best wishes to you
B
take care xx
Yes I find I get a very dry mouth too. I am on 3 capecitabine in the morning and 3 at night for two weeks and then a week off. I wake up feeling pretty groggy and am also taking anti clotting pills after my infused chemo caused clotting and inflammation in my arms. It is great not having to go to hospital all the time for infusions.
I hope your husband's feel can be treated - I have pins and needles in my hands and feet which I expect is neuropathy.
Best wishes
Always a good idea to get peripheral
neuropathy checked early and ask what might alleviate any long term impact. It often dissipates after treatment but not always (I still
have funny feet after eight years). Best wishes.
Are you my old friend Alison ? I still have the beautiful little Colman's mustard box you gave me years ago.
I send a big hug. X
Arts Vic??