Forum Discussion
New member - Question re oral chemotherapy capecitabine
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 !
32 Replies
- @arpie I’m on just capecitabine for Mets, have done 2 cycles and see oncologist next week to see how we going, I’m on my week off this week. The only side effect that I seem to have is first day back on new cycle is I get dihorrea, then back to normal from second day, and dry mouth seems worse this 2nd cycle, so just make sure I drink plenty of water day and night, it’s worse at night think I sleep with my mouth open lol but other than that I seem to be ok
- Is anyone on capecitabine alone as chemo treatment for mets? How are you going?
Hubby may be going back to his previous treatment ... which was oxaliplatin & Capecitabine (Capox/Xelox) & wondering if anyone has experience of just the ONE treatment alone? - Well, I’ve almost finished my first round of capecitabine /Xeloda. All fine until day 12, when the headache kicked in and I had a nasty nausea/vomiting episode. I also feel quite foggy and have noticed my memory is seriously poor (maybe fatigue). It worries me that I will have trouble managing work at this rate...Hopefully it will all lift in my week off the meds. Is it others’ experience that things settle down after a couple of rounds? Cheers.
- @Ellamary98 I've been on Capecitabine since mid November, on 3rd cycle now. No side effects really apart from slight and occasional nausea. Very tolerable compared to other forms of chemo I've had. Fingers crossed you'll be fine too. xxx
- @Ellamary98 I too will be starting on Capecitabine in February, be interesting yo see how we both go on it
@Brondocs sorry that medication didn’t work for you I hope your doing ok on the infused chemo - Hello Ellamary
I was on the capecitabane tablets for only about 4 months. They were not strong enough to stop my cancer from spreading so i am back on infused chemo -eribrulin.
Before i was on the cap tablets i was on carboplatin for 6 months which had awful side effects for me.
However, i found that there were no additional side effects with the oral chemo. The usual exhaustion persisted but it was much more tolerable than the infused chemo. You have to just get used to taking a lot of pills! Also it was great not having to go to hospital every week for chemo.
Please stay in touch and let me know how you go. By the way what chemo are you currently on ?
Best wishes to you xx - Hi @Brondocs Just wondering how you are travelling on the capecitabine tablets? I am potentially starting on this treatment in March and somewhat alarmed at the list of side effects to choose from! How are you tolerating this drug?
- I’ll PM you!
- Yes Arts Vic !
- @Brondocs and @Afraser - this sounds like an 'old' friendship being revitalised. How strange to meet up again via this website. We will all look forward to reading the outcome.......
