Anyone here taking Capecitebine/Xeloda?

@Lisa1407, I know it’s not the best ( is there for us?) but I’m glad that your tummy has been a little settled.  It’s really horrible because when we have tummy problems we cannot do anything or go anywhere. 😓I know how it feels from just a few episodes of the Capecitabine tummy. I was literally bedridden. I feel for you! Hope your scan goes well😊

Hi @Benmamy, The severe stomach pain has gone on the lower dose. I still get some pain and a bit of diarrhoea but at least am not suffering from the crippling pain I experience last cycle. Now I just hope that the lower does is working on my bone mets - PET and CT on the 14th will be interesting!

@Caz1 no worries about replying late we all know how hectic our life can be, especially with BC
and I think you don’t have to feel bad about cancelling your plan ( I know easy to say and I will probably feel bad too😔) because we do get horrible side effects from all these treatments and it’s just unbearable sometimes!!
I hope you feel better soon Caz, my heart is with you💞

@Lisa1407 it sounds very hard.😞 I’ve had a few tummy problem so far and they are bad, I mean real bad!!! The tummy ache was just so terrible.  But for me as long as I eat something right before taking tablets I don’t get as bad tummy problems 🤞🏽And I haven’t gotten hand and foot problems too. It’s been 3 months since I started Capecitabine so I just had a bone scan and CT scan (PET isn’t so available in Tassie) and I will see my oncologist next week to talk about weather the treatment is working or not. 

@Benmamy and @Lisa1407 sorry for late reply, my chemo brain has made me rather forgetful  :(

Im on Capecitabine for 6 months. I’m halfway through.
My lovely onco says it is more of an insurance for me.  Maybe cos my ER  was in the single digits? Maybe cos there was a teensy bit of live cancer present post mastectomy and post chemo?
Im so so tired this week. I’m meant to be having 2 couples over tomorrow for a bbq, but much as I’m putting off doing it I am going to have to cancel. I feel bad but I just can’t do it. I’m exhausted. This is week 2 of my cycle.  Can’t wait till my week off.
Tummy still ok. Skin still really dry.

@Benmamy hope your daughter made it through year 12.  Poor kid. What a year to do it...

Caz xx

Hi there, I am on Xeloda for the second time. First time I was on it for about 8 months. Worst side effect was the hands and feet which peeled and became really inflamed at the end of the two weeks on the treatment. Tiredness was also an issue. I went of Xeloda to give my hands and feet a rest and I could get onto a trial of Abemaciclib. I got about 13 months on Abemaciclib and have now switched back to Xeloda. It is working!! This time the side effects are worse. Have diarrhoea which I control with Gastrostop and have been having unbelievable abdominal pain. The pain was so bad that this cycle my oncologist lowered my dose from 2X1500 mg per day to 2X 1125mg per day. I have had twinges in my stomach which have not been bad. Hands and feet just the same. Tomorrow I move to my drug free week! I find I have much more energy during the week of treatment. Have another PET/CT scan booked for 14 December to see if lowered dose is still working. Fingers crossed!!

I really love your positive attitude towards your situation, @Caz1 😊
But I am sorry to hear that you have the unpleasant side effect.  I hope it gets better soon and you can get back on a treatment. 
Do you think you will keep going on capecitabine or you might be on a different treatment?  For me, this is my second line after Kisqali and arimidex for 9 months so I really hope I can be on this for a while.
Yes, liver spots!! I have so much of them, plus the strange pigmentation problem.  I spoke to my oncologist yesterday she said that I should put lots sunscreen otherwise I would become like "leopard" - again it sounds pretty cute but I would not be a cute version so I will put lots of sunscreen especially this summer.

My year 12 daughter has just finished her TASC (I'm in Tasmania) examination, so I will have a date day with her today.  You have a very nice weekend 💞

Hi @Benmamy
Good to hear from you. :) To be honest, lockdown wasn’t too bad for me, I have had everyone working from home so it’s been great to have company whilst going through the cancer stuff! It was tough at the end as I have missed my friends, but there is extra joy in seeing everyone and getting out and about now. I’m so proud of us Melbournians, most people are doing the right thing and getting on with life. Such a moment in history.
My tummy has been ok , but my skin- not so much. I have hand and foot syndrome which makes it difficult to walk as my feet are blistering and sore. My hands feel like leather, they are so dry and yucky and peeling.  Having a little break from it till it gets better.
Im feeling generally ok, maybe a little tired sometimes.
I have a few liver spots popped up on my face, but.....
THANK HEAVENS FOR FACE MASKS!!!!  :D

Caz xxx

Hi @Caz1 I'm doing ok.  How about you?  It must have had been such long hard months for you all Melbourne people, but you guys have done it!!!!  I know it's not over but people like us who could be vulnerable cannot express our appreciation and admiration for you guys enough, Thank you 😊
Capecitabine has been not too bad for me.  I have had a few tummy problems and I have gotten a strange pigmentation problem.  My doctor said it is a bit rare but she has heard about it.  It is not itchy or painful at least at the moment but it looks very odd.  I am a little worried that I might become like a ugly version of Dalmatian dog 😅
Hope you have been well.  🙂

Hi @Benmamy how’s it going on the Capecitabine?
Hope all is well in your world  :)
Cazzx

Thank you so much @Caz1
Glad to hear that the side effects weren't too bad so far (I know still not nice. we become so resilient, don't we?)
Yes! it must be terrifying.  In any occasions starting chemo is not fun.  In the middle of Lockdown!!?? - it's just Crazy.
I don't know how much my dose will be yet. I will have chemo education session with a pharmacist first but it will be nice to have someone going through a same thing (chemo not lockdown sorry 😔) so I hope we can keep in touch too 😉
I sincerely hope your new dose will be super kind to you💞 but I am here to hear you too - good or bad.  
We are all in this together xx