Hand and Foot syndrome from chemo (peeling & flaking of skin, sometimes cutting into flesh)
A buddy with TNBC is visiting from Vic & mentioned that she'd heard of a trial where Voltaren/Diclofenac gel was used on patients undergoing Xeloda chemo (which often causes hand & foot syndrome) and it actually REDUCES the amount and severity of the peeling & cracking of skin, particularly if used twice daily BEFORE the syndrome starts - by 75%! If the skin peels & flakes (often in slabs), it can cause the flesh to 'split' and even bleed .... so better to stop it before it starts, if you can. I wish I'd known that when hubby was on the treatment - as he had severe H&F syndrome! :( Check out the document here: https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/diclofenac-prevents-hand-foot-syndrome If you DO have peeling/flaking of feet (in particular) - get checked out by a podiatrist - do NOT try & 'peel' the skin off, as that can cause bleeding & intense pain - even infections, which you don't want! The podiatrist has special tools to remove the peeling skin & smooth off the edges .... and they can advise on other treatments too. It is VERY important, if you are a diabetic - to maintain good foot health.
Anyone here taking Capecitebine/Xeloda?
Hi friends, Just wondering if anyone on here is taking Capecitabine. I’ve read up what the side effects are, just wondering what anyone’s personal experience was. I’m due to start very soon, Telehealth with onco tomorrow. The sore feet/ hands thing sounds awful :( Thanks Caz x
Xeloda
I have TNBC, diagnosed Jan 2017, AC, Taxol, Lumpectomy, Carboplatin, Radiotherapy ( 25 +5). Finishing mid January 2018. I did a bit of research and asked about Xeloda post op and post radotherapy. Just seen (yet another) oncologist and was offered Xeloda ( she had read my notes and thought I might like to consider it an option.... for 6 months to improve chances of no recurrance/spread ??) . I had bone and chest CT prior to treatment, all clear. havent had any scans since finished and did had full metabolic response (PET) prior to op, but not full pathological response ( several of the 24 nodes removed were dodgy). I was very upset because I had asked about Xeloda prior and told no, not an option for me ( not on the trial at any rate as not HER 2 negative enough. ) Why am I being offered this now? There are no different results to be looked at. I have said no..... not right now. Off to UK for 6 weeks and I feel so well, i dont want to be miserable on holiday. Will revisit in July after having bone scan and chest CT.... Any comments/advice would be gratefully received.
Long Term side effects of Xeloda
I have been on Xeloda since November 2014. My oncologist wants me to consider stopping it as they don't know the long term effects of this drug and to start taking taking hormone tablets. I was first diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in April 2011 and then stage 4 in July 2013. I have very few side effects and feel so well. I'm not sure where to turn for advice/facts.
Xeloda working or not? The end?
For people taking Xeloda at some point, when did your doctor make the call that it was no longer working? And if it was deemed not to work, what did you get put on next? On Xeloda for 9 months with amazing results after been sent home to die. Xeloda was a last ditch effort and remarkably it reversed liver mets and got the liver functioning in normal ranges again after been in liver failure with severe ascites. Now able to eat, move and function again. Latest bloods show CA15-3 moved from 36 to 47. Normal oncologist is overseas. Locum said no point continuing. Xeloda has failed. Body probably can't take harsher drugs. So now it's time to accept fate. Cannot accept fate. Feel too well. Always thought a scan is needed for concrete proof of how well a drug is doing. Locum didn't send for any scans. Would love to know if similar experiences and if xeloda did fail what did you try next? (have been on femara, ibrance, exemestene, abraxane, halaven, progression on all)
Xeloda
As some of you may have read I have recently been diagnosed with stage 4 after just 2.5 years from my initial diagnosis. It is contained to my Lymph nodes and a small spot at the base of my neck. My original cancer was stage 3 grade 3 triple positive but also had an oestrogen + Hert 2 - tumour, this is the one that has returned. I am now on my second cycle of Xeloda and other than a bit of fatigue towards the end am coping really well so far. My Oncologist has said that my cancer is hormone resilient given that I was on Tamoxifen and then Arimidex for 18 months, my treatment did send me into early menopause and my ovaries are completely shut down ( I'm 49 ). I guess I just wanted to ask if there's any of you with a similar diagnosis and how you are coping with the Xeloda treatment. I have read that there are a few of you that have taken it for a number of years with some really great results.
Xeloda -- foot care
Hi Xeloda users! This might not be news, but it was news to me so I thought I'd post it. I've been taking Xeloda for nearly five years, so have tried many potions and pastes on my feet to keep them walkable. For the last couple of months I've been using emulsifying ointment PB (paraffin wax with no flavours, colours or smells) with success; there has been less swelling and redness, no cracking and bleeding, and less peeling. I've been able to walk kilometres instead of just metres, so I'm really pleased! I was so confident that I tried some sexy boots but that was a setback after a night out, so it's back to the soft lace-ups, but my feet are still so much better. Hope it helps others too.