I’m just about to start cycle 3 of Capecitabine and have been relatively fortunate in that whilst I have had some side effects, they have not been bad at all. But the most irritating thing is my eyes! They are really sensitive - particulalry to wind - and the left one in particular is constantly watering. I’m dabbing away all the time and I’m sure people think I’m crying! My eyes “feel” piggy and small and are most comfortable when shut - not a very practical solution during the day! Any suggestions?
Haxted - I didn’t really have problems on Cap apart from a bit of crusting in the morning. When on FEC-T I did have issues with dry and watery eyes and had eye drops supplied by the chemo unit. I think they were called hypermellose or something similar.
Hi Haxted,
I have not had Cap but I did suffer with streaming eyes through docetaxol. I used to think everyone thought I was crying all the time and it was so annoying and uncomfortable. I did meet a lady on a look good feel better day who previously had suffered this and her surgeon cut her tearduct or something similar. Not sure of the technical term but she said it certainly did the trick. I had had my last tax by then and it improved but I would have asked about it with my obc if I d known earlier. Not sure if this will help in your personal situation but perhaps worth a mention. Best wishes x
I can help Haxted - I had same and spoke to my optician cos I was scared it was eye mets!! As you do!! It’s actually dry eyes - the tears are sposed to stay in your eyes 8 seconds or something and mine stayed 3 seconds - not tears as you cry but the tears which keep your eyes moisturised. Optician suggested eye drops or gel. I tried drops which worked for the dryness but weren’t easy to apply so I thought I’d try the spray they advertise on TV… try aiming a spray at your eye when it’s shut!! Impossible!!
Why don’t you joijn us on the Hot Tips thread? breastcancercare.org.uk/community/forums/xeloda-capecitabine-your-top-tips-please Lots of info there, including - guess what - dry eyes!!
Nina
Thank you all. I mentioned it to my onc today and she says the vast majority of her ladies on Cape have some sort of eyes issues and yet it’s not mentioned on the formal list of side effects… She prescribed the Hypromellose eye drops you mentioned, Gail5! We’ll see (scuse the pun).
And I agree, Broomsticklady - the Top Tips thread is very useful and informative - but I find I get a bit lost when looking for something specific when the threads get so very long! By the way - my real name is Nina too! Dont know many others who share my name so that made me smile!
I did have watery eyes on the early cycles of Cap but that seems to have gone, mostly. I have just finished cycle 8.
Ann x
sassy - That sounds like a drastic solution. I think I’d stick with the eyedrops. They worked fine for me on FEC-T.
Haxted - hope the eyedrops sort you out. I think Nina is right that it is actually due to dry eyes, which sounds a bit weird when they are watering.
Hating hospitals I’m with you Gail - no cutting of bits of me if there’s an alternative!!
Haxted - we unusual Nina’s have to stick together - you get horrid eyes, I get horrid eyes, and hopefully it will work the other way - I’m flourishing on Cap - haven’t felt better for years - the chemo nurse laughs at me cos I’m like adruggie saying ‘gis me pills NOW’ - so hopefully you will flourish too!! And be stable of course - the other minor detail!!
Nina
Update! I started off with watery sensitive eyes. For those artificial tears from chemist are fine. For the sticky yukky eyes I’ve now got you need prescription Hypromellose drops. why can’t life be straightforward?!
Nina
Now off to search for the Top Tips thread to update that too!!
Hi everyone. I had a capecitabine break and then when I restarted got terrible dry eyes. I look piggy eyed and I’m sure folks think I’m crying. The cold wind doesn’t help either…oh and my nose runs like a tap…lovely. I’ve been using that spray mentioned during the night and hypermellose gel during the day. neither seem to give effective relief for very long so will just have to put up with it I guess. At least they are not crusty or sticky but it sure interferes with using eye make up.
Bellasmum - don’t just put up with it - I asked eth chemo nurse what was next if hypermellose didn’t work and it’s antibiotic drops from GP - C something - chemo brain - sorry - never remember names these days. Buit don’t suffer in silence when something can be done.
Nina