oral chemotherapy

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1

I am new to the group.  i have metastatic cancer in my bones and have just beenput on oral chemotherapy (capecitebine).  Despite assurances from the Marsden that I would have minimal side effects and still be able to work I feel like I did when I had intravenous chemo 14 years ago - absolutely no energy and as if Ihave a bad case of flu.  I started last Wednesday. My questions are:

  1. is this feeling normal?

  2.  is it because I have just started?

  3. does it go away?  

If it carries on like this I dont know what I’ll do as I still have to work.

Thank you in advance.

2

Hello Ronnie22

Welcome to the forums, this must be very difficult time for you.  I’m sure other users will be along to support you soon. 

Maybe you would like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer practical information as well as emotional support. The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.

With best wishes

June, moderator

3

Hi,Ronnie,there’s a great thread about this chemo I’ll bump it up for you. There are lots of ladies on it and a wealth of information.
Remember we are all different and sometimes it takes your body a while to adjust to a new drug.
Hang in there,huge hugs ,Helen xxxxx

4

Hi Ronnie…I started this 3 weeks ago too. Had 2 weeks of it and just finishing my week off it. 2nd cycle starts Tuesday. Luckily I had no side effects just a bit of tiredness that started on my week off it. Give ur body time to adjust. If things get too bad though get hold of ur bc nurse. They can help.
Love and hugs…bev xxxxx

5

hello

 

i have recently come off cap after 2 years

i worked all the way through it.

 

After a while i even used to forget i was even on chemo! as my se were minimal

peeling skin on hands and feet mostly that i used to use udderly cream for.

 

Everyone reacts differently to chemo but i found cap very doable

 

good luck with your treament

 

kimi x

6

Hi Ronnie, 

It may be that you need the dose reducing. I haven’t been on cap yet although it may be the next in line. I have read on this forum however that the dose needs tweeking sometimes to suit the individual. Hope they sort it out for you and that you soon feel better.

Love Sheila xx

 

 

7

This chemo has made me extremely tired compared to others. I also have been on chemo for 8 1/2 years without a break. I did mention to my onc about this  last week and then he went on to talk about my lung. He put me on steroids for 6 weeks fof my lung. I wanted on a low dose for energy. I will see how I feel over the next few weeks on them. Two years ago he told me when he gave me this chemo hexsaid I could take them for a boost. I also think they can give you ritalin. How are your blood levels? 

 

 

 

8

Hi josie…you sound the same as me. I have lung mets dx 2 mths ago. Just finished my 1st cycle on Capecitabine (xeloda) and starting my 2nd cycle tomorrow. I’m only on 3 cycles too to begin with.
Had no side effects and actually went back to my part time work 2 days a wk while on it.
I think I’ll be having my blood markers done tomorrow but hoping theres some shrinkage because the cough ive had for a year has almost disappeared just in these last 2 wks!
I have an appt for my CT scan on 28 Aug to see how its worked.
Its been nothing like the iv chemo I had for my primary 9 yrs ago…very doable and I hope you’ll be the same on it. Most ladies do well on it I think. You can read more of my posts on the lung mets thread.
Love and hugs
Bev xxxxx

9

Hi there

 

I’m on my 5th cycle of Capecitabine and to begin with I was very poorly and like many others took antisickness as I hate the feeling of nausea.  After the 2nd cycle I stopped taking them altogether and felt fine.  My dosage has never changed and I’m on 4 tablets twice daily of 500mg each.  Apart from drying palms which I keep well moisturised I don’t have any other side effects… Although towards the 2nd week of taking Cape I get an odd tasting sensation in my mouth which goes once I enter the week off Cape.

 

I had my second piece of good news since being on Cape as my latest blood test showed yet another drop in cancer markers.  So from starting at 1900 they’re now down to 610.  I don’t have tumours in lung but was diagnosed from biopsy as having pleural effusion caused by malignant cells.  Also a primary in good breast.

 

My partner and I go away to Italy on a road trip for 2 and half weeks on 19th August and I asked my onc for a break from the chemo and she wholeheartedly said yes which is so good to hear as I want to enjoy my holiday. 

 

Good luch to all those on Cape and all those going through Chemo.

 

Love and light

Dani XX