Hi everyone
As this drug is new to me, I’m not sure what are side effects and what are just me being a bit ill because of winter coming…
I’ve only actually been sick once yet feel nauseous for a few hours after taking the tablets. I am feeling the cold A LOT in my fingers and toes… I’m also sleeping a hell of a lot too.
I’m seeing my onc. next week, but just want to make sure I’m doing ok by the real people in the now ie. the people who have taken/are taking Xeloda themselves…
Thanks xx
Hi J, I can’t help with the tiredness but I have felt a little nauseous if I don’t take the tablets just after or during a fairly good sized meal.
I think you have to take them within 20 mins of eating. If this helps? Lots of winter bugs around too. 
xx
Hi J. Sweetie
Hmmmmm . . . don’t know how much you’re taking each day, but a higher dose of Xeloda usually means more prominent side effects (except Belinda bucks that trend!). You’ve also had a tough few months, what with one thing and another, and you’ve been in hospital recently – it will take a while to recover from all that, which could make you a bit more vulnerable to side effects from the Xeloda. Nerve problems in your hands & feet can be a Xeloda side effect, but it could also be a feature of being “not so well” – as you said, winter on its way, and as Belinda said, plenty of bugs around.
Do tell your onc how you’ve been, and remember that the Christie’s “Chemo hotline” is there for you as well – they probably have more experience and understanding of the specific details around using Xeloda than your onc has. I love & trust my onc, and he has a brain the size of the universe, but his main interest is the “bigger picture”, and sometimes we need help with the smaller details. That’s where services like the Chemo Hotline, and specialist nurses e.g. BCNs, come in handy.
Take care, and hope to see you soon! xx
HI Poannie
I have just started taking Xeloda, and will have been taking it for a week come tomorrow evening. So far I have felt okay but that may because I have been on steroids for another problem (tumour in my eye and rads for that!). They are also giving me Vinorelbine on day 1 and day 8 and some strong anti-sickness tablets (Ondansetron) so a combination of that and the steroids is probably stopping me from feeling too tired and keeping the sickness at bay.
I have however had dreadful constipation, always do with chemo and meds that go with it. So, I have been going through sachets of Movicol like there’s no tomorrow! I was told that I would get the runs from the Xeloda, quite the opposite so far.
I am starting to reduce my steroids now and will be off them completely in December so I will let you know how I get on.
If they haven’t given you any anti-sickness tablets get some quick!!!
Sue x
Thank you ladies! I’m at Christies today to see my consultant and have my bloods done to see if this Xeloda stuff is right for me.
ION - I have a job interview on 30 November!!! It’s taken me so long to get this far and to even get anyone to look at me as a potential employee… Fingers and toes crossed eh?
Hi J. – Sending you lots of good luck vibes for Xeloda working, and for that job interview! Marilyn x
hello ladies! those good vibes have worked - my bloods are fine and my consultant has given me 2 more cycles of Xeloda… meaning I don’t need to come back here for another 7 weeks! He has also cleared me for flying to Hawaii early next year. What a dude.
Hooray…oh that is good news J…have a great holiday. :-)…xx
Time to start practicing your hula moves . . . xx
Great news and good luck with the interview
Sue xx
hi there
i have been on xeloda since about january and good news is its keeping secondaries under control. my main side effects are cramps and lots of bowel motions. i was on a high dose at first and it made me really ill with mouth ulcers and couldnt eat or anything, but now dosage is sorted i feel ok, good job cos ive got to take it indefenatly. in time im sure the professionals will sort things out for you soon.until then rest and let the medication do its job.
i find i take it just after food maybe that helps.
the main thing is i hope it battles the cancer for you, good luck!
Thank you! I find it reassuring when I get comments from people who have been on it/are on it… I don’t feel as crazy!!
xxxxx