Has anyone had lower back pain on xeloda ? X
I will be collecting my Peachy pills tomorrow, if my bloods from today are okay. I had stopped them for 2 months because of my recent hip repleacement.
It think once you are on the correct dose the side effects are not too bad with Capecitabine. But the very first cycles can determine whether a reduction is necessary or not. Don’t try to be a martyr girls if your feet get very sore. Mine did when I was first on this chemo and it was like walking on broken glass, very painful. But at that time I did not know the dose coud be reduced AND the chemo would still work. Not sure how long ago that would be …5 or 6 years ago perhaps.
I am stil on steroids to help my appetite and mood and am down to one tabet a day now. Not sure what will happen on Friday when I ran out of them as my Oncologist gave me a 2 week supply only. May ask the ward tomorrow when I get my infusion of Zolidronate.
I have been keeping busy over the past few days and was walking with my crutches on the beach yesterday, but today the weather has turned cold and windy so we went up to the bird Sanctuary at Vane Farm near Kinross to buy new birdfeedrs and replenish bird food. OH has filled them all so the birds whould have a field day tomorrow…pun…oh…
Hope the Capecitabine works for you all as well as it has for me. My Tms were 3000 before the last 8 cycles and one of them went down to 179. But with being off the peachy pills for 2 months they are approaching 2000. Lets hope it nips the wee buggers in the bud again and improves things for me. Take Care Val.
Pinkylou - sorry I haven’t had any pain that wasn’t already there. Haven’t heard of it being a common SE but could be worth checking with your unit in case.
Val - hope the pills continue to work for you. It gives me hope to hear of ladies who’ve been on it for so long.
Had CT scans today and see onc on Friday for results. Got lucky as they found a good vein first time. Usually have to play ‘hunt the vein’ with them after having been on FEC.
good luck Friday Gail , I am sending you good vibes x
Is it ok to take ibuprofen for headache and chest pain ?
Well it’s 5 days since I started Cap, and no SE’s yet. We even had our day at Goodwood races today, and didn’t even feel tired - so I didn’t spoil it for everyone as feared. The only thing is that I forgot to take my Lansoprazole at lunchtime and began to get a bit of acid reflux, but have taken it this evening and seem to be OK now.
Also with regard to handling Cap. I have been reading the green guide to taking Xeloda, which the hospital gave me, and has been produced by Roche (who I believe manufacture Cap), and it says that unlike other oral chemotherapy drugs, Xeloda can be handled safely - so no need to wear gloves, or put it into a cup. The only thing is apparently you should only take it with water, as orange juice can interfere with it (the Macmillan guide to taking Cap states that you can dissolve it in orange which would appear to be incorrect advice).
Glad you had a good day at Goodwood and that you are having minimal SEs.
It seems strange that some of us are finding our fingers are peeling where the tablets have been handled. I shall continue using a spoon.
Ann
Hi Ann, I was just repeating what the manufacturer say’s - but their info might be wrong.
Just a thought, but if people are experiencing problems when handling Xeloda, they should report it to the MRHA, under the yellow card scheme (see link below. If enough people report a problem, this Governement body can force the manufacturer to investigate and change their advice.
mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Reportingsafetyproblems/Reportingsuspectedadversedrugreactions/Patientreporting/index.htm
Ann it might just be a coincidence but would be interesting to know if the peeling clears up when you stop handling the pills.
Good news from onc today. CT scans are clear and she thinks skin mets might be slightly improved. Will have to get you to send me the good vibes for every appt from now on Pinkylou.
Thats fantastic news Gail , brilliant xxxxxx
Gail, that’s really good news. BTW, do you remember me? We met at the secondary support day.
Just going back to handling or not these tablets - I was told to try and avoid it, which I have mostly, but both my hands and feet are sore and peeling and I can assure you I have not been handling them with my feet! I think it has a systemic effect, which can cause this hands and feet thing. I’ve just come to end of my third cycle and I’ve also developed a rash, where some of my body (upper chest and left arm) have been exposed to the sun. So lots of cream being applied everywhere! Has anyone else has this sun sensitive thing?
Isobel
Janice how’s it going? Did you ever ask for a second opinion about whether a MX would be beneficial for you? The more I think about it, the more I think you should ask. Perhaps others will correct me, but even if you had a recurrence in you lymph nodes, that still doesn’t constitute secondary cancer. I was under the impression that when cancer is in the breast and lymph node it is regarded as stage 3. It’s only when the lymph node cannot contain it anymore, and it goes beyond the lymph node into the rest of the body that it becomes stage 4. If that is the case it, then I would have thought an MX would be very worthwhile. In anycase, even if you are stage 4, my Prof say’s there is overwhelming evidence that removal of the primary extends survival.
Iamok your news is wonderful and very encouraging.
Izmark, the manufacturers claim it is safe to handle (but maybe they need to update their guide). But I was under the impression that it requires an enzyme in the Liver to activate it. My instinct, is like yours, that the sore hands and feet, are SE’s from the drugs systemic action (but I have only been on it for a week, so who am I to judge).
Izmark, Are you going to the meeting on Monday evening at the WGH? Val ( I am going)
No Val, not this time. I felt quite wobbly after the secondary support day, so thought I would give it a break for the time being.
Isobel
Hi Izmark, yes I remember you. I’m skipping the Monday meetings at WGH just now too as timing is a bit awkward for eating evening meal and taking the pills. Might go if it coincides with the week off.
I was told when on FEC-T to avoid the sun but not sure if it’s an issue with Cap.
Spoke to soon about no SE’s. Acid reflux has been building up and I now feel like I’ve been drinking battery acid. Can’t even drink a cup of tea without pain, so am just drinking milk. As a result I’m feeling quite sick. Am taking Lansoprazole gastic inhibiter in the morning and then Omeprazole in the evening (although I’m only supposed to take one per day). Didn’t sleep properly last night because of the reflux (had to prop myself up), and so have been sleepy all day. Not feeling great, and not sure I can hack oral chemo (they want me to have at least three cycles). Is there something I can do, or is there an alternative infused chemo that won’t take my hair?
Lesley dont suffer ring and ask I’ve heart burn now and then but the tabs y on work well on me it might settle down why don’t u give it a try they can reduce dose I’m sure u don’t want iv I know I don’t tc laura
Just something to think about Lemongrove…It couldn’t be that capecitabine has knocked your immunity a little and you have oesophageal thrush?..might be worth a discussion with BCN. Pamx
The Acid problem is a better today. I took the Cap an hour earlier last night, and made sure I slept semi-propped up, so wasn’t disturbed with chronic heartburn. I’ve even managed a cup of tea this morning, but to be on the safe side had porridge for breakfast (as toast requires butter, and butter equals heartburn). Am seeing the Prof on the 8th October, and will ask if there is something they can give me.
I guess Cap has to be given orally, because it is absorbed in the Gut. Wish it could be done by infusion though.