Xeloda / Capecitabine - Your Top Tips, please?

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Barton

Weather was bit dodgy on the morn ing but it got out sunny when the bride and groom were coming out of church. We were really lucky.

Well first day over with on cap. No problems upto now but it is early days. When do the sides effects normally kick in..

Forum has been a bit quiet over weekend. Everyone must have been having a good time.
.
Hope everyone is ok.

Linda

[Barton]

Hello Linda, so glad you enjoyed the wedding! I hope the weather behaved itself for you.

In regards taste on Cape - I have found that my taste has altered slightly, but nowhere near as bad as IV chemo. Hopefully you shouldn't notice too much change.

Good luck!

Hugs. Barton.x

[LYNDYLOO]

Morning Maria

Have u started on cap as you mentioned you were going to start in a couple of weeks.

Just started taking first course of Cap. Fingers crossed I don't get too many side effects.

Good luck.
Linda

[LYNDYLOO]

Evening all the cap crusaders

Just to let you know all know had a most enjoyable day at the wedding on Friday where the daughter was chief bridesmaid and granddaughter bridesmaid..

Getting nervous now about starting Cap tomorrow. Read somewhere it can effect how food tastes. Hopefully it will now be as bad as going through chemo metal taste was awful.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend .

Linda

[Moijan]

Thank you Bartonx

[Barton]

Hello Linda, glad your mind has been eased a bit.

Forget about pills for a few days and just enjoy the wedding tomorrow!

Hugs. Barton.x

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Kirky & Barton

Thank you both so much regarding doseage. It has really put my mind at rest. I was worried dosage was too high as I am no spring chicken 65.

Overall I am fit and well. I do take BP tablets now and I have slightly under active thyroid. Until breast cancer 8 years ago I only took tablets for thyroid.

I am pleased I have break from tablets I have had more energy felt better. Think we just get used to how we feel taking tablets.

Nobody tells you when you are given tablets how they calculate dose so it is always a worry they could get it wrong. After all they are only human.

Hope you all have a good weekend. Will be back on when I start taking them on Monday.

Linda

[Barton]

Hello Moijan, just a quick note to wish you good luck with your whole body MRI scan next week.

Hugs. Barton.x

[Barton]

Hello Linda, in response to your question re doses. I was started on 4000 mg per day (2000mg x 2), and was on that dose for quite a while (sorry - can't remember how long). I am shorter than you, but heavier, hence my original dose, I suppose. I was then allowed a dose reduction to 3600mg per day (your current dose) as I was suffering from very sore hands. Since restarting Cape in August, I have been on a further dose reduction, and am on 3000mg per day. I am finding this dose a lot easier, but I am aware that if my TM's continue to rise, my dose will be increased again.

I hope this helps. I think it is worth you trying this dose for a few cycles, and see how it goes. If, however, you have any severe or unexpected se's, please contact your Onc or chemo unit as soon as possible.

Hugs to all. Barton.x

Ps. Good to hear from you, Kirky! Good luck.

[kirky_68]

Hi Linda,

your dose sounds about right to me. It's based on body surface area ( how to calculate your bsa here http://halls.md/body-surface-area/bsa.htm )

I make your bsa 1.75 which you multiply by the standard dose of 1200mg twice a day. So you max dose is 2100mg twice a day. Your onc has started you on 1800mg which I think is fairly normal.

I am 5 10" and was on 2500mg but got a dose reduction as was having a few side effects.

Hope all goes well. I'm on cycle 23 now and has kept me stable.

Lots of luck

Paula

[LYNDYLOO]

Afternoon cap ladies

Well picked up cap tablets today but will not be starting them till Monday. After the wedding which is Friday.

Bit worried about the doseage. 3 x 500 and 2 x150 in morning then same again on the evening.

I know they say it is worked out by height and weight. I am 5ft 5 and 10 stone 7. Looking at leaflet I have chemo unit just to check. Waiting for them to ring me back.

Always remember when I was prescribed blood pressure by a kidney specialist the pharmacy made a mistake. Took them for a couple of days blood pressure went too low. Top figure was under 100.

Think that is why I am bit concerned.

Can I ask any of you what doseage you are on?

Looking forward to wed ding tomorrow even though weather looks like it is going to rain.

Rainy north east.

Hope you are all ok.
Linda

[Moijan]

Hi Nicky
I am in the same boat with my veins
So sorry to hear about the over mets - have had those myself since 2013
Along with bone mets
Am booked for a Whole Body MRI scan( neck to toe) next week which could end up being a nightmare as in addition to bc spread they usually show up things likeblocked arteries and other anomalies - I read that often lots of new pointless inv are ordered as a result!
Mx

[bonariensis]

Hi Nicky

Sorry to hear aboui hunt the vein and the aftermath. Your veins must be extremely well used after all this time. You wonder how they survive for as long as they do. Hugs while waiting for the results. Hope they are good. Bon x

[Barton]

Hello Linda, the early mornings for the 2 weeks of tablet taking nearly kill me - I really looked forward to my week off!

Regarding your creatinie levels - mine have always been higher than the average, and my GP used to keep an eye on them and now my Onc does. Mine are usually around 120-ish, but once went up to over 160. They wouldn't give me the pills (or my Denosumab injection) that day, and I had to have 2 units of fluid. My bloods had improved by the following week when I had both pills and jab. The moral of that story is - drink loads before your blood test!

Nicky - sorry to read about your hunt the vein experience. Luckily I haven't had that problem yet, but my one really good vein is gradually getting shy! Good luck for your scan results.

Hugs to all. Barton.x

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Barton

Thank you for your help regarding tablets. You certainly get up early in the morning considering you are retired. I used to get up 5.45 when I went to work. I am sure once I start them I will be fine.

Marli

You mention you live in Darlington. I live in Washington Tyne and wear.

Are you doing well on cap?

Hugs to to everyone.
Linda

[LYNDYLOO]

Morning Nicky

Thank you for getting back to me.

You have put mind at rest regarding trying to fit in 2 lots of tablets.

Been to chemo unit this morning and I was treated like a new patient taken into a side room went through all the paperwork. What I did ask to see was my kidney and liver function. All were in normal range apart from creatine level which should no higher than 85 and mine was 114. Since I have been on combo it was always raised. It was 99 in 2015.

Sorry to hear had a problem finding a vein before having scan. Least it is over with for the time being. Like you say no point in worrying about the scan till the day you go for results.

I was concerned when the chemo nurse mentioned about neuts and going to low and prone to infection. When I was on chemo back in 2009 my neuts went down to zero after one treatment. I had to have an injection couple days after each chemo . Hubby used to give it to me in my stomach.

Mentioned I like to go swimming. She said I should try and avoid busy places.

Just have to see how first course of tablets go.

Have you got an appointment for scan results?

Forgot to mention at chemo unit 2 hours and could not have tablets as prescription was for Everolimus so got to go back again tomorrow for cap.

Linda

[Carolyn52]

Nicky
Sorry about hunt the vein ..it's a nightmare. .up to now my baddy arm hasent had to be used but my veins are iffy ...I insist on the butterfly one now as it's a bit more gentle on the precious ones I have left.
Fingers crossed for your scan results ..try not to worry too much as a veteran of this cancer lark..just enjoy some extra cuddles with the new grandson to keep you busy !!!
Hugs xx

[nicky08]

Hi Linda

i was never that exact with the timing of my doses just made sure they were about 12 hours apart and either with or within 30 mins of having food. If you eat early one day just have a little treat later on such as a cake or yogurt or a biscuit with a cup of tea and take them with that. You can then 'justify' the treat 😊 I always did!

Nicky x

ps good to hear you've had no more pain, whatever causes it it's not very nice. Also don't write off the fact you can't go for an Indian meal again, there's no reason not to, just do what you feel OK with doing. OK you may have to take the tablets whilst out but I used to do it all the time. The actual time you take each day's tablet is not set in stone, get it to work around what you are doing. If you're late one morning take them later that evening and vice versa

pps thanks for all the well wishes for my scan, it was the usual hunt a vein which was horrible, about 5 attempts so I'm bruised on both arms now as they had to end up using my 'bad' arm which they have done in the past. This then delayed the actual scan so I was there for about 2 and a half hours in total and of course hadn't eaten for hours due to my hospitals regime of no food for 4 hours before a scan. Not a happy bunny but won't be stressing about the results until nearer the time of my onc appointment as I can't see the point after all these years!

[Barton]

Hello Linda - I don't know if you realise, but the pills should be taken within half an hour of eating, not exactly half an hour afterwards - hopefully that will save a bit of anxiety! Marli is right, you don't have to have eaten a full meal - as long as you take them with, or soon after, food, you are OK. I sometimes just eat a coupke of biscuits, or a slice of toast, and have found that is OK. I'm not a breakfast person, so find the morning pills the most difficult. They do advise you to take the pills 12 hours apart (or as close as possible). I take mine at around 6 in the morning (usually going back to sleep for a bit afterwards as I am retired now), and 6-ish at night as I don't like to eat late.

Hugs, and good luck.

Barton.x

Ps hope your scan went OK today, Nicky.

[marli]

Hi Linda. Don't know whether this is any help but I have my morning ones at about 7.30  after breakfast and second lot at about 7.30 in the evening after tea. I understand from posts on here that a sandwich counts as a meal and you can take them after that. so you can have that after your evening meal. Marli xx

[LYNDYLOO]

Afternoon Nicky

Pleased you have had a good weekend. I tend to use my phone most of the time on the forum. My phone has quite a big screen anyway

I have never asked about LFT levels and what they should be. Often find at chemo unit they are very busy when I was going for injection and tablets. Tomorrow I will probably be there a while so will ask about them then.

I had lovely weekend celebrating anniversary with at an Indian restaurant suppose that will be it for the foreseeable future once I start cap. What I will struggle wirh is having to take them half an hour after a meal. Don't have a set time for meal times at moment. Monday and Fridays pick grandchildren up from school at 3 have our time with them . Will have to get up very early in morning to take second dose at 4.30. I am probably worrying unnecessarily.
How did you manage whilst on Cap.?

Hope your scan goes well today and you get your results quickly.

Not had pain in liver since Friday so hopefully it was indigestion.

Like you I do ask questions when at oncology. Normally make list so I don't forget.

Once again thank you for the information.

Take care.
Linda

[nicky08]

Hi Linda

It was a very busy weekend for me so I didn't have a chance to read, let alone reply to any posts! Plus my iPad wouldn't pick up our wifi signal and OH has been using the laptop for work, using my phone is useless and I prefer a bigger screen and keyboard for things like this.

In answer to your questions my liver mets got picked up on a CT scan I had requested. I hadn't had one for about a year as my bone mets had been very stable for about 4 years. I had some hip pain which didn't show up on an X Ray so insisted on a CT to check my bone mets. This showed the bone mets had increased and that I had lesions, a few, in my liver. I had not had any liver pain or any symptoms and because I hadn't had a blood test in ages, certainly not a liver function test, there was no other signs. My liver function results were raised at times, especially on Capecitabine, sometimes to the extent I couldn't have chemo, ie had to delay the next cycle. If ever they have been raised, and by that I mean quite a bit above the normal range,I have felt that my liver wasn't coping very well and generally felt uncomfortable. Currently they are at the low end of normal so I am hoping that eribulin has continued to work well, I will find out in a week or so when I get the results of my CT scan which I'm having later today, eek, scanxiety awaits.

Hope you are feeling OK and it was just a bit of indigestion. Definitely ask your oncologist any questions that you feel comfortable with. I have got used to asking about my LFT results and understand them reasonably well so much so that my current onc knows that I want that info just as much as knowing what my other blood results show such as wbc, neuts etc.  In fact the other month when I had a raised temperature and had to get checked out by the chemo ward the onc on duty told me one of my LFT's was raised. When I asked him which one, and what was the reading he was quite flummoxed  and said he'd never been asked by a patient for so much detail, so he had to go away and check.

Nicky x

[Barton]

Hello Marli, sorry you are suffering from dry skin. I tend to use Nivea Extreme Hydration body lotion for dry body skin, and find that very good. It smells pleasant, and soaks in nice and quickly.

Hugs. Barton.x

[LYNDYLOO]

Morning Babsey

So sorry to hear regarding you saying there are no more treatment options. I presume your oncologist has told you this.

Hope some new treatment becomes available to you.

Sending you a cyber hug.
Linda

[marli]

Afternoon everyone. Hope you are all doing well.

Looking for some advice regarding dry skin. Noticed yesterday that skin on chest was very dry and then checking this morning most of body feels dry.

 Is this a SE of the cape. Have applied Aveeno to chest this morning in hope that it helps. Anyone else have this. Any advice much appreciated..Marli xx

[Babsy]

I've now come to the end of my treatment options just got to get myself in a positive mindset. I still don't feel that I am on deaths door. I'm going to a two day conference in Birmingham this Saturday and Sunday called, I Can Do It. It is all hahouse authors so I know they will be inspirational, including Anita Moorjani. I've got two tickets but am only using one as my husband does not want to attend to see the "quacks" so if anyone wants other ticket let me know. 

Barbara x

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Barton

Thank you for getting back to me. I am going to ask on Tuesday when I pick up new treatment.

Hope you are doing ok back on cap.

Hugs
Linda

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Nicky

Thank you for getting back to me. I am like you I like to know what is going on with my body. I suppose not everyone is the same.

If you don't mind me asking when you were dianoised with liver mets were you having pain why they did a scan or were you getting scanned on a regular basis anyway.

On Tuesday when I am at chemo unit sorting out my new treatment I am going to ask again what it says on the scan.

The annoying thing I would have been getting kidney and liver function done each time I picked up my tablets. I googled what one of the first things that can show up liver function is your enezenes levels are raised which mine must be but know one took ant notice.

Do you get any pain with your liver at the moment?
Reason why I ask after having a large tea last night I got really bad pain under my right ribcage

Off out tonight to celebrate 45th wedding anniversary. Hope I don't get same pain tonight.

Hope are having a good weekend.

Take care.
Linda

[Barton]

Hello Oggy, lovely to hear about your birthday and retirement party, and what a wonderful surprise it must have been to have your daughter turn up!

Glad you are doing OK so far on Cape. Good luck for your future cycles.

Hugs. Barton.x

[oggy]

hi Maria i  have just started my second cycle of cape and  was worried too but the comments and support on here settled me. As it happens no major s/e just dizzy and tired. I started using e45 the week before on my hands and feet ....like obsessively 6 /7 times a day, have got better now just do it twice a day and have had no problems. Its a scary club to be in but this link I find really useful not least because of how long people have been around.

To others on here sorry been quiet had the most fantastic retirement/birthday party surprise last friday, my daughter turned up from san francisco (not seen her since the diagnosis) so been a busy week, although she is gone again today.I am determined to get out there feb time for long holiday results permitting

Good luck Maria ... and thanks again to all on here

Oggy

[Barton]

Hello Marli, so glad you are on the ball! Well done. You could very well be right, re work load, but it's a shame he had to lie to you! Sorry you are having to go through six-monthly operations re your stents - you should have been told that, surely? I suppose it depends on how necessary they were. They probably wouldn't have spent time and money on something that wasn't entirely necessary. It would have been good to have been prepared for that, though.

Good luck.

Hugs. Barton.x

[nicky08]

Hi Linda

My liver mets have increased and decreased over time, depending on treatments, so my next CT will show what's happening. When first dx with liver mets I had a few small ones scattered around which all responded to Capecitabine to the extent that I was left with only one visible one (the others had shrunk in size and didnt appear on a further CT or MRI) The one that was left was the one they could monitor and it was when this increased slightly in size they knew Cape had stopped being effective. It shrunk again on subsequent treatment but the last lot of HER2 targetted treatment didn't work effectively and it continued to grow to about 4-5cm, eeek. Since then eribulin has reduced it after 3 cycles and I now wait to see if it continued to shrink after the last 5 cycles. Other smaller lesions had appeared before starting eribulin but none of these were mentioned in the last CT report, or seen on the scan itself, so had either gone or were too small, which is a relief. I don't mind replying with this information on here as it may be of use to someone else.  My hospital isnt particularly big, it serves a town rather than a city, and the scan detail I see is the one that radiology send to my oncologist and he justs turns the screen round to me so I can read it!  I expect all oncs get similar info, it just depends on how much your oncologist wants to tell you, I'm sure they think most of us don't want to know. However over the years my onc has got to know me and knows there's no point pulling the wool over my eyes. I have often suggested certain things to him, that I've learnt from here, that he hasn't thought about - quite scary really when I often know more about the current status of say a drug than he does.  With regards to scans it is likely your GP weill also get a copy of any reports and images, either electronically or by letter so you can  get them from your GP, again I think you are entitled to them.

Nicky xx

ps Hi Barton, I'm going to enjoy a few weeks away from medical institutions before my next treatment starts so I'm not stressing. That's until scanxiety starts again in a few weeks for my scan results.

[marli]

Yes I know. Did say this and really got nowhere so felt easier to wait and see the onc. I think it is more to do with workload. Have been very disappointed my treatment by Urology across the board. Had to have kidney stents inserted to help keep kidneys healthy during chemo. They didn' t tell me they needed replacing every 6 months. Communication has been very poor. Onc is aware of my thoughts. x Marli

[Barton]

Hello Marli, your consultant cannot, by law, refuse to let you have  a copy of the report. So what that the report has technical words in it - has he/she never heard of Google? If I don't understand a word or phrase in my reports (and I sometimes don't), I use Google! If you want the report, you should insist when you see him/her.

Hugs. Barton.x

[marli]

I rang Urology to ask for reports , especially of the minor operation I had 2 weeks ago . Was told the 

Consultant did't send reports because of all the medical language used!!Offered me a clinic appointment though.  Am going to ask the Onc next week for copies.Marli x

[Barton]

Hello Linda, no, not a private patient! Couldn't afford that! No, everyone has the right to see anything written about them and all I have done is exercise my rights. I had to fill out a form, which was readily available in the Onc department. I know a lot of people really don't want to know any details (and I fully respect their choice), however, I would rather know everything I possibly can. Some hospitals routinely offer the chance of seeing the actual scans, but I have only ever been given the chance once. The excuse I have been given before is that it needs an expert to spot it - but when I finally got a look, there seemed plenty there, to me! I think the real reason is that they just can't afford the time of going through stuff with me.

Hugs. Barton.x

Ps - Hello Nicky, good luck with getting on your trial. Shame about the greater travel distance, though.

[LYNDYLOO]

Afternoon Nicky

No problem regarding not getting straight back to me.

I have never seen scan results on a screen. Must be difference between the small hospitals and the bigger ones.

Next time I go to oncologist I am going to ask to see reports and scans wonder what the reply will be.

I asked twice on Monday what size is the tumour in liver did not get a reply. It does not instill any confidence regarding treatment.

Do you know how big yours is?

I could PM you if you want.

Take care of yourself.
Linda

[nicky08]

Hi Linda

Sorry I haven't got back to you sooner but I've been a bit busy for the last few days and not able to log on - I can't cope with using my phone for looking at the website as the screen is way too small so I use my laptop or iPad. I know you asked me, and Barton, about scan reports etc. Everyone is entitled to have copies of all their reports and letters but most of us don't ask, in my case because I don't actually want to know! I do go through my CT images and report with my current onc when I have had one done which is helpful but at the beginning didn't even want to do that! I do get reports from my cardio oncologist (for heart related appointments) and also copies of any reports when I've had a second opinion for oncology (usually from The Marsden where I have been on several occasions) I think it's down to personal choice and also the fact that most patients don't know they are entitled to copies.

I have had great treatment at my local hospital and they have been totally on the ball about what is best for me and, if they can't offer it (ie NICE don't allow it on the NHS) they have referred me for second opinions to research hospitals where I can get the right drug/treatment. This is likely to happen for my next treatment but will now mean I have a lot more upheaval as currently I only drive about 5 miles to my local hospital whereas any changes will involve a lot longer. Having said that if I can get something that is very suited to my type of BC then I will travel for it rather than go onto something that I might not benefit from as much.

Nicky x

[LYNDYLOO]

Afternoon Barton

Thank you for getting back to me. Regarding scans for some reason they only seem to scan torso. I have queried that with
them many times regarding this they reply it is a good indication if that is stable everywhere else in the body is stable. I asked if I could have a bone scan when I saw oncologist in June and that was their answer.

Just wondering are you being treated privately for treatment why you always get copies of results.

Weird how each hospital operates differently.
Take care
Linda

[Barton]

Hello Linda, yes, I get a copy of the written report that goes to my Onc. I also ask for copies of all reports after my Onc visit at Clinic appointments (which reminds me, I haven't had a copy for at least the last 2 visits!).

 I do have bone mets - in several places actually. Hips, some ribs and pelvis. Possibly other places, but they only scan my torso! I also have some soft tissue mets, but, as of my last CT scan, no lung mets.

Good luck. Hugs. Barton.x

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Marli

I live in Washington Tyne & Wear. I have been on this forum for a while like me? Are you on cap?

If you want I could private message you.

Take care
Linda

[LYNDYLOO]

Morning Barton

Regarding scans do you get s copy of the written report then.? If you do Least you know what they are saying about you.

I have often asked for copies of the letters which are sent to the doctor without success. The odd time I have been to my own doctor I have asked for a copy of a letter which I get.

I like to know what is going on with my body.

How are you doing on cap at moment?

I feel I am on a down ward spiral now. I have know one to speak to. No care nurse Macmillan nurse.

If it was not for this forum I don't know what I would do.

Have you got bone and liver mets like me? Thought I would just ask saves me going through past posts.

Take care
Linda

[Barton]

Hello Linda, so glad you have got a started delay on the Cape pills - it means you will be able to enjoy the wedding properly! Well done!

I ask for copies of scans, etc but my Oncs secretary keeps forgetting to send them. I keep having to ring and request them. She is very nice about it and always apologises.

Good luck, and let us know how the wedding goes.

Hugs. Barton.x

[marli]

Hi Linda. Reading your post it would appear you are in the North East. I live near Darlington. Where are you. ? Xx

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Nicky

I do so wish you lived near me. You are so reassuring on treatments etc. Must start thinking positive. During the last 8 years once I had finished the initial chemo I have done regular exercise walking, swimming and I have aerobic DVD which I do every now and again as you say it does take your mind of things.

You have gave me a real boast. I am sure once I start the treatment it will become the new norm. It is the unknown that scares me. I was exactly the same when I started the combo.

Just wondering do you get a copy of any scan results or letters etc.?. I don't thou I never ask for a copy.

Hope the weather improves. Every day raining.

Take care.
Linda

[nicky08]

Hi Linda

I see from your other post that all went well today at the onc appt. It will be good to have a bit of a break between treatments in any case as I feel at times when I've gone straight from one to another that my body hasnt had time to recovery fully.  Make the most of it and enjoy the wedding.

Whilst on Cape I was able to get on with everything as usual. It did take a couple of cycles to feel perfectly OK on it, I think my body was just getting used to the trickle feed of chemo each day so its not surprising.  Just listen to your body and get the dose changed/reduced if you feel you need it ie you are not coping well with side effects. Also a break of an extra week here and there I'm sure will not affect its effectiveness.  I did have a drink, or 2, whilst on Cape and have also done so on any other treatment I've been on as and when I feel I want to.  I decided long ago not to allow this disease to change the way I live my life so carry on doing all the things I used to do including not changing what I eat and drink plus exercising which ever way suits me at the time - currently lots of walking but not long distances, just regular walks of a mile or so which I find good for clearing the mind.  It's kept me (resonably!) sane over the past 9+ years of mets.

Nicky x

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi all cap crusaders

Just to let you know all went to oncologist this morning asked whether it would make any difference regarding delaying my treatment until after the wedding on the 29 September she said will be fine a few days would make any difference

Asked what size is the tumour. Did not get a direct answer. I know at the beginning of the year she mentioned there was a small speck and did not want to change treatment. Think they like to get the most out of each treatment which I suppose is understandable as there are not that many treatments for ER positive apart from going onto chemo.

Enough about me.

How are you all today?

Hugs
Linda

[LYNDYLOO]

Morning Nicky

The hospital you are under seems very well organised and on top of any problems that mat occur. That must be very reassuring for you.

I have not been offered any trials up here in the North East of England

Can I ask when you were on cap were you able to carry on life as normal e.g. going out for meals having a few drinks. I often go out on girlie nights out even though I am 65. Hubby and I go out every Saturday to a working men's club.

Wrote loads of questions down when I see my oncologist this morning getting nervous now. Hate going to hospital. I tend to go by myself hubby tends to bury head in sand.

Hope everyone has had a good weekend.

Sending hugs to everyone.
Linda

[Barton]

Hello Maria, sorry you have had to join us, but welcome.

In answer to your two questions - firstly, the blood. I have been on Cape for just over 3 years now (with several breaks inbetween) and have had no serious issues with it affecting my blood. I have had 2 blood transfusions over the 3 years, but widely spaced, and the first was well over a year after starting.  I do have problems with my Creatinine levels being high, but I did have had that problem for many years before Cape. I have to make sure I drink lots each day. However, drinking lots while on Cape is recommended anyway as it is an extremely drying chemo (hence a lot of the hand and foot problems).

Secondly, the question about your hands and feet. The best thing I can suggest is to read back over this thread. There is lots of really good advice on here going back over many years. The main thing is to keep moisturising as much as possible.

Good luck, and keep in touch.

Hugs. Barton.x

[Maria12]

Hi ladies im starting cape in 2 weeks .so worried about it .Does cape work the same as iv chemo as regards to knocking the bloods , my bloods were reasonable ok on iv but was on filgrastrim to help with it only couple minor infections .Also any advice regarding se's especially feet and hands x