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@bigred62 …wow to 30 years! I often marvel that I have been Stage 4 for almost 1/3 of my life since I am 76. I found this forum in 2003, when the internet was in its infancy. Facebook wasn't even started yet! Back then, I don't remember having these specific forums. I participated in discussion groups and we were all on different treatments.

Then I found BCmets online and that is where I found out about Gemzar and Herceptin, which were both new back then. I had read on there about a lady whose liver was hugely swollen with liver mets and it was getting better on the "new" chemo Gemzar. That afternoon, my oncologist gave me the choice of 3 clinical trials and one was Gemzar & Herceptin, which I chose. At that time, I only had statistically a year to live. So I sure did make the right choice!

Denise

@threetree This is a great forum for all things Xeloda and we are all at different stages of the journey 😀

It's wonderful having everyone here with such great knowledge to help us through this so please feel free to message me any time you have a question and I will do my best to answer it.

Keep us posted once you get started and as @denny123 mentioned we all handle the drug differently but can still help each other handle any side-effects 🩷 I'm 63 and have been on this roller coaster for 30 years so far!!

@bigred62 - Thanks very much for detailing how you've been experiencing/dealing with the stuff like diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, etc. It's a big help, because I'm just so nervous. They say my prescription was approved, so now I'm just supposed to have a session with the pharmacist this week, and then await a delivery of the drug. If you are managing to play pickleball, I would think you are not too troubled with fatigue, and that is encouraging. Also, I'm going to be starting with 3000 a day, so a little less than what you are taking; hopefully that will help. Interesting about the neutrophils. I was taking Verzenio before ("sister drug" to Ibrance, so I'm going to watch and see if they go up, now that I'm off of it. Mine only seemed to ever get as low as about 1.5 though. I already drink ginger tea for occasional nausea from the drugs I've been on, so maybe if I just continue that, I can take care of that problem too, if it arises. I'm really glad to know that you're not having too bad of a time with it. I hope it serves you well for a very, very long time!

@denny123 Re the constipation problem you've noted, have you tried any "natural" laxatives like dried fruit. Honey and extra virgin olive oil are good too. Gentle results and not all the harshness and other things that accompany OTC laxatives. I've also found that taking a good walk can often be the best laxative in the world. Just some thoughts and ideas for what they're worth.

@threetree I am on my week off and doing good, no nausea and less diarrhea this week.

I have the occasional nausea and just use the non drowsy Gravol Ginger and it works great, for my diarrhea I use the quick dissolve immodium especially before I head out to pickleball 🤪

I have lots of energy most days and just get a bit winded during pickleball if I have a long rally.

I have been on Xeloda for 2 cycles and take 3600 a day without much issue so far.

My immune system likes this way better than Ibrance which I was on for 18 months and was always tired because my nutrifils were really low at 0.7, with Xeloda they are 2.4 so my immune system is happy so far.

I follow @denny123 's advice and watch my folic acid intake and so far I'm doing fine.

@denny123 have you heard anything about sourdough starter being an issue as it's considered a live bacteria? I'm going to ask my Oncologist on Monday if that's an issue with the immune system similar to avoiding live vaccines!

Jill