All about Xeloda

@aj - Really nice to see you back here. Hope your travels were good/worthwhile. I'm also so sorry that you have to go back on the drug. Here's hoping the side effects won't be as bad this time!

When does the hand/foot problems start? First week of Xeloda not too bad…week off…2nd week really tired and so glad to have the this week off…enjoy all the posts…so helpful

@airgal

Hand and foot problems don't necessarily appear right at the start of treatment. I think I started getting cracks on my fingers after one month of treatment. Now, halfway through each cycle, I have to put on a few plasters, especially if I haven't been careful to moisturize my hands properly with cream, etc., or if I forget gloves when doing housework. Doing laundry immediately causes cracks. I have fewer problems with my feet; sometimes I get cracks on my heels that I cover with a small bandage. A visit to a podiatrist might be a good option.
These are just minor issues; fatigue is more noticeable, but taking breaks and not pushing myself too hard allows me to recover. Best of luck with Xeloda.

@denny123

hello, how are you doing?

I just had a PET scan and there is a capture on my 2nd thoracic vertebra that is not detected by the scan. I had to have an MRI to find out if it is a new small metastasis or just inflammation, otherwise I will have to have radiotherapy again on this vertebra. I'm waiting for the MRI results.
We had a few magnificent days here, making us believe that spring was returning, but this weekend it's snowing again; More than 20 cm today and it's still going. I'll have to wait for the vegetable garden. Do you already have your first daffodils in the garden?🌻

Best regards..

l took the master Gardner course a couple times in my area….we been up and down with wx temperatures can’t wait to start planting vegetables…which will probably be in April…just saw the Onc too soon to tell if it is working….a few more cycles and she will do pet scan

I haven't had any nausea so far ( after two months), so can't say I take anything for it. I do have probiotic Greek yogurt and fresh unpasteurized sauerkraut from a local co-op daily, and I've been doing it for years. I did fairly well "gastrointestinally" with Verzenio also, and I have assumed that my relative luck in this regard has been largely due to the yogurt and sauerkraut. I also make sure to take the pills within 30 minutes of eating; usually about 15 minutes after. That's about all I can offer here.

@airlinegal In over 8 years of Xeloda, I have never had nausea. I am on 2,500 a day at 7/7. I eat yogurt and sauerkraut now and then, but not regularly.

And I always take the pills after a meal or large snack. Some ladies say to eat a few crackers, but I don't think that would be enough.

@airlinegal I guess your onc will have to tell you what high reds mean. My reds are always at the lowest possible level, which is one of the reasons why I am so darned fatigued. Please let us know what he/she says.

the Onc said in the bloodwork they mostly look at hemoglobin, platelets and absolute neutrofills…when I asked question about red cell distribution being high

@denny123 It's great that your last scan was good. I also have a suspicious area on my second dorsal vertebra, but as the MRI does not show any infiltration of the spinal cord and my markers remain stable, we are not too worried. We will closely monitor the TP-Scan to track the progress. So I can continue with Xeloda! Phew.
Hang in there with the mouth ulcers, they're really something very unpleasant.

@airlinegal My oncologist tests my red blood cells, platelets, neutrophils every month...and I always have good results, unlike targeted therapies which wrecked my immune defenses and my platelets. With Xeloda, all of this remains the same. I hope that will soon be the case for you.

Thanks ladies. My mouth sores are gone. Actually, they seemed to be blisters under my tongue. I have no idea why I got them.

@airlinegal If you watch your high-folic foods, you shouldn't have any problems besides the dryness and peeling of your hands and feet.

@airlinegal —-forgot to answer….I have been on Xeloda for over 8 years and have had no kidney problems.

Hope everyone is doing well. Spring is kind of here in PA, but we do get frosts now and then. I am so anxious to start my gardens.

I saw a new cardiologist recently who told me that using my CPAP machine is the reason why my BP has not been as high. And he even said that the machine should help my GERD! Okay, okay, I will try to hate it less.

My mouth sores are back, but not as bad this time. I am not drinking any juice now. So many things have citric acid and that makes the sores worse.

@marcials1 I’m on 3000 a day one week on one week off. Luckily I’ve had no problem with nausea. I have ongoing fatigue but try to ignore it. Palliative care prescribed Ritalin which I take occasionally. Hand foot syndrome is my worst side effect. For me it’s important to keep up the moisturizing. But it’s working really well. Been on it for 2 years.

@marcials1 Welcome! I have been on Xeloda for over 8 years and it reacts adversely to foods that are high in folic acid. So those foods should be eaten only in moderation, to avoid the burning and infections in your hands and feet.

I use Aquaphor on my feet night and day for the dryness. Take the pills a half hour after a meal or large snack to avoid nausea.

I am on 2500 a day at 7/7.

I have constant fatigue but have been on chemo for over 24 years.