Side Effects Of Xeloda?

Johann · New User Joined: 13 Aug 2008 Posts: 5

Hi All,
I'm new to the forum. My 65 yr old mother has had colon cancer stage 4 for 3yrs & 7mths, with metastases limited to the abdomen but continuing to increase. She has had the typical Folfox & Folfiri chemotherapy regimens including the addition of avastin & cetuximab but unfortunately they are no longer working for her & she has had no chemotherapy for the last 6 months. We invest a great deal of time & money into health supplements, and currently she is on curcumin, black raspberry powder, fish oil/linseed oil capsules, glyconutrients and vitamin supplements. Plus a daily dose of meditation! We have been considering going onto the Xeloda (5-FU) tablets that the dr has advised but mum is very worried about side effects, mainly lethargy & depression - obviously her body has been battered by chemotherapy over the years. So my question is - has anyone had any experience with Xeloda side effects and have they found the tablets useful in delaying or decreasing tumours in bowel cancer??
Thankyou, Jo

DulcimerGal · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 10:10 am Post subject: Re: Side Effects Of Xeloda?

Hi Jo,

Thanks for your other answer on the xeloda pills and your research...

As for xeloda side effects, I don't have very much experience but when I was getting my pre - surgery chemo and radiation combo - they had to take out my port for the 5fu infusion so for the very last 10 days I was on the xeloda pills.

I was already tired out from the radiation, but I will say I did not get the mouth sores and nausea that I had been getting with the 5fu infusion while taking the pills.

The oncologist I have says too that the pills can be controlled well and just stopped if the side effects get bad. He spoke more about the hand and foot neuropathy though than any of the other side effects.

Good luck Jo
Cheers

DulcimerGal

sheila · Experienced user Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 90

Well Im sure everyones different as far as side effects-my mom ..they claimed was the 1in a100 that got every side effect and had to be taken off of it 14 days into the treatment It was waaay too strong for her) watch out for and report all or any signs of side effects no matter how insignificant they may seem-It was Not a good experience for my mom-fatigue and depression would have been welcomed instead of her side effect-everything mentioned went to extreme. But Ive read and heard of others who tolorate it with very little side effects. I told you a negative but its rare and hopefully someone eles will give you a more positive version. prayers are with you and your mom. sounds like shes been a strong person through all of this so far.

Johann · New User Joined: 13 Aug 2008 Posts: 5

Thankyou both for your advice. We will look into the Xeloda a bit more in depth, unfortunately mum had a bad reaction to the Oxaliplatin so anythings possible!!

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 817 Location: UK

I'm on Xeloda - so far no nausea, no diarrhoea, a certain amount of sleepiness, and thinning of the skin on hands and feet.

However, it can be adjusted in dose to cope with side-effects so I am going on with it.

DulcimerGal · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject: Re: Side Effects Of Xeloda?

Thanks Vee - how long have you been taking it now?

Cheers
DG
_________________
Rectal Cancer diagnosed Valentines Day 2008
Finished 6 weeks of radiation and chemo 4/23/08
Surgery to remove tumor - June 18th 2008
Colostomy Reversal August 20th 2008
Five rounds of Xeloda (chemo) to ZAP anything left!

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 817 Location: UK

Just finished my third cycle. Due to very painful hands and feet, I am on a two-week break with an adjustment to the dose thereafter.

Goldie · Regular Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 10

Hello!

I had 6 months of chemo for stage IIIC colon cancer. I was on oxaliplatin and xeloda. Each cycle lasted 3 weeks. Started with an infusion of oxaliplatin on the first day. Then two weeks of xeloda tablets, and one week rest. For me the oxaliplatin was the worse one.

I didn't have that many issues with the xeloda. I didn't really experience diarrohea, just occasionally. Although I did have an ileostomy so that may have played a role. No hair loss, just thinning a bit. I also had a weird taste in my mouth occasionally.

The main issue with the xeloda was the effect on my hands and feet. The skin on my hands and feet went pink, and then really dark, dry and cracked. People would often ask why my hands were so dark. It was also painful. Sometimes it was very painful. So I would put on 2-3 pairs of socks so it could be less painful when I walked, that helped a lot.

I also struggled swallowing the tablets. They're quite big, and taste horrible. For some reason I just couldn't swallow them. If I had it with water I would gag, so I started to have it with milk or juice.

Obviously with the chemo you do feel quite exhausted, and lethargic. But I was able to lead some sort of a normal life whilst still on the xeloda tablets.

Hope that helps!

mike3 · Regular Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 25

I'm on my 4th week of xeloda. I'm doing 5 days on 2 days off while also doing oxaliplatin and radiation. So far so good, I have a little thinning of the skin on my hands but nothing big. They gave me udder cream which is working well. Little bit of a wierd taste in my mouth sometimes but still not to bad.
_________________
Rectal Cancer Diagnosed May 30th 08
Stage II, Surgery June 18th
6 weeks of Radiation and 6 Months of Chemo to follow.

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