Xeloda side effects

Ann8103

I am just starting Xeloda and would like to hear from "veterans" about how to manage SEs.  I am concerned most about the hand-foot syndrome, nausea and diarrhea.

 I was first diagnosed with BC in June 05, since have had lumpectomy, radiation, AC/T, Tamoxifen, Arimidex, Femara, Radio Frequency Ablation and Avastin/Abraxane....mets to liver.  Now stable but not decreasing in size.  Tumor markers increasing alarmingly despite nothing new in the scans. 

Fortunately, I've been able to work full-time despite all of this.  Lost 35 pounds (some of which I needed to lose thanks to steroids).

Four years of mostly continuous treatment is wearing on me but I feel fortunate to have a wonderful oncologist and great insurance.

 Thanks for your help!

Ann

basketnut3

I was diagnosed in June of '08 and took Xeloda along with other chemos.  I had 6 different ones over the course of 12 treatments.  The hand-foot syndrome wasn't too bad until near the end of the Xeloda.  I started using ice packs, but eventually switched to a foot soak with some ice in the water to cool my feet down quicker.  Sometimes at night I kept cold wash cloths on my hands.  It took about 4 months before the hand foot syndrome went away.  My hands and feet only turned red, not purple.  My feet did peel several times and was hard to walk on.  I lived in comfortable sandles for 5 months...even into November.  My nausea was controlled with Ondastron.  If you have too much diarrhea, tell your oc, it is a sign of taking too much.  My dosage had to be reduced.  I was happy when I reached the end of the Xeloda.  I took Xeloda in a clinical trial for breast cancer. If you have mail in prescription program, mine was covered and saved me alot of money.  I only had to pay for 2-90 days supplies (2 different strengths of Xeloda) and saved over $2,000 verses getting it through a local pharmacy.