Xeloda

doozie22

I was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer 2 years ago. Mets to bone only originally. New scan in February 2018 showed Mets to liver. I had been on Ibrance with letrozol, then changed to fadlodex. In Feb I switched docs and was put on Taxol. Se’s very bad. Horrible neuropathy, mouth sores, hair loss, tastebuds gone, fatigue. Just changed to Xeloda. I can’t find any new posts on Xeloda and what to expect. Apprehensive about change. Help

WinningSoFar

I typed a whole response which just went to bit heaven. Oh dear.

Dear doozie--I'm so sorry about your progression. I'm just one step behind you with bone mets only. I've been taking Xeloda for 3-4 years. I have no side effects at all. That may be due to taking only 2000 mg a day. My MO said that a study (or something) shows that small dosages are as effective as larger doses. Anyway, it seems to work for me.

I also did a stint on Abraxane, a taxol, and my side effects were about like yours except for the mouth sores. X is DEFINITELY easier.

doozie22

dear WinningSoFar, thank you so much for your reply. Did you have neuropathy with the Taxol and did it subside? I’ll be starting the Xeloda tomorrow so am taking hope that I’ll be spared the side effects as well. The neuropathy is just so difficult, I can’t imagine adding foot sores. Your post has eased some of my anxiety. Bless you

pajim

Hi doozie22, I've been on Xeloda for more than a year with few problems. 2500/day 14/7.

I'm sorry Taxol didn't treat you well. That's likely my next step so I'm hoping the same won't happen to me.

There's a fairly active thread called "All About Xeloda". Lots of ladies on this particular treatment.

Buy yourself some lotion with urea in it. There are lots -- I use Gold Bond Ultimate, either the hand lotion or the diabetic lotion. What Madam X does is to make the skin of your hands and feet and anything else you use on a regular basis tight. My onc told me what's happening is that the drug interferes with the mechanism that holds the skin on to whatever is underneath it. Lotion up at least twice a day. The idea is to keep the skin soft so it doesn't crack when it gets tight. You'll see some peeling of the surface layers but that's OK.

It does seem that the more drug you take the worse the side-effects. The standard [starting] dose at my cancer center used to be 3000/day but I think they are down to 2500/day. Do not agree to start a dose higher than 3500/day. 3000 would be OK -- 2500 better. If your SEs are bad you can lower the dose or go to a 7days on 7 days off schedule.

I wish you the very best of luck with this drug.

doozie22

thank you for your reply, I’m just getting the hang of this blog but so very helpful! I started 3000mg 7 days on 7 off today. I hope that schedule is effective. The taxol was working but overwhelming se’s. I’m still working and was having major trouble walking/balancing. I will get the cream today. Do you recommend socks and gloves as well? I wish you continued luck with your treatment.