Xeloda side effect changes after SBRT

Anonymous

I recently had 5 treatments of SBRT on a liver tumor and lymph node near the liver. Before the SBRT, I had been on Xeloda alternating between 3000 and 2500 mg/ day 7 on 7 off. I had a lot of stomach issues and days 2-7 I took 2 immodium in the morning which seemed to control things a bit. I was off Xeloda for 2 1/2 weeks, and restarted this past Sunday. I've had none of those stomach issues and have possibly gone the other direction. My liver tumor was about the size of a lime. Could it have been causing the stomach issues rather than really the meds? Could it just be that my system is messed up still from the SBRT? Has anyone else had something like this after SBRT or just radiation or liver specific treatment in general? I'm thankful but not sure whether I can hope that it will stay this way, lol.

ShetlandPony

Maybe the 2 1/2 week break allowed your stomach to heal?

ann273

nb, its good to hear that your stomach issues are better! Hopefully you can stay on this dosage and stay stable for a long time. I'm in a similar boat as you except I failed on Ibrance/Femara (pretty spectacularly) and had radiation to a liver met and a few bone mets. I'm fairly small, so my doctor recommended 2000mg a day (he said he might increase it to 3000 if I'm tolerating well). Its been almost two weeks now and I have had no issues whatsoever. I feel a little tired but I think thats more due to radiation.

Anonymous

ShetlandPony -- I hope that's it!

Ann273 - I started initially at 2000, and we slowly moved up to where we are now. So glad that you've had no issues! Radiation fatigue is definitely a beast. My RO said it should clear from the SBRT in a week or two, and I can tell its better now, not gone but better. Hope that these combos are the magic bullet for both of us!

ann273

nb, I really hope so! When I see people on here that have been on Xeloda for years, it gives me so much hope. I'm cautiously optimistic that if we can hold out until that next big thing.