All about Xeloda

I am new to chat rooms.  I was just wondering if anyone has had mouth sore problems with xeloda.  I already have chemo induced neuropothy from my chemo treatments two years ago so I am not too worried about the effects of xeloda on my hands and feet becuase I may not even be able to tell the difference.  The idea of mouth sores scares me.  I am on 2 weeks on 1 week off and I just finished my first week.

I am on 2500 mg a day. Reading some of the other posts that seems high. What is the average?

I take 3 pills in the morning and 2 at night.  How do they know if these are helping? Sorry for the stupid questions but as I sai I am new at this.

Welcome GMA....

I haven't had any experience with mouth sores....so far, nothing to complain about.  I am in my 3rd cycle...and I take 2000 x 2 a day.  My first scans since starting Xis the Monday after Thanksgiving...

Hugs

Robin

I have not had any mouth sores either. My WBC didn't even dip! I've noticed the slightest, slightest bit of dryness of my hands as of yesterday - but I was also traveling in cold temperatures so that could completely be the reason for that.

LL

TXGigi - as someone who just started Xeloda, it's great to hear that you've been on it so long and never got the mouth sores! That's really encouraging. Also - I hadn't heard about the freckles before, so I'm glad to know that if they pop up, that's to be expected.



I'm in TX also! ;-)



Hugs -

LL

I don't post much here, but wanted to add that I received good scan results. I have mets on my lungs, a met on the liver, and I can feel the cancer in my auxiliary lymph nodes. Well I still feel the cancer in my auxiliary lymph node, but doc said scans look good and I have considersable regression. So happy I don't have to change treatment for the holidays. Started Xeloda in early August 2000 mg 2x a day 7 days on, 7 days off. TM's dropped in Sept. in Oct. CEA dropped, but 15.3 went up 1 point. Hoping next week to have had the both drop some more.

gma12 - I've not had any problems with mouth ulcers and have completed 6 cycles since end of June. I do use a mouth wash after brushing teeth at night to be on the safe side. I use Dentyl but not sure if it's sold in the US. 2500mg per day doesn't seem too high. I've just had my dose reduced from 4000mg to 3600mg per day and I'm on the small side. They usually start with the max dose for your height and weight and reduce it if SEs are a problem. Not sure what kind of mets you have. As I have skin mets I can see if it's working and so far it has kept me stable and have a small improvement. I did have a CT scan at start of chemo for my baseline and one 6 weeks into Xeloda but they didn't show up any other mets, so onc doesn't order them routinely now.

TXGigi - didn't know you could freckles in your mouth, but I have noticed some new ones on hands and face and skin is paler than normal too. Do you get eye drops?

Lil - great news on your scans. Long may it continue to work for you.

Hi all -

Does X give you chemo brain? It's been so much more gentle to me so far in terms of SE's (early, I know - I just completed cycle 1 last night), so I'm wondering if it's not as severe as other chemo's, or if it's about the same?



When I had AC then Taxol 12 yrs. ago, my chemo brain was awful. I would liken it to when you drink too much, and cannot remember things the next day...I mean, I would have such holes in my memory. I worked the whole time, but it was very hard, and thank god I had a compassionate co-worker who would fill in previous conversations for me. So, I can't help but wonder what I'm in for with this.



Thanks, Ladies -

LL

Chickadee - yup - I think that's starting with me. I noticed that searching for words thing. Not constant, but it's happened, and it's definitely not normal for me. And I've noticed that I'm forgetting some things I should definitely remember - BUT - I have been extremely distracted with this whole situation seeing as I've just been recently dx'd. I think my brain has definitely been on overdrive, so mundane things like, "Oh yeah, I have to call so and so back at work," may have been falling to the wayside. It could be the stress.



I'm trying mightily to chill the heck out and find my new normal. I guess I'll see how the memory holds up as I go forward...

I notice my se kick in on my second week then start to subside toward the end of my week off and I feel the best on my first week on. My hands and feet are really burning this round,the skin feels real thick on my hands and feet and I'm really tired. I've decided to cut my doses in half for the rest of this cycle. My onc mentioned that it could slow the healing from my bmx and i may need to come off. I want these drains out so rather than stop completely, I'm cutting back by half on this second week. Its the 2nd day and I already have my energy back. The x seemed to hit me hard this round. Could be because of surgery.

Frapp - hope you make a quick recovery. I think that's true that the chemo can slow the healing down so surprised you weren't taken off it for a bit. I also find SEs getting worse second week and takes most of the week off to feel better.

Frapp -

So happy to hear this. Hope this speeds your recovery.

LL

Glad you see a difference Frapp!

Hugs!

Robin

Fantastic news and something to be thankful for!