All about Xeloda

rk, interesting about B6, I hadn't heard about its use for hfs before. I am intrigued, so I just ordered some, a low dose of 50mg. Xeloda is currently working for me so I don't want to mess up the sort of equilibrium of my body (that’s why I chose a low dose) but I read up on B6 and it's possible I might benefit from it. I get bloodwork every month, and when I begin new supplements or increase their dosage, I can often see the effects on the blood work. Presently, I take Vitamin D3+K2, and a low dose of Calcium supplement. I've taken multivitamins before and curcumin and higher doses of Calcium. As I go on to different treatments, I find it necessary to adjust what supplements and dosages I take. In your opinion, what dosage do you think is effective for B6?

Hi everyone. I'm new here. Diagnosed 6/7 with stage IV, mets to chest wall. I started Xeloda last night. They prescribed letrozole because I was going to start Ibrance, but I'm not sure if they'll want me to continue on that. My main problem as been a pleural effusion which requires draining about once a week. I'm going to get a permanent drain I can manage at home next Thursday. I recognize a few names from other threads, so I feel I have some friends here already.

It’s official. After seeing my MO last week, I am being moved to Xeloda. Hoping to get some time out of this treatment.

Awaiting insurance approval on the chemo. MO expects that to happen next week.

So.... after stopping all current meds from previous treatment, am trying to enjoy this weekend as I slowly feel like I am returning to the way I felt before MBC diagnosis. Feel like I can eat what I want instead of what I can tolerate. Fog and fatigue is gone.

KBL— Thanks.

Hope the HFS is tolerable. Time will tell

As long as Xeloda is helping, I will work to figure out work arounds for SE.

Hi all -- I need to share some good news (I think) with folks who will understand. I started capecitabine at the beginning of Feb., so I've been on it for about 5 months. My CA 27.29 went from a high of over 2600 (right before I started this) to 57 at my last blood draw 2 weeks ago. Yesterday I had a CT scan and cervical / thoracic MRI -- I have some ongoing bone issues per the MRI, but my CT report says "Pseudocirrhotic morphology of the liver with near complete resolution of previous numerous bilobar hypoenhancing lesions. There are multiple small wedge-shaped hypodensities in place of the previous enhancing lesions, which may represent posttreatment change." I am pretty sure this means the capecitabine is beating back my liver mets ! (I don't meet with my MO for another week or so to get the official interpretation.) I have been fortunate so far to have minimal side effects, and I am feeling better on capecitabine than any other treatment over the past 2+ years. Here's hoping it keeps working. Thanks for letting me share.

Fabulous news, Pirate!! Yippee!!

Great news pirate_girl. It looks like Madame X is continuing to work for me as well although the change is more muted. According to the GP-oncologist my scan was stable with some improvement to the tight kidney. After back to back fails, I’ll take it!

Wrenn, if you have pleural effusion that could be the cause of the nausea. I had terrible nausea when my right lung was full of fluid. Once it was drained things improved considerably. Zofran is great for nausea but constipates the heck out of me! I always thought it could be used as a weapon…

kbl, joynerl, wren44, sadiesservant -- thank you all for your kind words of support -- it really does help to share this kind of news with those who understand how significant a good response to treatment is, especially after several treatment failures -- here's hoping capecitabine will continue to work for all of us taking it at this time

wren44 -- very sorry to hear about the nausea -- I hope it resolves soon and that capecitabine works well for you

Dodger -- good luck w/ starting capecitabine. I am on 7 days on / 7 days off schedule -- 3000mg / day (3 pills in the am, 3 pills in the evening). I recommend asking again about the 7/7 schedule -- it's a recognized approach that seems to have fewer side effects than the 14/7. I don't have the studies handy that discuss it, but if I find them I'll send them to you.

Pirategirl - Woohoo for your awesome results! Celebrate! And thank you for the 7/7 links. Now that I’m doing so much better, my doctor wants me to reduce my dose 500 mg a day to see if my QOL goes up. I feel like compared to the SE of other meds I’ve been on, madame X is a cake walk. Of course, even less is better but that makes me nervous. I might suggest a 7/7 schedule instead.

pirate_girl— links saved

Thank you.

KBL— yep, that’s the plan.

In 5 days I am on Medicare due to 2 years of SSDI so I could go back the the cancer clinic I started at

It’s nice to have op

kbl— no need to be sorry. I appreciate comments from others. I learn so much.

My cost for Cape is going to be $8 for 14 days. Quite affordable. Now will see what costs are next month when insurance gets reconfigured.

KBL- after weeks of working with insurance people, I went with Medicare A and B and keep my insurance thru my retirement which has a prescription plan.

The $8 is with my retirement plan. Nothing is supposed to change next month ref prescriptions once Medicare kicks in. Fingers crossed that is correct.

DodgersGirl, that’s great I hope they don’t screw it up

Wrenn44, when I was on Ibrance, my husband had private insurance. Thankfully, I paid nothing. I will have to think long and hard before I go on an expensive med again. it’s so ridiculous that people have to pay such astronomical amounts to try to stay alive.