Xeloda

JudyV
JudyV Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY
Xeloda
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  • JudyV
    JudyV Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2007

    How long can a person take Xeloda (6 per day, two weeks, then one week off)?  I've been taking it nearly a year.

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  • Fllorik
    Fllorik Member Posts: 1,351
    edited November 2007

    I was on it for a year. But am on a break because of the high toxicity. My SE were increasely getting worse. You can stand on as long as your body will let you. After this break, I hope to go back on again. But it is up to the onc.

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  • JudyV
    JudyV Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2007

    Thanks!  I was worried because I don't know anyone else taking Xeloda.  My fingers are really sore; that hand/foot thing.  Other than the hands, the diarrhea, and some fatigue, side effects are minimal.

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  • LindaLou53
    LindaLou53 Member Posts: 929
    edited November 2007

    Keep a close eye on your hands and feet Judy.  You don't want to let the syndrome get too severe if possible.  Your onc can always adjust your dosage or switch you to one week on / one week off to help reduce the symptoms.

    LindaLou

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  • jordan54
    jordan54 Member Posts: 7
    edited November 2007

    Hi everyone,

    I am to start Xeloda for breast mets.  It will be given a combination with a new drug called TYKERB (HER2 +)  I am waiting for the TYKERB before I can start.  I am concerned about the side effects because I can't afford to miss any work.

    My oncologist didn't give me any idea of how long I will be on it.  I know he plans on doing periodic PET scans to check if it is working.  He says I am lucky because the CA is not in the liver or bones.   I have had 2 breast surgeries and a wedge resection of my left lung with clear margins.The last CAT scan showed a node in my right lung.  The PET scan showed a highligted lymph node on the left lung area, 2 right axilla and 2 near the right lung.  I had already had a year of Hercetin and have been taking Arimedex.

     Any info would be appreciated.

    Linda

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  • riverinerabbit
    riverinerabbit Member Posts: 813
    edited November 2007

    Hi, My Oncologist was telling me, the side affects of Xeloda can be reduced by 1 week on 1 week off. He also has patients on a low dose continous.



    Hope this helps.



    Take care Judy.

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  • tooyoungtohavebc
    tooyoungtohavebc Member Posts: 779
    edited November 2007

    Hi there,

    I have been on xeloda since august. My dosage has been dropped twice since I started due to side effects. I have not missed work at all though and it is MUCH easier than AC/Taxotere. Here are some things I have experienced:

    -Depression

    -moodiness

    -minor foot hand issues...just very dry and cracking skin

    -mouth sores and very dry mouth

    -heartburn

    -some headaches

    Good things: drop in appetite! and the tumors shrunk a lot pretty fast! Good luck!

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  • LuAnnH
    LuAnnH Member Posts: 8,847
    edited November 2007

    I know of one lady that took it 4 years before it stopped working.

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  • Buzz
    Buzz Member Posts: 137
    edited November 2007

    I'm kind of losing track now, because of being on then off then on, but I think I'm about at 2 years and it's still working.

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  • JudyV
    JudyV Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2007

    Thanks for all the comments.  You all are wonderful to "meet".  I only just found out about breastcancer.org, and I sure wish I'd known about it these last six years!

    Encouraging hugs to all of you,

    Judy V

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  • katie11
    katie11 Member Posts: 2,514
    edited November 2007

    Hi Judy,

    I took xeloda in combination with taxotere for about 6 months.  It worked to completely stabilise my disease and now I am on tamoxifen.  I know it's an option again in the future if/when I need it and, as long as the side effects are manageable, my onc has said I can take it as long as it's working.

    Good luck to you!

    Katie xx

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  • Kasey
    Kasey Member Posts: 695
    edited November 2007

    Hi,

    I think you can take Xeloda as long as it is working and your side effects are under control.  I have been on it about three months.  I am having scans in a few weeks to see how it is working, I take Tykerb too.  Hopefully it is working well because this has been the easiest chemo I've ever been on.  No nausea, some diarrhea that I can control most of the time with immodium.  I have had some cracking of the skin at the end of my fingers and some on my toes, is this what the hand/foot syndrome is?

    Hugs,

    Kasey

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  • Fllorik
    Fllorik Member Posts: 1,351
    edited November 2007

    Any cream with Shea butter will help with the H/F problems. Just keep those hands and feet well lathered!

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  • jordan54
    jordan54 Member Posts: 7
    edited November 2007

    Kasey,

    Thanks for the info.  Good luck on your scans. you will be in my prayers.

    Linda

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  • GoldenEyes
    GoldenEyes Member Posts: 180
    edited January 2008

    I have been on Xeloda and Tykerb since November... Just in the past couple of days, I have had teribble pain in my hands, feet. Especially in my feet, cracking skin, red. sore. burning.. under my big toes... it started bleeding, even with al lthe creams I have been using. Since this is the weekend, I couldnt cal lmy  ONcologist..  will call in the morning to see what else I can do.... 

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  • LoriFL
    LoriFL Member Posts: 1,557
    edited January 2008

    Lotion up your feet and wear cotton socks. That should soothe them.

    What type of lotion are you using?

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  • GoldenEyes
    GoldenEyes Member Posts: 180
    edited January 2008

    For the last few days i have been using LOT of lotions. especially on my feet. right now as I am typing this..  my feet are killing me.. I have GOLD BOND Medicated lotion for EXTRA DRY SKIN I am also using...A & D Ointment (For Diaper Rash)...Dr Scholls FOOT BAlm...Cooling peppermint Foot balm (Dr Scholls) as I said, only started few days ago...on Thursday.. but it got worse in last two days....

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  • GoldenEyes
    GoldenEyes Member Posts: 180
    edited January 2008

    I am on a schedule of  2 weeks ON   1 week off with Xeloda. this is my 2nd week now.. along with Tykerb

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  • LoriFL
    LoriFL Member Posts: 1,557
    edited January 2008

    Please use lotions without any medicated stuff in it like spearment, methol etc. That will just make the pain worse! So do you have any non scented or plain lotion to use tonight?

    Tommorow, if you can walk on those little toes of yours! buy lotion with shea butter. If you have a bath and body works nearby, they have excellent thick foot lotion with shea butter. It's a blue tube. It was wonderful for my red, craking, bleeding feet.

    Your onc. will probably either lower your dosage or change your routine of Xeloda. The doctor might even suggest a Xeloda break. Don't be scared or worried about it.

    My toes and feet were a mess this summer and it was very hard to keep them covered all the time. Please try to remember to keep them covered. They will stay protected that way!

    Good Luck and I feel your pain! Truly I do!

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  • JudyV
    JudyV Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2008

    Thanks to this list, I talked to my onco and he changed my Xeloda dose from 2 weeks on, 1 week off - to the new regimen of taking it every other week (6 pills a day).  It has really helped my sore hands and feet!  I have found the things that work best on my hands are Bag Balm (any drugstore), and sometimes the Cracked Heel Repair stuff from Bed Bath & Beyond.  Plus the very attractive socks over my greased-up hands overnite.

    Hugs and good thoughts to you all,

    Judy V

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  • Helen1
    Helen1 Member Posts: 209
    edited January 2008

    I was on xeloda for a year.  I used the Bag Balm at night.

    You can get white cotton gloves at Walgreens.com online for about $40 for 24 pair.  they can be washed and reused..  I also used udder balm for applications during the day.  I found this as well as the bag balm at Tractor Supply.  Lately I have begun to see bag balm in grocery stores.  When I was a child, I remember my mom using bag balm on our cows in the winter.  The stuff hasn't changed in over 40 years.

    Helen

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  • GoldenEyes
    GoldenEyes Member Posts: 180
    edited January 2008

    I saw my Onc. today at the hospital...He took me off my Xeloda for now.. My hands and feet are so bad right now... I see him again next THursday to see how I have improved. then take it from there. Not sure if he will lower the dosage or switch to something else. I have been on almost every chemo there is..

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  • GoldenEyes
    GoldenEyes Member Posts: 180
    edited January 2008

    Question for anyone here. if Xeloda doesnt work what is the other chemo drug he would give me?? are there any other new ones out now?? I have been on so many I cant even remember all the names

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