Hi Kim!!!

I prefer taking the Xeloda to anything else. It is easy and convenient to take. I would suggest using a weekly pill container to make sure he doesn't forget a dose.

Side effects:

My face and hands peel periodically. I sort of look like a walking snowstorm.

My hands and feet dry out, crack, and bleed periodically. This can be a real issue when it's at its peak.

Some lose their hair and finger/toe nails. I have kept my hair (so far), but my toenails fall off periodically. They are pretty ugly :-)...

If I wait more than 30 minutes after I eat to take Xeloda, I get strong nausea. I try to eat first and then I take the Xeloda right after eating.

I take the Xeloda for 1 week, then I go off it for a week. Then I repeat this cycle. The side effects cycle on and off through this 2 week cycle.

I have been on Xeloda continuously for 2 1/2 years. It has been pretty consistant, and I have learned to deal with the side effects. My (recurring) cancer has been stable for 2 years.

The side effects may seem bad, but this is much better than many who get only IV chemo.

I hope this helps. We'll continue to pray for you both.

All the best,

Fred

Hi Fred thanks for the info, we have been told about the hand/foot syndrome as they called it, thr Dr. Said almost all that take it have some ptoblem with that, my husband is really worried about the nausea because his last chemo he felt nauseous almost all the time & for some reason ever since his surgery he's very nervous about vomiting. If you eat before taking it does it make you nauseous still? Did you have IV chemo along with the xeloda? The Dr. Says the xeloda is good for stopping the growth of the cancer, unfortunetly won't cure it but like you hopefully it will keep it from spreading. Fred you are truly an inspiration to those living with EC, you always offer hope to those that feel there isn't any & your a great example of surviving this awful "beast" as you call it, so thanks for that.

Hi Kim !!!

I had IV chemo in 2004 before and after surgery, and not since. I try to eat just before taking Xeloda. This seems to work best.

Also, my doc always checks me for mouth sores, 'tho I have, so far, not had any.

I understand your husband's nervousness about vomiting: there is the concern about whether the new esophagus will hold up, and many, like me, tend to aspirate some of it into our lungs. It happened to me again this morning. A nice hour trying to cough it up. An adjustable bed (head tilted up) really reduces this.

It won't take long to get used to it. I'm sure he'll handle it well.

Be sure to take care of yourself as well. It sure is easy to overdo and get sick/flu/etc.

All the best,

Fred

My husband is on Oxaliplatin and Xeloda as well as
Epirubicin.

He takes the anti-nausea pill as soon as he feels it and seems to do ok. He has some diarrhea issues but his biggest problem is cold sensitivity from the Oxaliplatin. Can't drink cold things or even get anything out of the fridge without gloves.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Fred & Margaret for the info, margaret how severe is the cold sensativety & how long after the oxaliplatin infusion can he handlecold again? They did tell my husband about this & they said he shouldn't touch or consume anything cold for at least a week after the infusion, he's alittle upset about this because ever since his surgery 10mos ago he craves cold stuff ice, popsicles, etc. But I guess theres choice he will have to adapt, how is your husband doing on the xeloda? Any side effects?

My sensitivity to cold after oxaliplatin lasted a day or two. I found it fascinating. If I drank a glass of cold water it felt like I was drinking glass. I'd be jumping up and down in the bathroom because the tiles were freezing my feet. There is nothing dangerous about it...and I just think its amazing the way in which chemo affects people differently....ML.

Well.. I haven't answered more promptly because i accidently turned on the water when hubbie was in the shower. He nearly killed me as he was left in cold water.... just kidding.

His cold sensitivity lasts about a week. We got a couple of pairs of cheap cotton gloves from hardware store. one in the garage one by the refrigerator. He uses them for just about anything.

we keep his drinks etc out of the fridge. He is eating cold cereal with milk... just has to let it warm up a bit.

and we've discovered a wonderful treat.. Edy's is marketing individual milkshakes in the ice cream section. You just add milk.
Tom loves them... just let's them warm up a bit.