Experience with xeloda and erbitux?

My mother was on Xeloda. She could not tolerate it at all. Her liver functions went up greatly, she was getting increasingly weak, and then she got pneumonia as a result of immune system jeopardised by Xeloda. I had to stop it for her. Other people on this board took it without a problem. So, I guess it is different for everyone. Per my mother's oncologist, Xeloda is very damaging to the liver. Hope it helps.

Best wishes with whatever you decide to do.

God Bless, Eleonora

I had Xeloda with Camptosar at the age of 34. I did not have any problems with my liver functions or immune system. The bad thing about it in my opinion was the hand/foot syndrome. I am a forest ranger and continued to work during my chemo. The Xeloda made it very difficult. I had to stop backpacking because my feet could not tolerate the weight. I got these really nasty blisters and my toenails were disgusting to say the least. I was able to continue on "day hikes" but it really put a damper on my lifestyle despite the convenience of the "pill". Previously, after my colon resection I was on plain old 5-FU IV. It was more inconvenient but did not cause the hand/foot issue.
If you are an active person and you run/walk/hike and this is a big part of your life, then I would not recommend Xeloda. However, if you do not take part in activities that require abuse of the feet, you will probably be just fine.
As I stated before, I would tend to lean towards the surgery first option - but that is your decision.
Cheers,
Susan H.

I took xeloda for six weeks during radiation 2000mg - no problems at all but post surgery the dose went to 10,000 mg and I developed severe hand and foot syndrome and depressed platelett and white blood cell counts. It was miserable and 3 months later still experiencing some side-effects. I did work (Computer Operator). I had to wear gloves and socks 24/7 for the bag balm needed but there was no way I could have worked if I didn't sit in a chair most of the time. Almost impossible to walk and pain medications only somewhat effective. Hopefully it worked I will find out next week. I found out thanks to this site that vitamin B6 will help with the hands but you need to start and stay on the vitamin throughout treatment.