HELP!!! Having issues while on "Maintenance Therapy"

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Dumbfounded
Dumbfounded Member Posts: 25
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I was diagnosed with stage iv colon cancer in april this year. Was told the the Xeloda (2 wks on 1 wk off) worked and now in remission as of October. The Oncologist wanted me to remain on the Xeloda for maintenance therapy but increased the dosage from 3 in am and 3 in pm to 3 in the morning and 4 in the evening. Now I am experiencing burning in my mouth with like a cold sore at the corner that won't heal. My hands and feet are red. My hands hurt badly and are peeling. My feet are just peeling. I have also been recently dx'd with Erhlichiosis ( from a tick bite on the top of my head leaving a hole the size of my finger). I am always tired, don't want to do anything, have aches and pains, cold and hot flashes. Is this a reaction from the xeloda or the tick bite? The internet has the hand-foot syndrome listed for both.

My main question is how can I get the pains to go away?

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  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    #2
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    Talk with your Oncologist

    You must talk to your Oncologist right away. 

    He may have to cut back down to your regular dose, as I fear they do not want you to get the neuropathy really bad. 

    I made the mistake of NOT seeing my Oncologist when my symptoms got bad, and now here I am, six months out and the neuropathy is worse than when I finished treatment. 

    Good luck, and keep us informed.

  • Dumbfounded
    Dumbfounded Member Posts: 25
    #3
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    Trubrit said:

    Talk with your Oncologist

    You must talk to your Oncologist right away. 

    He may have to cut back down to your regular dose, as I fear they do not want you to get the neuropathy really bad. 

    I made the mistake of NOT seeing my Oncologist when my symptoms got bad, and now here I am, six months out and the neuropathy is worse than when I finished treatment. 

    Good luck, and keep us informed.

    Thanks Trubrit. I called the

    Thanks Trubrit. I called the office and they are having me stop the Xeloda. Will be going over what to do when I go next Tuesday. Until then, I'm keeping Utterly Smooth on my hands and feet. They didn't tell me what I could do about my mouth. In there words, I just have to "DEAL WITH IT" until I get there.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    #4
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    Dumbfounded said:

    Thanks Trubrit. I called the

    Thanks Trubrit. I called the office and they are having me stop the Xeloda. Will be going over what to do when I go next Tuesday. Until then, I'm keeping Utterly Smooth on my hands and feet. They didn't tell me what I could do about my mouth. In there words, I just have to "DEAL WITH IT" until I get there.

    No, no, no!

    You don't have to 'just deal with it'.

    8 oz warm water, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon salt. 

    Swosh around you mouth and spit it out, four times a day.

    Keep this up, even when the sores go away. 

    It taste pretty yuk to start with, but if it works, you'll love it. 

    Well, saying that, it worked for me, so lets hope it works for you. 

    Oh, and no store bought mouth wash. Or if you do, one without alcohol.

    I am so glad that you got ahold of the Onc. Here's hoping you'll get some releif soon.

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