Any opinions from those taking Xeloda would be appreciated

Rosesoph
Rosesoph Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi all and Happy 2006 to you all !

My father has been on Xeloda 500mg (3 tabs in the AM and 4 tabs in the PM) since 11/2/05 for
Stage 3 Colon Cancer.

I'm very concerned about him. He has no appetite and eats very little and sleeps alot.
He's been OFF the Xeloda (he takes it Days 1-14, then Off it for 7 days, then restarts it). He's
due to start his 4th cycle next week. Previously it seemed he lost his appetite while on the Xeloda, but NOW being OFF of it for close to a week he hasn't regained any of his appetite back that seemed to occur with his previous first 2 cycles. His hands and feet are still sore for which he's been using bag balm. And now his eyesight is affected. He claims to feel "woozy" most of the time and just feels best when he's in bed.

Personally, I feel his Xeloda dose should be lowered but his oncologist basically dismisses my father's complants as standard side effects and part of this course of treatment.

Has anyone ever decreased their own dose of Xeloda because the oncologist refused to ?

My father looked much better and felt much better before starting the Xeloda and I'm wondering now if he should've even started it
in the first place since it seems to be making him feel MUCH WORSE !

Any thoughts/opinions from anyone who's taking or has previously taken Xeloda out there would be MUCH APPRECIATED !

Comments

  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #2
    Hi - I wouldn't want to second guess your oncologist, but that is a huge dose of Xeloda. 3500 mg - wow. I went through 4 cycles of 2000 mg per day (and I am not a small person) and then my oncologist reduced it to 1500mg per day because of concern over possible foot syndrome. I felt so incredibly better after the reduction.

    Not sure how much your father weighs but again 3500mg of Xeloda is a huge dose. I'd take it up with your oncologist again.

    Betsy
  • Jen28
    Jen28 Member Posts: 45
    #3
    I'm not taking Xeloda (I'm taking 5-FU, which I think is basically the same thing, as part of FOLFOX), but I think your father should speak to his oncologist again in detail about his side effects and their severity. My onc may have a different attitude, but she was concerned when I spoke to her about my side effects and reduced my dose without my having to ask her to.

    Also, if your father is losing weight due to the decreased appetite, I'm pretty sure there are medications that can help boost his appetite.

    Good luck!
  • kerry
    kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #4
    I have been on Xeloda for a year on various doses. My doctor also started me out with 3 tablets of Xeloda in the AM and 4 in the PM, then reduced it once and then again due to the "hand/foot" syndrome. I was down to 2 in the AM and 2 in the PM and then went on a 10 day break and the doctor ramped the doses up to a whopping 3 in the AM and 4 in the PM again. I am now off of Xeloda and will be going for radiation in January to zap what is leftover.

    I have been tired, but certainly have had no loss of appetite. If anything, I have felt better on Xeloda than any other chemo except for my feet. I have had serious problems with toes and nails.

    Talk to the doctor. DOn't do any adjusting to your dad's doses unless the doctor says to do it. Chemo is serious stuff.

    I wish you the best of luck. If you have any questions about Xeloda, please email me here at this site.....I feel like I am pretty familiar with it.

    Kerry

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