Those on Xeloda:Have you noticed changes in your finger tips?

coloCan

When I had first started Tx in June a few articles appeared about loss of fingerprints as a result of Xeloda tho how long it took and what dose I don't recall. My own fingertips have little marks (like a 1/4 inch crease or line on several)and prints are difficult to see. A painless side effect......steve

claud1951

Steve,
It's been 2 1/2 years
Steve,
It's been 2 1/2 years since I stopped chemo, however, I was on Xeloda & Oxil for 4 rounds and had to stop due to complication of the meds (Finished on Camptsar and 5fu). Anyway, I acutally lost all the skin on my hands while on xeloda. It just all peeled off. Little bits at a time.

I lathered my hands/feet in Eucerin cream or Mary Kays night emollient and put gloves on at night.
Hands are okay now but I'm not surprised you are having issues.

Keep moving forward. Best of luck to you

Claudia
Stage 3
Ned for 3 years

JR

No prints
I will be starting my 7th round of Xeloda with Avastin this Friday. My hands anf feet are the biggest issue. My hands and feet swell, turn bright red, and peel. My dose has been reduced from 5000mg a day down to 3000mg. That has made it tolerable for me. Finger prints are gone and many cracks on finger tips. Good luck.

John

Sundanceh

Good Time for a Background Check...
Be glad you're not getting "finger printed" for a background check - they would have a hard time tracking you down, LOL

Been down that path, Steve - they finally got an image, but it was hard to do. I was in the middle of treatment when our company began that process. I did pass

I'm with JR, it tore my feet up something awful, cracked and split. If you have not tried Bag Balm, go to your drugstore and pick up a tin of it - slather it on 3x a day and put socks on after to hold in the moisture - it will help you get through it.

-Craig

Jaylo969

Sundanceh said:

Good Time for a Background Check...
Be glad you're not getting "finger printed" for a background check - they would have a hard time tracking you down, LOL

Been down that path, Steve - they finally got an image, but it was hard to do. I was in the middle of treatment when our company began that process. I did pass

I'm with JR, it tore my feet up something awful, cracked and split. If you have not tried Bag Balm, go to your drugstore and pick up a tin of it - slather it on 3x a day and put socks on after to hold in the moisture - it will help you get through it.

-Craig

Now I'm getting paranoid
No fingerprints? I just looked at my fingers and if my eyes were working I'd tell you if my prints are still here. All I can see is wrinkled up skin....like prunes. I have only taken one cycle of Xeloda so far @ 3,300 mg. Yesterday at my onc appt they turned brilliant red right about the time she walked into the exam room.

When I was on the 5-FU pump my hands had started burning like fire ant bites and turning red. Hopefully on the Xeloda they will just stay ugly red hands...wrinkled,red fingers crossed.

-Pat

lcarper2

Jaylo969 said:

Now I'm getting paranoid
No fingerprints? I just looked at my fingers and if my eyes were working I'd tell you if my prints are still here. All I can see is wrinkled up skin....like prunes. I have only taken one cycle of Xeloda so far @ 3,300 mg. Yesterday at my onc appt they turned brilliant red right about the time she walked into the exam room.

When I was on the 5-FU pump my hands had started burning like fire ant bites and turning red. Hopefully on the Xeloda they will just stay ugly red hands...wrinkled,red fingers crossed.

-Pat

Xeloda
I am on it for 7 months and my hands and feet are very bad dry and cracking use some dry skin treatment from walgreens and as long as I use it 3 x aday I do alright...don't have finger prints they are gone and my hands are red and sore as is my feet ...

Joy1216

Jaylo969 said:

Now I'm getting paranoid
No fingerprints? I just looked at my fingers and if my eyes were working I'd tell you if my prints are still here. All I can see is wrinkled up skin....like prunes. I have only taken one cycle of Xeloda so far @ 3,300 mg. Yesterday at my onc appt they turned brilliant red right about the time she walked into the exam room.

When I was on the 5-FU pump my hands had started burning like fire ant bites and turning red. Hopefully on the Xeloda they will just stay ugly red hands...wrinkled,red fingers crossed.

-Pat

Fire Ant Bites
Only someone living in the South knows about fire ant bites. They really hurt! And it always took me about two or three weeks to heal completely. Twenty-two years in Huntsville, Birmingham, and Montgomery exposed me to a lot of fire ants. Thank goodness there aren't any fire ants in Kansas City.
Joy

idlehunters

Joy1216 said:

Fire Ant Bites
Only someone living in the South knows about fire ant bites. They really hurt! And it always took me about two or three weeks to heal completely. Twenty-two years in Huntsville, Birmingham, and Montgomery exposed me to a lot of fire ants. Thank goodness there aren't any fire ants in Kansas City.
Joy

Fingerprints
When I was about 5 months into taking the 5FU drip I lost my fingerprints. I had bought a new laptop at the beginning of that treatment that used fingerprint ID to log in.... it finally got to the point where I could not log in anymore because it could not read my prints no more... so I had to start using a password instead. I have been on Xeloda for about 2 months now and my hands/feet are not peeling or hurting yet.... but my I have noticed that my entire hands get numb and lose feeling sometimes.

Jennie

imagineit2010

I have a prescription for
I have a prescription for xeloda right now that I have not filled yet. My big concern with chemo was that I work with my hands all day and need high dexterity. I have my hands in and out of water and plaster and they normaly take a beating as it is. My onc. told me that Xeloda has the least of hand issues for chemo, which may be true, but I still NEED to work as long as possible. Fingerprints are not a big deal but swelling and splitting is trouble. Might have to re-think this too...

Jaylo969

imagineit2010 said:

I have a prescription for
I have a prescription for xeloda right now that I have not filled yet. My big concern with chemo was that I work with my hands all day and need high dexterity. I have my hands in and out of water and plaster and they normaly take a beating as it is. My onc. told me that Xeloda has the least of hand issues for chemo, which may be true, but I still NEED to work as long as possible. Fingerprints are not a big deal but swelling and splitting is trouble. Might have to re-think this too...

Rx for Xeloda?
So, you can just go to any pharmacy to get your Xeloda filled?

I never saw my rx for xeloda. It was faxed to a special pharmacy who has a special license for this type drug.Can't get it at just any pharmacy, or so I was told.Might just be a law in my state?

The pharmacy called me when they got the fax and set up bank draft etc. for the co-pay, and they send it fedex or ups overnight.I really don't like this method because they just throw my package up on the porch....no signature or anything. $2,300.00 worth of toxic meds laying on my porch for any thief to snatch.They were 2 days late getting it to me this cycle,lost the rx or something, meaning I am late getting started on it.

-Pat

Sundanceh

Jaylo969 said:

Rx for Xeloda?
So, you can just go to any pharmacy to get your Xeloda filled?

I never saw my rx for xeloda. It was faxed to a special pharmacy who has a special license for this type drug.Can't get it at just any pharmacy, or so I was told.Might just be a law in my state?

The pharmacy called me when they got the fax and set up bank draft etc. for the co-pay, and they send it fedex or ups overnight.I really don't like this method because they just throw my package up on the porch....no signature or anything. $2,300.00 worth of toxic meds laying on my porch for any thief to snatch.They were 2 days late getting it to me this cycle,lost the rx or something, meaning I am late getting started on it.

-Pat

Xeloda Scrip
Hi Pat

I can't swear to this, but I don't believe that Xeloda is readily available at the local pharacy or chain pharmacies - it is a controlled drug.

When I was taking it, I was at a cancer center, and I would take the Rx and have it filled at their pharmacy next to the onc's office and go home with it. You're right, it was over $2000 a bottle.

-Craig

imagineit2010

Jaylo969 said:

Rx for Xeloda?
So, you can just go to any pharmacy to get your Xeloda filled?

I never saw my rx for xeloda. It was faxed to a special pharmacy who has a special license for this type drug.Can't get it at just any pharmacy, or so I was told.Might just be a law in my state?

The pharmacy called me when they got the fax and set up bank draft etc. for the co-pay, and they send it fedex or ups overnight.I really don't like this method because they just throw my package up on the porch....no signature or anything. $2,300.00 worth of toxic meds laying on my porch for any thief to snatch.They were 2 days late getting it to me this cycle,lost the rx or something, meaning I am late getting started on it.

-Pat

HMO is not too bad
Y'know, I thought the same thing. When I was at the Oncologist's office they checked my ins. and then checked the pharmacy I use. My insurance HMO co-pay is $20.00 per rx. I have three to fill each month. I don't know what the true cost is but online I figured it to be around $2000.00. The Pharmacy said when I want to fill the RX to give them about three or four days to get it. I wasn't sure when I was going to start treatment so the nurse just gave me the RXs. It seemed kinda strange to me to be so casual with this type of meds. but what do I know, I'm just the victim.... I mean patient......

Jaylo969

Sundanceh said:

Xeloda Scrip
Hi Pat

I can't swear to this, but I don't believe that Xeloda is readily available at the local pharacy or chain pharmacies - it is a controlled drug.

When I was taking it, I was at a cancer center, and I would take the Rx and have it filled at their pharmacy next to the onc's office and go home with it. You're right, it was over $2000 a bottle.

-Craig

Pharmacy
Hi Craig

My Xeloda rx was faxed over to CVS CarePlus. This is NOT your average CVS store by any means.They are set up for controlled drugs only.I also go to a cancer center( Bruno's Cancer Center, St. Vincent's )...wonder why they don't have a pharmacy? The main hospital has a pharmacy but I am assuming that if they carried Xeloda that is where they would have had my rx filled...you know, keep the money in the family?

I really don't like them throwing the box of meds up on my porch like they do.Just seems unsafe to me.

-Pat

coloCan

Jaylo969 said:

Pharmacy
Hi Craig

My Xeloda rx was faxed over to CVS CarePlus. This is NOT your average CVS store by any means.They are set up for controlled drugs only.I also go to a cancer center( Bruno's Cancer Center, St. Vincent's )...wonder why they don't have a pharmacy? The main hospital has a pharmacy but I am assuming that if they carried Xeloda that is where they would have had my rx filled...you know, keep the money in the family?

I really don't like them throwing the box of meds up on my porch like they do.Just seems unsafe to me.

-Pat

Jaylo,I got mine same way via CVS Care Plus via my health plan
except I told them to send it care of my onc's gofer at the cancer center I am being treated at so if FedEx or UPS tried to deliver at my apartment and I was in treatment at the time (5 days a week then for rad, etc) the onc's office would have it for me. Did that with all my Xeloda shipments so I'd get them as needed, on time .
My ostomy supplies via health plan and UPS missed sceduled delivery yesterday!!!Luckily, I spent my own money (tho have copay on regular shipment as well) to order via web additional supplies just for such a situation so I never run out of bags, etc by keeping at least 30-50 day supply on hand at all times.
I've been lucky in that my neuropathy so far has been mainly confined to bottoms of feet and toes; it had started getting to left hand but subsided when oxy deleted from my chemo....Good luck to all....enjoy the warming weather, as I say to myself:"Get off your ****(or whats left of it) and live....."......steve

idlehunters

imagineit2010 said:

HMO is not too bad
Y'know, I thought the same thing. When I was at the Oncologist's office they checked my ins. and then checked the pharmacy I use. My insurance HMO co-pay is $20.00 per rx. I have three to fill each month. I don't know what the true cost is but online I figured it to be around $2000.00. The Pharmacy said when I want to fill the RX to give them about three or four days to get it. I wasn't sure when I was going to start treatment so the nurse just gave me the RXs. It seemed kinda strange to me to be so casual with this type of meds. but what do I know, I'm just the victim.... I mean patient......

Xeloda
I get mine from the tiny Mom and Pop drug store at the corner. I just gave them the script and they filled it. They didn't give it a second thought and neither did I..... Hummmmmmmm.....

Jennie

Jaylo969

idlehunters said:

Xeloda
I get mine from the tiny Mom and Pop drug store at the corner. I just gave them the script and they filled it. They didn't give it a second thought and neither did I..... Hummmmmmmm.....

Jennie

I *think*
certain pharmacies can be licensed to issue a certain class of controlled substances. When my nephew, who has ADHD, was young we had to drive 20 miles to find a pharmacy that carried his medication ( dexedrine ).

I know my doctor told me that I couldn't walk into Walgreen's & get my Xeloda. Wish I could 'cause I am not happy with the way things have gone so far.

-Pat

lcarper2

JR said:

No prints
I will be starting my 7th round of Xeloda with Avastin this Friday. My hands anf feet are the biggest issue. My hands and feet swell, turn bright red, and peel. My dose has been reduced from 5000mg a day down to 3000mg. That has made it tolerable for me. Finger prints are gone and many cracks on finger tips. Good luck.

John

cracked hands
get walgreens advanced therapy dry skin treatment I had the same problems and had cracks that blead put it at night very heavy and socks use 3 or 4 x a day and mine healed up and stay that way...

herdizziness

Jaylo969 said:

Rx for Xeloda?
So, you can just go to any pharmacy to get your Xeloda filled?

I never saw my rx for xeloda. It was faxed to a special pharmacy who has a special license for this type drug.Can't get it at just any pharmacy, or so I was told.Might just be a law in my state?

The pharmacy called me when they got the fax and set up bank draft etc. for the co-pay, and they send it fedex or ups overnight.I really don't like this method because they just throw my package up on the porch....no signature or anything. $2,300.00 worth of toxic meds laying on my porch for any thief to snatch.They were 2 days late getting it to me this cycle,lost the rx or something, meaning I am late getting started on it.

-Pat

If you call them up and ask
If you call them up and ask them to require a signature, they will do that. Also, you can call a week ahead and ask them to send it via a certain date. I call them on the Tuesday before, and request the date within two days, so I'm sure to have it before my cycle starts.
My prescription actually goes to Florida CuraScript, but it is sent from here in California to me.
I actually forgot this last time to order it, I got a call on Friday from an automated system reminding me that I was "due", I ordered it on a Monday, and got it when I came home from my IV chemo on Tuesday, the next day.

Aud

when I was on Xeloda
my skin wasn't too bad, just a couple areas on my finger tips had peeled and the skin seemed different, less supple. Interestingly, for a few weeks after I had completed Xeloda/radiation treatment, I had trouble clocking-in at work. We use the index finger, right or left, (fingerprint) to clock-in. It's been fine for the past couple months, though.
My dose was 3000 mg daily, 1500 in a.m. and 1500 mg in p.m. on the days I had radiation, Monday-Friday, off weekends.

In my profession, we do have to have our fingerprints on file. Fortunately, I had this done prior to cancer diagnosis.
~Aud

RectalCancerSurvivor

Jaylo969 said:

Rx for Xeloda?
So, you can just go to any pharmacy to get your Xeloda filled?

I never saw my rx for xeloda. It was faxed to a special pharmacy who has a special license for this type drug.Can't get it at just any pharmacy, or so I was told.Might just be a law in my state?

The pharmacy called me when they got the fax and set up bank draft etc. for the co-pay, and they send it fedex or ups overnight.I really don't like this method because they just throw my package up on the porch....no signature or anything. $2,300.00 worth of toxic meds laying on my porch for any thief to snatch.They were 2 days late getting it to me this cycle,lost the rx or something, meaning I am late getting started on it.

-Pat

Rx for Xeloda
I live in Houston, TX. I was on Xeloda for two rounds of chemo. I was able to fill my prescriptions at M.D. Anderson pharmacy and also at Walgreens. I preferred Walgreens because I could drop the prescription off and they would call me when it was ready.

bigCrandy

no more xeloda for me
I was on 5fu-IV for a total of 18 months. The cancer came back with mets to lungs so I chose xeloda over the pump. Big mistake for me. After 9 days of 4,000mg a day, I could not take it any longer and the onc told me to stop. My feet were a little sore felt like blisters on my heels, not too bad. But my hands and mouth were horrible. The palms of my hands felt like I burned them on a hot grill, red, swollen, couldn't use them for anything. My mouth was like it had been scalded by hot water with white blisters on my bottom lip. Looks like I'll be back on the pump soon. It's been over a week since I stopped taking the xeloda and my hands and mouth are still very bad. I'm losing weight because I can't hardly eat anything due to discomfort of mouth and lip. I guess everyone is different when it comes to chemo and side effects. Hope yours goes better, God Bless, Randy