Funky Feet with Xeloda...

Mchapp
Mchapp Member Posts: 95
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I have been experiencing some weird sensation in both of my feet….During the first 8 rounds of Folfox (oxi and 5-FU) – I did not have any feet issues..no numbing, cracking, or the other known side effects with this cocktail…
My team decided to do the radiation in-between the FolFox – so I got a nice 3 week treatment “holiday” before beginning the radiation with Xeloda. (Boy did I need that physically and mentally) And the few side effects resolved in about 1 week.
Took the Xeloda on the days of radiation – after the first week – the bottoms of my feet – at the toes felt like they were ready to fall asleep they tingle ALL the time and were “just weird feeling”….had to stop Xeloda after 2 weeks (do to severe diarrhea) but still continued with the radiation…at day 9 (off of Xeloda) feet were NORMAL (yea – so I felt this foot issue was due to the Xeloda)…..as well as normal bowels again…so I went back on Xeloda at a reduced dosage and the “feet” thing began again – but not as strong…
Now radiation and Xeloda are finished – BUT the “feet” have not resolved….I am on another 3 week treatment “holiday” and no reduction in this feeling in my feet (still feel like they will “fall asleep at any time – but they don’t)….I go back for the chemo cocktail (only have to do 4 more) on Monday (2/1) and I am worried that I now have a neuropathy that will not resolve as well as will increase with being on the oxiplatin and 5-FU….
Any thoughts –
Anybody with this side effect from Xeloda?

My Oncology team has been aware of this from the start – and said that since it resolved once – it will again..I thought it would too…but it has now been 24 days and it is still the same with no change.

Thanks cc family!

Comments

  • lcarper2
    lcarper2 Member Posts: 635 Member
    #2
    feet
    I take 3000 mg of it for 14 days off for 7 have almost no feet 90 % of the time they gave me gabapintin 300 mg for it and it helped but it just sucks...
  • dorookie
    dorookie Member Posts: 1,731 Member
    #3
    Feet problems
    I did about 8 months of Xeloda and have had problems with my feet ever since. Even as I write this sitting at work, my feet go numb and or tingle alot. I have been off oc Xeloda for 7 months now and still having these problems. I see my new ONC in about a week and will be asking if there is anything they can do to help me with this problem. So you are not alone.

    Beth
  • Paula G.
    Paula G. Member Posts: 596
    #4
    Xeloda
    Yes,My husbands feet peeled and hurt real bad when he was taking 5000 mg a day. they rduced it to 4000 a day and now his hand are so red a swollen I am pretty sure they will reduce it again when we see the onc on the 5th. The OXY will mess with the feet bad too.
    Good luck Paula
  • patsy1954
    patsy1954 Member Posts: 85
    #5
    Now I'm Confused
    I got the neuropathy late in my Oxy treatment and it has not gone away. Last OXY in October. I started on Xeloda in November and continue with the awful feelings in my feet and hands. I just assumed that the neuropathy in my feet was due to the Oxy, now it sounds like the Xeloda does the same thing! I have been very careful about putting lotion on my feet at least twice a day. Had a TACE treatment on 1/12 so have been off Xeloda since Dec 21st, start back up on Monday, but my symptoms never changed. So is it the Oxy or the Xeloda, who knows!!

    Pat
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member
    #6
    Hands and Feet....
    Oxy can result in temporary, sometimes permanent, neuropathy. Xeloda has the "hand-foot" syndrome with red, dry, cracking and peeling soles of the feet and palms of the hands.

    The neuropathy can be relieved somewhat by taking B-12 vitamins (talk to your onc), and eventually it will get better over time. Strangely, for some reason, probably because chemo has a cumulative effect on the body, my oxy-related neuropathy was worse after I finished treatment, but slowly after time resolved itself. Occasionally I will still feel it in my toes on very cold days or if I am on my feet for extended periods of time, but it does not slow me down at all. Hopefully this will be the case for everyone here too. If it so troublesome that it affects your daily activities or quality of life, do speak with your doctor about solutions.

    As for Xeloda's hand / foot syndrome. A good moisturizer works best - lather up with a good cream and then cover up with spa socks and gloves and you will enjoy quick relief. Mary Kay's Extra Emollient Night Cream is fantastic - the ingredients are soothing and protective. I also like Ahava (available at Stein Mart), and my absolute favorites are any product by Dead Sea Treasures available at:

    Dead Sea Treasures Cream.

    Be Well!
  • Mchapp
    Mchapp Member Posts: 95
    #7
    usakat said:

    Hands and Feet....
    Oxy can result in temporary, sometimes permanent, neuropathy. Xeloda has the "hand-foot" syndrome with red, dry, cracking and peeling soles of the feet and palms of the hands.

    The neuropathy can be relieved somewhat by taking B-12 vitamins (talk to your onc), and eventually it will get better over time. Strangely, for some reason, probably because chemo has a cumulative effect on the body, my oxy-related neuropathy was worse after I finished treatment, but slowly after time resolved itself. Occasionally I will still feel it in my toes on very cold days or if I am on my feet for extended periods of time, but it does not slow me down at all. Hopefully this will be the case for everyone here too. If it so troublesome that it affects your daily activities or quality of life, do speak with your doctor about solutions.

    As for Xeloda's hand / foot syndrome. A good moisturizer works best - lather up with a good cream and then cover up with spa socks and gloves and you will enjoy quick relief. Mary Kay's Extra Emollient Night Cream is fantastic - the ingredients are soothing and protective. I also like Ahava (available at Stein Mart), and my absolute favorites are any product by Dead Sea Treasures available at:

    Dead Sea Treasures Cream.

    Be Well!
    Glad I am not alone
    Thanks for the comments! I start back on the last 4 rounds of Folfox tomorrow and a little nervous that this foot sensitation has not resolved...I will speak to my oncologist about it. She has been aware of it when it began - and I really feel that it is from the Xeloda.

    Together for a CURE
    Michelle
  • belindahill
    belindahill Member Posts: 144
    #8
    sore feet and hands
    Hello, my husband just about to start his last round of xeloda, the only problem he has had is a little cracking of the heels of his feet, which has just started. Loose stools has been his main problem.

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