Xeloda

Hello - I take Xeloda ...since September of 2006. My first DX was only a stage II back in 2000. It came back to my bones (spine and hip) in 2005. After going through a lot of biological meds my Dr put me on Xeloda. I had fought going on a chemo drug because of the misery I remembered from my first treatments back in 2000. However, the Xeloda is a different story entirely. I like that it is pill form and I don't have to go to the office for infusions all the time. The side effects that have been the most bothersome have been diarrhea and sore hands and feet. I found that if I take an iron pill everyday and watch the amount of fiber I eat I can manage the diarrhea. The Hand and Foot Syndrome is a bit tricky. When I first started the meds I was on 10 pills a day, 14 days on and 7 days off. 11 days into my first round I had walked all day cheering on my husband during a 1/2 marathon. Suddenly on the way back to the car I was unable to walk. My feet felt like they were on fire. That night I had to crawl around my feet felt so bad and I was crying ... I thought I would never be able to walk again. BUT ...I can...my Dr backed the dosage down a little and it makes the feet managable. The internet has information on Hand and Foot Syndrome ... why it happens and how to minimize it. I have found that the very soft cotton socks that are made for diabetics are wonderful. The feet can get very dry and the skin hard so try to keep them moist. A Podiatrist told me to use Bag Balm and cotton socks each night. Bag Balm is what farmers use for dairy cows but it is also great for all kinds of stuff. I found it to be the best thing I have tried. Other minor things happen toward the end of the 14 days... I sometimes get a few blisters in my mouth, my hands are very dry and more sensitive to friction and heat. But my big suggestion is don't let the feet get out of hand ... I sorta let them get dry and cracked and didn't were comfortable socks and shoes and now I'm getting them back to normal. And, try to find what works for your Mom to control diarrhea. Look at a low fiber/low residual diet on the internet. I took the Xeloda with Herceptin and for two sets of scans (8 months worth) I had no active cancer. Unfortunetly, I did have a couple spots on my last scan and my Dr started me on a very new biological called TyKerb. Tykerb is actually designed to be taken with Xeloda. I am HER2/nue positive so I am not sure if Tykerb is used for everyone or just the HER2/Nue (super agressive) cancers. So ... I have to say I am very encouraged about the Xeloda. It has worked well for me with very minimal side effects ... never lost hair ...never felt sick. Best of luck to your Mom and bless you for being there for her. Let us know how she is doing from time to time. Jamie

I am also on Xeloda and Avastin/placibo, a trial drug.

I was diagnosed in 2000 with stage 4 breast cancer. In Sept. of 2006 I went to the emergency room with back pain, after my Dr. told me I had arthritis. The MRI showed mets to my hips, spine and lungs.
The Xeloda has been pretty easy to tolerate. Once the Dr. got the foot/hand thing under control the most discomfort was the sore in the mouth. Mine seem to start about the 9th day and are gone by the 14th.

I hope everything goes well for your mother.

Gloria