Radiation and Xeloda

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dorookie
dorookie Member Posts: 1,731 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone, I was dx on 5-15-07, T2N2M0, surgery and 7 IV chemo tx completed. Now I am on a radiaiont treatment of 28 sessions, completed 5. Have been gettin sick alot, was wondering if anyone had this kind of treatment. I am taking 8 400mg of Xeloda daily, its kicking my but.....any thoughts out there? I get sick to my stomach, not much control on the number 2 area and just all around feel bad.

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  • rmap59
    rmap59 Member Posts: 266
    #2
    Hey I have been there. My advise is Water, Water, and more Water. Xeloda can really do a number on your gut. What part is getting radiation?? Tell your oncologist and a good medicine for me was anzemet(for nausea). It is expensive but I finally got my insurance to cover it. Lomotil helped with the diarreah. It kicked my butt so much it landed me in the hospital with dehydration. My oncologist took good care of me and stopped treatment for 2 weeks, now I am back on the xeloda and IV Oxaliplatin, it kicks too but must go on. Try and get a little exercise, helps me a lot. Hope you get feeling better.

    Robin
  • vinny3
    vinny3 CSN Member Posts: 928 Member
    #3
    The effects you are feeling now are likely due more to the xeloda than the radiation. Depends upon what area is getting the radiation but the effects often take several weeks to be noticed alot. Make sure you are in close contact with your oncologist about the nausea and diarrhea. The lomotil helps the diarrhea. There are other meds as well. When I had problems with the 5-FU (xeloda is oral form) my oncologist cut the dose as well as gave me antinausea meds. She advised me otherwise I would end up in the hospital.

    ****
  • dorookie
    dorookie Member Posts: 1,731 Member
    #4
    rmap59 said:

    Hey I have been there. My advise is Water, Water, and more Water. Xeloda can really do a number on your gut. What part is getting radiation?? Tell your oncologist and a good medicine for me was anzemet(for nausea). It is expensive but I finally got my insurance to cover it. Lomotil helped with the diarreah. It kicked my butt so much it landed me in the hospital with dehydration. My oncologist took good care of me and stopped treatment for 2 weeks, now I am back on the xeloda and IV Oxaliplatin, it kicks too but must go on. Try and get a little exercise, helps me a lot. Hope you get feeling better.

    Robin

    Hello and thanks to both of you. I will check with my onc doc on those meds. I am having radiaiton in the pelvic area, I have colorectal cancer. And thanks for the exercise tip, I keep saying my lazy butt is going to get out there, just got a new bike need to break it in.
  • jana11
    jana11 CSN Member Posts: 705
    #5
    Pelvic radiation is one of the toughest... it really does a number on your gut. Have you met with nutritionists? While getting pelvic radiation, you need to drastically reduce the amount of fiber you eat.

    I had terrible diarrhea while I was getting rad w/ xeloda. I would pop immodium and lomotil. Just hang in there and drink lots of liquids - but not caffeine.

    Good luck. It does get better, once the treatments finish up. :) jana

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