I have started my capecitabine tablets today, does everyone sit waiting for a side affect. How many days does it take for full affect? Do you start on a lower dose, I am on 2500.?
I was nervous in the beginning, each time I took the tablets I wondered how long side effects might kick in. I am now on my second cycle of 4 tablets twice a day. I do 14 days on and 7 days off. So far the only side effect has been slight nausea which started about 5 to 7 days in, I have tablets that i could take for that but I don't feel like it is bad enough yet. I asked my nurse at my first follow up appointment whether the effects will get worse the longer I am on it and she couldn't say aside from saying everyone is different...so there is not a clear answer. I also asked if side effects a good sign does it show that the chemo is working and she said no that is also not necessarily the way to think of it either, ie it can be working just fine with little or no side effects. I was anxious that I might have serious side effects and had a tendancy the first two weeks to attribute any twinge of pain to the tablets. I find myself much calmer now that I am 3.5 weeks into this journey.
