Experiences of capecitabine (only) chemotherapy?

Hi. I have been on Capecitabine only for the past six months eight cycles exactly like your husband my adjuvant treatment finishes in 3 days time. I have tolerated it well and continued at maximum dose. My journey with it has been a lot better than I expected. No nausea or diarrhoea which were my greatest worry. I do get very warm hands and feet which do settle down in the second week. I moisturise my hand and feet a couple of times a day and I’ve had no peeling or blisters. I am sure I have no finger prints  and my hands are extremely sensitive to hot and cold. My biggest issue which does appear to affect everybody is fatigue. Sheer physical exhaustion is the most debilitating for me but as the time has gone on I have learnt to manage this and not to fight it. I do have Nuerotherpy in my legs and feet but it is managable. Brain fog is real and I have laughed out loud at some of the things I have done or forgot because of it. The side effect that surprised me the most was a change of taste. I never ate sweet foods but now I love ice cream and fruit. My mouth does get warm so cold sweet food is glorious. I make sure I eat a proper meal before taking the tablets and I believe this has helped me a great deal to stave off sickness. Hope this has helped every bodies journey is different. The effects are cumulative my side effects have not really changed throughout the cycles and I have accepted them and managed them. I am 63 years old and not the physically fittest person in the world but mentally I am very resilient with a positive outlook and this has helped. I wish both your husband and you on this journey. 

Hi, yes I’ve had it.  I have the dpd deficiency and despite that I also tolerated it fairly well allowing full dose for 3 months and a smaller dose for another two.  I had to stop one cycle short. The main side effect for me was fatigue.  I’ve since learnt that exercise helps to offset most side effects.  

best wishes

cerysm

Thank you, really appreciate it. Im glad you are nearly finished 

Thank you! The oncologist has said exercise will help with the fatigue so fingers crossed we can manage that one.