I am about to be prescribed this, but I can still refuse. What's your experience on it? Also, am London-based and NHS so far - is there anything better I could get privately? Not at all rich, but cancer is hell! E48 xxx
Wanted to read your resposne to chemo probems re- Capecitabine, but can't find it! If you're a techie guru, you could do much to improve this site, because it contains SO much invaluable info/contacts. Thanks so much.
Look at stage 3 bowel cancer chemo worries post, my reply is there, just to clarify i'm not a technical guru for this site but give technical advice on construction, its just my online name on this site.
Hi E48. I had Capecitabine twice. Once for 5 weeks alongside radiotherapy and then for 6 months after surgery as adjuvant chemotherapy. The first time I had no side effects to speak of but the second time I had a bigger dose and had hand and foot syndrome which made my hands and feet really sore and all the skin peeled. I felt generally well other than that though. I would also recommend that you stick with the NHS. I can't praise them enough after the brilliant treatment I had and am still having. Good luck with your treatment. Love Kim.
As Technical gurusaid, I would also recommend staying with the NHS. I would doubt that you would get a better service by going privately, yet also, many surgeons & consultants work with both sectors. You don't state what cancer you are being treated with; however, re.Capecitabine Tabs. I finished five weeks ago, after 6 cycles.I was due to have had eight, but by the 6th...I was experiencing side effects in my hands particularly...& so, my Oncologist stopped the Chemo. altogether. All Chemo. has potential side effects that vary from person to person. I personally had no side effects initially.Your Oncologist will decide on your dosage, but can increase or reduce them at any given time. You will just need to keep an eye out yourself of any effects you may experience, & best to note them down...when meeting with your Oncologist.
Hi E48. I was the same as Blackstuff, 5 weeks of Cape with radiotherapy and then I had 12 weeks in all of a larger dose with Oxaliplatin infusion (Xelox) as a mop up after the surgery. Everyone is different for side effects but the only one I got was the red hands and the peeing feet. It was daunting when I first got the pills to think what they might do and the number they give you but overall no real problem.
I can't praise the NHS enough for the treatment I have had both at my local hospital and Guys Cancer centre.
Starting Capecitabine tomorrow - very low dose. Re- the hands and feet thing, were you prescribed creams? Did they work? Did you wear surgical gloves for working? What did you wear on your feet? Apprehensive and scared. Also, did you or anyone else on here suffer from bloating? And did it go away? How quickly did you feel any positive effects?
You don't say why you were prescribed capecitabine. I was given it this year for 3 months with oxaliplatin for bowel cancer stage 3 after right hemicolectomy. I got peripheral neuropathy and loss of appetite and nausea. My hands and feet were a bit dry but OK. I used good handcream with shea butter from l' occitane.
I started on a lose dose also...1300mg per day, which my Oncologist gradually increased to 1500...then 1800 (over a period of 6mths.) I had absolutely no side effects until the 6th cycle (1800mg,) & then, it started affecting my hands & feet. My feet were very hot, it felt like I was walking on hedgehog prickles...then the skin peeled off. However, it was my hands that were worse. The skin felt very tight, hard opening my wrists & skin peeling off badly....When the Oncologist saw them she immediately ceased the Capecitabine altogether...because by that time, the two small tumours in my lung had reduced in size....enough for me to have the ablation procedure (which was last month.) This Palmar Plantar in the hands & feet is quite common, though I doubt that everyone will experience it. Yes, the Oncologist prescribed me with Aveeno cream, which you have to constantly apply to help prevent this. Also, something called Udderly cream is good (Amazon.) No, I didn't need to wear surgical gloves or socks at all. I can't say that I ever 'felt' any positive effects...However, the obvious fact that the Chemo. was able to shrink the tumours....was the best possible side effect from taking them! (No, I never suffered any bloating.)
The dose they start you on is usually related to your weight (I am skinny.) You will probably see/ hear from your Oncologist every few weeks, as they will want to know results of your blood tests just before each cycle...& he/ she will either increase or decrease depending on your bloods, yet also any side effects that you may experience.You will be constantly monitored! It's always a good idea to write everything down before each consultation.
