Oral Chemo starting soon (capecitabine)

Hi Dodge44, my experience was throat spasms when  I hit cold air , cramp in my calves and pins and needles in hands ( a bit like you’ve had your hands in stinging nettles . It would start to settle after a week but drinking anything cold was a no no through all of my cycles. To be honest I’m not sure what side effects the tablets gave me . About 5 days into taking the tablets I felt very sick snd tired but that could be due to coming off the steroids too quick . You may be lucky enough not to have many side effects but if you find you’re struggling you can call 24 hour oncology , I called a few times with worries snd they where always very helpful , they lowered my chemo dose a bit for the last two cycles which helped . Hope this helps a bit , best of luck with your treatment XX

Oral Capecitabine Tabs. do not have the same side effects that the Infusion causes.I had 6 mths. of these last year....The side effects were minimal - until the 5th mth. when I developed Palmar Plantar...on my hands & feet, which involves discomfort when fisting your hands, skin peeling off. There are creams to prevent this from happening....which I used daily. However, it can still happen...but your Oncologist will be aware & reduce/ take you off meds. if necessary. I never had the infusions (I refused them.)

Hi Dodge44,

I had 5 weeks of Capecitabine with radiotherapy, the only side effect was the hands and feet bit mentioned already. I then had it as part of Capox and it was the Oxaliplatin that caused the reaction to cold etc. Cape seems to be well tolerated and if you had problems I am sure the dose would be reduced.

Best of luck with your treatment, hope it goes well and has the desired outcome.

Cheers, John

Thanks NellyB for your comments and experiences. They have been most helpful in preparing myself mentally for what is about to happen. 

Thanks John for your reply. It helps me a lot preparing mentally for what is about to happen.