Chemo tablets

Good morning, I had the same diagnosis in 2019, took capecitabine twice a day for 3 months and had no side effects at all. I  should have stayed on it for 6 months but it was in the early days of covid and as I was advised it was only a belt and braces exercise I stopped taking it. Biggest mistake I ever made as my cancer has returned. My advice would be to take it so you can make sure you don't have to go through this again.  Best of luck

Please take it. I had exactly the same diagnosis and took this medicine for 3 months with no side effects. This was in the early days of covid and I was so scared of catching I stopped taking the capecatibine So only had 3 of the 6 months course. Biggest mistake I ever made as the cancer is back and I now need another operation. Best of luck

Hi I finished my mop up chemo about 2 weeks ago ..I had 3/4 cycles infusion and tablets ..should’ve had 4 cycles but I had dvt in my arm and other side effects ..

I agree if they’ve offered you you chemo tablets ,take them as it does give you some peace of mind ,that if there is any lose floating cancer cells they’ll be zapped .

best advice I can give is take one day at a time and keep a symptom diary ,because they can reduce the dose if the dose you’re on is too high .

wishing you all the very best

I had a bowel resection in May '19 (Stage 2,) which all went smoothly, & recovery was quick. However, my Oncologist was adamant that I did not need mop up chemo - which I was pleased about; however, my daughter was wary of that decision.

One year later, I developed a couple of very small Lung Mets. Firstly, I had to have 6 cycles of Capecitabine - to hopefully reduce their size.

Dosage is dependent on your height & weight, & I started out on 1500mg per day. After every cycle, I had a phone consultation with my Oncologist, to discuss any side effects experienced. I had no side effects whatsoever for the first four cycles, & so, Oncologist upped dosage to 1700mg per day. In the 5th month, I developed Palmar Plantar in my hands & feet - which affected my hands very badly...despite continuous use of the moisturiser they hand out. I had a face to face with Oncologist at end of 5th cycle - & she took me off them altogether. However, they worked well to shrink the two lung nodules, & I was able to have Lung Ablation in Oct. '20, which was successful.

My advice would be to take them as a precautionary measure & a general 'mop up.' You should be in regular contact with your Oncologist - who can up/ down the dosage - dependent on any side effects you might experience. If you have any - always make notes.

I also live on my own - but I can honestly say, that I continued to live, eat & drink normally whilst on them. I didn't have to change any of my normal habits. Obviously, the Palmar Plantar was a nuisance at the time, but short lived - & once off the medication, the symptom immediately left my system.

Best wishes

Marianne

Thankyou for your reply it's just since the diagnosis I have been well except for surgery which took me off my feet for a few weeks. I have a heart murmer and I've read that some people have experienced chest pain I have anxiety problems always think the worse. Oncology have said my bloods and enzymes are all excellent I know I will regret it if I dont take them but still not sure about taking them I've been prescribed 2300 mg  a day sounds a large dose to me just dont want to feel unwell. Good luck on your journey. Xx

So sorry to hear the cancer is back hope all is going well for you. What's the next step for you?   I'm just unsure they want me to take 2300 mg twice a day seems a high dose so I assume I'm going to get side effects don't want to be here on my own feeling unwell. Hiw did you feel on these tablets 

I understand your concerns, I used to worry about the side effects of everything. 

I have had 5 weeks chemo radiotherapy and I am now waiting for an operation, hopefully to remove the tumour. It's a bit more complicated this time as the last operation left me with a vaginal fitsula and the cancer has now spread to the fitsula. I try  and think of all the treatments as something positive that will give me my life back, it helps me. Best of luck

hi Pcc I had three months of the same tablets you're on plus radiotherapy before the colonostomy. I felt nausous and very tired. As I had rectal cancer the radiotherapy gave me a lot of pain. I also had belt and brace tablets after the op. This was in 2011.