Capecitabine tablets

Hi Pcc. I’ve attached a link to the page about capecitabine and,as you can see, it does mention effects on the heart.

www.macmillan.org.uk/.../capecitabine

I seem to remember sometimes feeling a bit breathy and heavy chested but it’s hard to tell what is anxiety and what is cause for concern. Obviously you were right to call 999 but I’m wondering if your concern about taking the tablets is causing severe anxiety? I know this may sound silly but I pretended they were vitamin tablets - like those horrible big B12 ones? Please remember also that the 24 hour chemo helpline number that you should have been given is there for reassurance as well as emergencies and you can always ring the support desk on here if you’re struggling 

Take care

Karen x

Thankyou for your reply I do suffer from anxiety but this just came on while walking when I rested it eased so I assumed it was my heart the hospital were wonderful ran all sorts of tests even though i have a heart murmur they said everything was fine but I'm frightened to take them in case it happens again I was so frightened it just seems strange that it happened 3 days in from starting them. First dose I had indigestion with in 30 mins just concerned that they say it can affect your heart even though my tests were fine dont want to be ringing 999 every 3 days. Thankyou.

I had the same tablets as you but they weren't a problem for me. Had these pre and post ops.

Hi thanks for your reply unfortunately I was admitted to A&E again last night with chest pains 2nd time this week apparently it's a rare side effect so I cant take them anymore in case they damage my heart o well onwards and upwards. There isn't an alternative chemo they can give me just have to pray for the best. 

Hi Pcc

The Nice guidelines for practice do cover this and I will link in process who can share how her husbands team managed it .

Hope your home resting ,

Court 

Thanks Court.  Hi Pcc sorry to hear you have had problems with capecitabine. It sounds very similar to my husband he had chest pains went to hospital and tests all ok so he continued and again same thing.  His oncologist stopped the treatment immediately she said it was a rare side effect called vasospasms.  He continued his radiotherapy without chemotherapy and he got a complete response. Some time later he needed chemotherapy again and this time not allowed capecitabine so he was given Raltitrexed instead it is used when patients can’t have capecitabine.  
i hope this helps.. I wish you well any questions please ask.

process

Hi Pcc

I would revisit the fact they said you don’t have ano option 

I couldn’t get on with those capecitabine tablets and had to cease at day 4 due to bad nausea there is no way i could have done the 26weeks.  
they put me on the injectable 5FU and Leucovorin   I  was sceptical as capecitabine metabolises to 5FU. But it was amazing and I never looked back.  Please ask the question. Gemmary and I both did the same regime and we both kept working throughout the 30week course.