Capecitabine Tablets

Hi

I personally found these very tolerable for the first 5 cycles. I had no sickness or diarrhoea; nor felt tired. In fact, I carried on with my life normally.

Initially, my dosage was 1500mg a day - however, because of my high tolerance, my Oncologist raised the dosage to 1700mg in the 4th month - & then I started to experience problems with my hands & feet - called Palmar Plantar; which made my fingers extremely stiff, & the soles of my feet hot. Yet also, the skin in these areas started to peel off. At that stage, my Oncologist took me off them. Once off them, these symptoms disappeared.

It's probably a good idea to keep notes of any side effects you may experience, so that you can report these to your chemo team - who will be able to lower the dose if necessary.

Good luck!

Marianne

Thank you for your reply Marianne. I have read they are generally well tolerated so I have my fingers crossed good to know you got on okay with them. I have been told about the possibility of blisters and peeling skin on the feet and hands and the need to keep them well moisturised. I don’t need any more problems with my hands and feet as have neuropathy from previous chemo treatments! And thanks, I will make sure I keep notes of side effects. 

Yes, I forgot to mention the moisturising! Do it at least twice a day from the outset.( I didn't, until I developed the symptoms!) Perhaps another tip - would be to do it lavishly at bedtime, & wear those little cotton gloves & sock things that you can buy from Amazon.

I was prescribed with lots of Aveeno moisturiser from my Oncologist.

Marianne

1. Funnily enough I ordered the cotton socks and gloves from Amazon yesterday!   I thought I would start off being proactive. And yes I will do it from the onset of treatment and see if I can get some moisturiser prescribed as it’s not cheap is it! Hoping for no diarrhoea as that has been explained to me as being a symptom that a lot of people get as well. Good to hear you didn’t experience that. 

Hi Ali08 I’m currently taking capecitabine tablets and have been on them since 31 May. I did have two cycles of oxaliplatin in May/June, alongside them, but just tablets since 19 July. I haven’t had any noticeable side effects. I’ve been taking 1650mg twice a day all along. In my meeting last week I was told that this is the maximum dose for my height/weight. Fingers crossed that you don’t suffer any, or few side effects. Good luck.

Thanks for your reply Jools63. Happy to hear you have had no horrid side effects. Puts my mind at rest slightly. As always it’s the unknown isn’t it. Happy to not have to make fortnightly visits for IV chemo and not to have another PICC line in. 
Just as a matter of interest has anyone been abroad whilst taking these tablets? I am hoping to go in Nov if well enough. Could I take them whilst away or would it be better to defer for a couple of weeks? Anyone know? 
Can I just say how nice it is to ask these questions and get answers from people who have ‘lived the situation’ not just answers from health professionals! 

I can only imagine what it must have been like going to the hospital every fortnight for 12 cycles! I haven’t been anywhere yet while taking the tablets. If you’re not seeing one of your team before you start taking them, why not give the nurse a call? I can’t see any reason why you can’t go abroad with them, but you may need a note as they are toxic.