Capecitabine (Xeloda) and biphosphonates offered as further treatment, what to do!

Sorry no one has replied hopefully this should get you back up to the top.  

Hello Satire, I'm not triple negative and didn't take Capectabine but I'm taking bishosphonates (zometa) via a 6 monthly infusion. I felt a bit fluey for a few days after the first one but I had no side effects at all after the second one.

You might find it useful to post in the triple negative forum too as you will possibly get more replies x  Link here:

community.macmillan.org.uk/.../triple-negative-breast-cancer-forum

Aww thanks for the reply. After being on fect-t chemo for 5 months being left with effects from docetaxel 10 weeks on is a pain and then to find I'm needing a further chemo and other treatment just getting all info I can before I make decision, thank you so much this has really helped and yeah I might leave a chat on the other forum xx

I'm only on the bisphosphonate infusion too - which is every 6 months for 3 years. At first, I wasn't sure why I needed it as I feel my bones are probably pretty strong with all the activities I do, but it also has the effect of helping to prevent cancer coming back in your bones so I was all for it then.

I've just had my 3rd. 1st one was shortly after my main treatment ended (I had chemo, lumpectomy and rads for hormone+ cancer) and I didn't notice any side effects. 2nd was in December and apart from a very mild feeling of being a bit off, I had a bad dip in mood for a week or 2. 

This 3rd one I've felt a bit more. Again, very mild feeling of being off with tiredness and slight chills, but a big dip in mood (I was very grumpy and intolerant for a week) and also a lot of headaches and then a full on migraine. I don't know if the headaches are anything to do with the drugs, it could just be coincidence. The weather has been a bit up and down which can effect me.

Nothing that bad though and all very manageable and I'm now 3 down! I think I'm probably feeling the effects more the further I get from chemo and feeling awful. I probably just notice the difference now as it is a pretty strong drug. As I have more energy, I notice being tired out.

I'm in my mid-40s so am taking all treatment that is offered to try and prevent it coming back. I don't want there to be any what-ifs.

Can you speak to your usual oncologist to find out why it has been suggested now and what that means for any future treatments? Maybe that can help guide your decision.

Thank you very much for advice. Being told I need these further treatments but not told side effects or how often and when I'll have treatment hasn't given me a clear picture, this forum has helped me a lot. All the best for future xx

Yes I intend to speak to my usual oncologist this week, they want my decision but I need more info from them. It's ok pumping your body full of drugs I feel as though they just let you go home and get on with it. Thank you for your advice xx

Hi, I've had Capecetibine recently and I also have medication for bones. 

With the Capecetibine I was given tablets to take at home, to start with 10 tablets a day. The dose was reduced a bit after a while so I was on 8 a day. The regime was 2 weeks of taking the tablets, then a week off before starting the next lot. I was pretty tired, but not as tired as I've been on some other chemos. I also got red spots on my hands and the lower part of my arms. I also had sore, red and peeling feet which was why I was taken off them, and I got breathless. If I went for a walk on the beach near us I had to make use of the many benches provided to sit down lots. I think I managed about 7 lots of the drug. You can check all the side effects by googling the drug. Just make sure you use a good site like the NHS, or Macmillan or one of the good cancer charities. I may have to go back on them or on another chemo, but for the moment I'm having a rest from it.

For my bones I have an injection of Denosumab every 4 weeks. No side effects noticed. Been having it for nearly 3 years.

I must add that I do find I tend to react really strongly to the chemo drugs I've been given in terms of side effects. You won't necessarily get the same ones or get them so intensely. Good luck

Thank you for feedback really helpful. I did tend to suffer a lot with docetaxel so I'm very mindful of what side effects I may get but everybody is different in their tolerance levels. Hope all goes well for you xx