Capecitabine (Xeloda) vs Taxol

I take capecitabine and tiredness has been main side effect. I’m on my 5 th cycle and find it’s bearable. Main downside is taking tablets twice a day for 2 weeks is a bit wearing but you feel good in your free week.  

Thank you.  Have you experienced the hands and feet pain?  And the mouth sores?  That's my main concern really.  I've looked at side effects of both options and they practically match apart from those ones so I'm torn between the two really.  I would love to keep my hair though which wouldn't happen if I opted for the Taxol. xx 

I have not had the hand/feet problem. It was the main one that my oncologist went on about. They gave me cream that I haven’t needed. I had taxotere as part of my first chemo in 2017 and ended up in hospital each time with neutropenia.  But we’re all different and I find you rarely come across someone with the same reaction as you. 
I had already lost my hair before I had taxotere.  I’m not sure how different taxotere and taxol are. 

thank you.  After much discussion this weekend with contacts in the medical profession and a friend who deals with cancer patients I've opted to go with Taxol via IV.  I know everyone reacts differently to each treatment and for me, losing my hair again is the most emotional part however, I've done it once, I can do it again and it did actually come with some advantages like being able to get ready so much quicker and I had two great wigs.  I'm so scared I get the nerve damage on the tablet which could be really debilitating so I really don't want to take any chances. I'm glad its been a good option for you though and as you say, everyone reacts differently.  Let's just hope whatever we're on actually does the job.  Hope you have a lovely Xmas - stay safe and stay well. x

Hi,

Re hand and foot side effects I used picnic freezer inserts,gloves and socks to contract the blood vessels,like the cold cap.This is used routinely in some countries abroad.It worked for me I only get a slight tingle in my right fingers after using a computer for some time.

For my mouth I used a couple of walnuts well chewed and the milk on my lips before each meal and also a few days before treatment I had no mouth issues what so ever.I have been in touch with a professor in California who is doing research with walnut flour.After having the diet for a while people due to have colostomys for Crohns Disease or Ulcerative Colitis no longer had to have op.Research is on going I just happened to read his early report and gave it a try.My friends sister has also had success with it.

 Stay safe, Yvie

Hi, thought I’d pass on my experience of Paclitaxel as this can also cause peripheral neuropathy. Unfortunately i got this very early in my first cycle and had a reduced dose for the last 5 sessions (out of 12).  It’s important that you let your team know as soon as possible if you start getting tingling or numbness in your feet or hands so that they can adjust things if necessary.  

I did keep my hair though using the cold cap so worth asking your team if this is a possibility!  Wishing you all the best with your treatment.

Loffie xx

Wow that’s really interesting about the flout  Thank you, hope everything well with you. X 

Thank you, had a chat with the nurse yesterday & she said hair would thin so that’s promising. Also said most tolerate this one well so fingers crossed it’s not as bad a docetaxol which wasn’t pleasant. 

when they reduced the dose did it get better for you? X 

I had bad feet and hands with docetaxel, at one point my husband cut bits of skin off my feet with scissor.  I still have neuropathy in toes, 3 years after docetaxel. . Only this week my hair is coming out after 5 rounds of capecitabine.  Nothing is simple.  

I had docetaxel 3yrs ago and it left me feeling I'd been run over by a bus.  I'm told Taxol is not as brutal so I'm hopeful I will cope well with it.  And yes, even with capecitabine, the hair can fall out - I'm sorry this is happening for you now, it's really stressful and emotional when your hair goes.  That said, 3yrs ago I was inconsolable over losing my hair however I had two really good wigs - so good not everyone knew it wasn't my own hair.  Now that I have my own hair back (ready to lose it all again) I'm shopping for new wigs and don't feel as stressed about it this time.  One major plus point is .... its so much quicker to get ready in the mornings - a whole new meaning to wash n go!  xx