Chemo tablet capecitabine

Hi Kathleen

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you're experiencing while on chemotherapy. 

Although I haven't had this experience I did notice that your post had gone unanswered. However, your question in ask a nurse has had a reply and clicking here will take you to it if you haven't seen it yet.

Wishing you all the best

x

Thank you for your reply 

are you on chemo tablets yourself 

I have had chemo years Back and didn’t have the problems that I have now but it intravenous before not tablets x

No I'm not on chemo tablets . The type of cancer I had doesn't respond to chemotherapy but surgery has removed it and now I have 3 monthly check-ups.

I hope these side effects are gone soon

x

I was on Cape for 9 cycles, and luckily I didn't suffer from the big D, but it is one of the major known side effects I'm afraid! I was given a big box of loperamide when I got my first cycle tablets, but I never needed to use them. Did they give you meds for it? 

I know there are some people on Cape in the main BC forum, so it might be worth asking there, or in the chemotherapy forum as Cape comes up there as well as times! 

As for the blood clots - unfortunately, cancer patients and chemo patients are more likley to get blood clots on lungs than the general population (it really is the gift that keeps on giving...)  Have they started you on anticoagulant injections or tablets? 

Fingers crossed that things clear up for you and that you can continue on the Cape.

Hugs to you! 

Hi

thank you for your reply yeah I got loperamide taking that and still going on injections for blood clots for next 3 months then may be able to change to tablets once my stomach sorted abd chemo sorted  I think maybe this one doesn’t agree with me as had the diarrhoea for 4 weeks and have to delay treatment when I had chemo in to veins 13 years ago it didn’t effect me like this I don’t know it it as older now to 

did you have any side effects from the tablet 

hope you are doing well now 

Kathleen x

Hi

THe main side effects for me were increasing fatigue and hand/foot syndrome along with low grade nausea at times. The hand/foot syndrome was the major one and the reason why I had to come off it, which was sad as it was working really well on my cancer!  

Cape seems to work well for quite long periods for some peoole if they can tolerate the side effects! Fingers crossed yours will settle. The jabs for clotting are nit a problem (for me anyway, I know some people don't like doing their own) .I've been doing them for over a year now since,I had a pulmonary embolism on the first dose of my present chemo! 

They might be able to reduce the doae of Cape a little to ease your symotoms - certainly worth asking! I'm on a 50% dise of my chemo and it's held the cancer back for over a year - I noe have the dubious honour of being my oncologist's longest serving person on this drug, despite the reduced dose - it obviously works for me! 

I notice you've  poated in the chemotherapy forum - hipefully other people will come forward to help! 

Hi thank you for your reply 

you know the hand and foot is that itchy and sore red hands as this started on me yesterday 

my hands itch like crazy and the creases by thumbs sore to 

I don’t mind the injection for clots that is ok 

i also have denosumab injection for bones which I can cope with 

I normally can get on with things but this tablet as knocked me for six

i know they are going to reduce dose once I can take again

may I ask what chemo you are on now and is It ongoing

my oncoligist as not given me a time he say for seeable future be on chemo 

kathleen 

Hi Kathleen ( )

I have been told that Cape can be tough on some people whilst others tolerate it well! You need to make sure that you keep your hands and feet well moisturised to minimise the cracking and soreness - a lot of people recommend Udderly smooth cream - the one containing 10% urea. You can get it on Amazon (other sites are available!  )

I'm similar to you - my chemo is ongoing  - we're working our way through all the things he can think of! There are certain pathways apparently - you have to have certain types of drug and for them to 'fail' before you can have the next one in the pathway etc. At the moment I'm on Eribulin and have been for just over a year. It seems to suit me (well, after it tried to kill me for the first few cycles as it trashed my bloods - spent 21 days in hospital in the first 3 cycles and had a PE! ) on a 50% dose - it is holding the secondary lung and bone cancers at bay at the moment. My oncologist gave me less than a year last July, so we're pushing the envelope!!! 

I also have the Densumab injection every 4 weeks - not had any aide effects from that. 

He told me Eribulin is the last drug I can have, although he has since said he has found something I may be able to have when this fails - something he says he's 'young enough never to have had to use', which is a bit worrying!!!! I'm not suitable for clinical trials due to the nature of my lung issues, so that's a pathway that is closed. 

Fingers crossed that the Cape works for you once they've got it right! 

Thank you for your reply 

the hand and foot thing as come on me last couple of days like pins being dug in hands and very itchy 

I hopping after my scans next week I can get back on course even with a reduced dose then maybe all will settle down I know I need to be on treatment and feel better in mind if I am

is erinulin a tablet hope it carries on working for you 

take care 

Kathleen 

No, Eribulin is an IV drug. Luckily, it's a really quick infusion, so on a good day, I can be in and out within an hour, including the antisickness IV! I count myself very lucky. I have a central line in so they don't have to try and find veins - they were shot during the first round of chemo in 2014...

It ties me to the hospital a bit - weekly appointments, but as long as it's working, that's fine! I did like the 'freedom' of the tablets, although I can imagine that the benefit of that is reduced with the severe diarrhoea!