User Reviews for Xeloda oral

Xeloda may be of value if you weren't overly sensitive to standard IV chemo, but think twice if you were. My husband was prescribed 4900 mg of Xeloda daily for just 1-1/2 cycles, before the side effects became unmanageable. Even after stopping the Xeloda, the side effects continued to worsen until he was dehydrated, weak, nauseous, jaundiced, in v-tach and acute renal failure, and vomiting blood. He also had mouth sores, hand foot syndrome, and what appeared to be a severe sunburn, though he hadn't been in the sun. He lost 20 lbs in his month on Xeloda, even though he'd regained strength and 50 lbs in the prior 6 months when his metastatic colon cancer was stable and untreated. I took him to the ER for rehydration and evaluation, and I lost him 29 hours later. We'd seen his oncologist just 2 weeks earlier, after his first cycle. It wasn't worth it for us, but my husband didn't want to give up until there were no more options. I believe I would have had him longer and he wouldn't have died in pain, if we'd made a different decision. Xeloda was not worth it for us!Read More Read Less

I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in Dec. 2012. I started 28 days of radiation and 2300 mg. of Xeloda daily, Monday through Friday; off Saturday and Sunday; By the end of the 28 days, the tumor in my rectum was not even visible. I had rectal surgery and an ileostomy in May, 2013. Had the ileostomy reversed in July, 2013. Started 3,000 mg of Xeloda after the reversal - 14 days on/7 days off, for 6 cycles. I'm finishing my 5th cycle now. I deal with fluctuations between diahrrea and constipation, but nothing unbearable. I'm just now starting to have the "hand and foot" problem, but am managing it with salve and lotions. I would have to say that Xeloda has been a good experience for me. I have been cancer free for six months now. Read More Read Less

I have been on Xeloda for 3 years. I have the cancer cells in my left lung and spine, hip and left leg bones. Stage 4. Some new growth in the bones but no new growth in the left lung and no fluid build up. I also have the hand and foot symptions and sometimes I can not walk and my hands are so smooth and sore I can't even hold an envelop. Wear gloves most of the time and us a cane. BUT,life does not stop and neither should you. I still travel air, sea and land. And I have lots of praying friends and family. I have also changed my diet. NO SUGAR and very little meat mostly vegatables and fruit, organic if I can. Go till the Lord calls you home.Read More Read Less

I took one 500 mg pill four days a week for six weeks to aid radiation in shrinking my rectal cancer before surgery. I experienced nausea and diarrhea so much that I could not take it five days in a row, as prescribed. In fact, my doctor prescribed six pills a day, then down to four a day but my body could only take one a day. Genetics testing showed that using 5FU chemo would be toxic for me and Xeloda changes to 5FU after it gets in your body. Now, after surgery, I am on 150 mg Xeloda for palliative care since my cancer is Stage IV, in lymph glands and a lung. But since surgery removed my rectum and a portion of my colon, the Xeloda makes bowel spasms which cause very frequent BM's. Then my bottom gets very sore, bleeds, and gives excruciating pain. I found that taking half of a pain pill, hydrocodone, relaxes those bowel spasms, relieves pain, and enables me to continue taking the Xeloda. I am extremely sensitive to most medications; that is why I can tolerate only one Xeloda pill when many people take six a day. The jury is still out on whether it will keep my cancer from growing, since I just started back on it.Read More Read Less

My husband was diag with rectal c Jan '12. 12 weeks radiation and Xeloda - 8 pills per day - surgery May'12 to remove tumor. Permanent colostomy. 12 of 19 lymph nodes positive. August '12- Jan '13 - Xeloda 8 per day - 14 days on, 7 days off. Huge interaction with metformin caused very ^ elevated blood sugar so has since been on insulin. Insulin has been increased several times - blood sugar still not controlled. Were not informed of this side effect beforehand. Mild stroke in December '12. Recent scan clear. But today was told by endocrinologist that another side effect of Xeloda is decreased pancreas efficiency. It was easy to take and for now we are cancer free - have to be 6 years free to be really free- but I think there are more side effects than folks know about.Read More Read Less

I am on my fifth two wk on one wk off and it has lowered my markers from 122 to 66. This is after being on seven different IV chemo drugs. Hand and feet syndromn has made my hands dark, dry, cracking and extremely sensative but just found a new cream that was advertised for "woodworkers" and it is awesome. Called Working Hands and available at hardware stores and building supply stores. It heals and softens better than anything I have tried. (Also good for wrinkles-LOL) Just thought I'd pass this info on, as we need all the help we can get to keep fighting and living and remember-YOU CAN DO IT.Read More Read Less

my hands become black...

After 2 wks. I had every side effect. Had to have Saline IV's and 2 U blood. Feet and hands burned and peeled. Vomit and diarrhea. It has been determined I was allergic to the 5fu component. It did reduce my Ca153 in half. Needless to say it was stopped after 2 wks and will pursue another medication.

Normal

Before surgery I was taking 3000 mg (1500 mg x 2) per day. I had severe hand foot syndrome develop and at day 28 developed severe nausea and diarrhea. I was hospitalized for 16 days, lost 30 lbs and had to be fed wi a PICC line. I did not stay close to my oncologist as it was all a new experience. After recovery and surgery to remove my rectum pathology showed the tumor was dramatically reduced in size (from a golf ball down to a dime). I continue at 2000 mg (1000 mg x 2) per day for two weeks then one week off. I am in the fifth cycle and the hand and foot syndrome is present but bearable. I have a positive feeling about the results from both photon radiation therapy and Xeloda oral chemo. Occasional nausea and fatigue exists but I feel better during the off week. I have a temporary Ostomy bag and reversal is planned in a couple of months.Read More Read Less

Metastatic breast cancer of the liver and lung. This was my fourth time on chemo. Started out taking 4,000 mg per day, on 14 days off 7. After second cycle developed hand-foot syndrome. Treatment put off for 7 additional days and dosage lowered to 2,000 mg. After 7th cycle severe hand-foot syndrome intolerable. Had to stop Xeloda and go back to IV chemo. Recommend alcohol free lotions. Overall, I was pleased with the effectiveness of the drug.

I was now in my second cycle of Xeloda of 5000mg a day for 14 days and resting 7. I will do this for 6 cycles. This after radiation,xeloda and surgery to remove rerctal tumor. The combo of radiation and xeloda shrink my tomor from silver dollar size to what my surgeon said was the size of the end of his finger. No problem with any of this but a little fatigue in the afternoon. I was told that I went from Stage III to stage II after radiation and xeloda. I am satisfied with the drug and my treatmwent. Only ime and test will let me know how it all worked but so far so good.Read More Read Less

My 75 yrold mom took this oral chemotherapy.it seems to have arrested the cancer mets that surround her heart&lungs,but in the first three weeks of taking it her colon severely/possibly permanently damaged.we now face the possibility of hospice within a few days.hard to say whether it was the best treatment.I would say it definitely needs close observation&monitoring of dosage amount& side effect care.

Meds are working successfully. No complaints!

Xeloda has worked well for me so far except maybe getting the foot and hand syndrome but over all my tumor has shrank a little so I praise the drug as well as all my Praying Angels and God above these things are I have to continue living so I say yay for this drug

I am currently on my 5th treatment of 8 with Xeloda.I had to have my dosage reduced due to side affects. Primarily the hand and foot syndome. I dont know how effectve it has been until next colonoscopy.