capecitibine

[Hm50]

hi can anyone advise. Bit of a weird question. My chemo had been changed to oral capecitibine 2300mg twice a day. I am I’m a 14day then 7day off cycle and after seeing oncologist have been told that as long as I manage to tolerate this chemo I will possibly be on it for the foreseeable future. My partner and me have been together nearly nine years and always enjoyed a sex life but I’m now being told that we need to use protection every time which is a little bit off putting. I’m wondering why this needs to be done and wondering if it also needs to be like that on my 7 days off. Does anyone know what would happen if protection wasn’t used? Help and advise needed

[Hazelgreen]

I assume your oncologist assumes that you might still be fertile...

According to Drugs.com, "Capecitabine can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using this medicine.

If you are a woman, you may need a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Use birth control while using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.

If you are a man, use birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose.

Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs.

Pregnancy may be less likely to occur while the mother or the father is using this medicine. Both men and women should still use birth control to prevent pregnancy because the medicine can harm an unborn baby.

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose."

[Hm50 in reply to Hazelgreen]

I’m practically through menopause so not a chance of that happening plus I have the coil so not really sure. May need to speak to her and see what she says xx

[Ntash01]

I’ve just began my second cycle of cape, I was given all the possible scenarios re side effects and was told to use barrier cream but not given advice about protection. I think you should clarify reasons with your BC nurse.N

[Hm50]

Yes I think I need to check thanks xx

[stardust1965]

I am also on cape and was told by my oncologist that if my husband was to administer the drugs (why?) he should try not to touch them and to wash his hands afterwards, and to wear an apron. I had to laugh at that! 😂

[Hm50 in reply to stardust1965]

There’s loads of information online but find that the cancer unit has not given me any information that I need which is a bit distressing. It’s bad enough being put in these drugs without knowing all the side effects for both myself and my partner. It’s awful xx

[stardust1965 in reply to Hm50]

I think it is to protect your partner from the effects of the drugs being transferred. I was worried about all the possible side effects but I haven’t had any, in fact I haven’t felt so good in years!

[Hm50 in reply to stardust1965]

Oh that’s great to hear you doing well on it . What dosage are you on? Xx

[stardust1965 in reply to Hm50]

1800 twice a day with NO aside effects!

[Hm50 in reply to stardust1965]

I’m absolutely shattered on my dosage and wondering if it maybe needs adjusting down a little bit. Energy levels are so low xx

[Contrarielle in reply to stardust1965]

An apron!

[stardust1965 in reply to Contrarielle]

IKR! 😂

[Contrarielle]

Holy moley, they didn't tell me that! I think they did back when I was on FEC-D. I'm guessing as we're usually too tired for sex he won't have had much exposure!

[Hm50 in reply to Contrarielle]

I’m absolutely shattered so def not. Can hardly be bothered to do anything. Going to speak to them next week and maybe get dosage adjusted to see if I feel any better.

[Contrarielle in reply to Hm50]

Good, hopefully you can tolerate it better on a different schedule. Big hug and hope you get great results to outweigh the side effects xo

[Hm50 in reply to Contrarielle]

Hopefully cause it’s not good at min. Take care Thankyou xx

[debbiedo2063 in reply to Hm50]

Hi I am on second cycle of Cape 2450 x 2 per day. So 4900mg ugh .

I know they start us off on the highest dosage, I am going to ask for a reduction re fatigue . I totally get how you feel. I can tolerate it but not prepared to not enjoy life for the sake of a pharmaceutical spreadsheet dosage formula.

Debra xxx😍

[Hm50 in reply to debbiedo2063]

Hi Debra. Yes it’s not great. I literally can’t be bothered to do anything. I finished the cycle on wed morn and by this morn I felt so much better so it must be out of system now. I still have the icky tummy today but so pleased I can actually do something. I’m due to pick up medication again on Wednesday morn so hoping when I mention how I’ve been the chemo nurses can make the reduction. Helen xx

[debbiedo2063 in reply to Hm50]

I read on here a while ago if you put the cape into an empty gel capsule it really helps the icky tummy as by the time it is absorbing it is leaving the stomach. I’ve bought some off Amazon , worth a go if it gets bad. First cycle I had radiotherapy too so double whammy.

I really think my dose is too high so next cycle I want it lowered.

Enjoy the rest of the week off.

Debraxxx😍

[Hm50 in reply to debbiedo2063]

Oh right never heard that so I’ll have a look for gel capsules now. Yeah I agree with dosage so see what they say. Helen xxx

[debbiedo2063 in reply to Hm50]

Hi How you doing. Just wondering if you got the dosage lowered. I’m on cycle 2 at 2450 twice a day. Getting a bit much re fatigue and feeling nauseous. Did they lower your dosage. Im hoping to lower for cycle 3.

Debra xxx😍

[Hm50 in reply to debbiedo2063]

Hi hun how’s you? I picked up meds yesterday and after explaining the tiredness and how drained I felt I was told that I still had to take the prescribed cycle until I see oncologist which isn’t till middle of September. They also said she would possibly want a scan done too so she can see how it’s working. I asked for blood results and the markers are falling so it is doing something but until then I’m going to have to suffer it I think. This will be my third full cycle cause the first one I only managed to do half. When do you see oncologist or nurses for your next cycle? Xx

[debbiedo2063]

I’m ok but its a bit of a long 2 weeks. I’m 9 days on second cycle and the next 5 will be a long haul I recon. Fatigue and icky stomach after taking pills are the side effects.I’m at oncology 24th after my week off so see what they say. I will let you know what they say.

Take care

Debra xxx

[Hm50 in reply to debbiedo2063]

Yes please do. Someone mentioned getting empty gel capsules off Amazon to help with icky stomach cause apparently it’s easier for stomach to digest them. I’ve ordered some and waiting for them to come to see if they make a difference. I’ll let you know how they go. Speak soon take care Helen xxx

[debbiedo2063]

Hi Helen Just 1 day to go on Cycle 2 yippee.

Thought I would contact you as I was getting upset stomach and sickness an hour or so after taking tablets, by chance I picked up a small can of the new Evian cans of sparkling water from Sainbury at the check out to drink at work and it really sorted my stomach out. For last week had 2 cans a day and it’s really helped. Thought I would let you know in case you want to try it.

Hope you’re ok

Debra xxx😍

[Hm50 in reply to debbiedo2063]

Hi Debra that’s great to hear. I’ll have a look at our sainsburys and try it. Anything is worth a go. How you feeling? I started next cycle last Wednesday and the tiredness has fairly kicked in now but apart from that I’m battling through. Helen xxx

[debbiedo2063 in reply to Hm50]

HiI’m ok I think like yourself it’s the tiredness, things I would normally do I look from the sofa and think no I can’t be bothered but there again getting out helps sometimes too.

I’m going to speak to them about dose reduction see how that goes next week. I’m off to my daughters down south for a few days at the weekend timed it so I don’t have to take the pills.

Take care

Debra xxx😍