Xelado

[Marla61]

Ibrance/Letrozole has stopped working for me. Will be starting Xeloda. Anyone have side effects from Xeloda?

[Chamisa]

I was on Ibrance + fulvestrant for three months but my first scan showed progression in my liver and bones (reduction in my lungs) so I have now changed to Xeloda.  (I was unhappy with my local onc so I went to MD Anderson for a consultation and switched my care to them.)  

I was on a three-week cycle of two weeks on the Xeloda (capecitabine) and one week off.  I thought I was tolerating the cape very well— better than my Ibrance experience— no nausea and a bit more energy.  My hands and feet did get red (I use lotion and cream on them all the time) and my feet hurt the last (14th) day of my first cycle but they quit hurting by the second day off.

Anyway, my hands and feet were still very red (but no blisters, peeling, cracks, etc.) when I was rechecked at the end of three weeks at MDA (last week) and my doctor changed me to a metronomic schedule of a week on/a week off, back and forth.  Same dosage.  She said she hoped I’d be on Xeloda long-term and didn’t want my hands and feet to get worse. 

 I was surprised since I didn’t think they were so bad.  She said studies have shown this schedule to still be effective in fighting the cancer.

[LDR1]

Hi Marla, a number of folks on here are taking Xeloda or have done in the past (you can do a search on it and see some of their stories). I'm on it now and having a good experience overall. I have more energy and positive outlook than when I was on Ibrance (and my hair is much smoother too). Only side effects have been some foot redness / pain but my doctor reduced the dose to address that. There are several options for the timing and amount of the dosing so the docs have room to adjust it if needed. Very similar to Chamisa's story - I was on Ibrance + fulvestrant then progressed to liver, started Xeloda and had to adjust the dose to address foot issues. I've heard Xeloda can be very effective so am cautiously hopeful best of luck and keep us posted!

[Raisinmama]

Lotsa fatigue.

[Marla61 in reply to Raisinmama]

The fatigue the first round was tolerable but it's been rough the 2nd round. I'm hoping my body adjusts and I push through.