xeloda

[marianne88]

good morning all. Quick question. I’m on zeloda 1 week on and 1 week off. How do you do with side effects and is the off week good. Thanks so much. Marianne

[Mimiholl]

I can’t answer your question but I’m so glad to see you post

I have been thinking of you Marianne H

[marianne88 in reply to Mimiholl]

Thank you and hope your doing well 🙏

[Mimiholl in reply to marianne88]

I’m hanging in 🙏 Marianne H

[marianne88 in reply to Mimiholl]

what treatment are you on?

[Mimiholl]

I have been on ibrance and letrozole since February 2017. I was diagnosed 07/2016 at 65 years old after discovering a lump in my armpit. I had regular mamos and had one 3 months before diagnosis and cleared. I had metastatic stage IV right breast strong ER/PR HER2 + HER2 negative with oligometastatic and T 4 bone met. I started with 26 weeks of red devil chemo which shrunk tumor to having a lumpectomy and lymph node surgery . Surgery 02/ 2017 then 8 weeks radiation. Until recently had mamo every 6 months and full body bone scans and full CT scans every 3 months. Recently mamo yearly and all scans every 6 months.

I have had reduction dosage of ibrance due to blood counts, and went off meds after bout with Covid and then when I had rhabdomylosis due to interaction with statins and ibrance really rough time. I battle fatigue and stomach issues All live able but so lucky to have such a good outcome. I live in the research triangle of NC so feel I’m getting great care. If I hadn’t retired here I would have had excellent care in Boston. My oldest son is a radiologist here hence the move and my youngest son moved here a few years ago , so I’m surrounded by sons and their families and 6 grandchildren. My husband retired too and we enjoy warm weather , grandies recitals and sports. Prayers for you that we both continue as well as possible. Marianne.

Long story huh or as my husband would say wicked long

[marianne88 in reply to Mimiholl]

your amazing

[Mimiholl]

I think we both are amazing Warriors 🙏

[TammyCross]

The purpose of week on and week off is to reduce side effects. I had almost none, either week.

[Felicia1228]

I just came off for a week but I am in for two weeks and off for a week. I have not noticed any side effects.

[Katie9898]

I’ve been on Xeloda for 3 months, 2 weeks on and 1 week off, pretty high dosage and have done fine. No side effects except for some fatigue. Seems to be working, my last scans were stable. I hope you have the same experience. Donna

[YogaGRL52]

hi Marianne,

I used Voltaren gel a couple times a day on my hands and feet. 40% Urea cream on Amazon is also really helpful. My rounds were 2 on/1 off. I did well through four rounds ans was able to do daily activities including a walk. Side effects began round 5. Side effects were cuticles around fingers and toes peeling and numbing in fingertips. I maintained mobility although bottoms of feet were sore but no peeling there. I made it through 7 rounds and said done.. still have numbness in thumb and index fingertips one year out. Good news is this is a powerful drug and kills fast-growing cells but its side effects (for me) were challwnging. Wish you best of luck, dear sister…Pat

[marianne88 in reply to YogaGRL52]

😊

[HelenWi]

I started Xeloda last Sept with two weeks on, one week off. At first had no significant side effects but after a couple cycles developed inflation right hand and cracking skin on fingertips, despite using Voltaren gel on hands annd feet and a lot of moisturizers. A month ago I switched to one week on, one week off. I think it is helping, but not dramatically. In any case, if Xeloda continues to work as well, I’m happy with the lower dose.

[ANNIE6449]

I've been on Xeloda generic for over a year now. Original dose was 4 tablets 500mg each. Side effect - hand, foot syndrome - became issue with quality of life and the cancer was responding very well so reduced to 3 tablets daily (2 weeks on, 1 off). Hand-foot syndrome is now very managable (I'm an athlete so it REALLY mattered!). I've lost several toenails that might never come back, & have extremely thick cuticles that I have to go to a manicurist every few months. But I feel it's a small price to pay for getting rid of the cancer!!

Voltaren never worked at all for me. I use Arnica gel if there is pain and Kamea 20 as a regular moisturizer (sold by my podiatrist, but also available online) I've also learned how to wrap my feet to avoid the friction while hiking or playing tennis.

71 and still going strong!! Best of luck to you!!

[marianne88 in reply to ANNIE6449]

Thank you so much 😊