Tykerb/Xeloda - Diarrhea

Lori S · 04-01-2007, 09:29 PM

Is there anyone experiencing diarrhea on their week off from Xeloda? I have completed 2 cycles now and have been having frequent bouts of diarrhea during and after Xeloda. My Onc. has reduced my Xeloda from 3,300 mg to 2,300 mg. I will start the reduced dosage this Tuesday. I am taking 1,250 mg of Tykerb. My first CT scan after 6 weeks shows my disease is stable which is wonderful!!! I have been trying to stick to a very bland diet but the d. seems to happen out of the blue. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Also has anyone experienced paralyzed vocal chords? Node involvement in lungs has weakend my left vocal chord making it difficult to talk for any length of time.

Thank you & God Bless!

Lori

IRENE FROM TAMPA · 04-02-2007, 04:11 AM

I stated on the combo back in August of last year and began with the 1250 Tykerb(standard dose) and 3000 mg of Xeloda. I had to be reduced to 2650 of the Xeloda. I was also experiecing diarrhea and severe symptoms lika a gastritist(sp)

I still have bouts of it. If it gets to bad, I start on Immodium and that helps. It is one of the side effects from the two drugs.

Good luck and hang in there. It seems to be working for you. Any questions, pls do not hesitate to contact me.

Shell · 04-02-2007, 06:37 AM

Lori-

As Irene notes, that is one of the typical side effects from it. I didn't need to change my diet at all, but I always had immodium with me. I am so pleased to hear you are stable - keep it up!!

Regards,

Robyn · 04-02-2007, 07:39 AM

Hi Lori!!

It's Robyn, I was on the same clincal trial as you, herceptin/omnitarg.

I am off it now, due to slight progession.

I am hoping to get on the tykerb/xeloda....it isn't approved in Canada, but another thread below gave me info on how I can get it here....so I am hoping my next round of treatment will be this. I am on a break for 8 weeks and then we will plan next regime. Well, the 8 weeks is almost up, it goes by fast. I feel fine though....

Glad to hear this is stabilizing your disease!

Take care,
Robyn

Sandy H · 04-02-2007, 11:15 AM

I just went off this combo and they reduced my xeloda down to 2000 mgs a day and even at that I still had bouts of diarrhea. If I went anywhere especially in a store I would always take notice-where is the restroom. I would start to get cramps and gas and would head right for the restroom. Some times I would just about make it. This was not all the time but it happened often enough so I paid attention!! Plus the chemical smell was awful!! hugs, Sandy

Karen t · 04-02-2007, 09:05 PM

Several comments here! First of all, I am on Herceptin and 2500mg Xeloda (down from 3000 which was too hard for my system). Also:

1. Herceptin causes diarrhea for me right after the infusion. I was getting weekly infusions and switched to once every 3 wks so that I now get the infusion the day before starting the Xeloda and there is no longer an overlap with the Herceptin.
2. The first couple rounds of Xeloda, I would have days of constipation followed by the rampant diarrhea (especially before cutting the Xeloda dosage). I quit taking stool softeners, etc., because they seemed to propel me toward the diarrhea. Now I eat a couple prunes every morning during the would-be constipation phase and that really seems to help.
3. For both the constipation and diarrhea, I take - as needed - a probiotic. The one I find most helpful is Natren's Trinity, a capsule that is in the refrigerated case at Whole Foods. This seems to even out all the rough patches and has been a lifesaver whenever I have had to take an antibotic for UTIs.
4. Went to Costco with my husband today and shared one chocolate and almond coated ice cream on a stick (an infrequent treat). Big Mistake, especially since tomorrow is the last day of my 2 wk Xeloda. Barely made it home and had excrutiating stomach pains and diarrhea plus nausea. No more rich foods at this "time of month."

Hope this helps. K

Lori S · 04-17-2007, 06:31 PM

Thank you all for your posts relating to the diarrhea. I have just completed my third round of Tykerb/Xeloda. I only had diarrhea two days this last round and it was not as intense as it was at the higher dose of Xeloda (3,300 mg). Dropping my dose down to 2,300mg really helped this time. Thanks for the tips too. I keep the immodium AD in my purse for those unexpected times and I now have a prescription for Lomotil which is stronger than the Immodium.

Also my voice for now is back to normal so the tykerb is doing its job.

Again thank you for your support!

God Bless!

Lori