HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Update on Hope-anyone on Xeloda?

Lolly · 04-12-2006, 02:20 PM

Dear Hope, I'm sorry to hear you've been having such a rough time of it, but hang in there as I sincerely think you'll be feeling better soon.

Xeloda is a very effective med; I personally have a chemo buddie who's lung mets were wiped out with Xeloda/Herceptin. I'm on the same dose as you, 500mg am/pm, continuously; no breaks as some have reported when on a higher dose. My onc feels the lower dose is just as effective when given continuously, not allowing the cancer to recuperate in between. I've been on it for 2 months now, in combo with Navelbine/Herceptin and since adding Xeloda have seen dramatic shrinkage of my axilla tumors (they were only stable on N/H so that's why Xeloda). I've had no side effects other than lowered blood counts, but I chalk that up to Navelbine as that was a problem anyway BEFORE adding Xeloda. I've had no hand/foot syndrom, no neuropathy, no hair loss etc.

My onc DID have me stop taking my multiple vitamin because of the folic acid, and also my Vit.B supplement, same reason. Apparently folic acid can increase the chance of side effects. Check with your onc on this, some differ, but I wouldn't be surprised if you're advised to stop the multi. I haven't found a multi without folic, so I just try to eat well and take a few solitary vits I've cleared with my onc, such as 1000mg vit C, Calcium and Magnesium, etc.

Best wishes with the Xeloda, I hope you find it effective and trouble free, and good luck with your decision on the lung fluid. I had a friend recently undergo the "lung talc" procedure, pleurodesis (?), with great results, so have courage.

<3 Lolly

04-12-2006, 02:20 PM	#2
Lolly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,756	Xeloda Dear Hope, I'm sorry to hear you've been having such a rough time of it, but hang in there as I sincerely think you'll be feeling better soon. Xeloda is a very effective med; I personally have a chemo buddie who's lung mets were wiped out with Xeloda/Herceptin. I'm on the same dose as you, 500mg am/pm, continuously; no breaks as some have reported when on a higher dose. My onc feels the lower dose is just as effective when given continuously, not allowing the cancer to recuperate in between. I've been on it for 2 months now, in combo with Navelbine/Herceptin and since adding Xeloda have seen dramatic shrinkage of my axilla tumors (they were only stable on N/H so that's why Xeloda). I've had no side effects other than lowered blood counts, but I chalk that up to Navelbine as that was a problem anyway BEFORE adding Xeloda. I've had no hand/foot syndrom, no neuropathy, no hair loss etc. My onc DID have me stop taking my multiple vitamin because of the folic acid, and also my Vit.B supplement, same reason. Apparently folic acid can increase the chance of side effects. Check with your onc on this, some differ, but I wouldn't be surprised if you're advised to stop the multi. I haven't found a multi without folic, so I just try to eat well and take a few solitary vits I've cleared with my onc, such as 1000mg vit C, Calcium and Magnesium, etc. Best wishes with the Xeloda, I hope you find it effective and trouble free, and good luck with your decision on the lung fluid. I had a friend recently undergo the "lung talc" procedure, pleurodesis (?), with great results, so have courage. <3 Lolly