Questions on how you feel on Lapatinib and Xeloda

[Kmswilson]

I tried searching for a thread, but I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, so I apologize if I'm doing a big repeat here! I'm going to be starting on Laptinib and Xeloda in a few weeks as soon as I'm dome with and past the waiting period after having WBR (three more rads left)! So far, all of KY chemo and Herceptin has been infusions through my port, so I get it all on one day, feel like crap for a few days to a week, then I have a week or two where I almost feel normal again. Since it sounds like I'm going to be taking all of these pills for two weeks on, one week off, I'm just wondering how it works. In general, do you feel like crap every day during the two weeks you take this stuff? The aches, pains, nausea, etc.? And then feel decent for the week off? Or is it something that other than the diarrhea I'm hearing about and the hand and foot evils I've read about, you feel kind of okay during the two weeks? I'm just really nervous about it since I've gotten used to getting it all infused and then moving on for a week or two for the last year, which has helped planning to be able to do stuff with my kids and family. It seems like taking all of these pills every day on top of what I already take, and taking them every day for two weeks might prolong the feeling like chemo crap. I know this stuff can affect everyone differently, but I figured you guys might have some insight.

Don't get me wrong, I'll do whatever it takes to get and keep this crap under control, get some regression, etc. I just want to see if I can start planning how I can LIVE while I'm doing this new treatment and I hate the thought of feeling terrible for two solid weeks and then recovering during a week, only to start it all over again with the next cycle! Thanks so much in advance for all of your help. This site and all your advice sure has helped keep me going the last 13 months! :-)