xeloda rash

Dear All
I wrote some time back asking about the rash on the back of my hands. It started after 2 weeks on xeloda and still appears to be there. I know someone replied that they put udderbalm on and gloves.I have tried sorbolene and vitamine and cortisone but it still seems to be bad.
Does the udderbalm make it go away? How long does it last - ?all through the chemo?Just wondering - any info would be great.

love
lindaw

I have had rashes on my feet for quite sometime. They are more like scars now. I have dark skin and these are more like hyperpigmentation spots, or dark spots. I just use some make up on them when I wear open shoes. I live in South FL so I am always out in the sun regardless of whether I want to be or not. I always had nice skin and that makes me mad that I have nasty feet now! But, at least it doesn't hurt, burn or itch. I had the hand/foot syndrome from Doxil and it isn't the same. Luckily that went away quickly with vitamin B6. The itchy red palms and soles were truly a nightmare!

Hope that helps. Oh you can always see a dermatologist too. I never went. I don't want to see anymore doctors!!!!

Lisa

Thanks lisa

In desperation yesterday - because they look so ugly and they sting i put some curash ointment on. It has zinc in it and is for nappy rash. Well it seems to have toned it down and it is less sore and noticeable so I will continue. today i am home as I had stomach cramps and felt sick - it seems to happen the same point at each round of xeloda ( well both - have only had 2). I don't feel so bad but my hands and feet are a littl e sore and need to be near the bathroom.

love
linda

I only took xeloda for two months. You need to tell you Dr. about your hands. I was determend to finish my xeloda and I ended up with blisters on my feet and the skin peeled off my fingers. If I had told my Dr. he would have lowered my dose of xeloda. Also you said you have to stay near the bathroom, please be careful, I ended up in ICU for 4 days and 6 more on the oncology floor from diarrhea. A month after I was off the xeloda all the skin peeled off the bottom of my feet and now they are like soft like baby skin. Patty H

Hi Lindaw;

I suggested the uddercream, and no it does not make it go away,it just feels better and itches less. The rash has stayed with me for the entire treatment, it's been 4 months now, and I hope I finished today with the last one!!! next week tests. I am having to wear those gloves and reapply the uddercream every hour or so. Today one of the nurses said another patient had success with straight aloe gel. I tried it a few hours ago and it did help a lot with the stinging sensation.

What dose are you on? I know several other people who had alot of trouble if the dose was above 2500-3000mg/day but once they dropped back by just 500mg then they were fine.

kk

Dear KK
I am on 3500 a day. I see my onc next week and so may reduce it. Has it been successful for you - where are your mets.

love
linda

HI lindaw;

I have 3 liver mets and it does appear to be working, accoriidng to my ct scan they had shrunk by half after the 3 cycle (2 weeks on 1 week off). I did not start to have really bad itching until after the 3rd cycle, and have not had any problems on the bottoms of my hands and feet. I just finished my 6th cycle and have more scans next week.

In my live person support group, 3 other people have recently started xeloda at doses between 3500 and 4000 mg/day. None of them could tolerate it after two weeks and had bad rashes, and hand/foot problems. I told my onc about them and when he next saw the drug rep he ask them about the higher doses. The rep said that he hears most people can not tolerate above 3000 without significant side effect. The standard dose is 2500.

kk

Thanks all - i will see my onc next week and ask about reduction. I did not take the last dose as had diarhea for 3 days and my hands and feet have been very sore.
thaks for all the advice.

love
lindaw