hand foot syndrome with XELODA

Hi All,

It seems as though finally after multiple rounds of chemo throughout this past year, if my next CT scan looks stable (last one showed no additional disease) I'll be started on Xeloda and Avastin. From what I see, hand foot syndrome seems to be the main side effect. Any feedback, other side effects to expect? Any special creams or home remedies? I've been off work and now hoping to go back. For the most part is this oral chemo more tolerable? I always love hearing from you. By the way, anyone suffering with oral sores..the liquid inside vitamin E capsules placed right on the sores at night seems to help alot. That great advice came from one of you!! Thanks so much. God Bless and lots of love to you all, Tina  (stage 111C colon Ca with mets to nodes and lung diagnosed June'08)

Hi Nursetina,

I took xeloda (capecitbine) tablets. I was started at the maxium dose for my size and weight. I was on for two weeks and then a one week rest.  The only side effect I had at all was the hand and foot syndrome. It is important that you not let it get so bad with blistering  that you have to discontinue the medication. They will reduce the dosage to the maximum that your body can withstand as your treatment progresses.

 It was not bad, but you do have to be careful not to irritate the skin on your hands and feet as they will be more sensitive. Thinks like opening new jars jelly or peanut butter was a problem because the twisting motion against the skin in your palm with the pressure was a problem. I walk my dog twice a day and I made sure to have comfortable shoes with memory foam inserts. My first problem was from walking to much with no cushion in my shoes.

I would say that it was really not much of a problem, but it is important not to let it get to be a problem. Prevention of skin irritation is the best, rather than have to deal with problems after the fact. I found a good foot l balm cream with lanolin worked well for me. A lot of people had  good reccomendations for different udder creams that they use on cows.

Overall, my experience was positive with little side effects. The hand and foot syndrome was easy to manage and was not a big deal for me. But I did have to reduce my dose levels as the treatment progressed. My final two week round was probably half the dosage I started with. I wish you the best with it and hope it works really well for you.

gwb

On 8/27/2009 gwb123 wrote:

Hi Nursetina,

I took xeloda (capecitbine) tablets. I was started at the maxium dose for my size and weight. I was on for two weeks and then a one week rest.  The only side effect I had at all was the hand and foot syndrome. It is important that you not let it get so bad with blistering  that you have to discontinue the medication. They will reduce the dosage to the maximum that your body can withstand as your treatment progresses.

 It was not bad, but you do have to be careful not to irritate the skin on your hands and feet as they will be more sensitive. Thinks like opening new jars jelly or peanut butter was a problem because the twisting motion against the skin in your palm with the pressure was a problem. I walk my dog twice a day and I made sure to have comfortable shoes with memory foam inserts. My first problem was from walking to much with no cushion in my shoes.

I would say that it was really not much of a problem, but it is important not to let it get to be a problem. Prevention of skin irritation is the best, rather than have to deal with problems after the fact. I found a good foot l balm cream with lanolin worked well for me. A lot of people had  good reccomendations for different udder creams that they use on cows.

Overall, my experience was positive with little side effects. The hand and foot syndrome was easy to manage and was not a big deal for me. But I did have to reduce my dose levels as the treatment progressed. My final two week round was probably half the dosage I started with. I wish you the best with it and hope it works really well for you.

gwb

Hi there,

I heard that Vitamin B is very good in helping with the hand-foot syndrome side effects of chemo.  Ask your oncologist, as s/he will know if it impacts your chemo.   I also heard on this board that the prescription drug Lyrica is good at taming the neuropathy.  Again, double check on this with your oncologist, as this is simply "second hand" knowledge.   

Good luck!  It's hard to go from Stage IIIc to Stage IV, but there are survivors out there - my cousin is a 17 year survivor and he had a met to his lung that's now dormant (scar tissue).  He was on Xeloda alone, as that was the only therapy back then.  But as you know having dealt with this beast for the past few years, there are many more therapies now and more coming down the pipe.

Paula Jean

On 8/27/2009 nursetina wrote:

Hi All,

It seems as though finally after multiple rounds of chemo throughout this past year, if my next CT scan looks stable (last one showed no additional disease) I'll be started on Xeloda and Avastin. From what I see, hand foot syndrome seems to be the main side effect. Any feedback, other side effects to expect? Any special creams or home remedies? I've been off work and now hoping to go back. For the most part is this oral chemo more tolerable? I always love hearing from you. By the way, anyone suffering with oral sores..the liquid inside vitamin E capsules placed right on the sores at night seems to help alot. That great advice came from one of you!! Thanks so much. God Bless and lots of love to you all, Tina  (stage 111C colon Ca with mets to nodes and lung diagnosed June'08)

My husband first took Xeloda 14 days on and 7 off.  His feet really got very tender during the second week.  He had such good response from the Xeloda, the Dr put him on 7 and off 7.  That is much better.  He does use the udder cream.  He also takes avastin with it.  Hope this helps.

HI,

Just thought I let you know my symptoms after being on Xeloda 2 1/2 yrs. @ 2000 mg./day along with Avastin.  My hands are very swollen, red and tender. I have used approximately every known hand lotion on the market; some are better than others but only for a short time.  I reapply often.  My feet are red and tender as well.  The symptoms really seem to depend upon how much I am on my feet or using my hands.  I  wish i could offer treatment for this side effect.  Hopefully, your side effects will be minimal..

Sincerely,

Sharon