← Return to Capecitabine side effects are really tough: What helps?

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Profile picture for Turkey, Volunteer Mentor @tomrennie

@rb991 So those nausea meds are working? I have never heard of them. Thanks.

The shorter off time between cycles, from what I have experienced and learned, would pose more challenges over time. For four weeks, I hope that it doesn't make a difference. Be alert for dry skin especially on the palms of her hands and bottom of her feet. I suggest applying skin moisturizer to both, and any dry skin areas, to avoid excessive skin dryness. She might also get mouth sores. Keeping her teeth and gums as clean as possible usually helps. She already has experienced neuropathy on her fingers. I live with it on my hands and legs below my knees. Compression socks and gloves really help. My oncologist has told me that capecitabine typically makes one feel "tired and crappy". I can confirm that statement. She will need extra rest. Plan for it. She also might get body aches and pains similar to flu like symptoms. Extra rest has really helped me with them. They are the main side effects that come to mind. Let me know if you have any questions.

I have a rare type of pancreatic cancer, neuroendocrine tumors... NETs for short, that has spread to my liver and bones. Because it spread so much, chemo was my best option. For about first year, I took capecitabine with another chemo called temozolomide. I started off with 2500mg daily of capecitabine. About six months in, my daily capecitabine dosage was reduced to 2000mg. The combination of the two chemos was beating me up. Like at @seathink suggested, the reduction in the capecitabine daily dose really helped. I am still on 2000mg daily now.

Let us know, if you have any more questions. We all learn from each other.

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Replies to "@rb991 So those nausea meds are working? I have never heard of them. Thanks. The shorter..."

@tomrennie My mom's dose for capec is 2500 mg currently and as per vitals, doctors said, she is doing okay. I guess, they'll reduce in the upcoming cycles, in case it gets too much.

Also, thanks for the warning me about the dry skin. I am trying my best rub creams every night on her arms and foot. (Cetaphil)
Should I be applying those more frequently throughout the day?

And would CIPN symptoms go away after treatment?