Capecitabine side effects are really tough: What helps?

@115 Your side effects may increase as your capecitabine treatment progresses. From what I have learned, the two days off won't allow the capecitabine to completely leave your system. So, you will have a little more left in your system after each five day cycle. Make sense?

@gc4217 Hi and welcome to Mayo Connect. How are you feeling overall at the moment? You and @115 are about to embark on the same treatment journey. Hopefully, you two can share your experiences and help each other? Everyone's body is different. Consequently, your bodies may react differently to treatment. But, I expect that there will be some similarities.

@115 @gc4217

Here are two discussions from the Colorectal Cancer support group. Other members share their experiences with similar chemoradiation treatments for anal cancer. As you will read, the treatment can be quite different from person to person. Let me know what you are thinking?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/low-dose-chemoradiation/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/xeloda-for-colon-cancer-scared-about-side-effects-and-need-support/

@tomrennie thank you, very nervous and hoping my side effects will be mild. I have prepared myself as best as I can, reading and researching.

@gc4217 Reading, researching, and educating yourself is great. I just want to caution you to do those things from reputable resources. I speak from personal experience. You don't want to go down unnecessary rabbit holes that only create doubt and confusion from random sources. Treating cancer isn't easy for most of us. It can be horrible. If you weren't nervous, I would be concerned about your mental state. But, I recently lost a friend to rectal cancer that didn't fully commit to treatment. When she finally decided to do so, it was too late. Unfortunately as cancer patients, we have to make difficult decisions and choose very uncomfortable treatment. The hope is to come out the other side healthy and able to live the best life we possibly can. Make sense?

@tomrennie after 1 round of capecitibine 3900mg day
side affects were horrible and I was ready to quit but my pcp convinced me to stick with a reduced to 3000 mg day and I tried 2 more cycles and had to stop taking it but since I caught it early and no spread I am still cancer free since September 2024, still on surveillance every 3 months but now dealing with needing hip replacement.
Thank God for blessing me and ending cancer days.

@denise134 Congratulations on no cancer. I am happy for you. 3900mg a day is a lot. No wonder it was difficult for you to tolerate. I am keeping my fingers crossed that your cancer stays away and that your hip replacement happens without any challenges.

@tomrennie today was my first day of treatment. I haven’t noticed any difference in taking the capecitabine from how I usually feel. So I’m happy with that. I’m sure there will be a build up of it in my system and that could cause issues. I’m making sure I’m eating small meals also. Thank you for your reply.

I just started at 2500mg I’m on my 3rd day. I make sure to eat, for me a banana and toast before I take the first 2 pills of the day. I also drink a lot of water anyway I think it helps. I space the pills out about 5-10 minutes.

@115 did you also do mitomycin infusion day one. My treatments will be day 1 and day 29 mitomycin infusion plus capecitabine pills 2600mg 5 days a week with radiation. I start next week.