Capecitabine and Fatigue: What Users Say

• MeM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2020

Capecitabine for Colorectal Cancer "I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in January 2020. I underwent 6 weeks of Xeloda along with 6 weeks of targeted radiation. The combination shrunk my tumor by 1.5 inches which was considered a great success when I had surgery in July 2020. I had a bit of nausea and was very exhausted. Some tingling in my thumb and fingers. I also had some diarrhea occasionally. My hair has never been healthier, zero hair loss. At one point, I had some mouth tenderness but never open sores. I have recently finished 4 months of follow-up chemo (Xeloda) and am currently recovering from side effects such as extreme fatigue, muscle aches, limited nausea, and diarrhea. Also, I’ve had split and peeling skin on thumbs and fingers. All in all, my experience with Xeloda has been good. I’ve been told that there is zero sign of any cancer left, CT scan last week will tell the tale. Will know more early January but feeling very optimistic."

• GIL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2023

For Colorectal Cancer "I was admitted under an emergency procedure for bowel resection, where it was found I had cancer. The surgeon who operated said that he was confident that he had got it all out but suggested a colonoscopy, which I had, and this came back clear. I was referred to an oncologist who said he would like for me to have some adjuvant chemo, which would be capecitabine pills. I am halfway through the treatment, and in all honesty, it has not been that bad. No hair loss or sickness. Just fatigue, BIG TIME. I am about to start cycle five, so fingers crossed."

• exc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 16, 2022

Capecitabine for Breast Cancer "My sister was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2001. She had two recurrences over the years. In 2016 (second recurrence), she went on Xeloda. It suppressed her cancer for four years (2x as much time as the norm). Her only side effects were slight fatigue and hair thinning. When it stopped working after 4 years, she went on Verzenio, which was awful for her (terrible stomach problems, lost weight, and couldn’t sleep). If only Xeloda lasted forever! She’s now in an infusion chemo easier on her system and working to suppress cancer. Next up: oral SERDs to be approved Feb 2023. It’s hopping from one medication to another once bc metastasized, but she’s lived 21 years so far."

• Old...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 20, 2020

Capecitabine for Breast Cancer "I took it during the 3rd year after my diagnosis. It worked great for about 11 months, and then it didn't. But I was struggling with extreme fatigue before I started taking it, and within the first week, I felt so much better. Other than fatigue, I didn't have any side effects. It was great."

• PHa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2018

For Breast Cancer "I take capecitabine for 14 days with 7 days off. My dosage is 3000 mg per day (3 pills in the AM with food, 3 pills in PM with food). Side effects in cycle 1 were very minimal; mild fatigue and nausea that began toward the end of the cycle. Hand/foot syndrome developed in cycle 2: blistering on fingers, toes, discoloration on fingers, pain on the bottom of the foot that limited my walking. Side effects in cycle 3 were severe diarrhea and abdominal cramping, in addition to worsening of hand/foot. I am taking a 3-week break from the drug, and the dosage will be adjusted in cycle 4."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2021

Capecitabine for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "My family member did 2 weeks of this drug. Was so fatigued, couldn't eat, and was underweight to start with. Hospitalized with green diarrhea and later discovered bowel damage. She later died. This treatment is dangerous at the prescribed levels. She may have fared better at a much lower dose."

• Gee...
• October 6, 2020

For Breast Cancer "I am about to start breast cancer treatment #5 out of 6. Hooray!!! So far, side effects have been very minimal. A very low grade 1 on the hand and foot syndrome (but also contribute that to the job I do, on my feet 8 hours a day, I am a cashier), no blisters. Digestive the only thing, a bit of stomach cramping. Minimal fatigue, but still able to work 40 hours a week and hike twice a week (on my days off to make sure I don’t overdo it on my feet). I am a faithful drinker of water and lotion on my hands and feet. I’m 2 weeks on / one week off 3000mg, 3 pills morning, 3 pills night. Hasn’t affected my blood work. THANKFUL for that. It pays off that I went into this journey very healthy and young (46) with no other health conditions."

• Ver...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2021

For Colorectal Cancer "My husband was started on 1500 mg twice a day of this while also receiving radiation for rectal cancer when he developed life-threatening problems. It causes dehydration, horrible diarrhea, weakness, and fatigue, kidney functions declined (he has kidney problems), and the combo with radiation caused severe radiation burns internally and enteritis. He recovered from the first infection, started the chemo/rad combo again, his dose of this was dramatically decreased to 500 mg twice a day and continued his radiation. He got sick again in a little over a week and again ended up in the hospital with enteritis and blood infection! To make a long story short, he had a heart attack from this medicine! Thankfully he was in the hospital with these other infections and was rushed to a larger hospital where two stents were put in his right coronary artery and there will be another stent procedure on the left side very soon. This is a horrible medicine and cannot take any chemo now!"

• LIN...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 7, 2023

For Colorectal Cancer "My mother, who is now 92 y.o., was diagnosed with originally stage 3 rectal cancer. The first scan after surgery came back negative for cancer. Three months later, the scan showed recurrent cancer in the rectum and mets to her liver-three lesions. Initially, she was given 2000 mg per day, two tabs in the am and pm, one week on and one week off. A follow-up scan showed all lesions had shrunk. She developed neuropathy in her hands and feet. Ulcers were treated by a wound doctor while the oncologist gave her a 5-week holiday to allow for the ulcers to heal, which they did. The oncologist reduced her dose to 1500 mg, 1 in the am, 2 in the pm, one week on, one week off. She is now on her second cycle. She is fatigued, weak, has vision problems, and is anemic. She received iron infusions. She has good days and bad days. Most likely, she will be on this regimen for life. However, she has sleep apnea, which is being addressed in hopes of helping with the fatigue. It is difficult to delineate what are Xeloda side effects."

• ted...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 18, 2017

For Colorectal Cancer "85-yr-old white male in good health. Although symptomless, I failed two fecal occult blood tests (at home). When I came to after the follow-up colonoscopy, the doctor told me, 'You have an appointment with a surgeon tomorrow morning.' A week later, I had a resection of the descending part of my large intestine, eliminating a good-sized tumor. Because two of the removed 18 lymph nodes also tested positive, I was rated stage 3b (possible undetectable 'mini-metastases'), so my oncologist put me on capecitabine as adjuvant therapy. Three pills, 2x a day, two weeks on, one off for 6 months. Because of a bad rash on my forearms, he cut me back to two pills. Still some fatigue and dry fingertips. Finished 4 weeks ago. Success? Testing starts soon."

• jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2016

Capecitabine for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "My husband is on it and is extremely fatigued, and I mean tired to where he can't walk without getting out of breath. He also coughs constantly and brings up white foamy phlegm. L girl, you said your mom passed soon after taking the drug. I'm so sorry. Did she have issues with lungs and/or cough? I hope you see this, but I'm not sure you will since we can't message people on here apparently."

• Ca ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2025

"I'm a 36-year-old female. I was diagnosed with cancer of the gallbladder in June 2024 after a laparoscopic surgery for stones in the gallbladder. They found an incidental finding, a 1.5 cm tumor, adenocarcinoma. In September, I had a lymphadenectomy and liver resection. A big 30 cm incision in my abdomen. Started Xeloda (3000 per day) in October. The first weeks had a bad skin reaction in my face (redness), fatigue, zzz, thirsty all the time, dizziness, mild headaches, fever, gained weight. Now I'm on my 6th cycle, very mild symptoms at the beginning of each cycle, sleeping a lot, not too much hunger sensation, lost a couple of pounds, skin on hands and feet is okay, no peeling. Next scan in March."

• Bha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2025

"My mum was diagnosed with rectal cancer in the 2nd stage. No mets, no local lymph nodes, but the tumor size is quite large. She was very tired and had zero energy before her treatment started. A combination of targeted radiation and capecitabine 500 mg twice daily. It was a long course, 28 days. During the treatment, she was feeling just a little fatigued. But by the end of the cycle, last week, she felt really well. She started eating well, her bowel movement improved, and most of her initial symptoms came down. There was no hair loss, either. So, yes, this medicine works well. Her surgery has not been done yet. Will know the tumor size once CT is done. Fingers crossed."