Hi Everyone,
I have been looking for information regarding fasting during or after taking Capecitabine (Xeloda). There has been a lot of discussion regarding fasting before/after taking 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), which is given periodically (once per week?). It has been clinically tested whether fasting 48 hours before the chemo and 24 hours after the chemo, can reduce the side effects and increase the efficiency of the chemo. But because I take Capecitabine on a daily basis for the period of 5 weeks and 3 days, I cannot fast in that manner.
I have been receiving radiochemotherapy since February 25th on a daily basis (Radiotherapy only on weekdays). I have 3 more therapy days to go. Although I am almost done, the radiation burns have been so dramatic in the last week that painkillers, including Tramadol, have been useless. I have the frequent urgency of going to toilet, something like 10 times for the "big business". Most of the time my stool consists of dead colon skin and gas though. Still each time is just a hell for me. It takes something like 10-15 minutes and feels like I am sitting on an electric chair. Todays things got even worse. I had to visit bathroom 7 times within 3 hours and, I believe, my hemorrhoids got a lot worse. I have no idea how I can manage my next bathroom visit. But I want to give a try to fasting so that I can have some rest from my toilet nightmare.
I spoke with my oncologist about fasting before. She wasn't happy about it and strongly advised me against it. She just doesn't want to do anything which is outside the German medical guidelines for colorectal cancer. So I feel the need for advice or an opinion, if there is anything that I have to be careful about my planned adventure with fasting over 3+ days. Apart from my rectal cancer diagnosis, I am a healthy young male, who was preparing to run the Hamburg marathon at the end of April in 2 hours 50 minutes.
I know that I have to be careful with my weight (63kg currently, 175cm tall). But I used to be 60kg until the age of 25 and felt perfectly healthy. So I think I can lose 3kg with no health problem. I have some fat around my waist that I can get rid of.
Would really appreciate to hear your thoughts on this issue.
Greetings from Germany!
Zkr