does anyone have anything GOOD to say about Efudex?

Barb,

 

You're the first person I've found who has used Florouracil on your legs.  Could you please tell me how long, post-treatment, it took for you legs to look "presentable".  A week ago, I completed a 6 week, 2 x's daily regimen, and it seems as though the hundreds of spots  that (thankfully) eroded and swelled will never heal and fade.  Could you please relay your experience?  I'd be very grateful.

 

Sincerely,

Kate in Florida

Kate, honey, I hate to tell you this, but our legs might not ever again be 'presentable'. I rue the day that someone decided that hose was 'out' (altho they are waaaay too hot for Tx.) and leg makeup will never do us any good.  I wear tights w/ dresses. (seldom) I have many spots left, I treat only the raised or itchy or peeling ones, the ones that scare me; there are too many to do a class-action spread and it's too expensive. Anything that 'eats' skin will leave a scar, that's what the white spots are, so dab just the spots if possible to reduce discoloration. I really don't think it would be possible to remove some skin and leave everything perfect, it's just not the nature of how skin heals, taking away the damage will leave some mark, it's bound to.

Cancer is my concern, appearance is secondary to Life, so I wear white pants in summer and dark ones, or jeans in the cooler times, no shorts. At the pool, nobody looks at me anyway, but I'm usually underwater and have a nice coverup and wear wild earrings and hat/sunglasses so nobody pays any attention to my legs.

Remember the important thing is to prevent cancer. Camoflage Dressing is the way to go.   Then forget about it and live your life, others aren't so lucky~

Barb in Texas 

 

Barb,

 

You have a terrific attitude, so thanks for sharing it.  I agree with you on the hose ban!  What's that all about anyway?  Even with my legs in their "prime", they were way too pastey to look good without looking through sunglasses at them!

 

You and I have pretty much the same wardrobe. I haven't worn shorts in years, and it sounds like I never will.  I guess first I have to heal....second, I have to accept....and third I have to move to Alaska!

 

You are right.  There are so many things that are so much worse.  Time to focus on them.  Thanks so much for your response to my question.  It really does help.

 

 

OOOOPPPPPS!  I meant to say that it's time to focus on the positive 

 

Kate in Florida 

You are very welcome, Kate. I know how discouraging we can get when our appearance isn't what we'd like, I've learned that the hard way! But try to not let it get 'to you' and consider that if anyone is critical, maybe they need some education as to what is important. At least we hopefully avoided cancer to earn those white spots! Some people are just going to be critical and I try to avoid them as much as possible, depression and negativity are catching!

(myth, people, not true, I'm being funny)

Keep your sense of humor, lady, and Good Luck w/ your healing, might try the cream combo mentioned in another email.

The End for me. 

B. 

  Hello Kate,

 

Hope you are hanging in there...  It is the pits to see people go through this but a relief to know were not alone...  And here comes summer, what to wear and what to do???

 

All things have changed since now I am a forced sun-a-phobe...  Itching and spotty should be my e-mail,,, Ha..   Really not funny though.....

I have been using Efudex for 10 years on my face, chest, arms, legs.  It has never left a scar. 

 

IM SO SCARED OF THE SCARING ON MY FACE,  MY CARAC IS TO BE ONCE A NIGHT AND FOR THREE WEEKS,  YOU ARE ENCOURAGING BUT IM STILL SCARED.  MY FOREHEAD AND BOTH TEMPLES AND NOSE ARE TO BE TREATED.  I HAVE BEEN TOLD I COULD TAKE OFF A WEEK DURING THE BAD SIDE EFFECTS.  I HAD A RASH X SIX MONTHS THAT I WAS DX. WITH A DERMATITS/EZEMA AND WHILE THERE ON VALENTINES DAY THE WEEKEND BEFORE WANTING TO GO SNOW SKIING, A PRECANCER AND A BIOPSY WAS DONE ON MY LEFT SIDE OF MY NOSE,  4 DAYS LATER MOHS FOR SQUAMOUS WAS DONE.  NOW I STILL FEEL LIKE I HAVE A RASH WE NEVER GOT BACK TO AND NERVES ARE A TRIGGER FOR THE RASH AS WELL,  I WONDER IF THE CARAC WILL ATTACK THE RASH AREAS ON MY FACE AND THINK IT IS A AK TOO.  I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR DOWN TO GO ON FOREHEAD AND WETHER TO COVER THE INCISION WITH CARAC TOO.. SO MANY QUESTIONS....

Hi R~

I spot treated, not spreading it all over, and the white spots on my arms are fading. I have olive skin (green olive!, actually kinda goldish, tan easily) and spot treated early fall as we're not to be in sun with the stuff on. Increases burn risk, I was told by Oncologist.

 

I doubt if the cream 'thinks' anything of your rash (smile) but wouldn't want to get a contact dermatitis on top of everything else! Ask your Dr. if you can wait for rash to dissipate first before treating that area.

 

One Dr. I know doesn't like the spot treatment and uses it over his entire face once a year. Don't know how long or how often, but he continues to work so I suspect he lets it get red (he's very fair skinned, reddish hair, blue eyes) and then stops before it gets raw.

I hope everyone realizes I'm just a patient like you are!!!

Barb in Texas 

  barb,,

 

  The derm does not address the rash yet I think once he did the biopsy and then mohs on my nose we were headed a different direction,  I started Carac last night 3/12/08 and I feel scared to death what is coming, but want to put total faith in derm doctor but I dont really know how to put it on my nose,  do I go to the sides of the nose too?  Does this absorb quickly so that if I was to brush up against my son skin to skin am I exposing him to something,,, so confused.  Day 2 tonight. Help

Hi 'R'~ I'd be very careful to either apply very lightly or cover so you don't get it on anyone else. I might have dabbed too much w/ Q-tip because it stayed icky quite awhile sometimes. I received absolutely NO instructions as to how or how much to apply. Carac doesn't show on skin in sm. amts. but I covered one spot at the top of one eyebrow w/ 1/2 a sm. dot band-aid so it wouldn't get on my hair or sunglasses frame. Remember, do not get into the sun much w/ this stuff on, it increases burn and that's how we got into this mess in the first place. Wear a hat, sunglasses, etc. Don't know what to tell you about the nose, I'd sure ask the Dr. (or office nurse or P.A.) on that.They always know what's going on and are usually glad to tell you everything you need to know to be comfortable w/ the treatment. Hope this helps. Don't be scared, it didn't kill me and I'm sooooo glad to be rid of the itching spots!

Slightly speckled, not bad at all, considering. The treatment left minor spots that are fading, but they are a bit lighter and the AK was darker, so it's kindof 'a wash'. Nobody seems to notice, if they do, they don't say anything. I get compliments on rings, bracelets from store clerks all the time and nothing is said.

BUT, I've never been really hung up on 'beauty', and feel the personality and motives are prime concerns. If you're friendly and relatively happy, nobody pays any attention to your arms or legs anyway. Cancer survivors, at least this one, are usually so happy to be here that many things become less important most days. Hope this helps~

Thanks for all your encouragement Barb.  I had never heard of Carac (as you had never heard of Efudex) - but, guess they are pretty much the same (from what I read anyway).  So, you say you used it on your face and it worked WITHOUT letting it get to the "raw" stage?  Just about everyone says, and everything reads as though you HAVE to do that in order to get rid of the cancer cells.  That is what I did with my arms and back last winter (it was nice because I could hide under long sleeves and turtlenecks )...but, it took so long to heal.  Now, a year later, I have a lot more AK's and plenty of new basal cells popping up.  Just not sure it is worth the discomfort.  Oh well, time will tell.  I opted to only do half of my face, so, we shall see.  Thanks again! 

Carmen, let me repeat, (or maybe it's in my profile), I first had biopsies and NONE were cancer yet. (this time) but several resembled the squamous cell from several years ago, my Oncol. Dr. agreed, so they were Carac'd.  

They also ITCHED like fury, as the first one had. 

We were both really surprised at the neg.path reports,had just assumed if it looked like a frog . . .

Out of 3 sites treated last fall, (one pretty large on my temple, about 1/2" around, filled w/many little tiny bumps) the very edge of two places is coming back on each temple, so will get to treating again as soon as I get around to it. I suspect the Q-tip was a little off, hard to be exact on small areas. Plus the area is exposed to sun, not protected by sun glasses and my oily skin sheds sun block and I dislike that 'sealed in plastic' feel it gives me.

OK, back to treatment:

Just as the treated places got sore and began to be a bit pink, I'd quit for a couple of days, then began again. Dr. said no harm in it, we weren't aggrevating a known cancer, but trying to remove a 'possible in the future' site.

I've never done any research on skin ca, it was over so fast, so just took what I was prescribed (my radiologist had mentioned the 5FU content of Carac). Am glad to find this site so we can keep up on these things when needed. Good Luck to you, hope this helps.

B. 

 Im so glad that Barb in texas has some variable knowledge, I have very little trust in my skin right now only in the notes from here and doctor. 

'variable knowledge'?!?!  I love it!  (laugh, snort) 

I'm about as variable as they get, I guess.

I've been thru hell and back a few times and still have a sense of humor, so obviously miracles do exist!

I hope you can be a team with your Dr. and put some trust there, if not, ask around and get some more info. I picked the brains of hospital nursing staff in the middle of the night when they were bored, and asked what would they advise their mother or sister or daughter, 'Which Dr. is both experienced and human/compassionate (and sober!)' and went with that. You cannot have too much info.  I am a total believer in support systems, talking to someone who's been down that particular road is truly wonderful, I hope never to have to take that path alone again, as I did the first time. Mucho scary. I will share what I've learned to the end of my days for that reason.

 I appreciate your humor and feel so thankful for a voice in the dark.  How long does it take for a insicion to heal after a mohs on the nose,  last night was the second night of Carac and the itching is difficult about 30 minutes into it, and I get scared to touch it because of chemo on my fingers.  The incision burns so or course my mind is thinking there is cancer cells in that area that are not taken care of,  yesterday I paged the derm because first day of chemo I broke out in a rash all over, so he said to continue to take doxycycline with my chemo.  And then he said I have a 50% chance of another cancer in the next two years........... sun queen was not worth the consequence...........

NOT SURE Effudex/CARAC ON A FRESH INCISION IS A GOOD IDEA! Did you ask your Dr.???

I am not familiar with mohs, my surgery for Squamous in front of my ear was done by a surgeon in the office, about '95 or so, left an up & down straight-line scar just a shade over 3/4", clear margins, gone but not forgotten. He refused to do any more biopsies, (said he could retire on my skin alone!), so now I go to oncologist for biopsies and so far none others have turned on me, all are still AKs. Seems like they ought to be able to put us under a blacklight or something to make a firm diagnosis, instead of 'guessing' which one and only biopsy the ones we 'think' might be 'something'.  What a crap shoot!

Speaking of light, there is a blue ight therapy for AK/skin ca now, saw a news report on TV this week about it, might ask about that if you're in an area that's progressive medically. I'm near DFW so am thinking of learning more about that. 

 

 Not knowledgable about whether the chemo burn indicates cancer cells, is that true? I'd think it would burn ANY skin, it's an acid type of stuff so why wouldn't it burn everywhere it's 'eating' the skin surface??? Until someone SAYS that according to research, the burn indicates more cancer, I'd relax and not 'jump to confusion'. If it's true, I hope someone tells me. I must not have been worried enough about mine.

 

Sun Goddess is right, and I STILL feel pale and unhealthy without a tan, was a hard change to get used to.  Kills me to see tanning beds and young women falling for that sales pitch. Yes, we 'felt' healthier and sexier w/ a tan, but now, no, you are so right, it was NOT worth it. Our only hope for a tanned look is for the dots to merge someday.

Does anyone know of a self-tanner that won't leave me a sexy ORANGE?!? 

I have yellow/med. olive skin, tanned brown in years past, not copper, and would love to use a self-tanner that looks real instead of an overdose of carrots. (betacarotene)  

Good luck w/ your treatments, Rhonda, let us all know how they're progressing.

Stumbling in the dark, yer friend~ 

 Again glad to hear your words,  Yes they said put it on the incision, and its so aggrivating that I can see all the scaly areas on my skin and thought all this time it was this rash I have been dealing with, Dermatitis/ezema that decided to come out about 8 months ago, nerves are a trigger so Im sure I fight the anti-inflammatory antibiotic since stress seems to be the way I feel,  I was given hydroxyzine pills for itching when the rash first appeared and I wonder about using that when the carac is on because it itches real bad, but hey, he says if it feels like that it is probably working, ya know the worse the better,  are those words to hold on to, again trust the doctor....   I missed last night on carac feel asleep at my friends house,  oops..  Will be faithful again tonight,  By the way I started buying jergens bronzing lotion and it is fairly good at giving even color without to much halloween effect,, Ha!  Here comes summer and I guess I will be the only one that glows like a lightbulb..  I guess there is no summer short skirts for me, I really don't know what to do anymore,, very depressed about the whole thing but the doc told me my hypersensitive immune system is probably due to my skin in a rage and that in turn that may have helped me somehow.  Living with both right now is a frustrating feeling.  I will ask about the blue light,  Can't they go over the body and just say yay or nay on the spots, crap I don't want guessing games forever. I appreciate talking to you, its better therapy,  I feel like crawling in a hole......

Barb in Texas,

Listen I feel like the area of concern is in Left temple and I am on day 6 on Carac. Is this reaching a level under the skin to like to shrink an invasive area?  Surgery can be done in the Left temple and it may not have affected the left eye possibly right?  I have a small tube of Carac and it is getting about 1/3 used is that to much with 15 days to go?  It is hard to tell where this goes with it being so pasty.  Remind me that the uglier I am the better the cream is working right?????????   

 

Oh, boy!

Rhonda, I am just another patient and have NOT used Carac on diagnosed ca sites, it was still PRE-ca with me, so you MUST ask your Dr. about this.

 

I would not mess around w/ something near my eye. Not a place to gamble on at all.

I would visually 'divide' the tube into portions at the beginning so I wouldn't run out, or see about getting another tube if you are using copious amounts of the cream. It's easier to apply with a little plastic spatula or dampened pointed eye-makeup type of Q-tip or something rather than a finger, less waste that way. But then, I did spot treatment. If you are covering a larger area, you'll need more cream than I did. If you are to be using up your tube within your treatment period, it sounds like you are right on track with approx. 1/3 gone in 6 days.

 

My Oncologist had not had much experience with it, so I was kindof on my own, but believe me, if I had a diagnosis of a cancer cell already, I would hunt down a Doctor with some experience with this stuff immediately, pick her/his brain about it, and not take ANY chances.

Remember to wear hats, sunglasses, etc. when you are outside during treatment. I was warned about that several times, even tho' my treatment was in the fall. After all, this IS Tx., with 7" snow one day, 88 in two or three more days!  Good luck to you~B.

 Carmen,  Im 44 and itching like crazy on day 4 of carac at night,  what about this itching, I can't even think or sleep still have 17 days left after today,  spot are everywhere,  treating forehead to brows, both temples and 2" in front of ears, and all of nose including incision where scc was removed per doctor orders, I feel like such a baby only day 4 and I am going itch crazy, how I wish this was over, I try not to think about what the next task will be on return to the derm. I know that this is a year that I wish I could start different,  Ya know, I was looking at a magazine at swimming suits before this, what a joke,,,,,,,,,,, joke on me...........  Carmen stay with me on this journey, I may fall apart in week two.  Don't lose faith, your words make me realize I'm not alone..  I appreciate them..  What can I do about this itching?  Spots everywhere...  Please reply..

sorry, have no idea what to tell you about the itching.  i don't know the difference between the Efudex and Carac.  i was told not to put anything on top of the Efudex, apply it twice a day for two weeks.  it's getting really hot and red - by the end of the week it will probably be very, very raw and tender (and itchy no doubt)  all i know is i am not really looking forward to work today (and i love my job).  oh well.  no one REALLY cares (but us!!)...since they are not the ones that have to look in the mirror.  as for withstanding the pain, i keep trying to tell myself, that, in the scope of things...it will be over before i know it.

Hi,

Just started using Efudex cream and wonder how long to keep it on.  The directions don't say and my Dr. hasn't returned my calls.  He's out of town. Left it on overnight and just put it on this morning for the 2nd time.

Thanks

 

Dear Rhonda,

I just want to let you know that you are not alone in the itching.  I am one itchy woman, my AKs always itched, and of course, the Efudex made it worse.  In fact, I used to wish for pain, rather than itching.  My doctor told me I could apply over-the-counter cortisone cream a few hours after application if I got desperate.  I only did that a couple times, but I did take Benedryl to sleep.  They helped a little.

 

One thing I can tell you is now that I have completed my 6 weeks of treatment and healing's begun (it's been 2 weeks), my itching has nearly stopped.  I'm still spotted (the legs, which was my treatment area, take a very long time to heal.  Vitamin E oil helps keep them from drying out.

 

Just one other aside, that I doubt has anything to do with your itching.... Prior to using Efudex, I tried Carac.  They are essentially the same drug, but most instructions call for application once a day (Carac) rather than twice a day (Efudex).  I did not like the "delivery system" in Carac--that's the lotion part that makes it spread.  I found it very drying, and of course, drying causes itching.  If you really can't stand it, maybe you should ask your doc about changing over.  I would be surprised if you can't do it in the middle of treatment.

 

So best of luck, Rhonda.  And you know what?  Everyone I know personally who's treated his/her face has had terrific results in the end.  So I do think these weeks are worth it.  I'll bet your skin looks better than ever.  There's another great site that you might want to try with lots and lots of participation--cancercompass.com.  You may find others there that can relate with your particular experience.

Take Care. 

Kate 

 

  

Bridget,

It is so scary to see all these spots come out and he did not recommend my cheeks or chin at this time, he felt the left temple where sun hits in the car would be the worst and oh man is it spotted.  After this is done those that don't heal I guess he will biopsy?  I have so many spots on my shoulders but at the time he was not concerned with them.  Could Carac be applied there with good results.  If the left temple is so achy do you think I could already have a internal growth?  I know your not the doc, but just want your opinion..  I Have a spot on my lower eyelid that is a little scaly and he has not seen that yet, can that area be treated or frozen on the lower lid.  What do you say about life in the summer after cancer.  Is it hibernation for us now?????

 

Bridget,

 Can a scc or bcc in the left temple area if is already spreading be removed with mohs? 
The concentrated area of my spots are left forehead and temple... Lots of spots, aches to the bone...  And seems swollen,, like maybe deeper... Could Carac go deeper than surface skin to get to one of these...  Worried about the blood supply there...  Also has your treatment included putting carac on fresh scc incisions as part of treatment..  Im doing what I'm told... But still have questions,,, Day 5 of Carac tonight, itching like crazy again...  If he only mapped out part of my face,, and we did not do cheeks, lips and chin, or shoulders could he add those later???  He mentioned the left temple to me in office as being an area he knew would inflame,  thank god for trained eyes but gosh I wonder is he is just weeding for the next biopsy...  Tell me the Carac can kill the cancers like bcc and scc.......... Doing what Im told........

 

Carac only treats the most superficial of skin cancers and pre-cancers.  If you feel something lumpy deeper than just the outer layer of skin, you need to point it out to your dermatologist.  It should not be aching "to the bone."  Skin cancers in general are more sensitive than the surrounding skin.  If a skin cancer is adjacent to or invading nerves it can be extremely painful.  If it hurts like that, it's probably more than carac can handle.

 

BCC/SCC cancers can almost always be removed with mohs.  I'm not sure what you mean by spreading.  If you mean metastasizing, no.  Mohs will not treat metastasis to other areas of the body.  However, it will treat the primary lesion while the oncologist deals with the rest.  If you mean spreading as in getting bigger and spreading out sideways along the skin, yes it can be treated with mohs.  Another category that dermatologists look at when considering treatment of a skin cancer is the "differentiation."  For instance, an SCC can be well-, moderately- or poorly-differentiated.  Well-differentiated means it's all in one little ball and will be relatively easy to locate and remove.  Moderately differentiated means that it's starting to become less organized and will be more difficult to locate and remove.  It may require more layers with mohs in effort to "track it down."  Poorly differentiated SCCs are bad news.  They are certainly treatable, but they can require extensive mohs layers and post-op radiation.  Poorly differentiated SCCs resemble spiderwebs as opposed to a marble.  They can be metastatic at that point and must be treated aggressively.

 

If the itching is driving you crazy, call the dermatologist and ask for a cream that can help with the inflammation like a mild (prescription strength) cortisone.  But, whatever you do, don't stop using the carac.  You'll be happy that you completed the course.

I guess my fear is mets, and I don't know what I'm doing really.  Today the other doctor in the office said not to put carac on the post incision site. I said I have done it for 6 treatments already.  They just said stop now but continue with the rest. My doctor said trust him. If the cancer is in the temple area and a little deep can mohs still treat it??  I look like crap and know a crappier look is around the corner but I'm trying to have faith..  Also can you take benadryl when using carac for he itching, it would help me I know..  Do you all tell people at your clinic that you can have a prosperous life after skin cancer?  I feel like I am in the hands of everyone besides my own self...  After the month of healing if something is still there then they decide when to biopsy it?

Trust your doctor.  He's done this a million times.  If you don't trust your doctor, get a second opinion, but don't make your own decisions based on internet forums or advice from non-medical professionals.  I can't tell you how many times I've had patients tell me "but my friend had skin cancer and her doctor said blah blah blah.  The thing is that people don't correctly interpret things they don't understand.  You will get a very skewed version of what the doctor actually said unless the patient has some background in medicine.  If you have questions, write them all down and bring the list to your appointment.  Your doctor will appreciate that you're organized and pro-active with your own health. 

 

As for the mohs on your temple, don't worry.  A doctor can take as much tissue as is necessary to attain clear margins with mohs.  Only in very rare instances will a mohs surgeon decide that he can't continue in the office because it is getting too extensive.  I've only seen it once and that was because we were directly on top of the carotid artery and it was getting a little hairy.  The patient went straight over to the surgi-center and the plastic/general surgeon was ready to take over (they put him under at that point.)  That is the nightmare scenario.  The average scenario is 2-3 layers depending on which school of thought your mohs surgeon follows, you get some stitches, and you go home.  No big deal and not much of a scar to show for it.  Of course there is a chance that any mohs site will turn into the nightmare scenario, but I've been cutting for this doctor almost every day for two years and it's only happened once.  That's pretty good odds that it'll turn out alright.  And if you're really nervous, ask the doc to write for some valium or xanax you can take before the surgery. 

And no Benadryl won't do anything bad with the carac so you can take it if it helps.  After the carac treatment is finished and your skin has healed you should not have any questionable areas where you've treated.  If you do, then a biopsy is warranted. 

Bridget,

 

Faith is what I need and I trust the doctor.  Thanks for the reassurance of MOHS because my derm/mohs surgeon has been doing this for 20 years and he said I will watch you close.. So I am just going to take Benadryl and follow the treatment...   Thank you!

Day 8 tonght and counting,,,  red spots signing off....  Thank you for your words and technical expertise......  Have a great holiday....

WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN????  WHAT DOES THE DOCTOR SAY IS THE REASON???

Rhonda,

I don't go back to the doctor until Tuesday but it wasn't her that said it was discontinued. It was the pharmacy (Walgreen's) that said it was discontinued. I'm beginning to think it's just Walgreen's that doesn't carry it anymore. I'm going to call around and find a pharmacy that does.

 

Wendy

kinda hard to believe since i just bought it 2 weeks ago....plus, it has been around a LONG time and a LOT of dermatologists think it's really great (5 out of the 5 different dermatologists I've seen!!) Just ask Bridget !

Briget,

What is the deal with carac and or effudex, is it off the market??  And can I ask you a question?  I just finished day 8 of carac, and I could not use the sunscreen it stung during the day so I would put on a hat and glasses and go outside but my lips are sunburned, do you think since I am on this chemo I could have just increased my chance of skin cancer on my mouth.  Today they are real dry feeling and chapped.  I put sunscreen on today 30spf with titanium and put it on my lips as well and then some make up so I have some more coverage. My make up does not have any sunscreen in it but if my boyfriend can see me a little less scary...  My concern is my lips... And do you think since on scc appeared on my nose that I could have them come out anywhere on the body now...  Please answer if you can...  My derm is on vacation and I don't want to bug all the time, you know one of those nightmare patients...

Thanks, Bridget. I'm going to call around to other pharmacies to see if they carry it.

 

Wendy

Dear Wendy,

 

Efudex has not been discontinued.  Either call your pharmacist and speak to him directly, or go to another pharmacy.  Also, you can ask for the generic, or the druggist can call your doctor to change the prescription to Carac, virtually the same drug, if for some reason they can't get Efudex.

 

Good luck, and don't give up.  

Thanks, Kate. I couldn't believe it had been discontinued since I was seeing so many posts with people using it. It must just be that pharmacy. I'm going to see the doctor in two days and so will check with her to make sure but I believe you are correct. I'm going to be using it on my hands and arms. She wants me to try Aldara on a couple spots on my face. Looks like I'm in for some fun? with everything. But if it gets rid of everything, I'll be happy. I've had mohs surgery on 2 spots on my face for BCC about 3 years ago and don't want to have to go through it again.

 

Wendy

I've had three MOHS surgeries on my face, arm, and leg.   I have been using

Efudex for ten years and just got a new prescription from my internist.  I will treat any suspicious spots myself before I will go to another dermatologist.  All they want to do is cut because they is how they make the big bucks.  I would rather use Efudex for the rest of my life than have any more MOHS surgery!

Rhonda,

   Today/tonight is my last day of application.  My doctor has me applying twice a day for two weeks.  I chose to do just the right side of my face (tho they want me to do it all).  I look like I have some sort of disease, as it is very, very swollen and extremely red & crusty.  But, I KNEW it would be like this (that is why I have been putting it off for many years!)  I walk my dog every day and wear a HUGE hat (as I know you are not suppose to expose the Efudex to sun) - I was instructed not to put anything on top of it - no makeup, sunscreen or lotion.  They told me if the itching got way, way too bad I could call and they would prescribe something.  I have prescription hydrocortisone cream that I can start using next week (Sunday, when I stop the Efudex).  All the literature says 6 more weeks and it should be mostly healed.....sooooooooo, we shall see.  I don't think I will be jumping right on the next section of my face - will take some sort of break.  Anyway, I am a dermatologists dream - everytime I go they take biopsies from somewhere.  Last time they took 3 - later they called and said 2 were BCC, so I have an appt for them to be removed.  I have already had 3 different Mohs procedures (forehead, chest & arm) for SCC.  It is something I have just been living with for the last 10 years (I am 53) and expect it will be that way until the Lord takes me.  They just kept telling me if I didn't do this Efudex on my face, I will eventually end up with areas that need to be cut on my face.  Like I said...we shall see.  Here's hoping that you can relax a little soon...I know it's hard, but "it's for the best" (going thru all this discomfort, stress, etc.)  I am definately not one to ask about things - as everyone is different.  But, hey, feel free to vent!!  Take care !

  

Wow,

 

The end of this round for you is great..  My scc was on my nose you know and I did get my nose and lips chapped for a day, guess I caused more damage.. Heck I don't know...

What I want to know is I have so many places that turned red and dark so far,  but did all of the tissue turn red and dry even if it was not spotted????  Do take a break before the next session,, you earned it..  I guess I will be like you Carmen I'm 44 and he said I was growing that one for a while.. Good thing I went to him for a rash..  Even the places I don't use it on is dry even though it is not treated.  Dermatitis/ezema was what he told me... Yeah, another fun thing.. 

 

I DO wish you luck.  Please let me know how the Aldara works.  I DID go thru with the Efudex and was glad.  Still have other spots to treat (hands, arms, forehead)...so, I like to hear how other products work.

 

Thanks.

I just finished an Aldara treatment for actinic cheilitis and am in the healing stage.  Actinic cheilitis is actinic keratoses only on the lower lip.  From everything I read it reacts the same as Efudex but it is in the class of meds called immune response modifier.  It stimulates your own immune system to fight the pre cancer cells.  i have to say it was pretty horrible.  Last night I felt like finding out where the doctor lived.  It's like surgery only it's not.  But swollen, red, puffy, etc.  It hurts to talk or laugh.  I saw the doc tonight and he was quite pleased with himself as having correctly diagnosed the lip and predicting correctly what would happen upon applying the Aldara.  Well, so far so good but it's not healed yet.  I hope no scars are left or anything.  I'm applying vaseline like mad and taking Valtrex to guard against any cold sores.  Did someone say milkshake?

 

Mary Jane

Hi Mary Jane, I just wanted to know if your lip has healed yet?? I applied Efudex to my lips 1 week ago and my lips are still swollen, bleeding and real miserable! Does it heal?? Thanks, Candace

November 1, 2008

 

I am so sorry, Candace, that I am just responding.  I hope you are over the worst of it by now.  It didn't react at all until about the 6th day I applied it but once it did it was intense and severe.  It's horrible, right?  Well, the lips have healed.  But truthfully, I have to say that the bottom lip doesn't look so different than when I started and I still have some smarting feeling like when the Aldara was just beginning to take effect.  I have asked for an appointment because I think I should be seen.  I cannot say it is 100% healed and whatever is happening, this weird sensation, is not going away.

 

I'm starting to think the Efudex is better.  Please let me know.  I think we are both lucky that we were diagnosed.  It's fairly subtle in the first place.

Hi,

I've been reading websites about Efudix for a year and only just found this. It has a more philosophical and long term view than most, which I quite like as I'm wondering how things might go over the next few years.

 

My doctor told me he had people using Efudix twice a week but I couldn't think it would be a real benefit.

 

For the first time in 12 months I feel that I'm getting on top of my scalp AK and would like to think that some low level use of Efudix would be useful. I notice one more AK has appeared recently so I'm never going off guard.

 

I'm wondering how clear you were when you went to twice weekly and how it's going.

 

Pete

Hi!

 

Are you using liquid efudex on your scalp?  I'm hoping to get some of that.

 

My derm insisted that twice weekly is effective.  Like you, I'm used to "lighting up" with the twice daily regimen.  On the twice weekly I got very few visible lesions. I hope it was effective (I did it about 6 months), but I really should do it all the time.   I'm pale as can be and living in Southern cal.

Hi,

I'm using cream and it gives me eczema in some places.  I put some on 2 days ago to start the twice weekly and the eczema came up quite red in one area but not in another on my scalp. I'll leave it to settle and try again.

 

I'm in the UK.

 

Pete

I USED EFUDIX CREAM ON BOTH LEGS FROM KNEE DOWN FOR 4 WKS IN NOV '08 THEN STARTED AGAIN ON IN MARCH '09 FOR FURTHER 4 WKS (ON CONSULTANTS RECOMMENDATION)  I HAD TO STOP AFTER 20 DAYS OF 2ND SESSION AS MY LEGS & FEET WERE ALL SWOLLEN AND I WAS COVERED IN A BLOTCHY RASH ALL OVER MY BODY.  THE HOSPITAL SAID IT COULDN'T BE THE CREAM...BUT TO STOP USING IT AND SENT ME AWAY.  WENT TO MY OWN DR. HE SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS TYPE OF ALLERGIC REACTION BEFORE, GAVE ME ANTI- BIOTIC CREAM FOR THE OPEN SORES ON MY LEGS AND ANTIBIOTIC TABLETS PLUS LOTIONS AND ANTI-HISTAMINES FOR THE INTENSE ITCHING.AT THE MO. I'M IN A MESS...I HAVE USED EFUDIX SINCE 2000 AND NEVER HAD THIS REACTION ALTHO' IT WAS OVER A SMALLER AREA..THE ONLY EASE IS TO GET IN A HOT BATH AND LATHER MYSELF WITH DERMOL CREAM.  NEXT APPOINTMENT AT HOSPITAL IS MID MAY! I HAVE HAD MOHS TREATMENT ON MY TEMPLE FOR BC WITH EXCELLENT RESULT! ITS GOOD TO READ OTHER COMMENTS.  NOT ENOUGH IFORMATION IS GIVEN OUT WHEN TOLD TO USE THIS CREAM.....WILL NOT USE IT AGAIN...(I AM 75)

Hi,

I'm not sure but I appeared to get a worse eczema reaction when I put a thicker coat of Efudix on. It appears that you should put on the thinnest layer you can. I also found that washing the area with eczema just before being treated made it react and weep a lot so maybe you need to be careful with the soap you are using.

 

My Efudix tube has lasted over 12 months although I'm not doing a large area. It does spread easily so you only need a smidgen.

 

Pete

Hi.

I do agree with you less being better...In the past when I have used it I put it on with a cotton bud this time it had to be from toes to knees on each leg so had to use fingers which were well scrubbed afterwards.  I was given two tubes of Efudix....in 20 days I had used 1/2 a tube. It was never applied before the last application had been washed off.

The rash I have (apart from the leg area) is only on parts that have been exposed to the sun so maybe is bringing out other areas affected by AK.

To day I am not itching as much so hopefully things are looking up...hope things go well with you!.

 

 

By the way   I always use Aqueous Cream as an alternative to soap...its very good. Dermol can also be used to wash with.

Cheers.