Skin Cancer Treatment
From the last blog on Skin Cancer you probably all (all five of you) realize that I had squamous cell skin cancer, had the doctor cut it out, only to find from the lab that not all the skin cancer was removed. I was referred to a dermatologist who suggessted that I tried applying Efudex-40 (a kind of chemo-therapy in a tube) to my forehead two times a day for two weeks, and return for a check-up and biopsy in 3 weeks.
Well now I’m 12 days into this and looking really ugly. The skin on my forhead is covered in purple blotches. My eyes are almost swollen shut and the skin on my face burns like I slathered myself in battery acid. It sucks, but I keep telling myself that the end is near. I’m trying to avoid leaving the house and the staring faces. Also, I’m suppose to avoid ultraviolet radiation. So I only leave the house at night. I’ve tried to avoid all friends, jumping into bed to pretend I’m sick when they show up at the door. I do feel sick. Sick of this treatment.
Efudex-40 is used for removing basal cell skin cancer. It penetrates the skin to attack abnormal skin cells, while leaving the healthy skin cells unscathed. I must have a lot of unhealthy cells on my face cause I’m looking a lot uglier than usual. Supposedly, when the treatment has run its course the skin in the affected area will be as smooth as a baby’s butt.
With that thought in mind, I just imagine strange women coming up to me rubbing their hands across my forhead while they coo “There’s something about an Efudex 40 man”. I guess you’d have to be old enough to remember the Aqua Velvet commercial to appreciate this fantasy.
October 13th, 2005 at 2:15 am
Please—howzabout a “before and after” picture! We can’t leave you looking like that…..
October 31st, 2005 at 6:29 am
Help! I have just finished my 12th day and I am losing it! When does it get better? Please tell me tomorrow! Are there any tricks? Can we put lotion on our faces? Would an ice pack help? Should I just take up serious round the clock drinking?
November 1st, 2005 at 7:49 am
Gee, Kathy if you’re on a 14-day regimen you only have a few days to go. You’re almost there. You can do it! Don’t drink.
I’ve read that Ibuprofen enhances the effects of Effudex-40 and it may help you survive the symptoms. Pop three our four of the 200 milligram pills and you’ll fell better for a while. Repeat every four hours if necessary. Don’t apply lotion, I tried it on the day I stopped and it stung like hell.
When you stop applying Effudex-40, two things happen within 12 hours. First your skin starts feeling better and then the ugly spots start to fall off for the next five to ten days. You’ll start to look really good. You’ll appear 5 years younger, and you’ll stay that way for about one month.
You’ll look in the mirror and where you once saw pizza-face-woman, you’ll see this beautiful smooth-skinned lady. Plus your skin cancer will be gone. It WILL be worth it.
December 25th, 2005 at 10:24 pm
Re:ibuprofen. My sister recently learned that she has only 30 per cent kidney function.
She takes no drugs or medications for any chornic condition.. the only thing the doctors can figure out caused the damage was the ibuporfen she has taken as prescribed by her doctor when tendonitis flared up. Scary.
Article in the L A TImes the other day said that 50 percent of people who are on liver transplant lists had their livers destroyed by good old over-the-counter Tylenol!
Also scary.
January 4th, 2006 at 8:50 am
Can you discribe the second week after treatment ended? I have a meeting with a client and am beging to get concerned. Thanks for any information you can provide,
January 4th, 2006 at 9:14 am
Hi Vince,
Two weeks after treatment stopped I had a few red spots but most of the scabs had fallen off and I was starting to look pretty good—considering.
Maybe someone else would like to comment on this.
January 5th, 2006 at 5:58 pm
Tomorrow will be my 4th week on Efudex-40. I sure hope Bill is right, when I stop the pain will go away and all these crusty ugly spots will begin to drop off.
I now know where the saying “No Pain – No Gain” must have originated
January 25th, 2006 at 3:18 am
I’m on my fifth day after completing the 14 day course of Efudex. It has been severly painful, and I have had blistering, cracking of my skin and now bleeding. Has anyone else had bleeding? How long does the pain last? I am still having pain but not severe. I look like someone who escaped from a chemical weapons research lab. My skin is so dry that everytime I take a bite it feels like my skin is tearing. Please respond. I am wondering if the bleeding and cracking is a severe side effect.
Thanks for your input!
Pete
February 8th, 2006 at 1:40 am
I’m in the sixth week of the Efudex cure. I have dark red splotches on both upper cheeks and a bunch of red on the forehead. I apply Efudex for the terrible twos…two months, two times a week, twice a day. I also apply desonide. Hope the red goes away when I stop
February 27th, 2006 at 12:21 am
Dr. put me on a 4 week program. Decided to do in 2 parts. Forehead ,ears and nose first part, cheeks and chin second part. Forehead and nose fine after 4 weeks. Ears still have a ways to go. I am assuming it will OK to continue on my ears before I get the required results. I understand there are three different programs for efudex 40, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 6 weeks. Am I on the right track.
February 28th, 2006 at 6:59 am
At the conclusion of a two week treatment my doctor had me then regularly apply VASALINE to the treated area. Having been through this treatment before with not having known about using VASALINE, can only say it was fantastic. No dry skin, cracks and minimal itching. Quick recovery. Only red skin of treated area after five days. Red skin mostly gone within two weeks
March 3rd, 2006 at 9:56 pm
I appreciate reading the comments. I have been on Efudex for 7 days now. I thought I wouldn’t start looking bad until into the second week but day five I was ready to stay inside. I am on the 4 week program but secretly hoping that maybe I am reacting quickly and I can just do two to three weeks.
I too have noticed that I can’t fully open my mouth because of the dryness. My doctor gave me some Eucerin which helps with the dryness. It’s very similar to vaseline. I used it last night and it made quite a difference. I have a burning sting but it’s tolerable right now.
March 4th, 2006 at 6:05 pm
It’s nice to see others suffering as well))) I am on day 16 and not happy! I have these caramel colored scabs forming with pus in them. Stopped going out yesterday for fear of scaring strangers
Hoping it’s over soon because I have some important meetings coming up
I’ll never go out without SPF10000 again!!
March 5th, 2006 at 10:08 am
I did 21 days of Efudex all over my face. It was excrutiatingly painful. I had to call the doctor (at home) and cry for prescription pain meds. The treatment looked and felt like a sunburn after 4 days then progressively worsened to a raw condition. I looked like a monster with scorching red oozing and crusty patches. But in the end, I promise you it was worth it. My skin is clear and smooth still after 2 years. It was almost like getting a chemical peel. I was surprised by the cosmetic improvement. My doctor told me to use ‘Aquafor’ after the treatment ran it’s course. It’s vaseline-ey but it healed my skin quickly.
I am now treating my legs and I look like I have Chicken Pox. The red areas are raised and inflamed and itchy. (the face was PAINFUL!) I’m just not sure what to expect on the legs. I don’t know at what point I can quit. Has anyone else treated their legs?
March 7th, 2006 at 12:38 am
Marilyn, Thanks, it helps to know something good will come of this! The sad thing is I’m only 39 and I’m starting to have these problems. My parents also had them, but only when they turned 55-60. I’m really blond, and spent my whole life outside. Not sunathing, but playing sports & I was in the Navy which probably didn’t help. Tomorrow my doctor is back from vacation & I want mto break into her office & see if I’m done. Tomorrow is day 21 for me. I want to make sure that I finish the course, but I hope she says it’s done! How do you know when to stop? I have the brownish crusty bits over most of the red spots (75% of my face), but some don’t seem to have the crusty bits yet. They are all raised from the face like bumps. Did you have the crusty bits over all of the red spots when you quit?
April 6th, 2006 at 11:20 pm
reading all of the comments on the treatment was helpful as i am on day 8 of a 14 day program…remember the tv show “alien” the guys had brown spots all over their faces…mine are red some almost purple and don’t want to be seen…i have a 1st meeting with a head hunter on a prospective job, but i’m going to cancel…don’t feel good about going out…the only good news is that my dogs (2 cockers) still treat me the same as always and don’t run and hide when they see me…......
May 13th, 2006 at 11:03 pm
Very interesting comments / lamentations!
I have used this treatment twice. The first time I was still employed and was able to wear a scarf over my bald head. The stuff works! At least the ‘damage’ that it was doing to my poor noggin suggested that it was finding all of those scary ‘pre-cancerous’ sun-damaged skin cells.
I used it more completely the second time and it droozled down over my cheeks a little and found some cells to ‘eat up’ there too.
I’ll bet that everywhere that I have had some extra sun, over the last 66 years, it would find something. I may get a vat of it and jump in!
The intermediate effects are as hideous as the others have described.
I just told those that asked that I dove into the river and hit bottom!
July 19th, 2006 at 2:52 am
I was on Efudex for 4 weeks morning and night for chest, as i was leaving doc said i coudl put a little on two spots over lip also, so i did that too for 3 and 1/2 weeks. It’s 2 weeks since i stopped and my face has swelled up , horrible itching etc. Chest was oozing and red bu seems to be starting to heal, but am worried what’s happenin with face. Aloe seems to help, have been using ointment from doc and will try the ibuprofen in moderation. Anyone else had swelling close to but not where you put cream? What about the fact that it’s 2 weeks since i stopped and things still getting worse?
Thanks for your help.
Best, Liz
August 30th, 2006 at 4:28 am
I underwent a 10 day course of therapy with Efudex in mid April. My face was very red, scabby, bleeding, painful, especially all around my eyes, and eyelids (although I did not apply the Efudex near my eyes). At ten days, my dermatologist had me stop the treatment, but my face continued continued to get worse over the next few days, with marked swelling. My face and neck began oozing pus—-I had developed a staph infection, which was treated with antibiotics. At six weeks out, my face was still very, very red and turning brown. My dermatologist gave me Tetracycline in an attempt to fade the redness. He also gave me a bleaching cream to apply to my face to lighten the redness and I had a reaction to this as well. It is now the end of August, and although the patches have faded, I still have large areas of discoloration and wrinkling.
November 21st, 2006 at 9:46 am
I am at the end of two weeks treatment and have discovered some suicide prevention techniques that will help you all survive the misery! Aquaphor (over the counter but the pharmasist has it behind the counter) can be applied 15 min after applying the Efudex. The real life saver tho is sprinkling a generous amount of corn starch over the affected areas. This was Dr. approved. In addition, the Dr. will prescribe pandol(sp?) which is a creme with hydocortisone and it has helped too. They gave me a different rx hydrocortisone for the face. I took a couple of warm baths a day in Aveeno oatmeal. After the bath,( 1) efudex(2)Aquaphor, (3) cortisone,(4) cornstarch. Also, took 800mg Ibuprofen alt. with lortab.
I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am on Efudex break for 2 weeks but continuing with my regimen sans the Efudex. It has really helped ALOT ! Good luck all.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:34 am
I am under going a 4 week treatment with Efudex, applying it twice a day.
I am using it on my face ears neck chest and shoulders. My face looks horrible, but my chest looks even worse. It appears like it was roasted on the Bar-B-Q. The corners of my eyes are all crusty as are the areas around my nostrils and the corners of my mouth.
I am in the middle of the 3rd week and this is as painful as having a severe sunburn that will last for the next week and a half. Unfortunately, I spent too many days playing on the beach as a child with no sun screen and the years of surfing and sport fishing didn’t help. This is payback time.
I was getting tired of looking at photos of my self and seeing some one who I didn’t recognize. The sun damage really shows up in photos.
The thought of regaining clear fresh skin that isn’t blotchy, dry and itchy in the winter, makes the inconvience of this treatment worth while.
I am taking care of my busines responsibilities as best I can. I am talking to my clients on the phone and arranging for other people to meet with them or fly them to locations in the US and abroad to inspect the equipment I sell. I can’t stand the loss of control and profit, but the alternative is not to do anything and possibly develop a real medical problem that could end my career.
February 7th, 2007 at 12:18 am
I am a 52 year old W/M with red hair and blue eyes and type 1+ pigmentation (light complexion). I have had several pre-camncerous growths on my face frozen but my dermatologist recommended a 14-day Efudex treatment, which I was very reluctant to undergo. I gave in several weeks ago and have to say it has been a pretty unpleasant process. However, I am hopeful that it will be good for my long-term health. Now that I have stopped the treatment for several days I am pretty disappointed that the pain and dryness is as bad or worse than when I was applying the medication. The doctor prescribed 1% hydrocortisone cream, which helped, and I have become an Advil junkie. I’m hoping things improve soon.
As for suggestions, for guys I would suggest you consider growing a beard as you start the treatment. My dermatolgist thought that was a good idea since shaving would be painful. For anyone, be prepared to be “out of it” for several weeks. I would warn you about planning any kinds of major events since you probably will feel pretty lousy. Finally, have your significant other blow gently on your face, or use a pocket fan, and it will soothe what ails you, at least for as long as it lasts.
June 3rd, 2007 at 1:21 pm
I am on day 25 of using Efudex on my legs. I already have had some spots turn brown and fall off, but I still have about a million ucky looking red spots. Do the red spots dry up and remove the cancers, or do they have to turn brown to do any good? I am hoping to stop treatment on day 28, but it still looks llike I have so much sun damage that has not done anything except get red, swollen, and gross. Can someone tell me what happens to all the red irritated spots and the red irritated surrounding areas of skin? I hope this stuff works. I am tired of looking like a freak!
September 1st, 2007 at 7:15 am
Just found this. I am on day 12 of 14. Just applied my evening dose. I have a tube of Cutivate a powerful cortisone-type ointment Rx’d by the doc for after. I was hoping it would be immediate, blessed relief but from what I have read here I am not that sure. Doc also said I could put the Efudex on a spot on my forearm. I did but as it was hard to limit it to the spot ended up putting it on a 1.5 cm round area; two other spots popped up from the cream. I had no idea how much sun damage I had.
September 2nd, 2007 at 1:21 am
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the post about the “Cutivate” ointment. Hopefully it will help others endure their Effudex 40 treatment.
It’s absolutely amazing how many spots will show up with Effudex 40. Ever since my treatment, I’ve slathered my skin with sun block before heading out doors. Applying sun block become a morning ritual—almost like aftershave. Hopefully it will help all of us avoid skin cancer. I guess having a tan isn’t so important anymore.
—Bill
September 16th, 2007 at 3:49 am
My eyes have been almost swollen shut yesterday and today. Please tell me how long that lasts!
September 16th, 2007 at 6:13 am
Hi Karen,
I’m not a doctor, so what advice I give you may not be anything near true. But here goes. If you are on your 10th day of treatment it will last for four more days. If you are on your 12th day of treatment you only have a few more days.
Make sure that you don’t apply Effudex-40 near your eyes. I believe that even the directions tell you that.
I remember I looked awful in the final four days. So, I’m guessing that you are somewhere near this point. You are probably thinking that trying to get a tan when you were younger wasn’t worth this pain. But you are almost done with the treatment, and soon you’ll be skin cancer free.
Hang in there. If it gets worse by Monday, I’d call your doctor.
—Bill
September 16th, 2007 at 7:53 am
Thank you so much. I didn’t put the Efudex near my eyes so I couldn’t believe they would get so swollen. The awful thing is that this prescription was given to my husband and I was going to throw the last bit away. I decided to see if I had any pre-cancer cells…. I know it was stupid. I do have an appointment to confess to a dermatologist – but not till Oct. 3. I hope to look relatively normal by then.
Thanks again for the encouragement.
Karen
September 16th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Hi Karen,
When I applied Effudex-40, my eyes were swollen almost shut during my 10th to 14th day of treatment. It is really a pretty common reaction. Although it looks like hell.
By October 3 you’ll be looking much better, probably better than you have in a long time. And you’ll probably be able to keep looking good if you apply sunscreen every time you venture outside.
—Bill
September 18th, 2007 at 7:20 am
You were right, Bill, the swollen eyes were a 3-4 day depressing experience! They look much better today and hopefully when I go to work tomorrow I won’t look scary anymore. During the weekend I put wet tea bags on them and it made them feel better.
My forehead looks like a splotchy sunburn and Aquaphor is very soothing as the old skin peels off. When I think of all those days I spent cooking in the sun when I was younger, I wish I could turn back the clock and do things differently.
It has been a comfort to converse on this site. Thank you.
October 19th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
I have just finished 2 weeks on efudex and I look like a freak…stlll burning and itchng…..my dermatologis is away, and I want to know if I can put on a moisturizer and cover my face with make-up….I thought he said it was ok, but am nervous that it will harm the recovery….anyone know?
October 19th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
Hi Barbara,
A moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher would probably be your best bet, as your new skin will need protection from the harsh rays of the sun. I used Olay brand moisturizer with SPF 15 after my Effudex-40 treatment. I’m still using it daily, 5 years later.
I’d stay away from any retinol moisturizers, as they are likely to irritate your new skin.
I’m not a doctor, but I’d be willing to bet money that he would agree with me. Also, I’m not affiliated with Olay in any way. I’m just an old guy using a moisturizer with sun protection five years after my effudex-40 treatment.
—Bill
October 30th, 2007 at 4:10 am
thanks to all of you for your comments. I am on the 8th day of a 14 day treatment on my chest. Yikes, I expected this to be bad but its worse than I imagined. I can’t sleep from what is now severe pain. Last week I couldn’t sleep from the itch. I was ready to quit but I knew I came this far and I don’t want to have to do this again. I needed encouragement to keep going and reading your comments helped. I am off to the pharmacy to buy aquaphor and hopefully will sleep better tonight. Kaye
November 3rd, 2007 at 3:18 am
Yesterday was final day of 14 day treatment of top of head and face. Boy am I glad to be done with that. The itching and stinging kept me awake all of last night. I will try Aquaphor immediately. I just keep telling myself that it’s almost over and it really hasn’t been that bad. Thanks for all the words of advise. John
November 4th, 2007 at 1:14 am
Hi John,
It will get better, and you’ll look better, and be amazed at how well and fast you heal. No more blood on your pillow. You’ll look years younger and hopefully, skin cancer free.
—Bill
November 12th, 2007 at 4:23 am
My husband stopped Efudex treatment this past Wednesday – 11.07.07. It has been 4 days now and his face is redder than ever. He is in a lot of pain, itching, numbness of the nose and is quite frankly, miserable! I am worried that he might be having a negative side effect to the Efudex treatment. When will he feel some relief? Is it normal to feel so much pain that it wakes you up at night? He says his vision is being effected – seems blurry. Please, anyone, let me know if this seems like a regular reaction. Thanks in advance for your help.
November 12th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Hi Shelly,
If he stopped treatment four days ago then he should be seeing signs of improvement soon. I seem to remember something in the Effudex-40 directions, that it would keep working up to three days beyond the last treatment. It does take a few days to start to heal. How many days has he been applying the Effudex?
I would imagine that he should start to feel some relief any day now, as the healing using starts quickly. Or maybe it seems that way to me in hindsight.
Maybe someone else would like to comment.
—Bill
November 28th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
SO very appreciative that this blog exists as when my doctor prescribed a three week treatment of Efudex the ONLY thing he told me is that “I might get a measle-like rash on my face in a week or so.” HA! I really didn’t want to join my family for Thanksgiving dinner as I looked so scary. Now I am in the healing phase, aka, the itching, cracking, can barely smile phase. Aquaphor is great. But for real relief, I have found Balmex and Desitin (the diaper rash creams) to be the most soothing and healing. Yesterday I took a walk with Balmex on my face (the white cream actually camouflages the red a bit) but I still got some funny looks.
I will never feel the same about this doctor again. I think it was downright cruel not to give me a very detailed account of the process I would go through with this treatment.
December 27th, 2007 at 9:11 am
I am about to start efudex and its about time, ive but it off for about a year. It just seems like there is always something happening. But Here I go, I must admit after reading this I’m even more afraid. I am using this because I have a spot of the bridge of my nose. I am 39 and sorry about all the sun exposure (california girl). Anyway, should I cover my whole nose or just the spot. Also, I have gotton several what I call age spots on my legs, and I didnt know until now that some people use it on their legs. Will these spots come off as a result? Ahhhh Im horrified! Thanks for any input.
December 31st, 2007 at 11:01 am
Hi Belinda,
I’ve used Effudex on my age spots with good results. But you could also get rid of age spots a lot more effectively with liquid nitrogen, or a chemical peel. I was a little dissapointed with using effudex-40 for aging spots. I think that it’s real strength lies in the ability to destroy cancerous cells which you may not be able to see.
If you’ve used it a year ago, you might want to limit it to your nose. But then, I’m not a doctor.
—Bill
January 2nd, 2008 at 1:15 am
Thank for the advice I appreciate it! Ive started using efudex on my nose, nothing is happening yet. I do know I will be happy when its gone regardless how awful it is. Im not going to use it on my legs. I’ve decided to go back to my Dr. and talk to him about the age spots. I only asked him about the spot on my nose and cheek. Anyway, thanks again.. And Happy New Year!
January 3rd, 2008 at 12:24 am
I also have put off following the Efudex treatment, and am reluctant to start it. I am also checking out the photodynamic treatment, too. I have had several thingies frozen off the top of my head, and know with my exposure from sun as a rock climber who never wore a hat on my red-headed noggin, I am paying for it now. This website is encouraging, as all chemo requires courage to engage in and complete. My phyisician is a stoic chap who hasn’t shared much about how patients deal with Efudex, and he hasn’t offered much in the way of alternatives, either. Stay tuned…
January 19th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I’m 47 years old and spent all of my 20s in the sun and in tanning beds. Man do I regret it. You play, you PAY. I am in day 12 of Efudex….doing a 2 week treatment on forehead and temples. I am so glad I did not do my whole face at once….I will do the bottom of the face next year. The first week was not too bad…this week and especially today…it is getting really tough. Only 2 more days to go before I get to stop. It is painful but I am encouraged by everything I am reading here.
I hope the healing phase is quick…I am really ready for this to be over. I will NEVER get in the sun again….EVER.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:07 am
I have been reading entries on this site for about a week, but decided just now to chime in. I’m 43, have been one of those foolish sun worshipers most of my life, live in the mountains in western NC, and have had a number of AKs frozen off over the last 6 years. I’m on day 13 of my first Efudex adventure. I am totally shocked and amazed at what I’m seeing. Why? I have an AK on my forehead that was bugging me on Day 1 of this treatment. Here it is day 13 of a 30 day treatment and the forehead’s practically clear…but the chin, upper lip, and nose areas are atrocious…and I’ve never had an AK show itself there. I have other spots too that are reacting (cheeks and temple). And I’m treating my chest as well. I encourage any of you who are spot treating any part of yourself thinking you’re getting the AKs, you shouldn’t make that assumption! Had I done so, I’d have only treated my forehead. Anyway, this site is great, and I appreciate hearing everyone’s experiences. Wish I could see some photos. I’ve got a ton of my own, but haven’t started posting anywhere yet. Gotta get accustomed to being humbled by this.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:15 am
It is 10 days after I stopped my 2-week treatment on my forehaed and temples. I had ALOT of sun damage. The first week after treatment was alot harder, painful and frustrating than I thought it would have been. I thought it would heal within a couple of days. Wrong! My skin actually got worse right after I stopped. But all of a sudden on days 6-7-8, it really started to heal fast. It is really beginning to look good now. Still pinkish but very smooth and feels wonderful. This is all starting to be a distant memory. I can’t believe I am about to say this, but I am so grateful for this product and very glad I did this.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:29 am
Hi folks, putting off Efudex treatment? Don’t ! See my post on Bill’s next page. It’s not as hard or as painful as you think.
Jef
February 15th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Thanks so much for this blog & encouragement. I am 1 1/2 weeks into treatment (2 -3 weeks). I thought I’d have a red face – uniformly. Yikes ! Red splotchy areas all over my fair skinned freckled Texas burned as a kid face. Laying out to get a tan in 20’s didnt help either ! I can appreciate the final results as I have been treated by frequent Nitrogen burns, but if I had to do this again, I would do this in sections or in seclusion for a month.
I’ve tried to encourage my brother in law to do his face since he had a squamous cell cancer removed (mine was “only” basal cell cancer). I don’t think he realizes how serious this is…
February 20th, 2008 at 8:04 am
I did this 4 years ago (full head), and swore never again. At 13 days, I was in the erosion phase, and my Doc said, looks like it worked good. You can quit now.
Now, 4 years later I am going into day 8. I am surprised at how bad my face looks. In some respects, I think this is worse than the first, and I was expecting an easier time. My new Doc says you need to do it 3 weeks. I am thinking that when I hit 14 days, I will be banging my head against the wall. I think the reactions are unique to the patient. The golden rule is the erosion phase…... and I am really not sure if I remember what I looked like in the erosion phase…..... can anyone remind me?
February 21st, 2008 at 6:51 am
Aquaphor while on Efudex, day 8 of 21
Today I asked my Doctor about it. She said go for it in much the way described by Sharyn in an old post….......some suicide prevention techniques that will help you all survive the misery! Aquaphor.
Ask your doctor. I wonder why they (doctors) don’t tell you these things.
March 17th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
THEY DID NOT PUBLISH MY EMAIL- I’M GOING TO WRITE IT, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THEY HAVE A FILTER TO STOP ADDRESSES, SO THAT YOU CAN DECODE IT. THANK YOU AGAIN. I’LL TRY BOTH WAYS
BILLGOLDSTEIN1@AOL.COM
billgoldstein1 and thaat’s at american on line
thank you. again, i would be very appreciative of a response
March 18th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Hi Bill Goldstein,
If you believe that you have skin cancer you should see a doctor. Only a doctor can really tell.
When I first got it I thought that it was a boil or a pimple that decided to stay. The doctor knew right away that it was skin cancer. I urge you to seek treatment from your doctor.
—Bill G.
March 21st, 2008 at 6:33 am
Greetings! I had sun damage on my lower lip that started 30 years ago. It started as a blister that did not go away for about one year. It would reappear some years and not others. Three years ago it came to stay because of stress from eldercare duties. I was referred to a dermatologist who prescribed Effudex 5% on my lower lip twice a week for 2 weeks. I was warned not to get any on the soft tissues inside my mouth. I was told to put in on before bed and leave it on. Rather than do that for fear of licking it in my sleep, I put it on in the morning and sat and read a book for 3 hours while it was absorbed by the “bad” cells. My lip puffed up, weeped a yellowish fluid then scabbed over. The scabs fell off and my lip was as good as new. I didn’t keep track of the day numbers but I would say it took 4 to 6 weeks from the time I started the treatment until the last scab came off. Everyone has been surprised at the change. It is so nice to not have blood on my sandwiches at lunch now, not to mention blood on the pillow in the morning. Using effudex really beats the alternative – something called a vermillion-ectomy where they peel off the skin of your lower lip! FYI the ideal time to do this treatment is the time of year when the sun is in the southern hemisphere (if you live north of the equator). Hope this helps…
March 29th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Hi friends,
Well here’s a shocker. My OB/GYN oncologist wants me to use this efudex-40 in my vagina
! To rid my interior (ahem) of the HPV that caused my cervical CA and took all my repro organs….I’ve been putting off for a year, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. So after reading what y’all are going thru I’m just going to wait and be knocked out and lasered….NO WAY. She said for me to use vasaline all over my genitals to prevent the cream from spreading. I dont know guys/gals; this is way beyond what I can handle. True, this, unlike what you all face, would be hidden, but no, no, no. Anyone know of this treatment for cervical cA? help!
April 6th, 2008 at 8:02 am
AM starting into the 3rd week of EFUDEX. WOW what a trip. Fortunately I read about AQUAPHOR. It helps.
I did this 18 years ago and don’t remember it hurting this bad.
My forehead and nose and face are bright red and scabby thus it’s doing something. Trouble is like everyone says the DOCTORS don’t give you much to go on. I don’t remember the EROSION STAGE and after 2 weeks the doc said if it looks aggressive then stop. SO I will take it another week and make sure.
May 1st, 2008 at 3:39 am
I was so happy to find this information on efudix. I am 52 and grew up in the Panama Canal Zone beneath a (vicious) tropical sun….lifeguarding, sailing, water skiing, horseback riding, going to the beach. I now live in tropical Costa Rica. My dermatologist prescribed 21 days of efudix to my entire face and on day 15 I am in hell
The first few mornings when I checked my face out in the mirror I was pleased to see what little damage I had….just a red spot here and there. Now my entire face is red/purple/crusted/oozing and I still have six more days to go. It takes me 30 minutes to scrape together enough courage to put more efudix on top of this mess every evening. I am a Montessori teacher and I explained to the kids that this is what your face looks like if you don’t use sunscreen. All of them come to school every morning lathered in the stuff now!!
Now a question. After 21 days, my dermatologist wants me to wait a week and then go in to see her. Today is April 30th. On the 21st of May I am supposed to dance in a presentation. Will I be able to dance or should I just cancel now????
Becky
May 1st, 2008 at 8:14 am
Hi Becky,
So you have six more days of hell to endure.
After that, miraculous things will begin happening to your face. It will begin to heal, and heal really fast. Your wrinkles will be gone. Your skin will be smooth and you’ll look years younger, and you’ll almost be thinking that the entire Effudex-40 treatment was worth the pain and suffering.
You’ll look beautiful for your dance presentation. The world will be a happy place, and, best of all, your face will be skin cancer-free!
Now buck up and enjoy the misery of these last few days.
—Bill
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I am noticing that there seem to be different treatment lengths with Effudex. Most at twice a day applications for a minimum of 2 weeks or longer. Some people apply twice daily 2 days a week for a specified time. I’m curious to know how good the results are with the twice a day/2days a week program. I’ve done the more typical treatment and it is something I’d rather not have to go through again!
Any input or experiences would be greatly appreciated!
May 4th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Thanks for the encouragement, Bill. I really need it. Only two more days of this god-awful treatment. I guess I’m going to make it though I had some serious doubts. I was reading back on the posts and saw that many people recommend aquaphor. Can you only begin to use it after you’ve finished the efudex treatment? So many people mentioned it that I think I’m going to see if it’s available in the pharmacies here.
May 18th, 2008 at 5:45 am
Bill, did you notice an improvement in your skin in terms of overall appearance? The reason I ask is that I have acne scars and quite red skin with large pores. I’m onto day 15 of treatment and feel like I’m noticing a difference but wonder if it’s all in my head. Thanks for your great blog.
May 18th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Hi Cindy,
Yes, after the Effudex treatment people actually told me that I looked younger. Now, whether they were feeling sorry for me, or whether they really meant it, I can’t tell.
I don’t really enjoy looking at myself in the mirror, but in photos taken of me after the treatment, I seem to look better. Maybe all the skin cancer was making my skin droop more.
I think you’ll look years younger, and skin cancer free.
—Bill
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I have just awoken in the middle of the night with the burnign keeping me from sleeping after applying Efudex. I started almost three weeks ago and was using it twice a day for almost two weeks and then only at night for the past 5 days. I had to get up and wash it off. After reading about the 14 day treatment, I have already surpassed that point and I am going to stop. I have been using 1% hydracortisone for over a week after I wash off the Efudex and also again during the afternoon and evening. I have tired to different types, one which is a cream base and another whicch is a petroleum base and the petroleum base one works much better at loosening the skin and making it a little more possible to eat and talk. I am grateful for this blog, as I have just found it in a desperation move to know what to do. It has been hell and I am a baby, I know, but I think three weeks is enough for me at this time. I have very thin skin and the doctor agreed that I should have used it only once a day and also that I should have done it on just parts of my face at a time instead of the entire face, which was agony. Good luck to all of my fellow sufferers out there! Jack
July 4th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I have a question about which soap people use to wash all of the stuff we put on our faces to sooth the skin between Efudex treatments. I was using Ivory soap and then glycerine soap and they all burn like fire after washing and I have to run at breakneck speed to reapply the vaseline base whatever to stop the burning. so, I am wondering what people use to minimize that horrendous burning associated with washing your face. Thanks! Jack
September 21st, 2008 at 7:18 am
I have been using Efudex 5% solution off and on for about 10 years whenever I noticed a suspicious spot. I finally ran out and asked my internist (not the doctor who gave me the original prescription) for a new prescription. She wrote it for the 5% cream instead of the solution, and I got the generic instead of the brand name. I’ve never had any bad reaction to it before and I have used the solution on my face, arms, shoulders, and legs. I used the generic cream on on my chest for about 10 days and then quit several days ago. I don’t know what’s different this time, but my chest has been burning and itching like crazy, and everything I tried to soothe it just made it worse. Even aloe burned. The only thing I had in the house that helped at all was a jar of Eucerin cream, so I’ve been using that and ice packs or wet cloths. I read about the Aquaphor, but I did not want leave the house to buy it because it is so hot and dry here right now that my skin feels like it’s on fire every time I go outside. I could not sleep last night and was miserable all day today, but I just tried the cornstarch that someone mentioned and it works. I look like the Pillsbury Doughboy and it made a mess in the bathroom, but this is the best I’ve felt since I stopped using the Efudex.
September 21st, 2008 at 7:41 am
Well, back to the drawing board. The cornstarch stopped working right after I posted this. Tried putting some more on, but it didn’t do any good. The burning and itching are starting up again.