Carac Treatment

I'am a 50 year old grandmother who loved being suntaned until recently.  I 'am now on day 9 of the Carac treatment.  I have been reading the postings and it seems that I have a long process before me.  I already have the dark red splotches and some peeling.  I also have the tightness and sting but at this time it is not to unbearable.  My concern is the long term effect of this product.  I work in an office and I also sing in the choir at Church.  Does it take a very long time before the redness  will go away.  I'am treating my entire face, I have noticed red places begining to show up where there were no areas of concern in the beginning.  I guess this is a good thing.  Please some one respond that has some good news to share.  I'am a Cancer survior of 14 years now.  I realy just dont look forward to this.  Need some enccouraging. Also has anyone had in kind of permanant scaring from this treatment?

I was also a sun goddess in my younger days. I have used Carac for the past 4 years. The first time I used it was very uncomfortable (3 weeks) after it cleared up my face looked so much better! Now I apply it every 6 months for 2 weeks as a preventative measure for precancerous lesions. The 2nd time I used it was not bad at all, a few red patches and now only just a few now and then when I use it. I used it on my chest area as well and It really brought out the spots of concern the first time, but with each use it's less than the previous time. I've had people comment on my skin as it cleared up a lot of the blotchiness and faded some sun spots. I hope this answers your question, no scaring at all. Don't pick at them while they are healing!!! I say that because I had a hard time leaving them alone.Let me know how it clears up, I'm sure you'll notice a difference. By the way have you had any skin cancers removed?

 Good luck...Trudi

 

 

On 4/24/2007 Trudi wrote:

I was also a sun goddess in my younger days. I have used Carac for the past 4 years. The first time I used it was very uncomfortable (3 weeks) after it cleared up my face looked so much better! Now I apply it every 6 months for 2 weeks as a preventative measure for precancerous lesions. The 2nd time I used it was not bad at all, a few red patches and now only just a few now and then when I use it. I used it on my chest area as well and It really brought out the spots of concern the first time, but with each use it's less than the previous time. I've had people comment on my skin as it cleared up a lot of the blotchiness and faded some sun spots. I hope this answers your question, no scaring at all. Don't pick at them while they are healing!!! I say that because I had a hard time leaving them alone.Let me know how it clears up, I'm sure you'll notice a difference. By the way have you had any skin cancers removed?

 Good luck...Trudi

 

 

I am also a 65yr old Grandmother of 8 and I have now finished with Edudex 7 weeks now. Had appointment today with my Dermatologist and she has dismissed me for the moment. The only concern I had was the constant Redness which would appear whenever I went out (I have been hiding out at home) and also at home mostly during the evenings. Dr, gave me encouraging news that the redness is due to Heat, Cold or alcohol and will disappear with time. The interesting thing I noticed was that my chest cleared up much faster than my face and she commented that the darker the skin the faster the healing, I am very fair skinned so the face will take longer. I am happy to have done the Efudex even though the treatment was awful, I did my chest, neck and face. I am very happy with the result and have no discolorations etc left from the treatment. I think my face is more even toned and softer.

Dr also said that if I do have to repeat the treatment again it will not be anywhere as severe as this time around. I used Vaseline with Hyrocortisone only during treatment and found it very effective to relieve the itch, tightness and heat from the efudex. Sadly the wrinkles did not go away even after all the skin shedding!!!!!

Good luck let us know how you get on.

Trudi I would like to thank you for your reply.  Its good to know that  it will not scar.  To answere your question, I have had basal cell removed from my nose.  I had a wonderful plastic surgeon, but I have also noticed that I have alot of red spots in and around that area now.  We have a strong family history of cancer.  My mother had both breast and ovarian cancer and passed away at the age of 51.  I 'am a Breast Cancer survivor now for 14 years.  My younger sister is 43 and has stage III Peritoneal Cancer.  She has just completed her 4th treatment and is doing well.  We have done the BRACA testing and no abnormal gene is present.  I have been very hesitant to get out in the sun now.  Im just not the type of person that can go out in pants and long sleeves during the summer and I look like a complete gomer in a hat.  I love the Beach and working in the yard.  I will use a sun block when I go out.  Have you gotten any sun at all since you have been on your treatments.  If so what has it done to your skin.  I want to be extra carefule.  Please reply.

 

My thoughts and prayers are with you

Vivian

Hi Vivian:

I actually replied to your message but inadvertantly put Trudi's message in instead.

To further answer your questions I use protection 60 sunscreen but still come up very red, I just went to to the airport and now all the areas that were treated are extremly RED. I am assured that this will go away by the Dermatologist but it is so depressing to have to face every day. However the alternative is far worse. I did the treatment in Feb and have now been off for 7 weeks so am probably expecting too much at this point. Please read my post above for further information.

thanks Sylvia

Hi Sylvia,

Thanks for all the information.  I pray that you will continue to do well.  Keep in touch and let me know how things turn our for you. Today is day 13 on my treatment.  Face looks pretty bumpy and red.  Only hurts when I wash it or when it gets hot.  Not to bad to deal with though. Could be far worse.  Take care I have to get back to work.  God Bless you, keep in touch.

Vivian

Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Hat, Hat, Hat,..Does that answer your question? Your face will be more sensitive and burn more quickly. Hats are cool! I love them, I live in Florida so I can't avoid the sun and I'm not going to live as a hermit. I wear shorts and short sleeves, I swim but I do not lay out in the sun. Umbrella for me at the beach, and sunscreen, sunscreen, and more sunscreen. And keep up with your appointments, I go every 6 months unless I find something suspicious. Take care and hope to talk to you soon....Trudi