Efudex Treatment Supposed To Start Oct. 15Th

Hi,

 I am new to the board and I am supposed to start Efudex on Oct. 15 all over my arms and legs.  I have had two BCC removed one from above my eyebrow and one on my shoulder.  I have AK's all over my legs especially the lower legs and a few on my upper thighs and some on my arms.  Dr. wants me to do treatment for 3 wks all over my arms and legs to get any precancer that is not visible yet.  I have tried Levulan and laser but it has not helped except to make them a little lighter.  It is tow different Dr's one has the laster and lvulan treatment facility and one does not.  Both have agreed Dfudex if this treatment did not work and it only works on those you can actually see anyway.  They did say doing the levulan should make the Efudex more bearable.

 I am dreading it after reading these postings.  I am also supposed to go on vacation Dec. 1st to Colorado for a week and I am thinking of postponing my treatment till I get back.  I want ot enjoy my vacation and not be misreable. 

I have to work as well everyday and wonder what type of clothing is best to wear?  Anyone reading this please feel free to reply, I am anxious and not looking forward to it and it the Dr. extends my treatment after 3 weeks I know I will probably not enjoy my vacation.  I have read that after treatment and it has healed you have beautiful skin?

Thanks for everyone's input and this board it is a wealth of infomation. God Bless! - Tanya

Hello, I just finished a 28 day treatment using Carac Cream on my face which is a lower dossage than Effudex. It was pretty bad, but I am glad that I did it. It has been a couple of weeks since I have finished and my skin looks better and better every day. I haven't used it on my extremities yet. My Doctor wants me to wait a few months. Once you stop with the cream my skin healed extremely fast so if you start on the 15th you will probably be fine to take your vacation. Here is my website so you can see how it effected me. www.myskinjourney.com

Oh my, that does look bad!  With everyone saying it is so hard to sleep sounds like I will be in **** having to put it on my arms and legs.  Dr. did not suggest any type of cream or anything to help me sleep I guess its because the severity can be different in everyone who uses it.  I've had Mohs sugery and that outcome was great.  All the lesions on my lower legs is what is going to be the worst I fear.  I understand that it also brings out any underlying lesions that you canot see at the time so we will see.  I have no idea how I will take a shower?  Plus I have to wear slacks to work.  I start Monday and use it for 21 days then have to see the Dr.

Tanya,

 I have gotten another private message in my box but am not able to open it..if it was from you please reply to the message center so that I can view.

 Thanks

Jeanne 

I went for 5 weeks on my chest and it was nothing in comparison to the excruciatinly long 3 weeks on my face.  There are fewer nerve ending in the skin of the lower legs so I'm betting unless you really scab up it will be ok.  Scabbing would only be a problem when trying to bend your arms.

Aquaphor was a lifesaver for my face.  I didn't really feel much on my chest so I think I applied it once a day there.  Also when things got bad on my face I took 2 ibuprofen tablets and a Benadryl tablet to help me sleep at night.   

The Oct 15  start date gives you a month to heal,  that should be enough time, unless they push out treatment.  That only happens if you haven't progressed far enough by the end date.  It's fair to assume that it might not give you the full amount of time to heal, but after two weeks of healing it's all over but the shouting really.

An option is a five week course of radiation therapy, which is 99 percent effective and PERMANENT!  I treat many patients with cancer and diffuse precancers and VERY rarely do they have any further problems.  It also significantly reduces the incidence of new cancers in these areas.  The creams are usually on effective temporarily and it comes back.  They only treat the top of most lesions leaving the roots, which eventually grow out again.

My Doctor has told me to wait until later when it gets cooler it is still too hot in Oct. in Alabama.  I am relieved to say the least but still have to do it.  The coldest months here is Jan - Feb so I will probably wait until after Christmas now.  I will keep everyone posted.

 Thanks, Tanya

I'm still listening to you!!

Finally seeing a new doctor Monday November 19th to find out more about this radiation in lieu of the Efudex treatment I've postponed until January.

 

Keep informing people of this alternative.

Thanks!

 

On 10/14/2007 Witchdoctor wrote:

An option is a five week course of radiation therapy, which is 99 percent effective and PERMANENT!  I treat many patients with cancer and diffuse precancers and VERY rarely do they have any further problems.  It also significantly reduces the incidence of new cancers in these areas.  The creams are usually on effective temporarily and it comes back.  They only treat the top of most lesions leaving the roots, which eventually grow out again

 

Hello,

I actually applied Carac on my arms for 30 days.  It was extremely painful, but I obtained good results.  Since my results were so good, my derm decided to try it on my legs.  It didn't work.  Well, since then I have switched derms and he is having me try Efudex on my legs.  After applying it, i am supposed to wrap my legs in saran wrap for 30 minutes.  The skin on the legs, obviously is more thicker than your face and arem, therefore you need to wrap your legs in the saran wrap in order to get better penetration.  I have been doing this for a week and the only results so far are behind my knees which is very painful.  I'm told that it may take 2-3 weeks before I see anything on the rest of my legs.  Depending on these results, after 30 days, I will try it on my thighs.  I'm assuming that I will have to wear a lot of skirts.  :)