Efudex Treatment - Is It Always So Bad?

I was diagnosed with a pre-cancerous AK (fairly small) on my face a month or so ago.  I am 43 years old and definitely have had my fair share of time in the sun.  I told my dermatologist that I did not want to have to worry about getting these in the future and she recommended doing the Efudex treatment for 3 weeks, twice a day on my entire face.  I agreed to do it, but am really nervous about it now after doing more research about it on the internet. 

Am I just hearing the the bad stories on line or do most people have a really hard time with this treatment?   Again, right now I only have one small visible AK, but I understand that more can come to head once the treatment is started.   I am trying to figure out the best time to do the treatment, as I don't want to be cooped up in the house during the holiday season, but also want to get it over with.   What was the normal down times for people going through this treatment on their face?   Any words of wisdom to get through this treatment?   I am not vain, but am picturing myself homeward bound for weeks - is that realistic?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

Potterlady, it seems from what I've read on this board that you may have a 3-5 days of use before your face starts to show redness.  If you begin now, you'll be at your worst on the 25th.  If your dermatologist agrees to postponing treatment, maybe you'd want to begin on the 23rd, if you aren't planning on going anywhere on New Year's Eve.

I have the same treatment plan as you and was going to start last night but, will begin instead, this morning.  Hopefully, as I write during treatment, there will be some who have already been through this that will be supportive, and others that will post how their treatments are going, as well.  This board has been an awesome resource.  It seems to me that it would be a good thing for any medical personel that prescribe this treatment to have gone through it first themselves, as we don't get much info from them.  I'm trying  to calm my anxiousness about what is to come but, I must do it and am looking forward to when it is over.

 

On 12/4/2007 ButterflySwimmer wrote:

Potterlady, it seems from what I've read on this board that you may have a 3-5 days of use before your face starts to show redness.  If you begin now, you'll be at your worst on the 25th.  If your dermatologist agrees to postponing treatment, maybe you'd want to begin on the 23rd, if you aren't planning on going anywhere on New Year's Eve.

I have the same treatment plan as you and was going to start last night but, will begin instead, this morning.  Hopefully, as I write during treatment, there will be some who have already been through this that will be supportive, and others that will post how their treatments are going, as well.  This board has been an awesome resource.  It seems to me that it would be a good thing for any medical personel that prescribe this treatment to have gone through it first themselves, as we don't get much info from them.  I'm trying  to calm my anxiousness about what is to come but, I must do it and am looking forward to when it is over.

I'm new to this site and have already messed up one entry.  Hope this works. I'm also 43, spent too much time in the sun, and have AK, but thankfully not skin cancer (yet...?).  I begin the Efudex treatment tonight and am very worried!  I've seen Senneraud's blog photos, and that really hasn't helped to relieve my anxiety.  I'm active in the community and will have a difficult time staying out of the public arena over the next weeks, but I'm also vain and don't look forward to dealing with my baggage about the condition of my skin during that time.  Any words?  Not really sure what anyone can say, but if there are more photos out there I'd appreciate seeing them (I did see on other blog but it stopped at day 16...).  Thanks for any help you can give.  I'm glad to have others out there facing the same thing whom I can talk to!

  Yes, it is in my experience always so bad.  I have gone through the treatment twice in 5 years...made the mistake first time of stopping mid-way due to the discomfort....don't you make that mistake, take the horrid stuff for the total length of time recommended so you won't have to do it again or only have the job half completed..  A few years ago I had to have my face treated again and this time at a different dermatologist used Aldara, more user friendly, burned less, only applied once daily....but if you are using Efudex, yes it will be uncomfortable [doctor slang for 'hurts like hell']  Tough it out, the results will be worth it.........A friend during the treatment thought to apply Vaseline to moderate the burning...big mistake, makes it worse.

I don't understand...if there is a 93% cure rate after treatment with Efudex then why do so many people have to go through it again in 3-5 years?

Perhaps this is why my doctor is adamant about me not using ANYTHING but the efudex on my face during treatment.  Not even two hours post application like so many people on this board report doing.  I've asked all the questions...I'm only to use Ibuprophen to help ease the pain....although I didn't ask about the effect alcohol would have on it.  Not a drinker but the horror stories may make me become one. :(

Wish there were more definitive answers on this treatment.