Stressed About Aldera And Efudex

I lost a post I just wrote a minute ago so I'm going to condense this one. A visit to the nurse practioner at the derms office (couldn't get an appointment with derm for awhile) resulted in diagnosis of basal cell on upper arm and pre-cancer on face between nose and lip. Treatment recommendations are Aldera for arm so I won't have scarring and Efudex on entire face. I did have cryosurgery (freezing) done on same area of face before but noticed almost immediately that a spot was missed. But, I hated the healing process so much I didn't go back. Other treatment options are to do the freezing thing again on face and scraping and corterizing on arm. Boy, I just can't remember the correct names of these procedures. I want to just do the surgery and be done with it but was wondering if others have used Aldera and been happy.

 About the Efudex...I just can't stand the thought of doing that after reading these posts. I feel like I was mislead a bit about how severe the symptoms can be. For example, I was told that I could wear make-up to cover my face for the couple days that it looks it's worse. I have 3 active kids and just can't see being able to function normally with symptoms of swelling, crusting, pain, itching, red face, inability to sleep, etc for weeks and then it sometimes takes a longer time to actually return to normal appearance. Cudos for those of you who can just do it! Is this a bit extreme for one small spot, though I do know that more are likely to appear with treatment. Is this just a trendy new treatment that everyone is pushing??  I will probably opt to go with the cryosurgery treatment again because I just cannot see myself coping with the side-effects of efudex.

I guess I'mn just rambling and should be thankful I'm not facing something more serious. Does anyone have any thoughts about these treatment recommendations.

I am beginning Efudex treatment on my face starting this Monday.  I have taken before pictures and intend on keeping a photo journal to help others in the future.  I am very nervous but feel it's going to be worth it in the long run.  With a 93% success rate in killng AK, I'm hopeful that I will avoid future surgeries.  Two years ago I had basil cell and squamous cell removed from my face (side of nose).  When the doctor finally got it all using Mohs surgery it left a hole a liitle larger than a quarter.  He took his time and did an amazing reconstruction job.  I do not want to go through that again and hence why I'm doing Efudex.

 It is a scary thought but I've put it off long enough.  I'm only 36 and am ready to fight this battle.  I will be home for the next three weeks (two weeks of treatment and one for recovery).  I'll update the posting with my progress.

 Best of luck!

On 1/3/2008 squeamish wrote:

I lost a post I just wrote a minute ago so I'm going to condense this one. A visit to the nurse practioner at the derms office (couldn't get an appointment with derm for awhile) resulted in diagnosis of basal cell on upper arm and pre-cancer on face between nose and lip. Treatment recommendations are Aldera for arm so I won't have scarring and Efudex on entire face. I did have cryosurgery (freezing) done on same area of face before but noticed almost immediately that a spot was missed. But, I hated the healing process so much I didn't go back. Other treatment options are to do the freezing thing again on face and scraping and corterizing on arm. Boy, I just can't remember the correct names of these procedures. I want to just do the surgery and be done with it but was wondering if others have used Aldera and been happy.

 About the Efudex...I just can't stand the thought of doing that after reading these posts. I feel like I was mislead a bit about how severe the symptoms can be. For example, I was told that I could wear make-up to cover my face for the couple days that it looks it's worse. I have 3 active kids and just can't see being able to function normally with symptoms of swelling, crusting, pain, itching, red face, inability to sleep, etc for weeks and then it sometimes takes a longer time to actually return to normal appearance. Cudos for those of you who can just do it! Is this a bit extreme for one small spot, though I do know that more are likely to appear with treatment. Is this just a trendy new treatment that everyone is pushing??  I will probably opt to go with the cryosurgery treatment again because I just cannot see myself coping with the side-effects of efudex.

I guess I'mn just rambling and should be thankful I'm not facing something more serious. Does anyone have any thoughts about these treatment recommendations.

Dear Squeamish,

I don't know if anyone responded.  I too have had a few frozen from my face and am on Day 7 of Efudex.  I've had some anxiety about the treatment and I have also found (as you have) much conflicting information out there.  First, I would say that the end result of Efudex is supposed to be superior to freezing.  First off, freezing only gets the upper layers of the lesion...it only goes as deep as your doc decides to go, which doesn't mean all of the bad cells are killed...whereas Efudex is a "seek and destroy" drug that targets only the bad cells (the good ones get to stay!).  Second, if you do have a lot of damage, it's less likely to scar (although I've seen some info about scarring on line).  My impression is that with optimal hydration, you can virtually eliminate scarring during the healing process.  And finally, depeding on the extent of your damage, there is about a month where you may look hideous and that can really be bad for the soul and impractical for a busy mom.  At the same time, if you count the time and money spent getting lesions frozen, you'd probably find it's less on both counts (plus it's a more thorough treatment).  I'm not a huge proponent for taking strong drugs...and make no mistake, this IS a strong drug.  However, for me personally I found the pros outweighed the cons.  I hope you find a solution to your needs.  Best of luck to you.

Anxious in NC

Oh great...I'm scared again now too.

I start efudex treatment on the 28th of January and have my 14 day followup with dermatologist on Feb 11th.

Yesterday I told myself that I wasn't going to do it.  Today I'm telling myself I must prevail the 14 days of hell.

I'm female-not male as my icon suggests.  I'm thinking this is much more difficult for women to go through than men.

My dermatologist told me not to use anything on my face but the efudex for the entire 14 days.  He said that he will prescribe something to help the healing when I see him on the 11th.

 Why don't they prescribe something to help calm our nerves during treatment?

 Im scared to death and think maybe it would be best to cover all mirrors during this nightmare...

:((

On 1/17/2008 SpankyB wrote:

Oh great...I'm scared again now too.

I start efudex treatment on the 28th of January and have my 14 day followup with dermatologist on Feb 11th.

Yesterday I told myself that I wasn't going to do it.  Today I'm telling myself I must prevail the 14 days of hell.

I'm female-not male as my icon suggests.  I'm thinking this is much more difficult for women to go through than men.

My dermatologist told me not to use anything on my face but the efudex for the entire 14 days.  He said that he will prescribe something to help the healing when I see him on the 11th.

 Why don't they prescribe something to help calm our nerves during treatment?

 Im scared to death and think maybe it would be best to cover all mirrors during this nightmare...

:((

Unfortunately I keep losing posts I am trying to write.  I can only tell you what my experience has been.  I'm on day 9 of a 30 to 42(!) day Efudex prescription.  So far it really hasn't been too bad.  I'm treating face and chest.  Some stinging but tolerable.  I am not ENJOYING it, and would rather have the 14 day program, but I'm okay.  My doc's said the same thing about other stuff on the face.  There is a lot of conflicting info out there.  Same doc then said use aquaphor to keep the reactive area moist (uh...isn't that the same as putting something else on the face??).  Anyway, I encourage you to just do it.  Two weeks in the grand scheme of things isn't that long & by St. Patrick's day you will be gorgeous.  I'm a vain woman, too, and I hate looking in the mirror.  So I avoid it.  This too shall pass...

Hang in there.

Anxious (Robin)

Hi Robin!

Thanks for the reply!!  How are you doing now?  You're right--14 days isn't too bad.  It could always be worse.  Crossing my fingers that the doc won't add to my sentence when I return to see him on day 14.  Although, I will prepare myself for that should it happen.  I just want to start and get it over with. 

I enjoy reading all the posts here but sometimes get confused with all the conflicting advice.  Many people say that although they were told not to use anything on their faces to help alleviate the dry, cracking painful skin...they still use vaseline or aquaphor two hours post application. 

Perhaps this interferes with the treatment.  I only want to have to do this once but for crying out loud...there has to be something we can use to help get us through it.

Yeah, this too shall pass--but can we PLEASE us the fast forward button??  :))

I had some posts on another thread here but it has vanished.

Anyway-- here I am, day 15 of  "3 weeks or as long as you can stand it". I have to say the posts here about hydrating the treated area have really helped. I'm using Carac this time, I've used Efudex twice in the past. This time around, I've used Cetaphil to keep the area moist, and it has made a HUGE difference in my comfort. Using a washcloth soaked in cold water has been a huge help for me, too.

Cleaning it has been easier, too...since it's been kept moistened. I've used a tepid shower to really get the treated area loosened up. Then, using a washcloth with cold water, I've been able to remove much of the dead skin. It looks and feels a lot better than any of my past treatments. I know it sounds impossible to consider using a washcloth on a forehead that looks like I've used a cheese grater on it, but it honestly wasnt that uncomfortable to do. In my past expeirnces with Efudex, I would've thought it insane to consider touching my face, much less cleaning it. With the skin clean, it's been easier to apply the Carac, and I am sure it's doing more good...since it's on live skin rather than being smeared around on flaking, dead skin. The skin on my forehead, nose and around my eyes is red, slightly swollen, and feels very tight. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.

 Previously, I barely made the 2-week point before I had to give up. A lot of that was because the skin was so dried and cracked, it'd break open and I'd have bleeding, painful sores.  I really believe the posts on this board have given me more info than my dermatologist did, and thanks to the info I found here I have not suffered nearly as much. I think I'll get much better results this time, and maybe even go several more years before I have to consider a repeat.

My biggest concern is where it's been applied, and the areas not being treated-- I mean, if my forehead and nose look this bad, what number of AKs are hiding on my my cheeks and chin??!!

 And mirrors? I have to agree it's best to steer clear. I may be a guy, but NO one likes to see themselves during this time. If there is any way you can take photos (better yet have someone take a couple of you every few days) you'll look back on this in 6 onths and be so glad you did it.

 And FYI-- I had Mohs surgery to remove a recurring basal cell on the back of my neck while I was doing this Carac treatment. I think the Mohs was easier to have done because my attention was focused on the Carac; besides, the Lortab prescribed for the Mohs recovery helped me sleep at night. I just dealt with the discomfort during the day, since keeping busy kept my mind off it. Then the Lortab allowed me to get some rest. (It also meant the Lortab lasted 3 days longer since I wasnt taking them all day every day.)

Best of luck to you folks. This isnt easy but it sure beats surgery.

Doug in Utah

I have a co-worker who when through this treatment as she had previously had several surgical removals of skin cancer. Her doctor recommended it as she was very fair skinned and he could see numerous "Pre-cancerous" type lesions.

I will admit she had a lot of redness, peeling and some pain. She also had to deal with some insensitive aka stupid questions from people she worked with but several weeks after it was over I noticed her skin looked beautiful. So soft, clear, pores seems smaller too as well as she looked younger! So I know this is not a great thing to have to go through but I think anything that gets rid of the cancer and helps to prevent it from showing up again is good!. I just wanted you to know how great she looked when she was done.