Day 14 and color fading?

I thought Carac only came in .5% and Efudex in  2% and 5%.  So much confusion.

 

http://www.chemocare.com/bio/fluorouracil_cream.asp

 

Interesting read...

"The ability of chemotherapy to kill cancer cells depends on its ability to halt cell division.  Usually, the drugs work by damaging the RNA or DNA that tells the cell how to copy itself in division.  If the cells are unable to divide, they die.  The faster the cells are dividing, the more likely it is that chemotherapy will kill the cells, causing the tumor to shrink.  They also induce cell suicide (self-death or apoptosis).

Chemotherapy drugs that affect cells only when they are dividing are called cell-cycle specific.  Chemotherapy drugs that affect cells when they are at rest are called cell-cycle non-specific.  The scheduling of chemotherapy is set based on the type of cells, rate at which they divide, and the time at which a given drug is likely to be effective.  This is why chemotherapy is typically given in cycles.

Unfortunately, chemotherapy does not know the difference between the cancerous cells and the normal cells.  Chemotherapy will kill all cells that are rapidly dividing.  The "normal" cells will grow back and be healthy but in the meantime, side effects occur.  The "normal" cells most commonly affected by chemotherapy are the blood cells, the cells in the mouth, stomach and bowel, and the hair follicles; resulting in low blood counts, mouth sores, nausea, diarrhea, and/or hair loss.  Different drugs may affect different parts of the body.'

 

 

Whitey, this information is in your link...

Carac is a milder dosage than the Efudex.  Yes, same drug but different dosage.

 

What does my medication look like?

Fluorouracil topical is available as a cream or topical solution with a prescription under the brand names Fluoroplex, Efudex and Carac. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Carac 0.5%--cream

• Fluoroplex 1%--cream

• Fluoroplex 1%--topical solution

• Efudex 2%--topical solution

• Efudex 5%--topical solution

• Efudex 5%--cream

Very excelletn question.  And from what I've read, they are "not sure".  5-FU topical is thought to not go "deep" enough to get into the other blood or lymphatic system, but no long-term results are in.  That being noted, most would feel that the amount, and time of treatment would not be harmful beyond it's intended use.  (We hope).

 Whitey

Spanky, correct on strengths, same chemo.  I've been told that some folks "mix" the two over time, so that explains why.

All I know for sure these days is my skin is still "enraged" nearly three weeks after end of TX.  But met someone this week who was encouraging and said skin will be smooth as a baby's behind soon.  Hope so.

Whitey, I'm so sorry you are still in agony with your arms.  I'm on day four healing w/face and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Not a cake walk by any means.  The new skin looks great and when all the pink is gone and the peeling is done I'll be happy.  I must add that I wasn't dissatisfied with my "old" skin though. 

My derm hasn't mentioned doing anything else...yet.  I don't know if I have it in me to do any more.  There has to be another way...perhaps I'll need a mild sedative/pain killer.  I don't know.  I was hoping the face was the worst and I got that behind me...but hearing your story makes me think twice about it.

The one thing that really disturbs me is the nonchalanct attitude the doc's have over this treatment.  It was definitely more than I anticipated.

 

Hi Yall,

Sorry I'm late.  Double, triple checked the solution and it says 0.5% Carac.  Thanks for all your input. 

Went to the Dermo on Friday and as usual... no info.  I'm still trying to get the remote away from the toddler!   She gets real close to giving the impression that I am 'supposed to know this stuff'.  I grow more weary each day. sigh.

The redness and tenderness has grown again, it is still as a bad sunburn but localized. The peeling has begun.  I hold my breath waiting to see if the remaining skin will change to bright red.  So far, not much.  I started this treatment for AK's and now I see it's full blown Chemo and they don't know what the long term effects are?  I lost my father to esophegeal cancer some years ago and if this kicks in other cells then believe me.. I ain't a happy camper.

My Friday visit? She removed a recently altered mole that turned black from skin color and also a hard ridged raised piece of skin from my wrist that was colorless. She had pretty much nothing for info sharing about Carac or what to expect.  She jumps over the questions too easily, changes the subject a lot.  I will be actively looking for a new Dermo as soon as I get the biopsy results.  As far as continuing the cream, her response was the same... if it hurts too much then stop Carac and use the hydrocortisone.  I'm beginning to think CrackerJacks played a big part in her getting a degree.

I mentioned to her nurse the about sites with the photo diaries and at least one asked for the addy. This seems to me they have no prior knowledge of the actions of the cream and as I was leaving the receptionist called to her co-workers, 'look, look', as I walked by.  The first billing notice came and she is asking 252.00 for our first visit (minimal interaction) and she never once touched my body!  only wrote a scrip and set another appointment.  While it may be dealing with pre-cancers, I more strongly believe that some are experimenting with this drug and to hell with us as people.  What ever happened to their oath... 'above all do no harm'. They do not know the long term results of this. If I must come online to read about the effects because they don't know then the Dermo must be ignorant and acting irresponsibly by prescribing it.  Am I wrong? To date I have never been diagnosed with cancer of any kind.  Why prescribe a cancer cream that may have lifelong damaging results to my skin????? MY FACE!!!  I have a few unacceptable expletives at this point.

Enough ranting, it's late here and I am going to sleep.  I will post again soon, hopefully in better spirits.  You people here are the only place I can get information.  Experience says so much. Thank You for being here and for understanding the full spectrum of issues involved.

I'm too tired to check for typo's so please exuse any you find.

Thanks again,

Truths

Amazing isn't it?  I'm feeling misguided.  Efudex has been around for a long time...

Cancer runs rampant on both sides of my family.  I guess this is just the beginning of a new chapter in our lives.  Perfect title..."Let's Wait and See".  If I had known that they had no long term stats on this crap I wouldn't have used it.  I feel I did as much research as possible too.

My dermatologist is highly rated...yet, I asked questions he dodged also.  Finally, I asked him if he has had quiet a few patients use this...he simply said yes.   Then I asked him if he personally had ever used it...his response was no, but one day I will need to. 

WTF is he waiting for?  Statistics to determine WHICH cream is better, WHICH dosage is preferred?  How much, How long? 

I had a sBCC removed...and a few AK's frozen.  Hindsight, perhaps just staying on top of proplem spots would have been better.

Now wondering if I'm a guinea pig...

Hi Spanky, 

I was going to stop my cream but with some new much smaller spots arising and peeling off I've decided to hang in there a bit longer.  There are 2 locations, my upper lip and the sides of my nose that would be obvious if they don't get finished. The nose skin feels thick like there is a coating of dried glue or something, it's getting thicker and just not peeling  Thank goodness the rest of my face is not getting solid red and painful like so many others here have been feeling.  

Tonight made application 22 of 30.  I have needed sunscreen only once so far and it stung a wee bit and thus far only one night these spots  burned as I turned against the pillow. I have been truly fortunate. 

I'm still going to look for a new Dermo and this time communication skills will be a big part of my decision.  I heard (about a year ago) that the new doctors may have to not just pass their studies but may also be required to pass 'bedside manner'.  I sure hope they put that into action, then they would be held accountable for they way they communicate and interact with patients so if they have no people skills they don't get licensed.  Too bad they can't recertify the ones out here now under these rules!  

Hi Truths Keeper, I am on day 21 out of 28 with carac.05% cream applied 1x a day-The frustrating thing is that most of my face hase responded andry red-peeling in some spots-turning black scabs and falling off-also swelling esp under eyes-I wanted to stop but now finally my forehead is reacting-looking rather like the measles-am really mad about this cuz I was looking forward to literally throwing away the carac tube as of saturday-who knows maybe I just will cuz I just don't give a fart (nicer expression) anymore-But then a little echo says just to be brave and complete the treatment-I dunno I need support right now-tired of hibernating-thank God my mother n law is visiting until this monday or I would probably be talking to the walls or have odeeed on xanax and been blankly staring at the wall lol-Heather

 Heather,

 Your reaction to carac 28 days 1X matches almost exactly to my reaction to 5-FU 14 day 2x per day.  My forehead was almost clear, then started splotching and spotting. But my cheeks and nose are what is worrying me, they are 90% dark red. They started out splotchy red, then it grew to all red.   I finish my treatment tommorrow, so I am writing to these boards in celebration.   Yahoo !!  

 OK, for those of you reading this in anticipation of starting your fist day of treatment.  You can do it.  I worried about this for 5 days b4 treatment, then finally started Day 1.  It was a breeze for the first week. Week 2 isn't too bad until you near day 10.  The pain is not unbearable, but constant.  Once you get to day 10 you can make it. I think I was more worried about the vanity aspect, and finally had to join the real world and get out of the house; found out that people are fine with it.  When you do go out, use it to others advantage. Inform anyone that will listen to wear hats SPF 30 or 45 wide spectrum sunscreen, and protect themselves from the sun. What you tell people today might be saving someones life 20 years from now.

Plus, I am thankful that this is not permanent.

OK, I'm getting tired, hitting the hay finally.