Discontinure Efudex At The Erosion Stage

Mike, you don't say if head or arms/hands - but erosion is just as it sounds, scabs, skin flaking off and some puss/bleeding at times.  Here is how my arms looked after 4 weeks of Efudex 5% 2 times a day on my arms.  I'm now 3 weeks post treatment and sitll much erosion and pealing skin.  It's a rough treatment, especially on arms/hands with thick skin.

http://i26.tinypic.com/2nlgspl.jpg

Thank you for your response. I am in the process of Efudexing my forearms and forehead. Your response gave me clarity on what stage I am in....erosion. So, according to the directions, a patientient can stop applying the Efudex cream which I have done to my forehead and will resume for two more weeks to my forearms. My doctor reommended 6 weeks application to the forearms and 4 weeks to the face. My forehead looks like your photo.  So, I am halting application to my forehead.

I am a salesman and obviously I need to look presentable for sales presentations. Will a week and half give me enough time to heal to be presentable? Many Thanks for your feedback. 

Mike

Hi Mike,

I'm on day 9 post Efudex 5% twice daily entire face.  My face is "healed" although still pink. 

I only had a few spots but got extremely red all over.  Your dermatologist will prescribe something to help you heal.  Follow a healthy diet, drink lots of water and use Aquaphor to soften the skin.

Good luck...it's worth it in the end.

Mike, 6 weeks on the arms is quite a long time from what I've learned, but perhaps you have some clearly pre-cancerous areas.  I was just lots of AKs.  I am still very sore, scabbing and even some bleeding 3 weeks after 4 weeks of TX (5-FU 2/d).  But, every skin type is different, and I am very fair and in mid 50's, so the 5-FU really gave me the full side effects.  I'd ask you doc if it's time to stop when you get the scabs and inflamed areas starting.  No need to over due it - but ask your doc.  Good luck, and hang in there.

Whitey

I am new to this discussion list. Hi! All your words are very comforting. I posted a brand new thread called Efudex 17 days, but I've decided to re-post it here as it's the same question: AM I AT the Erosion Stage??? Can I stop using the cream?

I was
prescribed Efudex (called Efudix) in Australia where I am from, and my
dermatologist said to use it for 3 weeks. I'm now in L.A with no
dermatologist here and am at Day 17 using the cream morning and night.

 I
had no actual skin cancers or problem areas, just a few rough spots
(left side of nose, above each eyebrow, near right side of hairline and
above lip on right side). And I had developed slight "age" spots on my
cheeks. At age 38 my dermatologist said, "hey, try efudex as it will
eliminate the spots"

Well I did, and it just blew up bigger and uglier than i imagined. 

Here are some photos from today, day 17 on efudex treatment

http://www.gilli.net/misc1  

My
question is, can I stop using it now? I've read some posts that some of
you have done just 14 days/twice a day. Well, I've done over that
amount of time. It's very itchy and I feel swollen like I have a mask
on. Very self conscious and I have a day job and i've had to take days
off sick. All the areas are scaly, patchy, and red. Some areas are
crusty like a scab and i see that will heal now. Near my nose, and
under my nose, and above my lip are the worse. Still very inflamed.

I wonder, am I at the stage where I can now stop using it ?

Hi,

Just looked at your photo, thanks for putting it on. My doctor only said put it on my forehead as yet although I think I'll need to do other areas. It has quite a few small blotches and I'm only doing it once a day for 4 to 6 weeks (now day 20).

I was wondering if your doctor said it was OK to put it near your mouth?

Also it seems quite a large area to do at once. Are you only applying it to the effected areas or to your whole face.

The instructions on the UK tube say don't do more than 9 inches by 9 inches so you must be quite close to that.

On 2/16/2008 MikeA wrote:

I am in the process of finishing the Efudex treatment. How does one know to stop at the Erosion Stage as is recommended. Please describe the Erosion Stage. Many Thanks.

Mike,

 I just discovered this website and it seems to be very helpful.

I am on day 12 of my efudex treatment and was also wondering what the erosion stage looks like. I know I'm not there yet but I hope it will be soon.

I'm treating my face and it is painful now and the skin is very red and raw  with a few scabs. How long after you stopped treatment did the area begin to look better? I know everyone is different.

Thank you for posting your question.

Cynthia