Efudex

I am on day 8 of Efudex, face, and ears. I thought maybe I didn't really get Efudex because until today I had only 1 spot above my lips. Mind you, I've been thirsty, tired and slightly queasy, and have a  lack of appetite. Today I seem to be developing polka dots. I'm in Ohio where it's been cool and raining. I read on the net that heat and sunshine makes the Efudex blossom sooner. I'm not in pain or facial discomfort-yet. I feel a little sore and dry around my nose. I've been reading everyone else's accounts to gauge my reaction. I am supposed to take Efudex for 14 days. I guess I assume each polka dot was a source of sun damaged skin and potential AK. I had several AK's removed from my face previously. (Also I had a Melanoma removed from my neck). After face and ears I'm supposed to start treatment with 'FU' as we affectionately call it, on arms, neck, upper chest and back of hands. BTW I purchased brand name Efudex for 53.00 from a Canadian pharmacy. I know you just can't trust the Canuks. :)

I am on day 13 of 21.....doing forehead, neck, arms and hands all at once. Derm said I didn't have to do all at once but I wanted to get it over with. I didn't want to drag this out and ruin my entire summer. So I am a couple of days ahead of you and I am definitely getting my money's worth, so to speak, in terms of pain, itching, burning, and generally charming appearance. :)  I am taking daily photos and keeping a journal. I think that actually helps me cope, for some reason.

My sons, also, noted the humor in the name, "EFF - YOU" dex.

I am on day 9 with more polka dots appearing, pain around my nose by the nostrils and one more unusual thing. I used to get cold sores above my lip in one place. I haven't had a cold sore there for years. That was the first place that lit up and now it hurts with the treatment and it is getting brown dots which slough off. Does anyone know the correlation of cold sores to skin cancer?  I have 2 parties to go to next week. Think I can find a Burka? I did go out an buy a small compact of mineral powder which may do nothing.

I too am having husband take daily photos.

 

 

More and more polka dots are emerging especially now in the deep wrinkle fold by the nose down toward the mouth. Does anyone know if I should stop Niacin? I've been taking it to lower cholesterol but it sure hurts when it starts dilating the vessels. I've also started back of hands, arms, upper chest and neck.I've decided to get this over with. More brown dots keep appearing at the cold sore site.

Day 12 and I was up from 4 to 6 AM last night (11-12) slathering my itchy, crawly face with Vaseline and wondering how I can keep this up for 3 more days including today. This is awful. And to think I started off thinking this wouldn't be so bad because I was a "late-bloomer". The polka dots didn't start until after a week, and initially they weren't so bad. I noticed some of the dots are 'eroding' which is good according to the site. I'm so grateful now my docs gave me the Rx for a total of 14 days on my face. They gave me 3 weeks for neck, upper chest, arms and back. I'm going to do my back last. I really don't think the rest of me will be that bad because whenever I went scuba diving I wore skins that covered me from my ankles to wrists to top of neck. I suspect soaking in salt water for the dive and then bobbing in the water for the boat is what did my face and upper neck in. But we'll see. There was no sun blocker when I was a child and I did have 1 severe sunburn on my shoulders that I remember. I'm 62.

I have a friend in Italy who asks: "Why don't you just wait for skin cancer to show and then get it cut out?" Anybody have an answer? 

I made it. 28 treatments to the face. I feel as if I deserve an award but instead I am putting the stuff on neck, arms, back of hands and shoulders. After that part of my torso, back is next. My face is red, itchy with the occasional black dot appearing. I've been putting petroleum jelly on my face after waiting 3 hours post treatment. I am so itchy. I hope this was really worth it. My nose is the worst with red big dots everywhere. My ears have no dots at all, I guess my long hair saved them from the sun damage. My forehead was pretty clean looking too. Another yea for hair on the forehead. But nose, cheeks and chin, Yuck. And let us not forget the thing that looks like a cold sore between the nose and mouth. I am in polar fleece sweaters over long sleeved tops most of the time. Definite feeling of chills. But now- bring on the healing. As I understand it I have 4 days of more break outs before the skin heals.

Norma