Newbie On Efudex

Baking in the sun and tanning salons for over the past 30 years have finally caught up with me.

Today is day 3 on Efudex, 2X daily for four weeks. 

After reading through all of your blogs I realize that the rocky road ahead is going to be tuff and I thank all of you for your input. I truly believe that all that you recommend will get us newbies through our treatment.

I have already stocked up on benadryl, dove x-sensitive wash and aquaphor.  Actually started aquaphor two hours after each of my applications yesterday.

I intend to check the website a couple times daily to get your feedback with your progress and I will do the same with mine.

From what I understand the third week is the breaking point but I'm going to get through it with the help of all of you. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your input and guidence.  I look forward to chating and hearing about of your progress in the days ahead and beyond.

Michelle 

 

 

On 11/22/2008 Auntie Shell wrote:

Baking in the sun and tanning salons for over the past 30 years have finally caught up with me.

Today is day 3 on Efudex, 2X daily for four weeks. 

After reading through all of your blogs I realize that the rocky road ahead is going to be tuff and I thank all of you for your input. I truly believe that all that you recommend will get us newbies through our treatment.

I have already stocked up on benadryl, dove x-sensitive wash and aquaphor.  Actually started aquaphor two hours after each of my applications yesterday.

I intend to check the website a couple times daily to get your feedback with your progress and I will do the same with mine.

From what I understand the third week is the breaking point but I'm going to get through it with the help of all of you. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your input and guidence.  I look forward to chating and hearing about of your progress in the days ahead and beyond.

Michelle 

 

Michelle, please do not torture yourself by looking at all of the photos of people on efudex. Most of them are EXTREME cases!  I'll be finished using it on Dec 2, and while my face is a little scary looking, it isn't nearly as bad as some will tell you. Did your doctor tell you that you could use some light makeup?

 

On 11/22/2008 pas10s wrote:

 

On 11/22/2008 Auntie Shell wrote:

Baking in the sun and tanning salons for over the past 30 years have finally caught up with me.

Today is day 3 on Efudex, 2X daily for four weeks. 

After reading through all of your blogs I realize that the rocky road ahead is going to be tuff and I thank all of you for your input. I truly believe that all that you recommend will get us newbies through our treatment.

I have already stocked up on benadryl, dove x-sensitive wash and aquaphor.  Actually started aquaphor two hours after each of my applications yesterday.

I intend to check the website a couple times daily to get your feedback with your progress and I will do the same with mine.

From what I understand the third week is the breaking point but I'm going to get through it with the help of all of you. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your input and guidence.  I look forward to chating and hearing about of your progress in the days ahead and beyond.

Michelle 

 

Michelle, please do not torture yourself by looking at all of the photos of people on efudex. Most of them are EXTREME cases!  I'll be finished using it on Dec 2, and while my face is a little scary looking, it isn't nearly as bad as some will tell you. Did your doctor tell you that you could use some light makeup?

Thank yor for your input.  My doctor suggested not to wear any any makeup for at least two weeks after my treatment.  I have already seen some response, reddening around my mouth and cheeks, some under my eyes. I have only been on this since last Thursday, November 20th late afternoon and after reading some of these blogs I am apprehensive to continue, but I will. You are about to finish soon and I wish you well.  Do you think I shoud put in for time off of work now or wait until I see how I feel in the days ahead?

 

Hi Michele, you are really still in the beginning stages.  You can pretty much bet that your face is going to get worse - maybe much worse before it gets better. The worst comes in the 2nd - 3rd week. About time off from work - if you only have to see your co-workers, I wouldn't take time off. Why use that time when you'll only be hanging around the house looking in the mirror.  Try to put the mirror away.  You won't feel sick or bad, so keeping busy is better.  Now, if you have to deal with seeing the public all day in your job, you may want to take some time off next week. If you started on the 20th, you are only on day 5. I started on the 11th, and I'm starting my 3rd and last week tomorrow. My face is looking really bad now.  It looks like a bad sunburn, but it isn't too uncomfortable.  I start Beauty School to become an Aesthetician (skin care specialist) tomorrow! I had not even considered going back to school  until I had already started this treatment. I'll be looking pretty scary when I show up tomorrow. I've printed off copies of what Efudex is and what to expect to hand out to my instructor & class mates.  I won't be dealing with the public for a while, and by then, my face will be looking much better. Bottom line is this. You are ridding yourself of precancer and cancer cells and perhaps avoiding surgeries for skin cancer on your face down the road. Be brave. It's only a few weeks and I promise you that your new skin will be like a baby's skin. Ugly Duckling now, beautiful Swan in a few weeks. Don't quit!!!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your reply.  I work in a hospital with new moms and infants.  I am a lactation nurse and feel that it may be for the best to apply for my EIB (earned income bank) which allows me time off without using my PTO and sick time.

 I just want to be prepared for the days ahead. 

 Good luck with your schooling.  My neice actually just graduated from the same course and loves her work!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Started on Carac 2xday for 14 days.  I'm on day 12 and doing ok.  Treating my face sans the chin.  "Sunned" until I was 25 and had my first BCC cut out of my forehead.  Had numerous BCCs and AKs removed and frozen for the next 18 years.  Derm says it's time for the battery-acid.  I've been off work the whole time, but I am going back Tuesday.  See the Derm on Monday (day 14) to see what he says.  I've only had to use the aquafor a few times, but mostly it's the itching that gets to me.  I'm using Benadryl alot and it helps me sleep.  Also have a really bad cold/cough that has been miserable especially on my upper lip.  I am treating that area and blowing my nose often.  Ouch....  My nose is raw, my tops of my cheeks are very dark red and then spots of red on the rest of my face.  Someone said I look like I have lupus.  I haven't seen anyone else on 2xday Carac, is there anyone else out there?

I am now on day eleven.  I do not see much difference in my appearance.  There are a few red spots here and there on my face (I have SCC) but there has been no change to any other areas that I am applying the Efudex to.

I don't know if you can tell me but does Efudex affect the entire surface of where it is applied or does it just affect the areas compromised with SCC? I have been applying the Efudex over the entire surface of my face and neck with little change so far. (Just a few red spots). If this is the only reaction I'm going to see, this is going to be a whole lot easier than I thought. 

Any thoughts?

 

 

Michelle, I'm thinking of starting the Efudex and having lots of mixed emotions about it.  Was wondering if you stuck with it and how it's going? I had Mohs last spring on my cheek and ended up with a very large scar.  Would really like to do something else before the "next" one.  I am really interested in know which weeks are the worst.  Also, I thought my doc said to only use it for two weeks but some here seem to have used it much longer.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

p.s. I'm also new to message boards (if this is what this is) and hope I'm doing this right.   

 

On 12/15/2008 Bonsy wrote:

Michelle, I'm thinking of starting the Efudex and having lots of mixed emotions about it.  Was wondering if you stuck with it and how it's going? I had Mohs last spring on my cheek and ended up with a very large scar.  Would really like to do something else before the "next" one.  I am really interested in know which weeks are the worst.  Also, I thought my doc said to only use it for two weeks but some here seem to have used it much longer.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

p.s. I'm also new to message boards (if this is what this is) and hope I'm doing this right.   

 

Good Morning Bonzy,

I have two days left to my treatment.  Efudex 2x daily for 28 days for SCC.  My face is rather unsightly and tender in a few areas (around my mouth, eyes, left cheek and under my chin but I must say the whole process has not been as bad as I had expected. I opted for the efudex rather than experiencing the Mohs due to the scarring and I am so glad I did.  My suggestion would to be applying Aquaphor 3 hours after each of your treatments (you need to let the Efudex sink in for that amount of time).  I began doing this from day one and it really is a lifesaver.  If you live in a warmer climate I understand the heat can get to you.  I live in Massachusetts and it's been cool so the climate has not affected me at all.  You will find that the time goes by quick.  With two days to go I do find certain areas of my face tend to burn a bit more than others after the applications of Efudex but all in all it has not been as horrific as other stories I have read.  Keep me posted as to your progress, and I will do that for you as well.  I believe that you will be happy opting for the treatment and looking a bit scarey for a while than to have another permanent scar.  Good luck, I will be rooting for you.

Michelle 

 

On 12/16/2008 Auntie Shell wrote:

 

On 12/15/2008 Bonsy wrote:

Michelle, I'm thinking of starting the Efudex and having lots of mixed emotions about it.  Was wondering if you stuck with it and how it's going? I had Mohs last spring on my cheek and ended up with a very large scar.  Would really like to do something else before the "next" one.  I am really interested in know which weeks are the worst.  Also, I thought my doc said to only use it for two weeks but some here seem to have used it much longer.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

p.s. I'm also new to message boards (if this is what this is) and hope I'm doing this right.   

 

Good Morning Bonzy,

I have two days left to my treatment.  Efudex 2x daily for 28 days for SCC.  My face is rather unsightly and tender in a few areas (around my mouth, eyes, left cheek and under my chin but I must say the whole process has not been as bad as I had expected. I opted for the efudex rather than experiencing the Mohs due to the scarring and I am so glad I did.  My suggestion would to be applying Aquaphor 3 hours after each of your treatments (you need to let the Efudex sink in for that amount of time).  I began doing this from day one and it really is a lifesaver.  If you live in a warmer climate I understand the heat can get to you.  I live in Massachusetts and it's been cool so the climate has not affected me at all.  You will find that the time goes by quick.  With two days to go I do find certain areas of my face tend to burn a bit more than others after the applications of Efudex but all in all it has not been as horrific as other stories I have read.  Keep me posted as to your progress, and I will do that for you as well.  I believe that you will be happy opting for the treatment and looking a bit scarey for a while than to have another permanent scar.  Good luck, I will be rooting for you.

Michelle 

 

Thanks for responding Michelle.  I'll be starting Christmas Day I think.  But did you really do 28 days of this?  I thought my Derm said 2 weeks 2x per day.  Seems like various people have done it for longer and shorter periods.  I truly hope I can get by with 2 weeks and that will stop BCC as I've asked for time off during the 3rd. and 4th. week.  Glad to hear it wasn't as bad as anticipated.  And yes, I've already stocked up on the Aquaphor.  I'll be away during this first week so won't be back on this board until after the holiday.  Thanks again.