Have to start Efudex-HELP!

I was given Efudex yesterday and have been on the internet trying to get informed. I am very nervous with all that I have read. I am wondering if there is any hope that I won't be miserable. I am 48 fair blonde hair blue eyes. My skin is very sensitive. I have to use Efudex 2x day for 14 days on my face and lower lip.  After reading so many blogs and letters my concerns are greater because for one I only sleep on my sides or face down. I cannot fall asleep on my back. Two..I tend to get nauseous at the drop of a hat so I hope im not one of the ones who gets that side effect as it's a real weakness of mine. I am compiling a list of people's suggestions ( Aquaphor, Dove, ibuprofen, benadry). My doctor and pharmacist provided no suggestions or guidance. I need help getting the strength to start. Any ideas?

day 18 for me . scalp and collarbone efudex twice a day for 28 days

i've experienced little of the problems mentioned at bthis site and i read two hours worth of comments before starting

i suppose i could turn real red and scabby in the next few days , but think that unlikely . i have some serious basal and squamous sites and a great deal of sun damage , having lived at or near the tropics  my entire life .

richard

 

 

 

On 9/16/2009 joanie1028 wrote:

I was given Efudex yesterday and have been on the internet trying to get informed. I am very nervous with all that I have read. I am wondering if there is any hope that I won't be miserable. I am 48 fair blonde hair blue eyes. My skin is very sensitive. I have to use Efudex 2x day for 14 days on my face and lower lip.  After reading so many blogs and letters my concerns are greater because for one I only sleep on my sides or face down. I cannot fall asleep on my back. Two..I tend to get nauseous at the drop of a hat so I hope im not one of the ones who gets that side effect as it's a real weakness of mine. I am compiling a list of people's suggestions ( Aquaphor, Dove, ibuprofen, benadry). My doctor and pharmacist provided no suggestions or guidance. I need help getting the strength to start. Any ideas?

Hi Joanie,

I am also 48, fair, blonde, green eyes. I started the efudex on Aug.2 2009. Did the treatment for 21 days. The first 1 1/2 weeks wasn't bad but the end of the 2nd and 3rd week was really tough. I'm not trying to scare you just being honest.

My doctor prescribed Lidex ointment to use for the burn and tightness which was really bad...it helped. I also used Aquaphor starting the day I stopped treatment...saved my life!! It's kind of hard to wash off if you still are applying the efudex so be careful.

All I can say is HANG IN THERE, I know how bad it can get but you will be so glad when you are healed. The last day was really hard. I healed amazingly fast and I had alot of damage. I'm now almost 4 weeks post tx and you'd never know my face went through anything. All my friends notice instantly the difference in my skin from before the tx.

My skin tone is more even, no more dry, red spots and the fine lines and wrinkles are nearly gone...they say I look 32 instead of 48!! But most important the areas of potential cancer are gone. I've already had skin cancer 4 times on my face. Had surgery at University of Mich. They did a fabulous job... you would never know I ever had cancer removed.

I still went to work even though I looked pretty bad. I'm a wellness coach and I think it scared some of my patients so they'd wear sunscreen and stay out of the tanning beds. If you need some encouragement to get through this please write as often as you need...I'll keep checking back.

You can do it,

Mary

Mary,

Thank you for your reply. Today is only day 2 for me and I feel sick to my stomach and have a headache. I hope it's unrelated to the efudex and maybe it is since it's so soon. I would be thrilled if I even looked 5 years younger when this is done. Plus I'm so tired of battling the flaky growths on my nose and lip all the time (AKs) and it will great to have them gone. Thanks for sharing your story .

joanie 

 

On 9/21/2009 joanie1028 wrote:

Mary,

Thank you for your reply. Today is only day 2 for me and I feel sick to my stomach and have a headache. I hope it's unrelated to the efudex and maybe it is since it's so soon. I would be thrilled if I even looked 5 years younger when this is done. Plus I'm so tired of battling the flaky growths on my nose and lip all the time (AKs) and it will great to have them gone. Thanks for sharing your story .

joanie 

Hi Joanie,

I also felt sick to my stomach and had a headache, so did others I talked to. The skin is the largest organ of the body so it will absorb what is put on it. This is a strong drug. I felt nauseous about 4-5 hrs after application but it does get better as your body gets used to it. Every time you apply just keep saying to yourself "I'm killing cancer", especially when it really starts to hurt.

I kept a daily journal and photos of this entire "journey". It was amazing to see the change in the photos...some were kind of scary. My doctor had me do treatment for 3 weeks...it's recommended 2-4. If you can do 3 you'll be glad you did in the end. Need to make sure all the areas get enough to kill the cells. In that 3rd week alot more spots came out that were not there in the second week. My mother also did this treatment this past summer. Her doctor had her do 2 weeks and she thinks now she should have done 3 after seeing how my treatment went.

You won't notice much in the first week, but that will change in the 2-3. Hang in there...You are fighting Cancer.

Mary

Mary,

thanks for the email. I have a couple questions. First, how close under my eyes should I put the efudex..how close did you do it? Also, how much did you use in a given application. I recall reading a blog where the guy said his doctor said a pea size amount. My face is so dry it sucks up the medicine, i probably use between a nickle and quarter for my face and neck and v of chest. Does that seem right. I do apply it lightly it just sinks right in.

joanie

 

On 9/22/2009 joanie1028 wrote:

Mary,

thanks for the email. I have a couple questions. First, how close under my eyes should I put the efudex..how close did you do it? Also, how much did you use in a given application. I recall reading a blog where the guy said his doctor said a pea size amount. My face is so dry it sucks up the medicine, i probably use between a nickle and quarter for my face and neck and v of chest. Does that seem right. I do apply it lightly it just sinks right in.

joanie

Joanie,

Just use enough to cover the skin. You don't want to have to rub alot to get it to soak in. I didn't really pay attention to how much I applied. Put a little on your finger to cover an area then do the same in another area, that way you won't waste any. Don't get to close to your eyes. I stopped on the edge of the cheek bone under the eye ( you can feel the edge with the width of your pinky finger). This seems to be an area of alot of damage for people.

I had some pretty significant blisters in this area but they have healed very well. Did you still have nausea today? I can really simpathize with you on that. My stomach gets sick really easily. Put a note on your bathroom mirror that says " I can do this, I will be strong. I am fighting CANCER. It might sound silly but it helped me and my husband get through it.

The skin around my mouth (in the smile lines) got really raw and tight during the 2nd and 3rd weeks. It was quite painful but the rest of my face didn't really hurt to bad even though I had alot of spots. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated, sleep when you can. Please write anytime throughout this "journey". I'll help all I can...take care of yourself.

Mary

hi!

okay thanks for the advice on the amount to use. yes i continue to get nauseated and a bit dizzy everyday but its only for a few hours so its not too bad. my face doesnt really look any different yet ( started sunday night so 3 days so far) and im surprised because I read where so many people got red so fast and i know I am paler than most. so thats a good thing for me i guess, gives me more time to run errands and do things before i go into hiding haha. thanks so much for your help. i have a feeling i will need you next week!

joanie

Mary,

Hi. Today is day 8 and I'm getting real nervous. Face looks very spotty and hurts and itches. Im nervous because I know it's on its way to getting worse and from all Ive read I know much more discomfort is coming. I read a post from you on your day 8, you seemed scared then too. On the brightside my nausea has lessened. I used Aquaphor last night because I woke upa t 3am and was very uncomfortable. It is hard to clean off though so I'm not sure when Ill use it again. I don't have any questions for you this time I just needed someone to "talk" to. I shouldn't be scared because I've read so many posts here so I know it all comes out okay in the end but I'm still freaking out a bit today!

joanie

 

On 9/29/2009 joanie1028 wrote:

Mary,

Hi. Today is day 8 and I'm getting real nervous. Face looks very spotty and hurts and itches. Im nervous because I know it's on its way to getting worse and from all Ive read I know much more discomfort is coming. I read a post from you on your day 8, you seemed scared then too. On the brightside my nausea has lessened. I used Aquaphor last night because I woke upa t 3am and was very uncomfortable. It is hard to clean off though so I'm not sure when Ill use it again. I don't have any questions for you this time I just needed someone to "talk" to. I shouldn't be scared because I've read so many posts here so I know it all comes out okay in the end but I'm still freaking out a bit today!

joanie

Hi Joanie,

 It's ok to be freaked out...this is serious stuff. People that have not been through it don't understand, but those of us that have been can understand your fear and pain. You'll need something for the dry, tightness. Ask your doctor for a script for Lidex ointment. I used it all during the treatment and it really saved me. Be gentle washing...as the days go on just put a washcloth in warm water and hold it on your face. Don't rub, just pat.

Hang in there...you're not alone. Even though I looked bad (in my opinion), it wasn't as bad as some of those poor people I saw on the web. I had alot of spots, some blisters and raw around my mouth. But my entire face wasn't solid red and raw like some. I healed really fast.

 I'm so glad to know your nausea is better...I know how awful that is and my thoughts were with you. You can do this...you can. And it's ok to pamper yourself now.

I'll be gone for a couple of days and won't be near a computer until Saturday afternoon but I'll check back as soon as I get home. I don't want you to think I've forgotten about you. Talk to you soon,

 Mary