Side Effects of Carac or Efudex

 

On 7/12/2009 Pat VDB wrote:

Dear Noranne

 Can you be more specific about the mineral based makeup and green tinted primer you used?  Brand?  Stores where available?  Shades?  I am an Air Force attorney and the jokes from a couple of years ago about wearing a birqua to work ring true!  I can't afford to go to meetings looking like a leper -- but I have a faceful of spots to treat so any specific info you can provide would be MUCH appreciated.  I start this regime tonight.  Really have appreciated the opportunity to review the postings to have a sense for what lies ahead.  Pat VDB

Hi Pat - check the message center as I sent you a private reply.  Since you just started treatment, you should have time to get a couple of products that helped me with concealing.   Best of luck to you - as so many people have said here, it is a difficult process but worth it. 

Hi everyone,

I am on my 4th day of Carac, once daily, for entire face except lips.  I have read the first 500 (!!) messages on this board.  This has given me very mixed feelings, because on the one hand, I have gotten lots of useful info.  I have spent big bucks at Walgreens on cleanser, Vaseline, Benadry., etc, etc.  I know more of what to expect than when my doctor gave me the pamphlet and said I "wouldn't like it."

On the other hand, I am feeling very freaked out and frightened.  People who have been through this and related their experiences are so brave!  I admire you all so much!  I don't know if I can handle it well.

So far, I only have some itching, which I use Benadryl for.  I am experiencing hay fever, and I worry about wiping/blowing my nose.  

I have some questions relating to my particular situation:

As I said, I am only scheduled for 14 days of once a day Carac.  Is that sufficient?  (I hope so, but I want to take care of the damage before it gets worse.)

My doctor did not schedule me for another appointment during or after my Carac experience.  Does he need to see me in order to determine if the process worked as it should?

I'm sure I will have more questions as I go through the next few weeks, but I want to thank you in advance for any information and support that you are able to give me.  I'm in a lonely place right now, which is why I decided to quit lurking and join your community.

Hugs, Linda

 

 

 

 

Hi Linda -   this message board was very helpful to me during the Carac treatment.   My treatment was four weeks, and as many people wrote on these boards, week three was the toughest.  My doctor saw me about 2 1/2 weeks into treatment to evaluate whether to have me stop or keep going.  She also saw me post treatment. While it was awful during the worst part, the time does pass and each day of treatment is a day closer to being finished.  My skin now is soft and clear.  Most importantly, the precancerous areas have been removed.  The Carac only reacts to damaged cells, so if you have a big reaction, it's doing its job.

If you have questions you should call your doctor.  It really helps to be informed as you go through this.  Also, it helps to exercise, have good nutrition, drink water.  I didn't feel well at the end of treatment - just like a low grade flu, not feeling like myself. About three weeks after treatment, I feel completely well and back to normal.  I think good nutrition, sleep and exercise really can help in the healing process.  Take care and hope you hang in there...

 

Good morning Noranne!

Thank you for your kind reply.  I went back and read about you and some others going through the recovery stage and that made me feel better.  I apologize for the pity party.  It's just scary looking ahead to this treatment.

Linda

 

Hi Linda!

 I am at day 7 on carac 1X a day (overnight).  I was glad to see your post - reading the stories of those who have travelled this road already has been tremendously helpful, but somehow it is comforting to know someone else is about the same place I am right now...  I just have lots of bright red blotches, tightness and some flaking at this point.  My regular moisturizer is still fine -- doesn't sting, etc.  Was able to completely disguise it all with my regular concealer and foundation this past week, but it is definitely getting more pronounced, so am wondering how long that will work.  With the help of the posts it is sinking in, though, that the really  bad part is only likely to last a couple of weeks...  hope!  How are you doing?  Thank you for joining the conversation!  Pat

Hi Pat,

It's good to find someone to go through this with!  I am a couple days behind you (day 5 today) and my skin has not yet reacted.  The suspense is killing me!  ;)

I also apply the Carac at night.  The problem (so far) for me has been my hay fever, which is worst at night.  I have been taking generic Benadryl and another allergy medicine, but still my nose runs and stuffs up. I am worried about geting the Carac in my nostrils as I try to deal with my yucky nose.

When did your face start to react?  How is it today?  Does it hurt much?  Are you also doing your whole face?

Keep in touch!  Hugs, Linda

Yup, the whole face -  I reacted immediately but the last couple of days have been distinctly more visually pronouced.  I think one of the past posts called it looking like a crusty tomato -- I don't have any crust yet but the red is like a ripe tomato - a big ripe tomato!  It doesn't hurt but is uncomfortable - and strangely, itches a little.  My eyes don't like it either.  They don't hurt but from the very first night, they get slightly irritated when I have it on, sort of like being exposed to a chemical vapor.  I am only applying it to the top of my cheekbone - not on the skin over the eye socket itself (per caution in one of the posts, actually) but even that is close enough to cause a little reaction.  I have had a hint of stomach upset with it, and have been very tired.  I don't envy you dealing with allergies too - though perhaps the benadryl will have the happy side effect of alleviating the itching for you...?  Thanks for your time.  Let's stay in touch.  Pat

HI Pat,

I can't believe that I'm on day 6 with no real reaction yet.  I have a red spot on my chin that may become something, and a few places that look irritated, or like I'm breaking out.  But that's it!  I'm a little worried that I might have to extend the time.  But it seems like some people on this board didn't have the skin reaction until later in treatment.  What do you think?

How are you today?  Are you still working?  I'm a teacher, so I'm on break.  It's nice not to have to worry about work, esp. since I've been having a really hard time sleeping.

Take care, Linda

Hi Linda!  Lucky you to be home for this little adventure! I am about the same - just tired by the end of the workday.  I am getting lots of quiet support though - I work with some very thoughtful people.  You are right - everyone goes through the treatment differently and if you are developing some spots it sounds like you are right on schedule for you -- it will be interesting to hear about your "evolution".  I agree with Noranne -- I would schedule a followup appointment with the prescribing doc for the day you are suppposed to be finished -- you will want an evaluation either way of whether the treatment was effective, and whether you need to extend it.  Here's wishing you a restful night!  Pat

Hey Pat,

It looks like you and I are the only ones left on this board....

How are you?  I don't remember how many days you are scheduled for.  I'm glad you are getting such good support at work.  That must help a lot.

As you advised, I called my doctor (since his office is 85 miles away.)  I talked to the nurse and told her that my skin has just started reacting with a few red spots.  She checked with the doctor and he said I should stay on the Carac for an additional week.  Lucky me!  

Hope you're doing well and not feeling too tomato-y, Linda