Side Effects of Carac or Efudex

Hey Everyone,

Today is day #17 post-treatment from using Fluoroucil 2X/day for 14 days on my face.

Carol and Redcat, I'm so glad to hear that you're at the post-treatment stage.  Although, I sympathize with what I know to be a painful and uncomfotable time for the next few days.  I hope that you feel relief with each passing day.  Carol, to answer your question the Neutrogena Lotion my doctor gave me was a 'Dry Touch' formula.  Neutrogena makes a ton of different formulas, it's hard to keep them straight - I've seen 15SPF, 30, 45, 50, and 70SPF.  It sounds like you already figured it out, but my doctor advised me to use nothing except Vaseline for at least a week post-treatment.  And, I wouldn't have wanted to, my face was way too sensitive. I didn't start using the Neutrogena until about day 10. 

We were vacationing in California this past week.  In the morning after showering, I put on the Neutrogena 70SPF Face Cream.  When I was outside, I wore a hat, sunglasses, and long sleeves.  I'd have to say it was the first sunny vacation I've taken where I did not return home with evidence of sun on my face.  I had to put myself in a completely different mind set. Much to my chagrin, my college-aged son made it his goal to "lay out" daily, even against my advice.  I understand where he is coming from, our culture has long upheld the status symbol of a suntan.  It's one of the most sought after vacation souveniers.  I believe he would have used more caution if he had been home during my treatment and seen my face when it was ravaged.  Youth...   I'll keep at him.

For the most part, my face feels and looks great.  I can still see areas where the color is uneven and the skin gets blotchy and red, especially if it gets hot.  It feels very sensitive and I'm babying it along. 

I had to smile at Paleface's story of returning to work.  I go back on Monday, and I "look so good" that I'm a little concerned people may think I was just slacking in a major way. 

To everyone starting, in the middle, and at the end of treatment, good luck.  I've never written on a message board before, but I could not imagine completing this treatment without this board.  It has been completely therapeutic.  And it's so wonderful to know that there are  good people everywhere who are willing to reach out and take the time to help a fellow human being get through a tough time.  Thank you.

For anyone out there who has been reading the board, and hesitant to jump on.  It's easy.  Just start with a brief intro. of where you are in treatment.  You will undoubtedly get a response, and you're off... you will have a sounding board for all your concerns during treatment, and you may just be able to help someone else in the process. 

Am I the only one still in the middle of treatment here?? Congrats to all you guys who made it to the end.

I am on day 14 of 21 days of carac on my chest. At the moment, it looks like raw meat and feels like someone took a match to it. If I didn't have to wear freaking cloths it would be so much better!! Trying to find something comfy to wear or a comfortable position to sleep is difficult if not impossible. Last night I was miserable. I seriously hate the thought of a few more weeks of this. I think I am hearing that it gets worse even after you stop applying it....right??

Oh my goodness, Galanae, that sounds so painful!  I know it must be tough getting any sleep.  And when you don't get much sleep, it really messes with your mind.  I know you can finish, you just hang in there.  You've done a great job so far!  I remember when my lip was like raw meat, the drug was really killing some nasty cells.  Now I'm on day 12, doing the face this time, and I'm not getting a strong reaction (yet?).  Except I did get a reaction where I put the carac on my hair part, about 2 inches back from the forehead!  That got a big yellow scab after only 6 days!  That's gone now.  I am totally fine to go out in public on day 12, go figure.  I am not as red as I was 3 days ago.  Hope everyone is doing well today~

Carrieann, I'm surprised (and happy for you) that on day 12 you are still able to "go public."  Are you applying Carac 1X a day? Hopefully, you will continue to have a manageable time of it. 

Galanae, don't be discouraged by what people have written about post-treatment.  Take one day at a time.  The good news about post-TX is that when you do get there, it lasts for a relatively short time compared to what you will have already gone through - and the end really is in sight. I feel for you with the discomfort you must be feeling on your chest.  Finding a comfortable sleeping position would be so hard, and good sleep is so necessary.  Didn't you say that you need to keep working through treatment?  Hang in there!

Hi all!  I thought I would check in today and see how everyone is progressing. 

I am back to normal now - which is so hard to believe.  When you are in the trenches of treatment, it really feels interminable.  But it DOES come to an end, and you will look really great.  I had a hard time believing that my lip would EVER be the same as it was.  The trauma was so great.  But it looks better than it ever did - smooth, plump.

I think of you all everyday.  Continue the great work.

Sarlattho - have a great time going back to work!!

Michelle

I am new to this site and have read most of the postings.  They are very inofrmative.  I just started Carac and am suppose to use it once a day for six weeks.  The dr said I could use it every-other day if I wanted.  After reading so many postings, I decided to use it twice a day and get it over with since have this week off (spring break) and I can take the following week off if needed.  I was under the impression that Carac and Efudex were the same thing (0.5% fluorouracil).  Does anyone know? 

I have used almost the whole tube of Carac (30mg) with only 11 treatments on my face and neck.  It seems hard to spread.  It also seems like it will be tough to spread once I start to blister up.  Right now my chest looks like I have a terrible sunburn and my face looks like I have acne - no sunburn but lots of red spots.

 

I used Solaraze Gel (3%) for 90 days before I started this treatment.  It did very little to get rid of the AKs.  I am hoping that because of that treatment, the Carac will work faster.  Does anyone know about this?

Just checking in.  I'm 7 days post treatment, and much more comfortable.  No need for Tylenol, and just using Vaseline in some spots..not all over.  This past week I've gone through lots of Vaseline and Q-tips.  I carry Q-tips with me at all times for the stingy, itchy places...to keep my hand away from my face.  I still look weird, but not scary.  I look like I got way too much sun and I wore sunglasses.  I don't know if I handled my eye area well.  I have circles around my eyes of skin not touched with Carac.  The areas where my glasses sit are still raw...bleeding at times. I'm starting to go out in public a little, with a hat on, and still kind of duck my head....but I'm better!

Galanae...do not worry about the post treatment discomfort.  The truth for me was that there were 2 bad days post treatment, but not worse than my worst days during treatment, and mentally, it feels so good to know you're done with putting the battery acid on.

Nanmich...I hope you find this site as helpful as I do.  And I hope you got the drs OK to use the Carac 2X a day.  I too, am confused about the differences, if any between the various creams used.

Good luck everyone! 

I found out what the difference is between Efudex and Carac.  There is a very detailed message dated 2-18-08 that explains it.  Carac should only be used once a day because just as much of the active ingredient is absorbed into your skin as with a twice a day treatment of Efudex even though the concentration in Efudex is much higher. 

Has anyone else been prescribed a 6 week treatment?

Hi everyone. I'm now day 7 post tx of my 28 once a day Carac to my face. I feel a lot like what Redcat just posted. The redness is lessening, the pain is gone finally, but I have constant intense ITCHING. I still use vaseline all over for the extreme dryness. I'm hoping to switch to other non-greasy moisturizers in about 2 days. I tried to use one a few days ago, and it burned like fire!!! Too soon for that. I've been going to work through it all, but am very reluctant to go out in public when it's not absolutely necessary. I will probably go out tomorrow and get some much needed errands done. I'm sure people will still look sideways at me, but not as much as before. Hopefully I won't have to respond to many comments anymore. By the way, I wore gloves when putting on the Carac and it seemed to smooth on nicely. I also think that it stretched the carac tube much further. It lasted through 28 applications to my face. The cream seemed to absorb through the skin so fast, and maybe some of it absorbs through your fingers, as well as your face when you're applying it. Good luck with all of you still going through it. Carol

NanMich, One more thing, my dr originally told me that I might need a 6 wk course of tx, but after seeing me on day 28, said I could stop. He said the usual tx is no more that 4 weeks, but sometimes the forehead area and the top of heads or scalps (especially on balding men) need more tx. Don't hesitate to call your dr with lots of questions. Also, some nurses are more informative than some drs. so when you call the office, you might want to ask to speak to the nurse (which is who they usually have you talk to anyway). As you'll see in these messages, there's a big variation in treatment. Keep reading, researching, and in touch with your dr. Good luck. Carol