Side Effects of Carac or Efudex

Day 5 and nothing yet. Maybe I am applying it to thin. Just curious, Celtic, why you would need to do this again just 3 years later. Were you a super sun worshipper? I plan on being very diligent from now on. And Cathy, it is very encouraging to hear about the loss of wrinkles, a nice side effect? Kinda goes along with the removal of sun damage. I am really excited about the whole procedure. I plan on taking some pictures as I go along so I don’t forget next summer. Have a great weekend and I’ll check in on Monday…Pam

pam,

             give it time it took my face to react on day 12-14 i never had any reaction to my forehead....  LOL..... but when it starts no stopping have a good weekend keep us posted i'm glad to see you have celtic going through the treatment at the same time i had joanie and it was great to have a buddy... have a good weekend i will check back on monday to see how everyone is making out keep face moist   cathy

Pam, answers:

1 - If this is your 1st time, nothing really happens until about day 7 +/- a day. My experience is better to apply it moderating thin and cover the space, than heavy. Rest assured post-day 7 you will notice a difference.

2 - Actually started occasional basel  and squamous removal in 1983 and thought everything was relatively under control. First Efudex treatment in 2005 was a wake-up call. Reason for application 3 years later is my lips had severe damage 1st time around. Also have had 3 Mohs surgeries over the 3 years so this is a preventive tune up. This time around is certainly inconvenient but not nearly as bad as 2005.

4 - Was never a sun worshiper but did try to tan like most teeneagers through and into my 30's. Was not a whole lot of sun in New York State but while in the service did spend 16 months in Thailand in the late 60's. Also lived in California for 9 years plus Alpine and X-C skiing is my passion since 1959. Most of the sun damage time was pre-sunblock. Have lived in the Northwest for 27 years so not a lot of sun and I do use lots of sunblock religously. Most damage on most people is in the younger years.

5 - Contributing factors: pale skin, red hair, blue eyes, mistaken idea "freckle mass" = tan.

4- Look for my new tome "The Curse of The Celtic Complextion !" 

Good luck with your treatments. It is worth it but may not appear so at the time. Celtic

Hi, This is a great place for information!! Thank you everyone for taking the time to write about your experiences with Carac Cream, it is so helpful and I will be writing in with my questions and treatment process, as well.  I am 34 year old female, and am only treating my upper lip area. I went to the Doctor thinking scirosis... to find this. 

So far it is day 5, and I see no reaction. Possibly my "spots" are getting a little more pronounced.  I am putting it on in the morning although I was my face at mid day and before I go to bed. Should I be reapplying?   I was told to apply daily...

Thank you! : )

 

Hi Pam,

Looks like you started the treatment 1 day before me... I was so scared but also day 5 and no reaction yet. Are you doing your whole face or a certain area?  I am only have AK's on my upper lip. I'm very fair skinned blue eye, blond. I love the sun! : (

I was just laid off from my job, and is why I decided to get all my Dr. appt.s in. So at least I can remain semi hidden during this process. The side effects are very scary although I am looking forward to a positive end result.

I would love to keep in touch during our process!

All the best,

Courtney

 

 

 

 

Hi Courtney,

I started on Monday, my chest and neck only, and will do my face and hands probably in Dec., depending on what my Dr. says. She didn’t want me to do all at once. I have had several places removed and frozen over that past several years. Mostly on my chest and back. But I am glad they have this treatment for us. It will be worth it, just hope I feel this way in a few days! Sorry you got laid off but it is a great time to do this. Be glad you are taking care of this in your 30’s, I am 53 and don’t remember ever using sunscreen as a kid. We lived on a lake and I got toasty brown every summer. Love the sun, love the water. Talk to you soon…Pam

 

Hey all, to the new people, you are probably starting to see it and feel it a little more today.  Mine started about day 8.  I only used Carac once a day - at night - around 6 or 7 pm - that would give it around 12 or 13 hours on my face before I washed it off the next morning.   I am not sure if you should reapply throughout the day.  That might be overkill.  I didn't think I was putting enough on at first either, because I wasn't really doing anything for the first week.  Afterall, it shows the guy on the pamphlet after 1 week of treatment, so you think that's as bad as it gets.  It's very misleading.  Hang in there new people.  Celtic, congrats for your near completion and sosick, hope you continue to do well.  I am still fairly red, but no pain.  The redness is very noticeable, so I am ready for that to go away.  I can wear a little make-up and that helps.  Ready Not To Be Red!  Joanie

PS-When I finished my treatment, I called my Derm's office to see if I needed to stop using my steroid cream, Topicort.  They said that I did and to start using Desitane Gel.  They gave me samples.  I asked what it was and they told me that "It was a gel."  I asked what was in the gel and they said that it was just a moisturizer.  It goes on very dry and does not feel like a moiturizer, so I googled it. It is a corticosteroid (a steroid cream).  I called back and relayed the above info.  It is what I need to be taking, but they gave me the wrong information.  So,please be your own best advocate for your healthcare especially when you are talking to multiple people in your Dr.'s office.  That's why this message board is so good.   It makes you ask questions about your care - And don't be afraid to call your Dr. and ask.  That's what they get paid for!

 HI to all - its a rainy Sunday, and I'm on day 12 and I just broke out with my real first case of the itchies, so I am covered w/ aquaphor.  My face is red, and peeling in some spots but I've been able to go out up till now - I do put a little makeup on my face.  But these itchies are painful and my husband is looking for an anehistimiine (spelling??).  I 've been kinda waiting for something to happen, and it seems its happening today.  It will be interesting to see how well I sleep tonite ... I'll keep you posted.PS: do we peel more than once?  margie

Hey Marge, you will peel many times.  I don't think I peeled as much as some.  I am 8 days post treatment and I am still peeling. The peeling is good.  I took Benadryl - 2 tablets at night.  I didn't think to take it until my last week.  Before that, I took Tylenol PM, which has the equilavent of 1 Benadryl in it.  I thought that it helped a lot.  I never thought to take an antihistamine during the day though.  Someone said to put the Aquaphor in the frig to get it cold.  I never tried it, but it sounds like it would feel really good.  This may come in handy in your last couple of weeks.  that's when you will feel like you have a really bad sunburn.  Hope you have a restful evening.   Joanie

Hi guys and gals. I am here to join your ranks as a new Carac user. I started my treatment on the 13th, and had no clue what to expect until I finally decided to do some internet searches . . . I am glad I found this place. I am on Day 4, and not much going on yet.

My target spot for application is just below my eye to right of nose - high on inner cheekbone. My doc told me to put vaseline under my eye before applying the Carac. I am assuming this is to keep the Carac away from that area as it is more tender .... and no problem there. I forgot to use the vaseline tho, for a couple of days, but won't forget it from now on after reading this forum.

Also I had a severe case of diarreah and chills today, and after reading this forum, am worried that I may have a deficiency of the enzyme DPD. I will see how I feel tomorrow, and just glad I found this place.

The whole "pre cancerous" situation on my face has been quite a wake up call and quite frightening. I just ordered some scarves online because I am expecting guests for Thanksgiving .... and would rather cover and hide than have them look at what appears to be an upcoming ugly face situation.

 I will hang out here and read the other posts - I have enjoyed reading them and will KIT (Keep In Touch).

 Neptune