On 12/25/2007
ButterflySwimmer wrote:
Good morning, girls.
Today is Day 22. I stopped 2 1/2 days early. But, I had asked my PA during week one, if my face started to burn so badly or crack or bleed, if I should go on, and she said "No, you can stop treatment at that point, as long as you have been using the cream for two weeks." Considering I was using the highest dosage (5%) twice a day, and the manufacturer says 2-4 weeks, I felt confident stopping. Also, I could NOT bring myself to put it on another time since, all of a sudden, it became painful.
Now, looking back, I should have stopped a couple of days earlier! My nose didn't get fire red all over until the day I stopped.
On Day 20 I was in such burning pain the only thing that kept me from crying was that I knew the tears would burn more! Though, I was teary.
Today my face is painful again, with cracking & crusting & burning in the cracking. Let me say, this stuff keeps right on working long after you stop putting it on!!! Which makes sense since it doesn't show up all at once.
About 1/2 of my forehead is affected, my nose, off to the sides of my nose on my cheek, across & above my upper lip, my chin and off to the sides of my chin about a 1/4" from the sides of my mouth. I didn't put the cream any closer than that. I'm so thankful I put Emu Oil in my nose creases and corners of my mouth. As it is I can't smile fully and I have to eat small pieces. My energy seems improved as of yesterday.
Washing my face is misery, and afterwards. Putting a cold, dripping wet wash cloth on my face feels so good. But, that lasts only a short time. Today I'm going to try putting some olive oil and, on another area, hylaronic acid (found naturally in skin) on some areas as well as Emu oil on another area. I want to see which is better at this point.
As far as the de-aging, my upper & side cheecks/face aren't' affected, nor are the outer sides of my chin. So, if after this torture, if I look 5 years younger, it will only be in some areas, Ha! I really didn't care about that. I'd rather have Moh's surgury than go through this! I tell myself I'm doing a good thing here, since, after all, I am going through this. But, I'm doing everything possible, by natural means, to prevent skin cancer in the future.
Just expect the worst after you stop. And, though it seems most members on this board are not pleased with the lack of information from their docs, I'm disappointed as well that all docs don't have you come in to be seen after the two week period so they can better access when you should stop after seeing each individual once being on it. I wish all dermatologists had to go through this before practicing medicine. Believe me, THAT would take care of both problems!!!
I'll be sure to let you know what oils bring the most comfort as well as tell you how long after treatment stops that I was no longer in pain.
Enjoy your holidays.