CancerCompass message board discussion started by Reddy33 on 5/10/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,11973,0.htm Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hello everyone,I am on day 4 of carac but have only been instructed to apply it once a day on my entire face. I will have my follow up with the doc every 10 days to evaluate.My biggest concern after reading these messages is if the redness does finally go away and will I of course LOOK better after all the horror. I would hate to think I have to wear makeup to hide the redness etc for months on end or Yikes maybe forever...I sure do wish some daring and generous soul would post a picture of themselves months(or longer) after treatment. Ive seen the topical chemo guy and a few others but they only take u so far. What it boils down to is this: will I look better or worse after all is said and done?  Ide love to see the future. By the way, I can tell you that my sister who was 57 at the time of treatment with Aldera looked Terrific after stopping the medicine. She actually made it through 4 months .Her derm. said she is the only one in his experience to have made it all the way through besides himself.Her skin looked more even toned and she had no redness at all.The side effects all the way through were much less severe although ugly. More like bad zits that get a might crusty, but no overall redness like carac.Both derms I visited like carac better though because more patients will actually be able to get through the treatment due to the shorter time span. My sis is a lawyer and worked the whole way through. She really does have nerve. Her "colleageues" were merciless with their comments but the impt. thing is she got rid of her precancerous spots and is lookin good...Best to all and a peaceful night. Reddy33 Thu, 10 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 5/10/2007 Reddy33 wrote:Hello everyone,I am on day 4 of carac but have only been instructed to apply it once a day on my entire face. I will have my follow up with the doc every 10 days to evaluate.My biggest concern after reading these messages is if the redness does finally go away and will I of course LOOK better after all the horror. I would hate to think I have to wear makeup to hide the redness etc for months on end or Yikes maybe forever...I sure do wish some daring and generous soul would post a picture of themselves months(or longer) after treatment. Ive seen the topical chemo guy and a few others but they only take u so far. What it boils down to is this: will I look better or worse after all is said and done?  Ide love to see the future. By the way, I can tell you that my sister who was 57 at the time of treatment with Aldera looked Terrific after stopping the medicine. She actually made it through 4 months .Her derm. said she is the only one in his experience to have made it all the way through besides himself.Her skin looked more even toned and she had no redness at all.The side effects all the way through were much less severe although ugly. More like bad zits that get a might crusty, but no overall redness like carac.Both derms I visited like carac better though because more patients will actually be able to get through the treatment due to the shorter time span. My sis is a lawyer and worked the whole way through. She really does have nerve. Her "colleageues" were merciless with their comments but the impt. thing is she got rid of her precancerous spots and is lookin good...Best to all and a peaceful night.I responded to your message on the other message board where you posted. Samra Fri, 11 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 5/10/2007 Reddy33 wrote:Hello everyone,I am on day 4 of carac but have only been instructed to apply it once a day on my entire face. I will have my follow up with the doc every 10 days to evaluate.My biggest concern after reading these messages is if the redness does finally go away and will I of course LOOK better after all the horror. I would hate to think I have to wear makeup to hide the redness etc for months on end or Yikes maybe forever...I sure do wish some daring and generous soul would post a picture of themselves months(or longer) after treatment. Ive seen the topical chemo guy and a few others but they only take u so far. What it boils down to is this: will I look better or worse after all is said and done?  Ide love to see the future. By the way, I can tell you that my sister who was 57 at the time of treatment with Aldera looked Terrific after stopping the medicine. She actually made it through 4 months .Her derm. said she is the only one in his experience to have made it all the way through besides himself.Her skin looked more even toned and she had no redness at all.The side effects all the way through were much less severe although ugly. More like bad zits that get a might crusty, but no overall redness like carac.Both derms I visited like carac better though because more patients will actually be able to get through the treatment due to the shorter time span. My sis is a lawyer and worked the whole way through. She really does have nerve. Her "colleageues" were merciless with their comments but the impt. thing is she got rid of her precancerous spots and is lookin good...Best to all and a peaceful night. Hi there.  I used carac for 2 weeks.  I am 48 yrs old.  The worst part was the area directly under my eyes.  The skin is so thin there and the reddness and pain were almost unbareable and I did cry most of one day, but that was the worst day and after that, it was all down hill.  I used aquaphor when the treatment was over and it took the burn away immediately.  The redness really faded quite rapidly and I was left with younger, smoother looking skin.  I was afraid of the results as well, but believe me, it's worth it and you will be amazed at the difference.  Hang in there.cb  Chrism Sat, 12 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT Thanks chrism,Your detailed reply is much appretiated. Can I ask how many applications per day you were using? I am also 48( or will be in a week) and am most grateful to this site and it's thoughtful contributors such as yourself.I agree with some previous comments about the lack of information and support the dermatologists have to offer. I love that my sister's derm in another city actually went through a treatment with Aldera before using it on his patients. You can bet he was alot more empathetic to her concerns. My doctor looked at me like I was a potential trouble maker for mentioning the pain I might experience.I really do try to never visit doctors if I can help it.Best of luck to all. Reddy33 Sat, 12 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi Reddy,I believe that I used carac twice a day, but I will have to look into it.  I had a SCC taken off the side of my nose by MOH's surgery prior to using the carac.  I will go in in a month for a 6 month full body scan--yippee!My dermatologist was very kind and full of info;  I just wasn't sure what to ask and when the report of SCC came back, I think I was a little in shock!  Anyway, hang in there.  The reddness does fade, the skin is like baby skin and just be vigilant about sun screen.  I also bought a large brimmed hat that has sun protection from a company called Sun Source or something like that.  I'll get the name and let you know.  There's a catalog that is full of all types of sun protection clothing.I tell everyone to use sun screen.  My 17 yr old sun was at a sporting event today and came back looking like a lobster....I'm furious with him!take care,chrismb  Chrism Sat, 12 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hey Chrism, It's so good to hear that you are pleased with the results of your treatment so far! Sounds like you did the right thing considering your need to have surgery previously.I have a 17 year old son who Never goes out in the sun and actually has vit. D deficiency ! He has to take supplements now.I guess my troubles post sun scared him. I have to admit I only use sun screen when out for a good while but not on a daily basis like I should. Why? because they all make me break out with blemishes something fierce. So I too use the sun garments and such. Sun Precautions is my favorite and I have a hat that has such a brim on it that it looks like I am wearing an umbrella on my head. Thank you for the reply and good luck with the 6 month check!    Reddy33 Sat, 12 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 5/12/2007 Chrism wrote:  Hi there.  I used carac for 2 weeks.  I am 48 yrs old.  The worst part was the area directly under my eyes.  The skin is so thin there and the reddness and pain were almost unbareable and I did cry most of one day, but that was the worst day and after that, it was all down hill.  Aren't you supposed to AVOID putting the cream on that portion of your face?  Ybbodeus Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT