CancerCompass message board discussion started by leese57 on 9/28/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,16604,0.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 All,I have just spent the last three days reading all of the messages on here and learning about Carac.  Two years ago I was diagnosed with Actinic Cheilitis and told to use a good lip balm with sunscreen and to watch it carefully.  He said that if a patch falls off and bleeds to high tail it to the doctor because it was probably cancer.  That hasn't happened, but the condition has flared up all summer...even with liberal applications of sunscreen balm.  Two weeks ago I tried Black Drawing Salve to see if that would take care of the problem because I had been told of successes with it and I like to try alternative things first.  I also tried Rescue Remedy cream.  The drawing salve made my lip swell like crazy, crack and ooze and I was in constant pain.  After a week the scab was all gone and I had two great days.  Only two because the AC started flaring again.  On Wednesday I went to the doctor (GP) who prescribed Carac.  They warned me of redness, swelling and cracking due to the med.  I decided to do more investigation about this med and I am SO glad I did.  At least I will have a better handle on what is to come.  It scares me and I'm dreading it, but if the end result is what has been promised, then it's all good, right?   What I find curious is that my GP referred me to an ENT...shouldn't I be referred to a dermatologist?  I don't really want to waste my time and money going to a doctor who will look at me and tell me that I need to see someone else.   The prescription should be in this afternoon and I will be stocking up on vaseline and aquaphor, after talking to the doctor that is.  Well, off to take a nap.  Lisa leese57 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi Lisa, Did you use the Carac on your lips. How did it turn out? Could you tell me about your experience? I too was diagnosed with actinic cheilitis. I went to a dermatologist and they have me on Efudex, twice daily. I am on Day 10. My lower went from bright red by Day 4, to then crusty yukky bloody scabs. The Dr. told me to stop yesterday (day 9) because at this point I was just applying the cream to the top of the scabs, not the lip (because the lip was not to be seen!) Now the scabs are falling off, on Day 10, but my lips are raw and bloody underneath the scabs and it looks like new scabs are forming. Would be interested in hearing your, or anybody's, experience about actinic cheilitis. Especially what to do after stopping the efudex treatment.thanks. MollyOR Sat, 03 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT