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5-fluorouracil & calcipotriol for actinic keratosis
My doctor has prescribed a combination 5-fluorouracil and calcipotriol topically for solar actinic keratoses on my face. Has anyone undergone this regimen? Is it as bad as it appears to be on Dr. Google? Does the treatment work? What have you is most useful to reduce pain? Are cold compresses or acetaminophen allowed or helpful? Tips for keeping the cream from getting in your eyes? How close to the hairline and onto neck do you apply it? Long-term is your skin more sensitive? Has anyone used low-level light therapy (LED) to promote healing after completing the regime? Any insight or tips you can share would be greatly appreciated. I’m so very apprehensive.
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@comeoutdancing Perhaps trying a lightweight moisturizer/sunscreen will help. Be very careful of sun exposure! If this is the first time you have used fluorouracil ointment, it might be a few weeks before your face returns to its normal coloring. That means the stuff worked! Yay!
Ginger
Thanks, Ginger. I did not ask how long this treatment takes. I am a bit chagrined at my schedule requiring me to be in public with this red face. And I bet the peeling will be even more off-putting. Day 8-10 have zapped my energy. Did others feel their energy drop as the skin becomes burned and raw? I feel quite vampire like too; the sun is absolutely horrifying to me during this second week.
I am also into week 2.... very red, sensitive, and unpleasant. I have been applying Aquaphor ointment a few times a day, which gives some relief. One thing I've noticed is an elevation in my blood pressure. I've read that this can be a side effect. I agree with you, that even going out into the heat is annoying.
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1 Reaction@comeoutdancing Everyone experiences are different, even in the face of a similar treatment. For me, I react very strongly at about the week mark. Sometimes I will use a light foundation or concealer, but over the years, I just grin and bear it. We gotta know it is helping us, so who cares if people stare!?
Ginger
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4 ReactionsThis may be late for you, but I will treat my face in the winter. Days are shorter, cold, and sun is not strong. We also hide more skin.
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1 ReactionDo
These creams work for basal cell on nose also?
This may be helpful
Yes, topical chemotherapy creams can be effective in treating some types of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), particularly superficial BCC. However, they are not suitable for all types of BCC or for all individuals.
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2 ReactionsHang in there. It works. There are times the Flouracil became so painful that I had to stop after 4/5 days.
My MOS surgeon at the UofPenn Hospital put me on what they called chemo crème. It was a specially made cream by Foothills Pharmacy. Arizona? Not as brutal as Flouracil.
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2 ReactionsA week after I stopped using the compound on my face, I look almost normal. Tho there seems to be crusty dry skin left on my cheeks. I hope it will peel.
I used the compound on my chest, which had seen too much sun over the years. That was a worse experience than my face. It is ten days out from the use of the cream and it is ugly with red splotches and itches a lot. I have used hypericum extract, and that offers relief from the itching on my chest.
I have CeraVe cream and will also try that.
I am surprised to hear that some of you have had to use this multiple times (annually?). I do not look forward to another round.
Thanks to all who have offered advice, support and information.
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1 ReactionMy cream was also made at a compound pharmacy in Indiana.