Actinic Keratosis Treatment

[Tyler]

Max my thoughts are with you. Hope you recover soon.

Same here Max!

[jusbnme]

I'll try to post some photos later.  There is no discomfort, but it might be painfull to look at.

Max

Can't be worse than the image I had in my head of Tim in red shorts.   

 

[herronm]

9/26.  Last day of my 2 week treatment.  Here is a recap.  My Dermatologist has been freezing my AKs for about 3 years.  The downside to this method is the scaring and it only gets the AKs on the surface of the skin. 

A new Doc told me about another treatment that is chemotherapy based but in a cream that is applied every night for 2 weeks.  It covers a larger area and also gets the AKs that are below the skin level, those still forming.  During the treatment, the skin becomes very red (much like a bad sunburn).  My scalp is very blotchy due to the scars from the previous freezing.  No physical discomfort for me.  I have also not had any side effects.

All good so far.  I go back for a check up in another week.  Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement.  MLNHD, good luck with your treatment.  Let us know how it goes for you.

Here are some updated photos from last night.

Max

[JDog]

Max it is great to hear your good prognosis.  The mild discomfort and suffering you have experienced during the last few weeks will be worth it in the long run.

All the best to you

Jesse

[Paul]

Great to hear some good news coming your way Max

[shyslyguy]

That's good  Max.

Sounds like a lot less hassle than traditional chemo. Glad that you've had no serious side effects & that it's not painful ...


Good luck for next week. 

Good luck to you too MLNHD 

[xnewyawka]

Max, it's good to hear the treatment is going well for you and you're not feeling any discomfort or side effects. Hang in there.

MLNHD, best of luck with you're treatment and keep us posted too.      

[MLNHD]

Max, glad to hear you're about to wind up your treatment, and that you're doing well.  My story is similar to yours, but my AKs are more on the forehead.  Credit the reckless abandon of my foolish youthful overindulgence in unprotected exposure to the sun.  Ahhh, those were the days -- a great tan and a part in my hair, too.  Fast-forward to now -- and the piper is being paid -- with AKs my dermatologist has been freezing off over the years.  Her treatment of choice is Aldara, a topical cream that kills off the precancerous cells.  My regimen is similar to yours, Max, except that after 5 applications I take off two days.  I'm into day #3.  No change yet, other than a couple AKs are a bit redder than before.  There's no burn, no itch or sting.  I'm grateful my area of application does not include my pate, as after 2 months of sly I'm completely addicted to smooth.  I'll post occasional updates.

Thanks to the kind words and well-wishes many of you have posted.   

Best Wishes,

MLNHD     

[herronm]

I haven't been able to shave in a week and it's killing me.  I can't believe how fast it grows.

Good luck with your treatment.

Max

[warhawk]

max & mlnhd....  like xnewyawka said... i'm glad that your treatments r going well.  max.... i guess one of the worst side effects of the ointment is that u cannot "do the deed".   wow.... 7 days of not shaving that is terrible (most especially since u have been bit by the sly bug).  anyways.... u guys keep us posted & hopefully everything will continue 2 progress.

WARHAWK

[MLNHD]

Well, with 3 days to go, my AK treatment is not nearly as remarkable as Max's.  Applied only to my forehead, I've not had the heartbreak of not shaving the dome.  I have about a half-dozen really red splotches that tell me the treatment is working.  They are not sore but do itch just a bit.  Really hasn't been any big deal except for the look, which isn't as bad as I expected.  So far, it's not been bad -- not even worth posting a pic.   

MLNHD

[herronm]

MLNHD, that is great news! 

I saw my Dermatologist today, 3 weeks after starting my treatment.  He said everything looked good.  I don't have to go back for a year.  I can also start shaving in another week.

Max

[warhawk]

mlnhd & max....i'm glad that your treatments  r  progressing.  max....good 2 hear that  u  will  b  doing the deed, again.

WARHAWK

[MLNHD]

Golly, Max, in another week you'll be able to part your hair.   

Seriously, glad to know your ordeal is over and the doctor is satisfied with the success of the treatment! 

Best wishes,

MLNHD