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Actinic Keratosis Treatment
by
herronm
on 11 Sep, 2007 07:02
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Guys, I need your help on this one. I have a lot of actinic keratosis (AKs) on the top of my head, some on my face. Too many years of being stupid about the sun. I've had many frozen off, but more keep coming back or new ones forming. The freezing is not too bad, but there are always a dozen or more.
Now, my doctor tells me about another treatment. It is a cream type of chemotherapy, brand name is Carac. It is a 2 week treatment, last longer and gets below the skin to get those AKs that are forming. Problem is that the skin looks like hell for several weeks.
Has anyone gone through this? It is really that bad? Am I just vain???
Here is a link with some photos of the treatment.
http://www.carac.info/aboutcarac/default.aspxI also had 2 cherry angiomas removed. These were burned off. No big deal, just can't shave until they heal.
Max
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#1
by
JDog
on 11 Sep, 2007 07:57
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Max.
Sorry I can be of no help whatsoever as I have never experienced this firsthand.
I would say that if this cream can help get rid of this affliction than the couple of weeks of discomfort would be worth it.
My thoughts are with you mate.
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#2
by
jusbnme
on 11 Sep, 2007 08:46
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I agree with JDog on this. I also have no experience or "know-how" on this subject but I would have to say that if there is a chance that it can make things better for you in the long run then maybe the few weeks of irritation would be worth it. You're in my prayers bro. Keep us posted.
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#3
by
MLNHD
on 11 Sep, 2007 10:56
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Max, I start my application of (I forget the name of the stuff) the topical meds for actinic keratosis myself later this month. My scalp is not the prob, rather my forehead. (Sun damage from the errors of my youth.) I've had similar experience with the dermatologist -- freezing off a few pre-cancerous things annually over the years. She says now is the time to go deeper. She said that the lesions during the two active weeks of application will become red, sore, tender, scaly, and then fall off and by the end of a month total, things will be looking real good because there will be fresh new skin.
I dread it only because of the unsightly nature of the process, but I'm looking forward to fresh skin and being rid of the little red patches I've had for years. I guess I figure two weeks of looking like the dickens will be worth it to prevent this stuff from graduating from benign to cancerous.
And BTW, Max, I don't think you are vain -- well, no more than the rest of us here
-- for wondering about this procedure and just what you'll look like in the process. We'll have to compare notes. I'm starting my treatment on 9/24, the day after a professional conference I'm attending.
Best Wishes,
MLNHD
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#4
by
herronm
on 11 Sep, 2007 11:35
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MLNDH, I feel better knowing that someone has or is about to go through this. I will get a 2nd opinion during my annual physical tomorrow. If she tells me is a good thing, I'll go through with the treatment. Thanks for your feed back.
Maybe we can be the poster children for using sun screen and hats.
Max
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#5
by
Tyler
on 11 Sep, 2007 11:38
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MLNDH, I feel better knowing that someone has or is about to go through this. I will get a 2nd opinion during my annual physical tomorrow. If she tells me is a good thing, I'll go through with the treatment. Thanks for your feed back.
Maybe we can be the poster children for using sun screen and hats.
Max
As someone that grew up in one of the sunniest place in the U.S. (Redding, CA) I'm a huge proponent of sunscreen. Even if you don't think you will be in the sun, wear it anyways!
Thanks for sharing with us guys. I think it will be vital information for people who visit us in the future!
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#6
by
herronm
on 11 Sep, 2007 11:45
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Carac is the cream my Dermatologist prescribed.
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#7
by
warhawk
on 11 Sep, 2007 17:15
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max & mlnhd..... i'll b praying 4 ya on your treatment. i'm sorry that i cannot give u any advice or info but i hope that u go thru the treatment. i know that the 1st 2weeks will b difficult but the end results seem 2 b worth it. please..... i want both of ya guys 2 keep us posted. we can learn from u both.
WARHAWK
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#8
by
herronm
on 12 Sep, 2007 19:07
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I started my treatment tonight, September 12. First impression is the cream is very dry feeling. Don't know if I used too much or not.
Instructions say to clean the skin and wait 10 minutes. Then apply a thin layer of cream every night for 2 weeks.
I'll try to give a daily report and post some pictures if anything interesting happens.
Max
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#9
by
warhawk
on 12 Sep, 2007 19:27
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max....i'll b praying 4 ya. thanks 4 the update.
WARHAWK
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#10
by
xnewyawka
on 12 Sep, 2007 21:34
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Hope all goes well for you Max, we'll be watching for your updates.
This sounds like something we can all learn from. Keep a positive attitude!
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#11
by
herronm
on 13 Sep, 2007 06:31
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9/13. Morning after the first treatment. No visual effects. I expected to wake up looking like Frankenstien.
My treatments areas are the crown and top 1/2 of my forehead. Also a line of AKs on the outside of my right eye.
So far, so good. Thanks for your prayers.
Max
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#12
by
MLNHD
on 13 Sep, 2007 10:43
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Max, I'm so glad you are going first! Ha. Glad it's so-far, so-good. About the time you're wrapping up treatment, I'll be starting mine.
Best Wishes,
MLNHD
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#13
by
herronm
on 14 Sep, 2007 07:21
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9/14. Morning after 2nd treatment. Still no visual signs of any irriation, no side effects.
Max
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#14
by
JDog
on 14 Sep, 2007 08:23
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Max and Mlnhd, my thoughts are with you both during your treatments.