Efudex and Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "My dermatologist said to apply on the face twice daily for 10-12 days. Well, my skin is super sensitive. After 2 days, I was red, itching, and in pain, so I stopped at the end of day 5. I’m at day 9 and look like I have severe sunburn with scaling, peeling, oozing, and burning. I am hopeful I’m about to turn a corner toward clearing up. Argh! It worked great on my legs after 2 weeks of treatment. My facial skin, another story."

• BJ0...
• February 5, 2014

For Skin Cancer "I'm treating slightly raised warts which only partially respond to tea tree oil, EGCG cream, tazarotene, and many herbal ointments containing thuja plus etc. essential oils. To those wanting to use Efudex, there are articles stating 1% /0.5% are better tolerated compared with 5%. But Carac is magnitude more expensive. I guess the lower % is less irritating as normal cells are not absorbing as much. If you have deep growth, 5FU may cause significant inflammation/edema that may be excruciatingly painful. I found using oral Serrapeptase 120k Ux2 (empty stomach) helps a lot in terms of managing inflammation and pain. It seems the warts are responding dramatically."

• Eda...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "Was told to use Efudex 5% 2x a day for 2 or 3 weeks, but pain would not let me do that. Used it for only 4 days and had a serious reaction to it. Had raised redness over 3/4 of my face, like welts. Had stinging and pain at 4 days, and the doctor said that 4 days was enough. Unusually fast reaction. Now I want to see how long it will take to get back to normal. Today is day 5. My sister and brother-in-law have also used it with good results."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2021

For Keratosis "Have used before under the nose with good results - this time used all over the face for three weeks, dabbing on face twice a day as advised by doc - but not on forehead - first week not bad - second week really sore and painful - third week nearly unbearable, looked like a monster from the deep, face covered in scabs and peeling skin, so, so painful to touch, a few sleepless nights - rinsing face with lukewarm water was like putting acid on my face - now, three weeks after treatment and using a mild steroid cream to help healing, boy, was it worth it - told by my friends how it actually made my skin look younger and still getting better by the day. So stick with it, no pain, no gain in this case, never more true - just using good old E45 moisturizer to retain my new looks."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2021

For Keratosis "Have used before under the nose with good results - this time used all over the face for three weeks, dabbing on face twice a day as advised by doc - but not on forehead - first week not bad - second week really sore and painful - third week nearly unbearable, looked like a monster from the deep, face covered in scabs and peeling skin, so, so painful to touch, a few sleepless nights - rinsing face with lukewarm water was like putting acid on my face - now, three weeks after treatment and using a mild steroid cream to help healing, boy, was it worth it - told by my friends how it actually made my skin look younger and still getting better by the day. So stick with it, no pain, no gain in this case, never more true - just using good old E45 moisturizer to retain my new looks."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2015

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I am just about to start treatment for superficial BCC on my hands, feet, legs, and nose. Obviously, from all I have read, I am going to do it in stages. I am having to plan this around a conference, my children's exams, and prom dance! I know that it is going to get really painful. Has anyone done their hands or feet or both at the same time? I am doing a test patch on my arms at the moment to see how my skin reacts-on the advice of my doctor. Some guidance would be much appreciated."

• Tan...
• January 28, 2021

For Keratosis "Started Efudex on nose, lips, chin 3 weeks ago. Very red areas, ulcerated, pus, very painful. I had few instructions from derm or pharma. So, googled it. Seeing derm tomorrow. I was meant to do this for two weeks, twice a day, then two weeks, once a day. That's for center nose, lips, chin, as had SCC lip and excision 3x5cm. After this area, I do the same on one cheek, then other cheek, then forehead. Not all at once due to the danger of anaphylaxis. On the nose, it is a small area, very red, etc. Lip lower, all along and below, itchy, painful. Will post how it goes in a few weeks."

• kh7...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2024

For Skin Cancer "The best thing ever. Minimal to no pain (I didn't even need aspirin). Great reaction. I can't understand why doctors would want to sit and watch things when they have this in their arsenal. It is unsightly, but so is a lesion eating away at your face."

• Low...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2022

For Keratosis "At 75 years of age, had eczema all my life, then developed skin cancer on my arms, chest, back, and neck. I done a full treatment on both arms at separate times, went through a lot of pain, took 6 weeks to slowly clear up, then started to look great, so pleased, then noticed it coming back slowly, a lump here and there. Now the arm looks bad again, but took 6 months, so disappointed. Don't know what to do now, and I am so emotional. Thank you."

• Nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2021

For Actinic Keratosis "I'm using Efudex on my forehead - the second time that I have been asked to treat this area for AK - although previously I was prescribed a stronger lotion that had a more sudden reaction. Anyway, I am now in week 3. My forehead feels very tight and hot (some discomfort sleeping), and yes, it feels sore and looks awful with very red blotches. What is surprising is the patches being worked on are lower on my forehead than I anticipated - I had felt the sun damage areas higher up on a receding hairline but not these just above and to the sides of my eyebrows. Yes, it is painful and looks horrid (but shows that it's working), but I've invested in a flat cap to hide at least some of the horrors. I also volunteer at a cancer charity, so I know that staff and probably customers too will be understanding whilst treatment is ongoing. I encourage everyone to try to keep going and to stay the course, but of course to speak with your GP or the skin clinic if you are finding it very hard. Take care, folks!"

• Hel...
• September 13, 2021

For Keratosis "My husband was using Efudix cream 5% for 2 weeks. Though painful and itchy, too extreme, he was prepared to see it through the course. Last night was traumatic as he awoke shaking uncontrollably at around 4 am. He soothed his face with cool water and a soft cloth, reapplied cortisone (Triamcinolone Acetonide 0.02%) cream, and took more Panadol Forte (paracetamol 500 mg plus Codeine 30 mg) before going back to bed. It’s now just past midday, and he’s taking more pain tablets and going to sleep after a light lunch. He said he’ll now try Efudix on a small area soon on the back of his forearm and see how it goes. Due to see the dermatologist in 2 months' time. We know of other people who have benefited from using Efudix and feel it’s really worth trying more for a good outcome. Thank you."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2022

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "Using Efudex for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on my nose. Have finished 24 days and plan to go for 4 more days. My dermatologist feels if it hasn’t done the job, then it most likely will not work. My nose has been red since week one, then the affected area scabbed over during week two and three. It was uncomfortable but tolerable. Since I began week four, the pain has become intense at night, almost intolerable. I am trying to soldier on, but it is very stressful. I am using Tylenol and Benadryl, but nothing eases the pain but ice packs. It feels like someone is driving needles or glass in my nose. It’s brutal. My phone doesn’t recognize me anymore."

• Lou...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 26, 2025

For Skin Cancer "Great success with 14-day broadcast application to my forehead several months ago. Handled persistent AKs and greatly improved cosmetic appearance. Significantly healed after just seven days. Some (very) pale red residual redness remained several weeks thereafter, but quite minor overall. I stayed active in the outside world throughout treatment and healing. Currently in healing phase on whole face - sans forehead - and clavicles. Two-week course again. Definitely a far more painful, uncomfortable, and difficult experience vs. the smooth sailing with my forehead. I’ve become a hermit this time, as my current cosmetic appearance is markedly worse and impairing versus the forehead treatment. I’m again hoping for a complete cosmetic healing in a prompt timeframe, but much greater discoloration and discomfort (PAIN) with this lower facial application at 14 days. It has been a difficult road, but the revealed issues indicate it was wise to proceed with the treatment."

• Anonymous
• February 12, 2009

For Keratosis "Efudex works great to eliminate actinic keratosis. I have used it before and unfortunately am using it again. It becomes VERY unsightly.. blotchy, swollen, very painful, etc, but it works."

• Tru...
• August 5, 2015

For Keratosis "Worked great for me, some pain but when I was done my face was like a baby's butt. Stay home for 30 days"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2019

For Keratosis "Efudex was extremely painful. It affects cancer spots. Well, I guess that is all over because my entire body was inflamed."