aldara

[Stephanie]

I was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and melanoma on my nose. My doctor put me on Aldara. I've been taking it about 9 weeks now. I have 3 weeks left. I have had a multitude of issues: lots of sores in my mouth, swollen lymph nodes under my jaw, fatique, low grade fever, redness and itching at the sight of application. My doctor is encouraged because my immune system is fighting, which in turn, causes my body to attack the cancer cells. A couple of weeks ago I had to go off of treatments for a weak because I developed multiple infections: kidney infection, fungal infection in my mouth and a sinus infection. After a few days of being off of Aldara I felt great, but now that I'm back on it...here we again with the symptoms. Although I know it's working, I don't think I will ever use this medicine again. It is very powerful and causes too many severe infections. If you are having problems with swollen lymph nodes especially under the jaw...my husband made a wrap with an ace bandage, a towel and two ice packs. He wrapped me up as if I had the mumps with the ice packs under my jaw. It was a tremendous relief!

[Melody]

Sandy wrote:

I'm going to be applying to area very close to eye and am afraid my eye will water at night and get the Aldara in my eye. My doctor didn't seem concerned about this. Scheduled to use three times a week. Has anyone used this during the day instead of at night? The skin lesion is about 1/4 inch from the corner of my eye. Please comment.

I was told by my doctor that this should only be used during the day since you can better control the migration of the medication because it can and DOES migrate to other parts of the face. My sBCC was above my upper lip but even with very careful use and using vaseline and topical steroids it got on my lower lip and it swelled to double the normal size

[James]

roxanne wrote:

<quoted text>
rob, how does your skin look now after some time has passed? i am getting ready to start using aldara on my face and am nervous. i have very fair skin and do not want to scar!

I used Aldara last month under supervision by my Oncologist (Dr. Avrum Bluming, Encino, CA) and my Dermatologist and applied it 'as directed 5 times per week'(it was supposed to go 5 weeks or more. Normal 'Protocol') and we had to STOP applying it as it looked like someone threw hot oil on the areas I applied it to (Chest, legs, arm). The pain was 'Horrific' and the depth and width of the NEGATIVE REACTION WAS SEVERE'. I've never been in so much PAIN. They even offered to 'Hospitalize me'. I'd start on a SMALL AREA first and try for 5 days and see if you can 'Tolerate it'. There are OTHER OPTIONS too, Freezing the skin cancer off, photo-dynamic therapy, MOHS, and more...Do your Research. Trust No one! Good luck. A Veteran who cares.

[James]

Melody wrote:

<quoted text>
I was told by my doctor that this should only be used during the day since you can better control the migration of the medication because it can and DOES migrate to other parts of the face. My sBCC was above my upper lip but even with very careful use and using vaseline and topical steroids it got on my lower lip and it swelled to double the normal size

Sandy, I forgot. I used Aldara before. About 2 years ago on my left arm. I still have a 'Slight Red Rash-like appearance on my arm'. I think 'some of the pigment is changed or destroyed using this drug?' I am sorry to hear this is on your face. I have had 147 Basal Cell Carcinoma's removed 'surgically' and now a scientist in San Francisco wants me to enter a 'Clinical Trial' as my Genetics Doctor feels I have 'Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome'. Menaing I have over 1200 Basal cells head to toe. Possibly my entire skin is cancerous. I've fought this battle for 17 years and it is getting worse. Not to many like me, so please do not worry. Just be careful. Topical Treatments are better than surgery. Of course. You might do WELL using Aldara, so all I am saying is 'Use it on a SMALL AREA FIRST and talk with your Dermatologist after 5 to 10 days of treatment'. Then you both decide if this is right for your face? Good luck. Bless you. J, Veteran

[James]

Stephanie wrote:

I was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and melanoma on my nose. My doctor put me on Aldara. I've been taking it about 9 weeks now. I have 3 weeks left. I have had a multitude of issues: lots of sores in my mouth, swollen lymph nodes under my jaw, fatique, low grade fever, redness and itching at the sight of application. My doctor is encouraged because my immune system is fighting, which in turn, causes my body to attack the cancer cells. A couple of weeks ago I had to go off of treatments for a weak because I developed multiple infections: kidney infection, fungal infection in my mouth and a sinus infection. After a few days of being off of Aldara I felt great, but now that I'm back on it...here we again with the symptoms. Although I know it's working, I don't think I will ever use this medicine again. It is very powerful and causes too many severe infections. If you are having problems with swollen lymph nodes especially under the jaw...my husband made a wrap with an ace bandage, a towel and two ice packs. He wrapped me up as if I had the mumps with the ice packs under my jaw. It was a tremendous relief!

My goodness. This sounds like what JUST Happened to ME. I am on BACTRIM for a serious INFECTION all over my body from 'Post Application of ALDARA'. I used this Topical Drug for Basal Cell Carcinoma as I got tired of Surgeries (I have had 147 as I have a Genetic Problem causing thousands of skin cancer's. BCC) However, Aldara has caused much HARM to me. I am also on Meds.(Prednisone and Hydroxylene and Pain Killers) to fight the negative effects from Aldara. Also, SORE IN MOUTH, OPEN SORES ON BODY, ENTIRE BODY IS INFECTED. Small 'pimple like red things all over legs' with white puss. I feel very tired and can fall asleep in seconds. I was always alert and hyper all day. No more. Be careful using Aldara!!! Start in very SMALL AREA first. Dime size. I will never use again! I Pray my skin recovers from damage? J, Veteran

[Tryingtobebrave]

I used Aldara following manufacturer's instructions for 4 weeks and had minor redness, itching and burning. Dr. put me on 4 weeks of every day application to nose, cheeks, leg, throat and neck. I have had a severe reaction on my cheeks. I am on day 8. Face is swollen, and I have scabs and oozing sores. The itching is drving me crazy. Tired and self-conscious. Trying to stay positive and committed to the treatment. 3 more weeks of misery versus cancer seems a fair trade-off. Will check in again to tell you how I'm doing.

[Steve in CT]

I applied Aldara to a few pre cancers on my forehead. The first week there were raised, firm bumps, itching a bit. I quit, the swelling went down in 4 days, and after a week I applied again, with no reactions at all. As if the cancer was gone, due to nonreaction.

[Brian]

Ram Jane wrote:

Alright, just to assure everyone of the effects of aldara. My ulcer which as per my derm surgeron was because of the use of aldara on alternate days for the last 3 months, has healed.
It took about 10 days to heal after stopping aldara. All the black papular lesions of my bowenoid papulosis/sq cell carcinoma in situ have healed. So I guess aldara does work.

Ram,

I am just now reading your post about how Aldara finally worked for you. I really hope you don't mind if I ask you some quick advice on my own situation.

I am a male and I have Bowenoid Papulosis. I have been using Aldara for almost 6 weeks now. I chose this route since I already had a round of cryotherapy that although was somewhat effective, caused some scarring. So this time, I am trying a less invasive measure.

At this point, I'm still reserving judgment on whether the Aldara is working or not. However, it's safe to say that any visible progress has been very slow. I really don't have any reaction to the cream even though my doctor said that I could apply it 5x a week.

I would really like to give it the full 12 weeks of treatment before considering other options (Condolyx, Trichlororacetic acid, Cryo, etc). I have read up a lot on the research studies done, however, and there seems to be some good evidence that bowenoid-type papules can be cleared by Imiquimod.

I'm wondering if how long it took for you to notice any progress? Are you male or female? Supposedly, females respond better.

I REALLY would appreciate any insight you can offer. Many thanks in advance,

Brian

[Yvonne]

I finished my Aldara treatments for malignant melanoma about 6 weeks ago. The lesions caused by the Aldara cleared up pretty quickly and the pain and discomfort went away. After 30 days of no treatment, I had random biopsies which all came back negative. All I'm really left with is pinkish scars where the biopsies were done. Occasionally I have a fine red rash appear for a day or so before it fades. I'm cancer-free at the moment. The treatment was painful and difficult, especially since I work in an office and couldn't bandage my "scabbies." But, I really appreciate my surgeon's decision to try the Aldara before submitting me to grossly disfiguring surgery. Hang in there--it works!

[Rich]

Used Aldara for a week on some "precancer" spots on my temples. The reaction began 4 days in. Stopped using it and the lesions are still healing a month later. I have developed many itchy red spots on my scalp far away from the application area, also a great deal of sinus irritation. Has anyone else experienced itchy spots on their skin NOT near the application sight? I'm trying to figure out if the red spots are also a reaction to the Aldara or another skin issue. I'm going back to the dermatologist Nov 24.

[Yvonne]

I used Aldara for a malignant melanoma that was very close to my lower eyelid. At times, the side effects were painful, annoying and uncomfortable and I would have to take a 2-3 day break. But, I'm happy to report that 30 days after completing the treatment, I had 4 biopsies and they all were negative. I am cancer-free. Believe me, the side effects were a small price to pay in return for hearing "all the results are benign."

[Rich]

I used it on some "pre cancer" spots on my temples for only 4 days before having spreading leisons on my head. Now there are many blister like spots on my scalp. Doctor says it looks like grover's disease But I think it is either a reaction to the Aldera or perhaps. A Generilazed Shingles (herpies Zoster) outbrake.
Also I used to live on Oakdale street in Great kills. Now living in southern California....no snow is great.

Mikey wrote:

I used aldara to treat some warts I had in my anal region. The warts did go away, and I stopped using the cream after 5 months. Now, my skin, not even around that area, but on my body: specifically my armpit, chest and face are getting these little blister like legions that scar and look like burns. I stopped using the cream for about a week, and i'm starting to think this is my immune system reacting to me stopping usage. This is highly embarassing and i'm hoping that in a few days all this will stop happening. Anyone else have this happen?

[Rich]

testing 123

Rich wrote:

Used Aldara for a week on some "precancer" spots on my temples. The reaction began 4 days in. Stopped using it and the lesions are still healing a month later. I have developed many itchy red spots on my scalp far away from the application area, also a great deal of sinus irritation. Has anyone else experienced itchy spots on their skin NOT near the application sight? I'm trying to figure out if the red spots are also a reaction to the Aldara or another skin issue. I'm going back to the dermatologist Nov 24.