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I am using fluourouracil cream 5% on top of my left hand I am instructed to wash my hands before using the cream and wash my hands after I apply the cream how long should I wait before washing my hands? Does the medicine work immediately or do I just was the finger I applied the medicine with or what?
ReplyHi Robert-
Those are all good questions. Unfortunately, I don’t have the answers. I encourage you to ask your dermatologists.
Good luck,
David Emerson
ReplyI received 5 months of FOLFIRINOX (which includes 5FU) for pancreatic cancer in 2017, then surgery, then radiation, then several more chemo programs in 2018, and 2021, and am–thank God–still alive with stage 4 pancreatic cancer as of this day (4/19/22). However my dermatologist prescribed 5FU Cream for actinic keratosis on both my arms, face, ears, scalp head, etc. That was 4 weeks ago and I developed quite a severe response and stopped applying it after 3 weeks. But now am having minimal exertional tiredness, no chest pain, but shortness of breath with little physical efforts, want to sleep take naps now, very low energy. I plan to see my oncologist soon for check up. I am wondering if the dermatologic 5FU Cream initiated some type of memory response in my body and is impacting me.
ReplyI am a patient also taking 5-FU in an infusion pump every two weeks as part of the FOLFOX 6 regimen minus the Oxalyplatin (allergic reaction). It helps me to get my mouth as cold as I can handle by eating ice or drinking icy cold drinks while getting the push before the pump is attached. I haven’t had nearly as many mouth sores since then. Hopefully, that can help you. I’m in stage 4 rectal cancer and have been on chemo for two years.
ReplyI am taking 5FU through a pump on a daily basis for stage 3 colorectal cancer.
Two of the most distressing side effects are the sores and blisters in my mouth and the cracking inside my nostrils.
It’s not just chapped lips. I’m talking about blisters on the inside of my bottom lip against my lower front teeth.
These blisters will fall off only to have another blister immediately start to grow. These blisters are extremely sensitive to anything warm and I’m afraid my lip is going to rot away.
This is in addition to the sores on my forehead, top of my head, tiredness, eye irritation, constipation and/or diarrhea or nauseous feeling.
I use lip balms to help with the lip cracking but that does nothing for the painful blisters inside my bottom lip against my teeth. I use Amerigel on a qtip to treat the cracks and irritation inside my nostrils with mixed results.
Is it possible to lower the dosage of the 5FU or is there anything that can be done.
Hi Charles-
I am sorry to read of your 5FU side effects- mucositis specifically. To reply to your question, yes, you can reduce the dose of 5FU in order to reduce the risk of side effects. You must talk to your oncologist about this.
Secondly, consider supplementing with curcumin. According to the research linked below, curcumin enhances the efficacy of 5FU while reducing its toxicity. Let me know if you have any questions.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332220305746
David Emerson
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