I’ve been suffering from what’s known as solar keratosis which is sun damaged skin on my scalp. The effects include scabs on the scalp as well as slightly inflamed spots. Anyway doctor has given me solaraze to clear it. I’ve been on it for around four weeks of a twelve week course and have found that I’m getting far more palpitations/ectopics that I normally get. Apparently this is an anti inflammatory and I know I reacted badly to ibuprofen a couple of years back. I went in to afib after taking some ibuprofen and have never had any since.
Has anyone been prescribed this gel (diclofenac) and had any issues. I absolutely hate getting ectopics as I thought they were under control (was getting a couple every few days which was manageable). I’m on daily flecainide and bisoprolol. I’m now thinking of stopping the treatment for the keratosis but thought this forum might be able to help. Thank you
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Profound15
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Wow that just underlines what I thought. Been horrendous recently and of course I then panic thinking I’ll go into afib. I am going to stop it and go for photodynamic therapy which unfortunate isn’t prescribed on the NHS.
PDT is a treatment that involves putting a light sensitive medicine/cream on the troubled area, in my case the scalp. You then hang around for a while to allow the medication to absorb. A special light source is kept on the area for a period of time and the cream reacts and kills abnormal cells. I understand that it only requires one treatment and then it takes the skin a couple of weeks or so to recover. The success rate for it I’ve read is very high. I’ve also read it can be a bit uncomfortable during the treatment but this is weighed up with the side effects of efudix over a number of weeks. I don’t think it’s available on the NHS and can cost around £1300 privately. Hope that helps Murdy
Thanks Bob. I told the doctor I can’t take ibuprofen and the reason why but she probably didn’t believe me. I’m not putting any more on my scalp. I reckon I was putting around 2 grammes per day on which is a lot I think
I cannot tolerate NSAIDs orally/IV and is what started my Afib journey 18ish years ago, but i’m ok using the topical gels sparingly and for a very short time if needs be.
I have but before I got round to using it, I managed to see a dermatologist who prescribed fluorouracil cream (Efudix) instead so the Solarese remains unused. As you say, the latter is an NSAID and is very similar to ibuprofen in action when taken orally. I was told that so little is absorbed from the scalp that being on an anticoagulant, normally a contraindication to oral NSAID drugs, was entirely safe.
Could it spark off AF? I'd be surprised myself, but drug sensitivities in a few people can do many things. I was told that Solarese takes months to clear the scabbiness. I used Efudix for about eight weeks or so in the end and experienced only some soreness (nothing like the stories I'd read about online - so much for Dr Google!!). I went back to see the specialist last week, in fact, and was told everything was fine now although I still have a couple of sore patches.
Thanks Steve. I’ve booked a private appointment with a dermatologist for December. When I spoke to his secretary she advised that he normally prescribes efudix for the AK. However he does also do the photodynamic therapy especially the one where you sit in the sunshine for a couple of hours once the cream has been applied. As it’s winter now that’s probably not effective. I’ll see what he advises when I see him. I’m not putting any more Solaraze on though.
I doubt there's any need to see a specialist, but it's always reassuring. I was surprised how the dermatologist I saw - an excellent NHS doctor - showed a lack of concern and how well the Efudix worked without causing any real side effects. I did take the chance to show her a few other skin blemishes that were a concern to me but all was well. Getting to 70 years old seems to bring lots of things with it! The internet is full of horror stories about Efudix, but, well - that taught me something about Dr Google! I was told there's a national shortage of Efudix by the way. I think Solarese will work, too but take longer.
I have great faith in Efudix, I had what I thought was the beginning of a BCC, my GP confirmed it and prescribed Efudix - a few applications and it was gone. My one gripe was I had to buy a very expensive 20g tube, and use only about 2gs of it !!!!!!!
Did you read the accounts from some users online? I kept mine in the cupboard for months fearing to use it and, in the end, talked a different GP into prescribing Solareze. It was the dermatologist who convinced me in the end to use the Efudix and, well - it was uncomfortable but that is all and, as you say it worked well. I think, despite her reassurances, that a few spots need more treatment so I shall do that soon.
Efuxdix seems to be the dermatologists choice for dealing with actinic keratosis. After initial unsuccessful treatment with solaraze it was completely effective in my case, without any apparent side effects.
I think you’re right there. I did read a study that showed both were almost as effective but the Solareze took many more months to clear the scabs. It also seems likely that repeat applications of both are needed.
I am in permanent AF, got a pacemaker and on Hydroxcarbamide (HU) for Essential Thrombocythemia (a blood cancer). One of the many side effects of the HU is Actinic Keratosis and Efudix has been very effective applied to ears, nose and forehead - with no side effects .
NB chronic lower back and hand joint pain made life intolerable but Diclofenac controls it - even after a TIA a few years ago I was told to stop it but after trying everything else I asked my cardiologist if I could resume Diclo. (I actually take a lower dose than he prescribed) and was pain free in days. There may be a slight increase to the low probability of harm from the Diclo but Quality Of Life trumps that hands down.
I think oral NSAID drugs are generally not prescribed in anyone taking blood thinners or anticoagulants as they can cause erosion of the gastric mucosa and potentially therefore, internal bleeding, I have read that cardiologists do approve their use in individual cases. It sounds as if you truly needed it and are glad of it.
Hmm. I hadn't thought of that one. I was prescribed Solarase many years ago, before I developed AF, and used it for some weeks on my forehead. It was long enough to have forgotten entirely what the (very offhand) dermatologist had told me, and I never had written instructions other than those printed on the sheet in the package. Once my forehead started constantly streaming in blood which didn't seem to want to stop and heal, I discontinued the treatment and never went back. I still have visible sun damage on my forehead and it frequently forms scabs, flaky bits and occasionally bleeds. I treat myself just with a sun protection factor 30 face cream, and always wear a hat. The last time I saw a (different) dermatologist, I told him I wear a hat if the sun is out, and he said I should always "wear a hat if it is daylight!" - his words and his emphasis.
May be no relationship to my AF, but who really knows?
Yes - I was told the same, that it's the UV light as opposed to the direct heat of the sun. I often forget to put mine on but now the Efudix has done its work, I'm going to try to remember. I have never liked wearing a hat though - they've never suited me.
I have been using it for around a month now… no ectopics BUT increased GI issues (can’t generally take Ibuprofen) so this post and thread is interesting and may explain things
I've had about 30 years of getting small basal cell carcinomas (one was a squamous carcinoma) some were cut out (about 15-20) and on many others I used a cream, either Effudix or Bascellex (Imiquimod) some were frozen off.
These last few years I've found it difficult to use the creams as they now make me feel so ill, like having flu, body hurts and my skin too sensitive to use (blisters terribly). Ppiman Please don't deride and put down people who the creams effect this way. I can assure you the feeling is dreadful. Think yourself lucky that you have got off lightly with using it. I did to begin with.
At the moment I'm waiting to have plastic surgery to have a basal cell carcinoma cut from the bottom of my leg and replaced with skin from my thigh. Have been told that I'll need to stay in bed for 5 days afterwards. At a later date another one will be cut from my other thigh.
Have never heard of, or used solaraze. Hope you will be successful with it.
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