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jan
18 Posts |
 Posted - 12/12/2007 : 12:22:50
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| I wanted to give an update on my experience. 2 months ago I had a biopsy by a derm on an eraser-sized scaly, pink patch on cheek near the jaw. It turned out to be superficial BCC. It had been there about 2 years, freezing twice by primary care physician didn't get rid of it. During the 6 weeks I had before my next visit with the derm, I used a variety of alternatives I learned about at this forum: eggplant/vinegar; pancreatin mixed with a bunch of stuff; vitamin C powder. The derm's PA wanted to use Aldara, which I am adamantly against after internet research about how it works and its potential side effects. So I had a consult with the derm yesterday, thinking I was going the route of Mohs surgery, which the PA said was the alternative. Well, this is why I'm writing all this, because you never know how alternative and traditional medicine is going to come into juxtaposition. The derm, spouting all the biochemistry of the "Wonders of Aldara" and how safe it was (even said it was NOT topical chemotherapy), said that what I had done with all the alternatives MAY have done the same thing that the Aldara does. And because of the location on my face and the fact Mohs can leave a scar, she was recommending we let the site heal for awhile (she said the area was pink and inflamed--I didn't think it was that bad at all) and we would take another biopsy in at least 4 weeks. I made an appointment for 8 weeks, so I could give it another shot of treatment with Vitamin C (this is my favorite treatment of them all) and then four weeks of healing. The site looks different than it did before the biopsy. No more scaling, but there is a tiny raised bump of scar tissue. I haven't prepared myself for a decision if the BCC is still there, but at least I will know if the alternative treatment worked. I will let you all know mid-February whether something worked. I suspect the Pancreatin mixture did the trick since it produced the most severe skin reaction, but since I used several things, it is a mystery. Stay tuned for 8 weeks. If others have experience with reactions from their dermatologists after using alternatives, I'd be interested in hearing about them. I never imagined this treatment for BCC would be so lenghty and drawn out. |
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jan
18 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2008 : 16:30:17
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| Well, my treatment isn't really going as I hoped and planned. I'm trying to satisfy my desire to use something which I think is safe. I tried many of the treatments described at these forums. I have been patient. Nothing works quickly. I have spent four months treating, healing, going to the doctor, and two biopsies. The doctor thought the bcc might be gone since the area looked good. The biopsy showed otherwise. I feel dejected in my attemps at alternative methods, and am weighing heavily the idea of trying the Aldara. None of the other traditional methods is recommended by the dermatologist (Mohs will leave a big scar on my cheek). BTW, for those interested, if you google Aldara, you can find a $25 mail-in rebate. Helluva enticement! Can anybody out there give me some reassurance on the Aldara? |
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drbeckl2
96 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2008 : 16:23:10
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Jan;
I just wrote this to someone else, on this forum, about hoxsey salve: it may help you also;
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Hoxsey salve:
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Now, ..... as for the hoxsey salve not working every time; Statistically- historically- it has a 98% cure ratio.
Dan Raber says to make sure you don't pull the escar off prematurely, but let it fall off naturally of its own accord. Let it fall off in the bandage, when it will. The reason being, that the cancer has tiny little rootlets going down deeper than the main cancer mass, and you must not break the main mass off from the rootlets, but instead have the rootlets die and come off with the eschar. If you get tired of looking at the eschar, and pull it off, then you will leave some rootlets behind in your flesh, and the rootlets will cause a second cancer to grow there. .... See Dan Raber's website for details, or his dvd.
Also, they recommend you leave the killing salve on the lesion for a full 24 hours, before removing it. But if the burning gets too intense, then remove it ealier than 24 hours, if you can't take the pain any longer. .... say 15 hours, 17 hours, etc.
If I suspected that the 1st treatment did not get it all, after letting it heal up for about 30 days , then judge it. If you want to treat it a 2nd time, I would wait till the 1st treatment was fairly well healed up,[not raw] before putting the hoxsey salve on the 2nd time. Time is on your side, in this situation.
Now, ......... so far, from the experiences I have been reading on this forum; the 24 hours of burning and stinging you endure with the hoxsey salve would amount to LESS pain than the other treatments I am reading about, when you add up all the segments of pain they give you.
As far as MOHS surgery goes, Mr. Mohs simply plagarized the hoxsey salve [or one of its precursors/derivatives]and then found out a way of charging a lot of money for surgically removing the dead cancer tissue , piece by piece. The whole idea is a step back-ward. But it is AMA approved, and the AMA doctor gets to charge you a lot of money for meddling into your dead cancer tissue. Other than him making a lot of money, the whole process is stupid and ignorant. It's all about the money.
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............. I just paid $25 for little jar of hoxsey/cansema/bloodroot salve, about 1/2 ounce by volume. Enuf to do about 25 small lesions.
You say your lesion is small. Therefore, I believe the hoxsey salve will kill your skin cancer in 15 to 24 hours. ... and you will need to dress it in healing salve for about 3 to 8 weeks. However, if the cancer runs deep under the skin, then the hole the hoxsey salve leaves will also run deep. You don't know till you apply it.
It makes little difference how deep it is, the hoxsey salve will kill it to its roots. But you have to be prepared for the extent of the hole it leaves, if it turns out to be a large hole. Your body will fill in the hole with new skin, or scar tissue, in 3 or 4 months time., maybe longer.
I think you need to find a local herb doctor/wholistic doctor to over-see your use of the hoxsey salve. You need a steady hand on the situation, someone with experience using the salve. ........
Do a google search on bloodroot salve, and read all the info for 4 or 5 days, look at all the step by step photos of the treatment. Many good websites on it. many photos to look at.
........... . Then find a local herb doctor who has experience with the hoxsey salve.
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drbeckl2
96 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2008 : 10:06:59
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"Alternative vs Traditional"
Which therapy should be called "traditional", and which therapy should be called "alternative" ????
What would be the definition of the word "traditional" ??
... something that has been used for a long long time, such as hoxsey/bloodroot salves.
.... something that has a proven 98% success ration ?? like hoxsey salve.
.... something that the AMA has admitted in open court, on the record, that it works as claimed such as hoxsey salve ???
And what would be the definition of "alternative".
..... something that was just recently created, and has no track record of being safe and effective ??? like aldara salve.
..... something that was recently created by some snake-oil sales-corporation, purely for the profit motive ???? like aldara salve.
..... something that users have stated has given them terminal internal cancers, and degenerative neurological diseases ??? like aldara.
... something that is so poison, that the manufacturer tells the doctors who sell it, that it should not be used upon the face area of the human being treated ???? like aldara salve. |
Edited by - drbeckl2 on 09/13/2008 22:47:50 |
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dan
611 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2008 : 13:12:43
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| jan, topical iodine is another tactic to consider trying. http://breastcancerchoices.org/bromidedominancetheory.html speculates that bromide dominance causes iodine deficiency. Together, the bromide dominance and iodine deficiency relationship may be a strong underlying cause of cancers. Iodine deficiency fits the increasing cancer incidence timeline and may explain lower cancer incidence in some cultures. Several people on this forum have mentioned using iodine topically together with other remedies with some success. Bromides can directly cause cherry angiomas, bright red dots on the skin. Vitamin C can help make iodine more bioavailable. Of course, adequate iodine utilization is also necessary for proper thyroid operation. |
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jan
18 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2008 : 16:09:01
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| It's been almost a month since I last wrote. After much thought wrenching, I decided to use the Aldara. As it turns out, my derm uses a slower, longer approach than others. I put it on (and leave uncovered) every other day 3 x a week only, for 12 weeks. I was getting too good a reaction, and her checking me after three weeks, she told me to hold off for about a week and then continue the regimen. The reaction desired is only to make it red, not oozing and scab forming. The only other annoying side effect I have is itching. The treatment area has also become slightly raised. These things I can live with. I will have to have another biopsy a month after the treatment ends to see if I actually got rid of the bcc. I do not know what lasting bad things I may be doing to my body, but the doctor feels that with the reaction I am getting now, statistically the cancer will be eradicated. I did get the same sort of reaction with the concoctions I made from this website's recipes (but biopsy showed cancer was still there), so at the end of June I'll be able to tell you whether Aldara works, at least for me. I really wish the non-traditional treatments had worked for me, and I hope that those using them keep the rest of us posted on their lasting affects. Maybe had I used a slower treatment process like I'm doing with the Aldara, it might have been successful. Just a thought for others: maybe you don't need to get a major reaction right off the bat, and continue for a longer period of time. |
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jorie
1 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2008 : 10:37:08
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Aldera was another Band-Aid for me.
Looking for answers other than Aldera, is how I found this website last month.
I've used Aldera for 6 years on bcc's on my neck, face and back. As I call it, I am chasing "spots" around. Applying 1 X every other day for 6 - 8 weeks, usually once or twice a year.
The side effects are as described on this website.
- Flu like symptoms for a few days
(the liver trying to handle the toxins)
- itchy,
- blistering and oozing
- healing starts on cluster outbreaks after 3-4 weeks
I always take pictures every time I use the treatment, to document if they same areas are still infected in later years. Unfortunately, the answer is yes and no; same area but not exactly the same spot.
This process leads me to believe I’m chasing spots, after years and years of Aldera treatments. Prior to Aldera I had my spots frozen off. They always seem to come back though, especially around my lips, temples and forehead. I had surgery, but luckily it was at my hairline by my ear. That was about 10 years ago and that didn't come back.
I've been going to the top dermatologists group in Atlanta for over 10 years now. They are the best in their field. I am now much better at knowing where the next out crop of pre-pre "spots" are going to occur. I've had biopsies come back negative many times only to have them turn into bcc in a few years. I've come to the conclusion, they are doing the best they can with their information.
Aggressive Pancreatin enzymes internally and externally I think is another part of this missing link. I have been using enzymes from Enzymedica so I think I was on the right track to begin with. This website is another step in the right direction of information that we all need to stay on course with.
Since bumping up my Pancreatin enzymes, I've had three moles drop off my body. I wasn't expecting that. First they were itchy, almost like a spider bite, 3 days latter I'm scratching and boop, the mole(y) spot popped off. I'm still kind of puzzled over this.
I also have cracked and ridged finger nails that never grew, ever for 50 years and now they seem healthier. Even after gardening in my acidic Georgia clay. Our skin seems to be a great external reflection of our internal chaos we created.
I'm excited about all the info on this website. I started my own personal detoxification program over the last 2 years. Cleansing my colon, semi-annually, liver, and kidney. I started at Dr. Natura's website. I figure it took me 47 years to get this polluted, so I'm good with, it is going to take awhile, to cleanse myself internally. I am more than on my way though...
Cutting back of sugars, grains and proteins and eating raw has definitely been a wonderful journey. No more boxed/packaged or corporate foods. It is sad that our nation is committing a form of genocide to itself. I shake my head at what we've done to ourselves.
As my family knows, I'm not going back to the old way of eating. I'm not a purist by any means, but you've got to feed your body and should what it needs or diseases will naturally erode the body.
Anyway, I thought would post about the Aldera
...it "was" part of my journey
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Edited by - jorie on 03/17/2008 11:28:11 |
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jan
18 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2008 : 16:47:27
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| I really appreciate your input. I also thought I got good results from pancreatin/enzymes, but biopsy showed otherwise. Perhaps I didn't use it long enough. Taking internally is slightly problematic as one never knows whether the enzymes are getting beyond the gastric acids of the stomach. How do you accomplish this rub? I also have a bunch of moles that I'd like to have just pop off, so this is mose interesting... Thanks for your info about bccs popping up around the Aldara-treated sites. Have you given up using Aldara? Did you treat bccs with pancreatin after having treated them with Aldara? Am I correct in my assessment of your "story" that you do not believe Aldara works for you? How much pancreatin enzymes do you ingest daily? |
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jan
18 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2008 : 13:11:17
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| I am giving an update as i come to the end of my Aldara treatment. I also was hoping jorie would answer some of the questions I posed, to give others info. I can't say whether the bcc is gone yet, but the treatment has been rather easy. About a month ago, I was getting too good a reaction (oozing, red, scabbing) and the doctor had me stop treatment for several application days. The site is slightly red and I have no way of knowing if the treatment has worked. I am to let it all heal for a month and go back to have another biopsy (sigh...) I'll post then with the news whether Aldara worked for me. I have come to the realization that many treatments just plain take a heckuva long time to work. |
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jan
18 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2008 : 13:28:39
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I am ecstatic to report the biopsy results show CANCER IS GONE !!!
For all those skeptical of Aldara from reading all the bad stuff about it, I was in your same court. When nothing else was working I went to the "dark side." I found no issues, and I am someone with a compromised immune system. Eradicating skin cancer takes a long, long time. I question these treatments where the cancer is gone in a few days. Because I am fair skinned I will probably have a slightly pink scar, but that is far better than a surgery scar. BTW, my dermatologist did not recomment photodynammic therapy for superficial BCCs, so even the doctors don't agree on treatments.
I think I'll go tanning to celebrate!! Just kidding!! |
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tarbabby
18 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2008 : 19:48:12
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I have been using aldara for about two months or so on a spot that was mohs`ed on four months ago.
The spot came back almost im the same place that the surgery was done on.I had some aldara left over from some cut and burned bcc`s that the doc had me post treating to help them heal.
So far the spot doesn`t look that much differant,I am going to continue the treatment and see what happens,then if it doesn`t go away,perhaps bloodroot or another round of mohs.
The spot is next to my nose and I am concerned about scarring with eather treatment.
I did get some areas to clear up on my forehead that I thought were bcc`s but there was no biopsy done on them.
I will post my progress fighting this war on bcc`s. |
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drbeckl2
96 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2008 : 22:14:40
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Jan;
I couldn't help but notice that you ignored the hoxsey salve and it 98% cure rate, and the fact that it totally kills the skin cancer in less than 24 hours.
Could you share with us the reason that you chose not to use the black salve ??? .... Since you said that you tried all of the other experimental remedies on this forum.
I am a little puzzled about why you would go to "the dark side" before using the hoxsey salve, since it is by all accounts, far superior to ALDARA SALVE in every respect.
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Edited by - drbeckl2 on 08/26/2008 22:18:17 |
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janagain
16 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2008 : 23:50:49
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You asked me why I went to the "dark side" without considering the black salve. It seemed way too extreme--I still don't know what's in it. I thought anything I could safely take internally (such as vinegar, eggplant, pancreatin, etc) and common topicals wouldn't do harm to my skin. Although I didn't completely trust what the doctor was telling me, I did put some faith in the hippocratic oath. I felt that website about the aldara lawsuit had a little ring of b.s. to it. Is it better to trust the devil you know or the devil you don't know? I don't know you from Adam; are you promoting the hoxsey salve because you have a financial interest in it???? You mention a 98% cure rate, but where are you getting that statistic????
You mention going to an herb doctor or a naturopath. Just how does one find a competent herbalist or naturopath? My insurance doesn't cover that kind of doctor, so if I'm going to pay completely out of pocket for that, it's got to be somebody I trust...the people I know don't go to these alternative doctors, and while I believe in that type of medicine, I'm not going to go to somebody I find online or in the phone book, just like I'm not going to use that corrosive black salve just because somebody says it's wonderful. What I do know is the aldara worked for me and I have had no perceivable side effects. I am cancer free for now and rejoice in that. I am transforming my body's cells by using food as medicine. I'll tell about that in another string. jan |
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drbeckl2
96 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2008 : 22:41:13
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jan:
Your faith in the AMA union of doctors is totally misplaced.
They do not give a rat's ass if you live or die. You are only a "income stream" to them. ........... your money , your insurance companies money, medicare's money, your church group's money.
The ingredients that is in the hoxsey salve are published on this forum board, and on many websites.
Buy the book by Ingrid Naiman, Cancer Salves, and you will then be a hoxsey salve expert. You will have more sure knowledge about how to cure any skin cancer, even melanoma, than all of the doctors in your little town put together. .......... no bragg, just fact.
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janagain
16 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2008 : 13:59:20
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| as a rhetorical question to you drbeckl2: what's better--the devil you DO know or the devil you know NOTHING about????? |
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Alternative vs Traditional
