Since my last post, I’ve had some ups and downs in regard to my keloid progress. So after my last excision surgery, I was on top of my follow up care. I wore embrace around the clock 24/7, and my skin didn’t like it. I got weird welts and cuts from the folds in the embrace tape. And because it was on my chest, the placement of the tape was always wrinkly due to the concave of my chest area. So instead of wearing the tape 24/7, I would wear it for a couple of days (as long as I possibly could keep it on, which usually lasted for about 4 days even though the package says it’s supposed to stay on for 10 days), then I would give my chest 1-2 days to breath a little before placing a new embrace tape on. Even though I wanted to keep the embrace on constantly, I had to give my skin a break so it would not react negatively. Ultimately, I think it was worth a shot to try embrace but it didn’t work for me. It was expensive too! A box of 3 embrace tapes for $35 on amazon; and I couldn’t reuse the tape once it fell off. Water would get into the wrinkles when I showered. It was just not very hygienic in my opinion but I’m sure it was a combination of the placement of the tape, my sensitive skin and sweat 😅
Sometime in May or June, my scars actually were so painful and tight. It was so scary! I was going through the pain again…I think it was a combination of stress and not wearing silicon tape over my scars. A family member had passed, and I was not staying home—so I didn’t have access to my silicon tape consistently. My keloid on my chest felt so hot. It felt like it was growing rapidly!
The physicians assistant that I’m working with has been trying out a new type of medicine (new to me) on me. In combination with kenalog injections, I’ve also been using 5-FU (fluorouracil) injections. Every 6 weeks, I have kenalog injections and in between those injections, I’ve been getting 5-FU injections every 2 weeks.
Week 0- kenalog
Week 2 - fluorouracil
Week 4 - fluorouracil
Week 6 - kenalog
I’ve been doing this since May, and although it’s been a slow process, I’m seeing some progress with flattening of my scars. My scars are less red. It’s also a lot softer and the PA thinks the 5-FU treatments are more effective for me. This week was actually a kenalog week, but we decided to skip it and go with 5-FU instead. I wish this medicine was used on me sooner.
Between injections, I’m wearing medical silicon tape constantly. All day, everyday. I like it way more than embrace. It’s softer and keeps my scars moisturized and I think it’s a huge part of why my scars are flattening.
Here’s an update of what my scars look like today:
I went through your whole journey recently and it was super inspiring for people with keloids. Hopefully the new treatments are working!
ReplyDeleteHi there! It's great your keloid is looking a lot flatter than it was in the past.
ReplyDeleteI commented on one of your old posts about bleomycin, which seems like it's similar to fluorouracil.
I don't know if this will be helpful to you, but I stated in my last comment that after a series of bleomycin shots which significantly flattened my keloid, there were still little bumps that needed to be "smoothed" out of which I have radiotherapy applied to the area.
Radiotherapy worked to some extent, in that the lower part of my keloid was now flat, but top quarter was still bumpy. A heavy dose of bleomycin was applied to the top part which killed the keloid too well - and combined with the area having had radiotherapy in the past, it formed a deep dead shriveled up keloid, which had to be cut out because the bleomycin had got so deep.
Naturally as you could guess, the fear that cutting at this wound would re-trigger keloid growth, but it needed to be removed and had stitches. Turns out the area was still affected by past radiotherapy, the wound healed and did not keloid any further.
I would say this is the flattest and smoothest my keloid has ever been, the only thing is obvious is the colour of the keloid stands out.
It's been a painful journey much like yours, and I wish you all the best!
I have the exact keloid scar in the same spot and I've never been more self conscious. It's been getting a lot worse other the years and I just want to say how grateful I am to find your posts. Thank you so much for posting your progress. I look forward to your updates!!
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