Actinic keratoses. Diclofenac 3% and 5%.

Hi Glianaa and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I'm sorry to read that your actinic keratosis has returned after using 3% diclofenac. That must have been really disappointing.

I haven't used this cream myself so had a look in the group to see if anyone else has. Stephi posted recently about their use of it so I've 'tagged' them into my reply and hopefully they'll pop on and share their experience with you.

As for what the difference is between 3% and 5% diclofenac, that might be a good question to post in the ask a nurse section of the online community. If you'd like to do this clicking on my link will take you there where you can post your question (Monday-Friday) and one of the nurses will reply within 3 working days.

It would be great if you could pop something about your diagnosis and treatment so far into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

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Many thanks, Latchbrook.  It is interesting to know the opinions of many people and to choose the right treatment. If I start any treatment, I will have to follow through with it, and that will take several months.

I have already written in another thread that should not put much hope in diclofenac. 5% differs from 3% only in dosage, and there are no other differences. As I understood from the stories of my friends, colleagues and from what is written, diclofenac does not cure anything at all, but only reduces the inflammatory response, and after withdrawal the disease returns. In my experience I can say that it caused me a strong allergy and I stopped using it.                                                                                                                                                         

Despite my negative attitude towards fluorouracil, it may give a better chance. So it might be worth it to go for this alternative since the doctor suggests it.

Hello Stephi. It's not that I'm not psychologically ready for chemotherapy with fluorouracil. It's just that I consulted with another doctor, and he told me that it is undesirable to apply fluorouracil to large areas of the skin, but it is acceptable if the treatment course is short. But, he does not guarantee its effectiveness. At least this doctor told me everything honestly. Moreover, it is not cancer to immediately resort to external chemotherapy. But only other alternatives, except for this doctor does not offer.  I'm 44 years old. I don't plan to have any more children, so fluorouracil remains in my reserve.

Hello, Glianaa. Three years ago, I had several basal cell tumors removed at the same time. But, I had to wait several months for the day of the surgery.  Two of these tumors were near the tip of my nose and near my eyelid. So, while I was waiting for the surgery, the doctor suggested that I try temporarily applying diclofenac. He said that diclofenac can hold back the tumor growth, or at least slow it down.  But, he also mentioned that dic has a problematic side, that once it is discontinued, tumors quite often begin to progress rapidly, much faster than they normally would. I didn't take any chances. Prior to surgery, I wasn't using anything at the time. I've never read or heard of such oddities of diclofenac before. Maybe in AK it shows some other qualities, I do not know, but this drug should be treated with caution.

I can't understand why the doctor recommended diclofenac at all if it has such contradictory properties. It feels like the doctor recommended dic and immediately started to dissuade you.

And he did not offer you any alternatives, as well as me.

No, I wouldn't say that. The doctor told me directly about the pros and cons of diclofenac. He pointed out that after a course of gel application, surgery should not be done immediately, that it could increase bleeding and worsen healing. And so after a course of diclofenac, there would have to be a pause before surgery for 10 days. I was confused by this. Another doctor recommended other alternatives to me.  In general, I have noticed that doctors often give different recommendations, have different views on solving problems. To limit oneself to the recommendations of only one doctor, especially a GP, I think is not enough.

Yes, most medications have their pros and cons. It can't be helped, there is no such thing as a perfect medication. I agree, multiple doctors' opinions are very helpful. It's not about diclofenac, it's about all anti-inflammatory drugs. My doctor explained to me that these drugs are necessary and safe, but, in those with malignant tumors, should be used with great caution. He didn't talk about the fact that diclofenac has such controversial properties. Although their opinions are generally close.