Resuming Training After Chemotherapy Cream Treatment?

[TommyGun]

Any chance someone has experience with this?

My wife made me go to a dermatologist and it was not good. I have to apply chemo cream all over my body which causes the outer layer of the skin to die (essentially redden and burn off). This includes applying to the neck, shoulders, back, face, arms and legs for two weeks.
Has anyone undergone this? How long before the skin heals enough to get back under the bar? Weeks? Months?
I am not rushing it, just curious. Thanks everyone.

(Do not type “chemo cream” into google images. I told you.)

[Mark Rippetoe]

Does the cream get applied under the bar, on your shoulders?

[Jdcuth]

Hi I’m a dermatologist so have some experience in this,
I think you probably mean fluorouracil, not sure of the US trade name. The other cream might be Imiquimod but that is less used for larger areas.
Healing is usually weeks after use in my experience we review at 8 weeks post treatment where we expect the skin to be back to “normal”.
If you can speak to your dermatologist or primary care physician about getting an emollient to use on the areas until it’s settled. Milder steroid creams CAN be used but it is balanced against them suppressing the actual treatment effects of the cream so would definitely need your dermatologist’s say so.

[TommyGun]

Hi I’m a dermatologist so have some experience in this,
I think you probably mean fluorouracil, not sure of the US trade name. The other cream might be Imiquimod but that is less used for larger areas.
Healing is usually weeks after use in my experience we review at 8 weeks post treatment where we expect the skin to be back to “normal”.
If you can speak to your dermatologist or primary care physician about getting an emollient to use on the areas until it’s settled. Milder steroid creams CAN be used but it is balanced against them suppressing the actual treatment effects of the cream so would definitely need your dermatologist’s say so.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, flourouracil is what I am using. I’ll use the 8 week post treatment as a milestone, obviously depending on what the dermatologist says during a post treatment visit. I will set my expectations accordingly. After undergoing this I have a whole new appreciation for dermatologists. Fine work you are doing.

[Jdcuth]

I guess I didn’t really answer your question and Coach Rip asks the most important question- is the skin affected over an area that would affect good bar position in the squat? If not I can’t think of a reason not to train. Even if it is I guess it’s still possible- resting a barbell on the area probably wouldnt affect healing especially if you take care during the unracking and racking. It’s your call but I don’t think it’s crazy to try to keep training.

Thanks for the kind words I’m lucky that I love my job and wish you all the best for your recovery.

[TommyGun]

Yes, all over my shoulders, back, and arms.
Basically anywhere the bar will be touching during squats, presses, and bench.

[Jdcuth]

I think you’ll need to wait for it to heal- but that may well be earlier than 8 weeks. All the best!