taxol and hair loss

Christmas Girl

tgf said:

Mine was a BREEZE too!
Kelley,

Last week I completed my 12 weekly infusions of taxol and herceptin. I was also one of the lucky ones ... and never had any nausea. My only side effects were a few skin rashes ... constipation (!!!!) and splotchy hair loss (which I took control of ... and had a friend shave my head).

I grew to love my port. I know it's a personal choice to get a port ... or not ... but it still hurts me to see others sit in the recliner for their chemo ... and cringe as the nurse searches for veins ... while I just sit there and get "plugged in." I am sooooo glad I decided to get the port. And ... I know what you mean about the benedryl. I'd take a xanax before my appointment ... then they'd give me benedryl ... and I'd put on my "relaxation music" ... and before the actual chemo started I was sound asleep. I got to the point where I actually looked forward to seeing those wonderful nurses ... and my naps.

Glad you are doing well. Oh ... did you use EMLA cream on your port site before your appointment. Maybe you aren't as much of a chicken as I am ... but I didn't want to feel ANYTHING. Several people on this discussion board suggested EMLA ... so I asked my oncologist for a prescription. It's terrific. You blob it on the port site (and cover it with a bandage) an hour before your appointment ... and by the time you get to chemo ... you will not feel the needle go in. It's amazing!

Take care ... and get a good nights rest.

hugs.
teena

Congratulations for completion of 12!
Good for you, teena! You, too - take care now. Rest is good for healing.

Kind regards, Susan

pstur1

tgf said:

Mine was a BREEZE too!
Kelley,

Last week I completed my 12 weekly infusions of taxol and herceptin. I was also one of the lucky ones ... and never had any nausea. My only side effects were a few skin rashes ... constipation (!!!!) and splotchy hair loss (which I took control of ... and had a friend shave my head).

I grew to love my port. I know it's a personal choice to get a port ... or not ... but it still hurts me to see others sit in the recliner for their chemo ... and cringe as the nurse searches for veins ... while I just sit there and get "plugged in." I am sooooo glad I decided to get the port. And ... I know what you mean about the benedryl. I'd take a xanax before my appointment ... then they'd give me benedryl ... and I'd put on my "relaxation music" ... and before the actual chemo started I was sound asleep. I got to the point where I actually looked forward to seeing those wonderful nurses ... and my naps.

Glad you are doing well. Oh ... did you use EMLA cream on your port site before your appointment. Maybe you aren't as much of a chicken as I am ... but I didn't want to feel ANYTHING. Several people on this discussion board suggested EMLA ... so I asked my oncologist for a prescription. It's terrific. You blob it on the port site (and cover it with a bandage) an hour before your appointment ... and by the time you get to chemo ... you will not feel the needle go in. It's amazing!

Take care ... and get a good nights rest.

hugs.
teena

teena, they numbed it before they poke me...but
I am pretty tolerant to pain or at least get over it quickly. The port doc, nurses, and I had such a fun time during the port placement that they forgot to leave the needle in for easy access today. That was a tad painful, so the numbing didn't help much and it was COLD. But, I survived, thanks for the GREAT tip about the EMLA, I am ON IT!

Kelley

By the way, it is 11 pm and I am still doing well, fingers crossed.

tatooedinpink

pstur1 said:

I will begin my Taxol next week
Hello teena and all. Teena, I read your post and thank you. I am not freaked out over losing my hair at all, truly. BUT, I am very curious about the time frame of it all so I can, as you said, be prepared. My hair is extremely short anyway. My friends have already scheduled a "shave the head" party....haha. I am a very happy and upbeat person plus I am a realist, life happens and we have to do the best with what we have. Your post was very helpful...thank you. I will be on an 18 week program of Taxol and Carboplatin.

A very lucky twist of fate resulted in my doctorsfinding a very low malignant/borderline tumor on the ovaries last year and a total hysterectomy was the result. They said it might come back but everyone is a little shocked that it came back in 12 months. It is NOT ovarian cancer but I am told the cells are ovarian cancer like? Whatever....they will guide me and I will happily muddle through. As dumb as it all sounds, I feel like I won the cancer lottery....had I not asked for an ablation for a selfish desire to end some of my menstration problems this would have never been found. As a result we are doing what is available because we can and NOT because we HAVE TO....how lucky am I? Seriously, it's all good.

My #1 concern is simple....I can't stand to be nauseous. You can cut off my arm and the pain would be tough but preferable to nausea. Have you experienced a great deal of nausea? I realize that we will all react differently but any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Kelley

for nausea
Kelley, you might ask your oncologist about the drug, Emend. It is very expensive (but was covered under my insurance plan). I took one pill day before chemo, one chemo day, and one day after. Also had some additional anti nausea drugs, but Emend was likely the clincher.
I didn't experience one bit of nausea during 4 1/2 months of chemo.

Everyone reacts differently, so will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. NO NAUSEA!!!!!

Debbie

tatooedinpink

tgf said:

Mine was a BREEZE too!
Kelley,

Last week I completed my 12 weekly infusions of taxol and herceptin. I was also one of the lucky ones ... and never had any nausea. My only side effects were a few skin rashes ... constipation (!!!!) and splotchy hair loss (which I took control of ... and had a friend shave my head).

I grew to love my port. I know it's a personal choice to get a port ... or not ... but it still hurts me to see others sit in the recliner for their chemo ... and cringe as the nurse searches for veins ... while I just sit there and get "plugged in." I am sooooo glad I decided to get the port. And ... I know what you mean about the benedryl. I'd take a xanax before my appointment ... then they'd give me benedryl ... and I'd put on my "relaxation music" ... and before the actual chemo started I was sound asleep. I got to the point where I actually looked forward to seeing those wonderful nurses ... and my naps.

Glad you are doing well. Oh ... did you use EMLA cream on your port site before your appointment. Maybe you aren't as much of a chicken as I am ... but I didn't want to feel ANYTHING. Several people on this discussion board suggested EMLA ... so I asked my oncologist for a prescription. It's terrific. You blob it on the port site (and cover it with a bandage) an hour before your appointment ... and by the time you get to chemo ... you will not feel the needle go in. It's amazing!

Take care ... and get a good nights rest.

hugs.
teena

Congrats Teena!
On your completion of the 12 weeks! I know you're happy to have that part behind you!
Take care,

Debbie

pstur1

tatooedinpink said:

for nausea
Kelley, you might ask your oncologist about the drug, Emend. It is very expensive (but was covered under my insurance plan). I took one pill day before chemo, one chemo day, and one day after. Also had some additional anti nausea drugs, but Emend was likely the clincher.
I didn't experience one bit of nausea during 4 1/2 months of chemo.

Everyone reacts differently, so will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. NO NAUSEA!!!!!

Debbie

thank you Debbie
I will ask about this. I always appreciate advice. Nice to meet you and thanks again.

Kelley

brenda247

hey dealing with the hair loss myself
hey im taken taxofere and herceptin wasnt told i would loose my hair on first treatment but i did.. its hard dealing with it but i look to the good side of it im here.. i did start loosing mine about 14 days after treatment but it doesnt happen to everyone the same.. so take care and god bless..

Christmas Girl

brenda247 said:

hey dealing with the hair loss myself
hey im taken taxofere and herceptin wasnt told i would loose my hair on first treatment but i did.. its hard dealing with it but i look to the good side of it im here.. i did start loosing mine about 14 days after treatment but it doesnt happen to everyone the same.. so take care and god bless..

Welcome, brenda247!
You've joined the perfect group - glad you're here, but sorry for the reason.

Please feel free to visit often, share your story. You'll find much support and encouragement amongst the members.

Best wishes to you.

Kind regards, Susan

pstur1

brenda247 said:

hey dealing with the hair loss myself
hey im taken taxofere and herceptin wasnt told i would loose my hair on first treatment but i did.. its hard dealing with it but i look to the good side of it im here.. i did start loosing mine about 14 days after treatment but it doesnt happen to everyone the same.. so take care and god bless..

Nice to meet you Brenda
Sorry about the hair. I am fully prepared I think!?! I am kind of strange I guess because I am looking forward to not having sweaty head syndrome this summer...haha. As you said, if the hair loss is the worst....bring it on!!!! So nice to have you with us.

I just wanted to add something....I found a great site. www.uptodate.com/patients

Kelley

jessicalily

Chance of NOT losing hair?
I'm a 23 year old diagnosed with breast cancer and started Taxol/Herceptin last week.
Has anyone NOT lost their hair due to Taxol? I was hoping there would be some kind of one in a million shot!

LynnPlatt

tommaseena said:

Hair
My hair was pin straight so I am hoping it comes in curly or at least with a wave. Don't know what the color will be--I've heard that it can come in a different color as well.

Everyone tells me that my head is shaped well. No scars or indents. I go golfing and I don't wear a hat to often only when I drop Jake off at school.

Take care yourself,
Margo

Hair
Margo haven't started my Taxol yet, first one a week from Monday. Have had four treatments of the AC variety. Shaved my head before the first treatment. Got lots of hats and scarfs but prefer to go bare. I have a scar on my head that happens to be my initial. Love it. Get lots of compliments on it. What I like it not having to shave my legs everyday now that it is shorts weather here. Haven't lost my eyebrows or lashes, but they are not growing either. I posted my bald picture on facebook. I got lots of compliments. My support team wears pink strips in their hair and one niece dyed her all pink. I try to be so open and honest about this. I talk alot about my frustrations and the side effects. My whole team, tells me I am their hero for just walking through this so strongly. Keep your chin up and be proud. BALD IS BEAUTIFUL.

JUDYLOOS

HAIR LOSS AND TAXOL
I HAVE HAD 11 DOSES OF TAXOL, AND I STILL HAVE HAIR. IT IS DEFINITELY THINNING, BUT I HAVE A LOT OF THICK HAIR. I AM ABLE TO CAMOUFLAGE IT WITH SOME TEASING AT THE TOP. WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I START THE FAC NEXT WEEK, BUT I AM GLAD I HAD HAIR FOR THESE FIRST 3 MONTHS.
EVERYONE REACTS DIFFERENTLY TO THESE DRUGS. GOOD LUCK!

JUDY

owly

weekly taxol/hair loss
I have had 3 infusions of taxol and herceptin. So far I have lost a teeny bit of hair. I have SUPER thick long hair but I'm just unsure as to whether I will end up losing all of it.
My doctor said there'd only be some thinning. The research nurse said Tuesday that I would lose all of it.
I guess is it's a case by case basis?

susie09

owly said:

weekly taxol/hair loss
I have had 3 infusions of taxol and herceptin. So far I have lost a teeny bit of hair. I have SUPER thick long hair but I'm just unsure as to whether I will end up losing all of it.
My doctor said there'd only be some thinning. The research nurse said Tuesday that I would lose all of it.
I guess is it's a case by case basis?

I didn't take taxol, so, I
I didn't take taxol, so, I really don't know. It might be different for everyone.

Good luck to you owly!

scall

pstur1 said:

I will begin my Taxol next week
Hello teena and all. Teena, I read your post and thank you. I am not freaked out over losing my hair at all, truly. BUT, I am very curious about the time frame of it all so I can, as you said, be prepared. My hair is extremely short anyway. My friends have already scheduled a "shave the head" party....haha. I am a very happy and upbeat person plus I am a realist, life happens and we have to do the best with what we have. Your post was very helpful...thank you. I will be on an 18 week program of Taxol and Carboplatin.

A very lucky twist of fate resulted in my doctorsfinding a very low malignant/borderline tumor on the ovaries last year and a total hysterectomy was the result. They said it might come back but everyone is a little shocked that it came back in 12 months. It is NOT ovarian cancer but I am told the cells are ovarian cancer like? Whatever....they will guide me and I will happily muddle through. As dumb as it all sounds, I feel like I won the cancer lottery....had I not asked for an ablation for a selfish desire to end some of my menstration problems this would have never been found. As a result we are doing what is available because we can and NOT because we HAVE TO....how lucky am I? Seriously, it's all good.

My #1 concern is simple....I can't stand to be nauseous. You can cut off my arm and the pain would be tough but preferable to nausea. Have you experienced a great deal of nausea? I realize that we will all react differently but any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Kelley

Taxol and Carboplatin Too!
Thanks for your sharing and honesty everyone! It's day 7 since my first treatment of Carboplatin and Taxol. I am on a 9 week treatment, every 3 weeks. First one was a bit long but easier than expected.
I had a hysterectomy due to endometriosis where I also was told that I "won the cancer lottery". Clear cell, stage one a ovaries. Second surgery was successful. More than happy to get rid of the "spare parts" for good measure. Now the chemo for more good measure.

Did have a few days of nausea. But after realizing that certain foods literally "offended" my body, I have figured out what works along with taking the anti nausea (which SOMETIMES works. What drove me crazy was the 4 days of bone/muscle aches. Did anyone else have this? Does excersize help or make it worse?

I am in alot of denial about the hair thing. It's been 7 days and holding. I keep planning on going to the wig shop every day, and every day I find something else to do. Have a cute hat and scarf. Maybe I'm just not a wig person? Should I get one just in case?

Take Care,
Steph

mollieb

scall said:

Taxol and Carboplatin Too!
Thanks for your sharing and honesty everyone! It's day 7 since my first treatment of Carboplatin and Taxol. I am on a 9 week treatment, every 3 weeks. First one was a bit long but easier than expected.
I had a hysterectomy due to endometriosis where I also was told that I "won the cancer lottery". Clear cell, stage one a ovaries. Second surgery was successful. More than happy to get rid of the "spare parts" for good measure. Now the chemo for more good measure.

Did have a few days of nausea. But after realizing that certain foods literally "offended" my body, I have figured out what works along with taking the anti nausea (which SOMETIMES works. What drove me crazy was the 4 days of bone/muscle aches. Did anyone else have this? Does excersize help or make it worse?

I am in alot of denial about the hair thing. It's been 7 days and holding. I keep planning on going to the wig shop every day, and every day I find something else to do. Have a cute hat and scarf. Maybe I'm just not a wig person? Should I get one just in case?

Take Care,
Steph

Wait on the wig, especially since it's summer
I have a wig that I wore exactly one day. I hated it. I kept thinking it was creeping down my forehead. I didn't like the itchiness. I didn't think it looked like me. And I can't even imagine how hot it would be -- my one day was in the middle of winter. I went instead to scarves (a friend from West Africa taught me some different ways to tie them) and hats -- headcovers.com has a lot of really cute, fairly inexpensive hats designed to come lower on the head than conventional hats, so they really cover where the hair should be. Dangling earrings are great with both hats and scarves. And with bald, too.

Don't spend money on a wig, unless you know you want one and want to get an expensive one. If you really want one, the American Cancer Society and other organizations will give you an inexpensive model. ACS even has a catalog. You can order the style and color you want. My hospital has an ACS social worker who handled everything.

I don't know what Carboplatin does, but I know that Taxol doesn't always result in hair loss. My own story is a little odd. I had four treatments of A/C, at three-week intervals, after which I was scheduled for twelve weekly treatments of Taxol. I shaved my head on day 16. But after two treatments of Taxol I was hit by a car while walking across the street, and I had a seven-week "chemo vacation" for surgery and to allow my shoulder replacement to heal. When I started Taxol, my chemo nurse said it would keep my hair from coming back, even if I happened to be one of the roughly 30% who don't lose hair with Taxol alone. However, during my "vacation" my hair started to grow back, and it's still here nearly three weeks after resuming treatment. I am really hoping I keep it, because although it's only about 1/4 inch long and is kind of like fuzzy baby hair, it's enough to not need (at least for me, I'm not vain) a hat or scarf. And it's really hot, and I don't want to have to wear a hat or scarf!

Good luck!

midnight10

hairless
I lost most of my hair--including chin hairs with A/C. Then lost all my eyelashes and eyebrows after 2nd taxol. When my eyelashes grew back I lost them again...and again. The third growth of eyelashes is nice and thick--long too.
Positive--very few hairs on my legs 7 months post chemo and fewer chin hairs! The hair on my head is curly, fine and very soft--grayer also. My hair used to be very thick, heavy and stick straight. I wore it short and semi-spikey. Now it is short and curly, much more work to keep it looking nice.

renee616

redriverartist said:

Hi, Teena
I lost my hair during the A/C but it's starting to grow w/Taxol. Don't know if that helps you or not. It's peach fuzz right now, but it's growing. With the A/C, it came out in clumps.

Bless you and hugs, Teresa

Teresa
Thats the same thing
Teresa
Thats the same thing that happened to me! I thought it was my imagination! I wasnt expecting it to grow back untill chemo was all done, but it did!
Renee

renee616

tommaseena said:

Chin hairs
The few chin hairs I had before chemo are gone but I don't know what will happen when I am finished with chemo--hope I don't get a beard.

Never lost my eyebrows or eyelashes when another woman at work told me I would. She told me day 10 with Taxol. I have had 4 treatments of Taxol and haven't lost them yet.

Margo

I lost ALL hair with my A/C
I lost ALL hair with my A/C treatments, including eyebrows & lashes! First thing that went was my head hair, last thing was eyebrows & I miss them worse than my hair!

renee616

mollieb said:

Wait on the wig, especially since it's summer
I have a wig that I wore exactly one day. I hated it. I kept thinking it was creeping down my forehead. I didn't like the itchiness. I didn't think it looked like me. And I can't even imagine how hot it would be -- my one day was in the middle of winter. I went instead to scarves (a friend from West Africa taught me some different ways to tie them) and hats -- headcovers.com has a lot of really cute, fairly inexpensive hats designed to come lower on the head than conventional hats, so they really cover where the hair should be. Dangling earrings are great with both hats and scarves. And with bald, too.

Don't spend money on a wig, unless you know you want one and want to get an expensive one. If you really want one, the American Cancer Society and other organizations will give you an inexpensive model. ACS even has a catalog. You can order the style and color you want. My hospital has an ACS social worker who handled everything.

I don't know what Carboplatin does, but I know that Taxol doesn't always result in hair loss. My own story is a little odd. I had four treatments of A/C, at three-week intervals, after which I was scheduled for twelve weekly treatments of Taxol. I shaved my head on day 16. But after two treatments of Taxol I was hit by a car while walking across the street, and I had a seven-week "chemo vacation" for surgery and to allow my shoulder replacement to heal. When I started Taxol, my chemo nurse said it would keep my hair from coming back, even if I happened to be one of the roughly 30% who don't lose hair with Taxol alone. However, during my "vacation" my hair started to grow back, and it's still here nearly three weeks after resuming treatment. I am really hoping I keep it, because although it's only about 1/4 inch long and is kind of like fuzzy baby hair, it's enough to not need (at least for me, I'm not vain) a hat or scarf. And it's really hot, and I don't want to have to wear a hat or scarf!

Good luck!

I bought two wigs and a
I bought two wigs and a cotton hat from headcovers.com! They do have a nice assortment of stuff... I bought a long wig in the winter like my own hair then a short style for spring/summer. Both are Raquel Welch. Good quality.

justkelly

kept hair on weekly Taxol/Herceptin!

I just finished my tenth out of 12 infusions of weekly Taxol and Herceptin and I just want to say that I haven't lost any hair anywhere! Still have to shave my legs, and I MAY be shedding a few more hairs than normal but nothing noticable. I was told to expect hair loss by all my doctors and nurses so I bought an expensive wig.....just want to say, do not rush out and do this until you actually see you are losing your hair. You may not. I think the lower weekly dose isn't as hard on the hair follicles. (I am age 53, diagnosed with stage 1b triple positive IDC, RX with lumpectomy and will have radiation and Tamoxifen soon). This protocol has been very easy to tolerate, very minimal side effects. Good luck!