How long til hair loss?

SMR
SMR Member Posts: 2
in Ovarian Cancer #1

Hi there-

typically how long until hair loss begins with carboplatin only?

any other side effects that you can share? How long til you typically start to feel side effects?

 

thanks in advance. I'll come back to share my story ASAP, carboplatin starts tomorrow and just trying to get some heads up first hand knowledge!

Comments

  • mom2greatkids
    mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
    #2
    I never had carbo alone. I

    I never had carbo alone. I had it as first line chemo along with taxol and avastin.  It took about two weeks for my hair to fall out.  My head became very sore before it fell out.

    We're all different so it's hard to know what side effects you might or might not have.  The fatigue increases with each treatment. When I took carbo/taxol I was sick twice. Once after the 3rd and again after the 6th treatments. 

    Make certain you drink plenty of fluids.  With this combination, I did experience some taste bud changes, but nothing major.

     

    I wish you the very best.  You will find the ladies here to be most helpful and kind.

     

    Carla

     

     

     

  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #3
    mom2greatkids said:

    I never had carbo alone. I

    I never had carbo alone. I had it as first line chemo along with taxol and avastin.  It took about two weeks for my hair to fall out.  My head became very sore before it fell out.

    We're all different so it's hard to know what side effects you might or might not have.  The fatigue increases with each treatment. When I took carbo/taxol I was sick twice. Once after the 3rd and again after the 6th treatments. 

    Make certain you drink plenty of fluids.  With this combination, I did experience some taste bud changes, but nothing major.

     

    I wish you the very best.  You will find the ladies here to be most helpful and kind.

     

    Carla

     

     

     

    never had it alone either

    i had carbo, taxol and mine came out in about 2 weeks, it took about 2 months for it to come comepletely out

  • Susan P
    Susan P Member Posts: 103
    #4
    azgrandma said:

    never had it alone either

    i had carbo, taxol and mine came out in about 2 weeks, it took about 2 months for it to come comepletely out

    hair loss

    mine got bad after about 3rd round of carbo/taxal - then I shaved it and startedf wearing cute hats.

     

     

    Susan P

     

  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #5
    I also had carbo/taxol

    and both times my hair starte to fall out 13 days from first treatment.  For me the hair loss is the least of it.  From the beginning I  said I didn't care if I was bald the rest of my life as long as I could stay alive.  Of course I had a full head of hair when I said that.  It held true though.  It has been about 5 months since my last ch we mo for my recurrence and I am keeping my buzz cut.  I love it.  It is my decision.  And I can let it grow anytime I want to.  For now it gives me a sense of freedom and control which cancer tries to take away.

    Karen

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,688 Member
    #6
    kikz said:

    I also had carbo/taxol

    and both times my hair starte to fall out 13 days from first treatment.  For me the hair loss is the least of it.  From the beginning I  said I didn't care if I was bald the rest of my life as long as I could stay alive.  Of course I had a full head of hair when I said that.  It held true though.  It has been about 5 months since my last ch we mo for my recurrence and I am keeping my buzz cut.  I love it.  It is my decision.  And I can let it grow anytime I want to.  For now it gives me a sense of freedom and control which cancer tries to take away.

    Karen

    Karen

    It's also chic and looks good on you

  • millermom
    millermom Member Posts: 3
    #7
    Chemo, it is what it is

    H SMR....chemo is such an individual thing for, everyone goes through it differently...I am on my 7th treament of Carbo/Taxol...You will know when it's time to shave your head and become accustomed to the baldness...I started loseing mine after my third treatment and you will experience discomfort in your scalp...I wore a chemo hat to bed so as not to get it all over the sheets and one week later had it all shaved off...not so bad really, very easy to care for...I have experienced some side affects...much fatique which increases with each trtmt, had thrush of the mouth but with one pill corrected that, some constipation in the begining but that to is fixed now, a metal taste and change in the way things taste, which they are working on now but it is what it is, with the fatique some flu like symptoms of aches and pains..My chemo is on Mondays so Mon, Tues not so bad wed and thur my worst and Fri better the weekend usually pretty good and that is my cycle each week....With ten being the worst my chemo runs about 5-6...so if I can continue like this for the next 11 times I am happy..no nausea some queasyness and I eat black licorice and it is gone in minutes..no vomiting at all...but you may be even better then mine just tell your doc or the chemo nurses and they know what to do..This is an evil disease and treatment but a necessary one...My CA125 is down from 8000 to 900 so it is working and it will for you as well...stay positive and active.... I hope I was of some help feel free to communicate any time... good luck   Maria Miller

  • calafia
    calafia Member Posts: 8
    #8
    Hair loss

     

    Maybe your hair won't fall out with carboplatin only. I had carboplatin with gemzar May through August and didn't lose mine. The texture changed slightly, becoming a little finer and straighter, but my hairdresser and I were the only ones who noticed. Best of luck to you!

  • Peggy Gish
    Peggy Gish Member Posts: 1
    #9
    Hair Loss

    I started Carboplatin & Taxol 10 days ago, if I'm going to lose my hair I would like to do it on my terms, get it all taken off before it falls out. From what I've read, it seems like everyone on this combo does lose their hair & usually around 14 days. Right now, I'm doing only 3 treatments, 3 weeks apart & then will do testing to determine if I go another 3 treatments. Is 14 days the norm? Thanks & God bless:)

  • wholfmeister
    wholfmeister Member Posts: 315
    #10
    14-21 Days

    It was more like 21days for me.  Once it started to come out, it was quick. Within 2 days of the first noticable loss, it was all gone.  I didn't find it too traumatic, but some women do prefer to shave it all off.  I've been on chemo for most of four years and I just got my fourth wig.  I love them! My real hair never looked this good!

    i am sorry you have to endure this.  But you'll do just fine.  Keep that great attitude!

  • LorettaMarshall
    LorettaMarshall Member Posts: 662 Member
    #11
    Peggy Gish said:

    Hair Loss

    I started Carboplatin & Taxol 10 days ago, if I'm going to lose my hair I would like to do it on my terms, get it all taken off before it falls out. From what I've read, it seems like everyone on this combo does lose their hair & usually around 14 days. Right now, I'm doing only 3 treatments, 3 weeks apart & then will do testing to determine if I go another 3 treatments. Is 14 days the norm? Thanks & God bless:)

    Peggy~Hair will return~hope the cancer doesn't!

    Good morning Peggy,

    This is Loretta.   Since you didn’t tell me anything “about you” on the “about me” page, I’m not sure of your diagnosis or testings you had in order to arrive here at the Ovarian Cancer site.  Anyway, you will find many likeminded ladies here with various stages of Ovarian Cancer.  And Carboplatin and Paclitaxel (Taxol) are the usual “first treatments” recommended to help fight this cancer spread.  For that reason I am putting two web links below just in case you need to know more about them.

    As for hair loss, my hair began to come out by the “brush full” within 10 days from the start of my chemo.  The first time around back in 2013, I just kept hoping that it would just get “thin”, but it got so “scraggly”, I just went to the beauty shop and had my head shaved. 

     In anticipation of the hair loss, I went down to a wig Shoppe and tried on wigs, before I lost my hair.  I bought one to match my hair color.  Then I found some wig sites on the web, and ordered 3 other wigs, some false bangs, and also a “halo of hair”.  The halo was just that.  It was a large band that fit around my head with no hair in the middle.  (Sorta’ like a “bald headed man”.)  You get the picture.  It is cooler than a whole wig, and goes well with caps and hats.  I also wore the false bangs underneath turbans, and the “lab workers” never knew that I was bald.  Of course, at home I just “let it all hang out.”  So I recommend saving a swatch of your own hair for a better match when you’re purchasing a wig.

    Incidentally, some insurance policies will pay for a wig, if the doctor writes a prescription for it.  You might want to check it out.  And at our clinic, there is a place where there are assorted caps or other head coverings donated for the ladies who might need something.  Some church groups have knitting clubs and they bring over lots of pretty knit caps.  There is no cost to you.    

     Naturally, we all say a prayer for the person writing.  I say “we’re all in the same boat but we’re all still afloat.”  Write when you have a need.  Between “all” of us we have probably already experienced what you are going through. 

    Wishing you much success,

    Loretta

    Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV

    P.S.  Sending along a web link that I addressed to “Brian from the North” when he was asking about hints for chemotherapy.  https://csn.cancer.org/node/301646

    I’ve had a second session of the same chemo combo back in June of 2015.  I had 6 sessions of it, but after the third session, my oncologist orders a CT scan to check the effectiveness of the drugs.  Then I have another CT scan 3 weeks out from the 6th treatment.  Chemo has a residual effect of 3 weeks, thus the reason for waiting 3 weeks to see how much has been accomplished.

    ·       http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/carboplatin.aspx

    ·       http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Paclitaxel.aspx

     

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,505 Member
    edited June 2016 #12
    Peggy, it is different for

    Peggy, it is different for everyone, but they say 10-14 is typical.  I applaud all the women who bravely shave their heads in advance.  I was not one of them but in the end did it to get it done.  Looking back I realize it is just hair, but it was still hard.  We are all cheering you on darlin'!

  • debsue420
    debsue420 Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2019 #13
    My first post

    Hi Everyone, This is my first post. Have had 4 chemos. The last one was 2 wks ago & started the Taxol & Caboplatin. Have 3 more Chemos coming up  every 3 wks. Today brushing my hair, twice, with lots of hair coming out on the brush. Guess this is the beginning of hair loss. Not worried about hair loss, it'll grow back. Stared with Stage 3 C Endomentrial Cancer. My profile explains all. Just wanted to post & share with someone that'll understand. Wishing Good Luck to all in their fight against Cancer & into Remission.......

  • Soup52
    Soup52 Member Posts: 908 Member
    #14
    Debsue, you might want to

    Debsue, you might want to visit the uterine cancer site. Endometrial cancer is a type of uterine cancer and we are very active there. I’m grade 3 stage 3C

  • debsue420
    debsue420 Member Posts: 7
    #15
    Soup52 said:

    Debsue, you might want to

    Debsue, you might want to visit the uterine cancer site. Endometrial cancer is a type of uterine cancer and we are very active there. I’m grade 3 stage 3C

    Thanks Soup52

    I did post in the roll call at uterine discussion board. Read your profile & we're almost twins with out treatments ect.. Have a Great Remission & Keep the faith.. 

  • nehagill
    nehagill Member Posts: 24
    #16
    within half a month

    the hair loss would generally begin about half a month into the treatment and would last till the treatment ends and sometimes even beyond for a few weeks. It would gradually start coming back on head and other parts of the body. Its gonna be fine. You are a brave girl.

  • funmaru
    funmaru Member Posts: 13 Member
    #17
    My hair fell out in cycles

    My chemo was every 3 weeks. Usually by the end of the second week after treatment, my scalp would get sore and then the following week, a few days before the next treatment my hair would fall out.  Also, towards the end, my remaining head hair turned white.   I had long thick hair but first I cut it short and when it started to fall out, I got a buzz cut. Now it's growing back and I noticed that my roots are black so the white is going away too. 

    I decided to embrace my new look so no hats or wigs for me.   Good luck to all.

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