What has been your experience with hair loss?

Wannabeatit

Hair loss

i will be starting my treatments in the new year. You are not alone. I will be right behind you.

jodil

Cherpear said:

This is day 14 after my 1st

This is day 14 after my 1st chemo. Yesterday when I was combing my hair, there were clumps coming out so I had my husband buzz cut it all off. Ironically, I had an appointment that day for a free wig. It's very nice but it makes me uncomfortable. I'm still in shock. My daughter said I look badass!

hair loss

Started chemo om 12/6. In preparation, I got my hair cut short w/ a #3 clipper. I actually really liked it. BUT 3 days ago, I started shedding. Now my hair is coming out in my hand. That made me cry b/c I thought I could get away w/ the short cut. What I am going to do is go to the barber shop and have him cut a design, taking the rest of my hair down w/ a #1 blade and see how that goes. I googled ideas. If THAT doesn't, work, it's bald. for me.  

barnyardgal

Had my second treatment two

Had my second treatment two weeks ago and hair has just started to come out. Head itches but doesn't hurt. I'm on doxorubicon. It's just a little coming out so far so I'm hoping I can wait till day after Christmas to shave it but we'll see.

dgrdalton

Still have about 1% hair

It’s day 12 post chemo #3 and I still have about 1% of my 1/2 inch long hair left, mostly on top where it was the thickest. I mostly wear bamboo caps; they are so comfortable. 

Wonder when it will start growing back? That was my last chemo.

 

jodil

evolo58 said:

I managed to keep most of it

I managed to keep most of it until Christmas ... one day before my second treatment (21 days apart, so that would be around Day 20). Then I tried on some wigs at the free boutique in the infusion station and BOY, did that undercap thing pull at my hair and yanking strands out! I suppose, though, that if my hair was that brittle, not trying on the wigs would have bought me two days more, at best. Still have hair covering most of my head except for a somewhat obvious small comb-over patch in the back. Losing more hair by the day, though, (I'm tending to shed more like a dog ... stray hair all over), so I wouldn't be suprised if I have to get that shaving late this week/early next. At least I got the "prep buzz cut" earlier in the month so I don't have stray longer hair clogging the tub. Unfortunately, losing so much hair while bathing has given me a fear of bathing now.

Never did get a wig there, by the way. Most of them were WAY too small on me. I have a larger head than normal! I guess if I want a wig, I'm going to have to shell out money for a custom one. Am debating on getting a purple-haired one.

 

hair loss

did get my hair buzzed last weekewnd w/ #2 blade. Had her cut a design on both sides of the head. It was a little shocking but am getting used to it and getting alot of positive feedback @ work. Just don't want my head covered all the time w/ a wig or hat. It is pretty warm in my office and would get pretty uncomfortable. Even this short I am still losing hair so likely will have to go down to #1 blade soon. I just don't want to LOOK sick to my patiens so am putting alot of effort into making this buzzed haircut look intentional-funky jewelry, clothes,etc. Good for my self esteme too.

evolo58

The silky chemo caps, though

The silky chemo caps, though, are pretty comfy. I wear them now sometimes (really don't want to start wearing them too much yet, though, until I lose more hair, since my hair is so delicate), and I often barely notice them. The bamboo-based ones are really light, though they seem to cost more. And they aren't hot.

After not one, but TWO bad experiences with wig-fitting, I really don't know if I'll go with them, unless I wear them for a dressy occasion. They felt awful to me. I can see why some ladies say they feel heavy and awkward. Maybe a better-quality synthetic wig makes a difference (I DEFINITELY can't afford the human-hair ones). I might want to shell out a few bucks and check out speciality stores in the area.

evolo58

I managed to keep most of it

I managed to keep most of it until Christmas ... one day before my second treatment (21 days apart, so that would be around Day 20). Then I tried on some wigs at the free boutique in the infusion station and BOY, did that undercap thing pull at my hair and yanking strands out! I suppose, though, that if my hair was that brittle, not trying on the wigs would have bought me two days more, at best. Still have hair covering most of my head except for a somewhat obvious small comb-over patch in the back. Losing more hair by the day, though, (I'm tending to shed more like a dog ... stray hair all over), so I wouldn't be suprised if I have to get that shaving late this week/early next. At least I got the "prep buzz cut" earlier in the month so I don't have stray longer hair clogging the tub. Unfortunately, losing so much hair while bathing has given me a fear of bathing now.

Never did get a wig there, by the way. Most of them were WAY too small on me. I have a larger head than normal! I guess if I want a wig, I'm going to have to shell out money for a custom one. Am debating on getting a purple-haired one.

 

Kind Les

As a person who never left

As a person who never left the house unless her hair is done for years, it was something I was not looking forward to. I had a hard time dealing with people looking at me. I never had thick hair, it was always baby fine hair, wearing a wig felt costuming me and it is not me. I did get one and  wore it a few times, everyone else loved it, it was just a TON of hair for me. I got away with short cuts, pixies, and I never wore a hat before and I like those. It makes a not so great hair day, ok I also went to a look good feel pretty class that I found on this site and the volunteers are awesome! They can teach you how to do simple scarf wraps with cutting a t shirt and twisting it in fun ways you would never know what it was but looks cute. Chemo cocktails are different, I have the unfortunate experiencing, to relive losing my hair more than once. this time it is not so drastic. My sister who went through treatment at the same time had lost all of hers fast, but she is beautiful with out with out hair in my opinion. Hers grew back thicker and gorgeous. Mine did come back a little bit thicker but, I have not stopped treatments yet to see, I just know it will get better. 

CheeseQueen57

Head covering

I had about 4 wigs but they were all uncomfortable and rode up in the back. I always thought I was a “bubble head”. I had a hat with hair. That was alright but not all that comfortable either. My favorites were turbins. I had a hat that had a scarf attached that I would wear to the beach and I would rig up something for the boat. But my very favorite was the turbins. They didn’t require any special folding, were not real hot, easy to wash, different colors and stayed in place. One of my friends called it my Joan Crawford look. 

Soup52

I believe losingour hair was

I believe losingour hair was one of the hardest things, a visible sign of our cancer. I purchased a more expensive wig that looked a lot like my own hair only thicker . Since my hair loss was during cooler months the wig didn’t bother me. When hair started growing back it was summer and I went without anything or just hats. I was surprised mine actually didn’t look bad short. If I should ever have chemo again I don’t think I will try to grow it out beyond a pixie. The growing out has been a pain for me. Unrulely curls and layers. Above all we will survive:)

evolo58

Well, the time came. Kind of.

Well, the time came. Kind of. After seeing a huge baldish spot on the side of my head, it was time to get a shaving, I thought. Problem is, I didn't expect the razor to freakin' HURT. My scalp was always really sensitive, and between that, being fuzzy-wuzzy and the chemo, it smarted every time he tried to closer-shave it.

So both the hairdresser and I agreed to cut it just above totally bald and lint-roll the rest off. From what I'm reading here, it might be the best way for me to go anyway. I look like a plucked chicken, but at least I'm shedding less after my daily routine of a few passes with the masking-tape lint brush. It was getting a little annoying losing strands of hair every time I sneezed!

Interestingly, my hair does NOT go total bald for long once it falls out. At least not now (I have one more chemo next week, HOPEFULLY before surgery, will take a break for a few weeks to recover from surgery, then I have to resume chemo for three more sessions). I have a fine downy covering where the initial hair started coming out a week or two ago. The hairdresser didn't want to disturb that, either. So lint-rolling daily it is! 

llhgrey

Thank you!

Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories and advice!  I just finishes chemo #4 of 6, but I have not lost all of my hair, as expected.  I have a thin layer of peach fuzz all over my head.  I have started losing my eyelashes and eyebrows, and my legs and arms are bare.  I decided to forego a wig, and wear beanies and scarves (pashminas and pretied).  I found it quite enjoyable to shop for cute designs to match my outfits - Amazon has a lot of affordable options.  If anyone just beginning their chemo would like links to the products I bought, just DM me.

Unknown

Scalp pain associated with hair loss

My husband, on Day 17 today after first RCHOP "hit".  Yesterday was the first day he told me his head felt "sore", circumferentially.  It's starting to thin (obvious to me, not so much to him) . . . but after reading everyone's comments . . . from what I understand, this is the beginning of the end to his headful of hair.  I was searching the site for info on what this scalp sensation meant, so was grateful to find all of your shared comments on the subject.  THANK YOU!  We've been scheduled for a "buzz" cut this coming Tuesday, so I'm thinking the timing of that appointment was spot on, from the sounds of things.

So grateful for everyone's comments on this topic and so many others!  It has helped us prepare for what we'll probably be seeing.

Can anyone tell me if you recall, on your own journey through all of this, whether or not the doses of your chemo initiated more side effects as treatment progressed?  We will be going in for "HIT" #2 this coming Thursday and have read that with each one . . . things tend to surface more.  I'm thinking it may be due to dose increases . . . on our list of questions for the oncologist, but was just curious what others may have found along the way.

THANKS again, everyone!

barnyardgal

Side effects did worsen for

Side effects did worsen for me with each chemo. I had a different chemo than many here. I had adriamyacin and carboplatin rather than than the Taxol and carboplatin as I had allergic reactions to the Taxol. I was nauseous and tired the first week or so. Each time it did worsen along with my blood counts diving. After #6 I stayed nauseous and my counts were too low to get chemo. I was really tired and out of breath. So the Dr had me finish radiation first and I just had #7 Friday. First chemo in 3 months and my hair is coming back like crazy.Protocol for the chemo I'm on is 6-8 treatments and the doctor had me expect 8 but #7 may be the last one. In spite of the side effects it is doable. Just be kind to yourself and rest when you can.