hair loss

My hair started falling out on precisely Day 14 after my 1st round of Adriamycn and Cytoxan. I absent-mindedly ran my fingers through my hair and came away with quite a bit. There would also be more than normal in the shower drain and on my pillow. It took another 10 days before it started looking ridiculous.  At that point I had my husband use the hair trimmer and take off the rest. I then wore a wig or a head scarf in public. There are some really nice ones out there . It took quite a while before I could see myself in the mirror and not be startled or cry. It did eventually grow back albeit differently.

I should mention that it is not just the hair on your head that is affected. There can be a loss of the eyelashes, eyebrows, hair on the legs and underarms, pubic hair and the little hairs in your nose. Having no eyelashes or eyebrows was quite an interesting look for a while.

I wish you the best of luck. Most of that was temporary.

IRENE

My hair started to fall out after my second chemo treatment.  In anticipation of it happening, I got my hair cut very short.  Once I was able to pull it out with just a gentle tug, I got my head shaved.  There is a local hair salon that will do it, at no charge, and also let you have a wig from their wig bank.  I wore the wig in public and to work and a terrycloth turban at home.  The turban was soft and comfortable.  My head would get cold at night, even though it was summer time, so I needed to wear some kind of head covering to bed, especially if the air conditioner was on.  I did lose every hair on my body.

The good news is that my hair started to grow back almost immediately.  It came in very curly at first but eventually went back to my normal somewhat wavy hair.  It fell out in June but, by Thanksgiving, I was comfortable enough with the regrowth that I stopped wearing any head covering.

One unexpected result of losing all my hair was that I had no warning when my nose would begin to run!  Since I have seasonal allergies, that happened a lot.  Usually, the hairs in your nose give you a little warning but I was often caught off guard.  Always good to keep a few tissues close by, just in case!

Good luck on your journey!

psro said:

thank you both

I don't know why, but I pictured waking up one day and being completely bald. At least if it's gradual, maybe I can adjust. I know it's coming, so I got a few hats and a scarf. I'm prepared, but not really ready.

Iknew mine was coming too but it still was emotional.  It came almost 3 wks after my first.  I tried to be brave and hold it together.  it is like standing in a nightmare  when a big wad of hair comes out in your hand.  It dont hurt, it just comes out.  I attended my second in a scarve because by that afternoon it was everywhere.  I finished treatment and went to the beauty shop and my stylist shaved it off.  About a week later it started growing again and it was like a tough beard about a 1/4 of an inch.  It hurt to lay on it.  So I got out the soap and water and razor and shaved it.  I splept in a soft knitted baby yarn beanie cap.  That helped.  After that I did not have to shave it, it did not come back for close to a year.   When that comes in , it is very soft.

My hair is not anything like it was prior to the treatments.  It is a mess.  I gave up and just let it be with the hope that in a few years it may get better.  

Hugs and prayers for you warrior

Annie

SLS100 said:

hair loss

I have been using cold capping since I lost all my hair after my first immune therapothy treatment.  They said my hair loss may be 6-8 months so I am hoping for the best  The cold capping is miserable but if it helps with my hair loss it is worth it.  I am going to give it an additional two months after they said and see what happens.  I got a free wig but am ot supposed to wear it if I want the hair to come back.  For me, the hair loss is still a really big deal.  I know that sounds vain and misguided but I also hate not having  eyebrows and eylashes.  I have been penciling brows back in for now.  will try some brow stencisl from drugstore and hope for the best.  Have started wearing lipstick so I don't look invisible.

We try to be brave and say it is just hair, but it is not.  It is an additional insult for us and it hurts.  I have been up and down with my hair and I get so frustrated.  

Prayers for greater outcomes and better days.   

Hugs,

Annie