Hair Loss??

Hi there, I think it can be a bit individual...I was on Folfox 6 -- without Avastin -- and I had thinning but only enough that I noticed. I did lose a fair amount of my eye lashes...Sort of odd. I talked with another person, though, who had to buy a wig. As for what I did...Nothing. I think I had my hair cut a bit shorter, but that was it. As soon as chemo was over I did a lot of detoxing; because there were so many chemical is my system, I think I went through another thinning -- as the chemical circulated out. All is fine now...I know that with every crazy side effect, another one which produces anxiety as all you need. Hang in there. I hope you are feeling okay otherwise...Take care. I might also look for an incredibly gentle shampoo for the present? Allthe best to you - Maura

Hi - I am sure everyone is different, but in general you don't actually lose your hair on the regimen you are on. I had 6 cycles of Xeloda/oxaliplatin/Avastin - so very similar to what you are having. My last two (or maybe 3) cycles I had strands of hair tangling around my fingers every morning when I took a shower and washed my hair. I was starting to worry, but I have LOTS of hair and even my hairdresser couldn't tell! Not sure how it would have progressed if I had continued beyond 6 cycles, but at the rate I was losing it, it would have taken a very long time to be noticeable, I think.

Not sure you can "do" anything. I can't remember exactly when my hair stopped coming out in the shower, but I do know it was very soon after I stopped the chemo.

I wish you the best. Chemo has some really unpleasant side effects - I'm sorry you have to worry about the hair thing too.

Betsy

Sorry I had some thinning but not enough for me to worry about.

Hi-

The hair thinning experience was definately difficult to deal with. You can always look on the brighter side of things. You don't need to shave your legs as often and you don't need to get your hair cut as much. I was careful how I cut the hair I had, because as the treatments not only thins, but the slows the growth.

~ Wendy

I was told by the Chemo Nurses that NIOXIN Scalp Therapy helps slow down the thinning, and it did help me.You can get it at J.C. Penneys salons and Walmart Salons. I lost about a third of my hair last year while on Folfox 4. This year I'm on Folfiri with Avastin and using the NIOXIN again. So far I haven't lost it all yet (though it is thinning alot) and only have 2 more treatments to go. Best of Luck to you. Kandy

Hi tennislover, I am in Folfox treatment and already had 5 of them, I was as worry as you are,and even went and tried some wigs, but I didn't like them, of course that I have noticed some thining, but not bad enough to make me woory so much, what I have done ,I am washing my hair once a week, instead of every 2 days as I used to do, because I noticed more falling of the hair in the shower, i used a lot of conditioner and try to comb my hair gently, I never had thick hair, but I remember my mother in law used to say Betina she doesn't have great hair but she does wonders with it , nobody have noticed yet that I have been loosing my hair, so after you have read all this posts I'm sure that loosing your hair will no be another thing for you to worry. Hugs Betina

Hi Tennis Lover,

I just finished my fourth treatment of Folfox 6 (no Avastin for me). My very thick hair is thinning, that is for sure, but so far no-one is noticing except those co-workers who always pluck hair off the back of your sweater... you know the type! I wash a lot down the drain every day but haven't noticed any "bald" spots yet. I am also keeping it short, which I think helps.

I was on Folfox for 6 months and Avastin for a year and my hair thinned tremendously. I had very thick hair and it is now thin and very straight. I finished the Folfox in Nov.05 and the Avastin in Mar.06 but my hair is STILL thinning. My doc can't seem to find any medical reason for it to still be thinning. I've never had straight hair before so I like it but---enough! is enough!