CPT-11 & hair loss

crazylady
crazylady Member Posts: 543 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi Everyone,
I know this subject has been discussed before, but I can't remember the results.
After a reaction to oxiliplatin(sp) I am now on xeloda, CPT-11 and avastin.

Has anyone lost enough hair to need a wig while on CPT-11? I like to be prepared in advance for all possibilities.

Please excuse all spelling errors. Chemo brain has gotten me. I have decided that I need to laugh at my spelling and memory or lack of because I don't have the patience to look everything up in the dictionary!

Take care and thank you!
Jamie

Comments

  • suzannchili
    suzannchili Member Posts: 134 Member
    #2
    Lost a lot, but not to the point where I needed a wig. Or at least I din't think so.
  • IzzieCat
    IzzieCat Member Posts: 56
    #3
    Hi Jamie. I am wondering the same thing...I'm on CPT-11, 5FU and Avastin. I will be having my second infusion on Monday...So far, no lost hair. But it's early in the game....I had 5 FU last year, and my hair thinned by about half (I have thick hair) Nobody noticed it but me. But, CPT-11 is new to me this time, and I don't know what to expect, either...Buying a wig will be a last resort for me, and I hope I don't have to do it! Keep me posted about yours, and I'll keep you posted about mine :-)

    Mary
  • shmurciakova
    shmurciakova Member Posts: 906 Member
    #4
    Hi Jamie and Mary,
    I was on FOLFIRI for 6 rounds...by the time I was done my hair looked like Linus (from Peanuts, you know). I just wore bandanas and I still had hair hanging down in the back so I don't think that many people noticed. However, my eyebrows and hair "down there" also fell out. So you may want eyebrow pencils! After I was done I noticed new hair growing in very soon afterwards, so I went ahead and cut my hair off at that time. It soon looked pretty cute, like a pixie cut. It has been 4 years now and my hair is very long again, so don't despair!
    I think it really varies from one person to the next. It wouldn't hurt to go look at wigs, but in the end you may not need to go that route....
    Best wishes,
    Susan H.
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #5
    Keeping in mind that everyone is different, I have lost my hair everytime i've been put on camptosar. Essentially completely bald. I do have a wig, but am more likely to wear scarves.
    Mary
  • claud1951
    claud1951 Member Posts: 424 Member
    #6
    Hi Jamie,
    I don't know what CPT-11 is? Is that Camptosar/Irinotecan? That is what I take and my hair is really thinning. Have been on it for 2 months now and will be on it for another month. I'm thinking most of it will come out.

    Had really thick hair but now bald spots.
    Again...everyone it different and I guess that I'm one of those that get the side effects from all this stuff!

    Just got my hair cut, last week really short and it's cute but can see the bald spots more. That's okay. I'll wear hats and scarfs and such.

    Hope everything goes okay for you.
    Claudia
  • crazylady
    crazylady Member Posts: 543 Member
    #7
    goldfinch said:

    Keeping in mind that everyone is different, I have lost my hair everytime i've been put on camptosar. Essentially completely bald. I do have a wig, but am more likely to wear scarves.
    Mary

    Hi Mary,
    How long did it take you to lose it?
    Jamie
  • alta29
    alta29 Member Posts: 435 Member
    #8
    you will lose some hair but not all...do not think u will need a wig....I kind of cut it pretty short and that did it for me...Bougth a wig and my gosh ! it looked terrible, do not know what I was looking at when I looked at myself in the mirror when I bought it...you want mine ? ffrreeeeee incluging shipping !
    God bless
  • crazylady
    crazylady Member Posts: 543 Member
    #9
    alta29 said:

    you will lose some hair but not all...do not think u will need a wig....I kind of cut it pretty short and that did it for me...Bougth a wig and my gosh ! it looked terrible, do not know what I was looking at when I looked at myself in the mirror when I bought it...you want mine ? ffrreeeeee incluging shipping !
    God bless

    Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll pass. I'm going to wait and see what happens before I make a decision about buying a wig. I really don't like anything on my head and I think a wig would drive me nuts so it will be a last resort.
    Jamie
  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    #10
    Hi Jamie,
    I just finished a round of Avastin, Xeloda, and Irinotecan. I started losing huge tufts of hair after 3 weeks. I shaved and had to keep shaving for the duration. Fortunately it was summer!
    That said... 3 years ago I was on Irinotecan and 5FU... I didn't lose much hair then.
    Don't forget the vitamin B-6 to help prevent the hand-foot syndrome sometimes associated with xeloda.
    How long is your chemo program?
    Rob; in Vancouver

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