taxol and hair loss
hugs.
teena
Comments
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Hi Teena, can't help you
Hi Teena, can't help you there because I had adriamycin, cytoxan every 3 weeks for 8 treatments. My hair fell out after 16 days. It started coming out in clumps, so I had it buzzed. Ask the oncology nurses, they'll be able to tell you better. Good luck. Lili0 -
Tasol and hair loss
Hi TGI
I have done the taxol and the herceptin but not at the same time. I did indeed lose my hair. My hair didn't fall out until after my 2nd treatment. I remember going to my oncoloyist aftet my first treatment in a very good mood, happily that I hadn't lost my hair and also telling him this.He looked at me and said, you will lose your hair and now is the best time to prepare yourself for it. So after my first treatment, like he said. I did lose my hair.
Sorry, if I disapporinted you but sometimes hearing the truth makes things a little easlier. Maybe you should go and prepare yourself too.0 -
Hi, Teena
I lost my hair during the A/C but it's starting to grow w/Taxol. Don't know if that helps you or not. It's peach fuzz right now, but it's growing. With the A/C, it came out in clumps.
Bless you and hugs, Teresa0 -
teena
I started out with the big guns as my Doctor calls it which is the AC treatment. I lost all my hair within 21 days. Every two weeks for four treatments. I have been done since end of February. I started the taxol which is 12 treatments every week.I am now done with week 4. I have hair regrowth. sure it is only peach fuzz but it is hair and it is growing. I wish you luck honey.. I had such beautiful long brown hair.I miss my hair and when I saw the regrowth I cried. If losing my hair is worth saving my life so I can watch my kids grow up then it is all worth it.. Hugs to you..0 -
hairdmdudra said:teena
I started out with the big guns as my Doctor calls it which is the AC treatment. I lost all my hair within 21 days. Every two weeks for four treatments. I have been done since end of February. I started the taxol which is 12 treatments every week.I am now done with week 4. I have hair regrowth. sure it is only peach fuzz but it is hair and it is growing. I wish you luck honey.. I had such beautiful long brown hair.I miss my hair and when I saw the regrowth I cried. If losing my hair is worth saving my life so I can watch my kids grow up then it is all worth it.. Hugs to you..
As an update to my post of 3/24 asking about hair loss and taxol ...
Well ... I DID get my hair cut very short on day 13 of my taxol/herceptin treatments ... and on day 15 I ran my fingers through my hair and ended up with a hand full of hair! I did it again ... and had another fist full of hair. I got on the phone and called a friend and told her to get her electric razor fired up because I was on my way over to her house.
My oncologist had told me I would probably experience my hair THINNING ... but would probably NOT lose my hair. Well ... I thought by thinning he meant like a s-l-o-w process. Ha! One day I'm getting a haircut and two day's later it's falling out in my hands. I will say that I do still have "hair" ... a buzzcut sort of thing (as short as my friend could get it) because I wasn't about to go around with blobs of hair missing ... or having hair fly around all over the place like I was shedding my "winter hair." Thank goodness I was prepared and had ordered a cute little hat ... so I've been doing just fine. In the big scheme of things ... the hair deal is nothing! But ... it will be nice when I can start to see some growth. I'm hoping for thick curly hair ... instead of the straight, gray, thin stuff I had "before."
hugs.
teena0 -
I will begin my Taxol next weektgf said:hair
As an update to my post of 3/24 asking about hair loss and taxol ...
Well ... I DID get my hair cut very short on day 13 of my taxol/herceptin treatments ... and on day 15 I ran my fingers through my hair and ended up with a hand full of hair! I did it again ... and had another fist full of hair. I got on the phone and called a friend and told her to get her electric razor fired up because I was on my way over to her house.
My oncologist had told me I would probably experience my hair THINNING ... but would probably NOT lose my hair. Well ... I thought by thinning he meant like a s-l-o-w process. Ha! One day I'm getting a haircut and two day's later it's falling out in my hands. I will say that I do still have "hair" ... a buzzcut sort of thing (as short as my friend could get it) because I wasn't about to go around with blobs of hair missing ... or having hair fly around all over the place like I was shedding my "winter hair." Thank goodness I was prepared and had ordered a cute little hat ... so I've been doing just fine. In the big scheme of things ... the hair deal is nothing! But ... it will be nice when I can start to see some growth. I'm hoping for thick curly hair ... instead of the straight, gray, thin stuff I had "before."
hugs.
teena
Hello teena and all. Teena, I read your post and thank you. I am not freaked out over losing my hair at all, truly. BUT, I am very curious about the time frame of it all so I can, as you said, be prepared. My hair is extremely short anyway. My friends have already scheduled a "shave the head" party....haha. I am a very happy and upbeat person plus I am a realist, life happens and we have to do the best with what we have. Your post was very helpful...thank you. I will be on an 18 week program of Taxol and Carboplatin.
A very lucky twist of fate resulted in my doctorsfinding a very low malignant/borderline tumor on the ovaries last year and a total hysterectomy was the result. They said it might come back but everyone is a little shocked that it came back in 12 months. It is NOT ovarian cancer but I am told the cells are ovarian cancer like? Whatever....they will guide me and I will happily muddle through. As dumb as it all sounds, I feel like I won the cancer lottery....had I not asked for an ablation for a selfish desire to end some of my menstration problems this would have never been found. As a result we are doing what is available because we can and NOT because we HAVE TO....how lucky am I? Seriously, it's all good.
My #1 concern is simple....I can't stand to be nauseous. You can cut off my arm and the pain would be tough but preferable to nausea. Have you experienced a great deal of nausea? I realize that we will all react differently but any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Kelley0 -
Taxolpstur1 said:I will begin my Taxol next week
Hello teena and all. Teena, I read your post and thank you. I am not freaked out over losing my hair at all, truly. BUT, I am very curious about the time frame of it all so I can, as you said, be prepared. My hair is extremely short anyway. My friends have already scheduled a "shave the head" party....haha. I am a very happy and upbeat person plus I am a realist, life happens and we have to do the best with what we have. Your post was very helpful...thank you. I will be on an 18 week program of Taxol and Carboplatin.
A very lucky twist of fate resulted in my doctorsfinding a very low malignant/borderline tumor on the ovaries last year and a total hysterectomy was the result. They said it might come back but everyone is a little shocked that it came back in 12 months. It is NOT ovarian cancer but I am told the cells are ovarian cancer like? Whatever....they will guide me and I will happily muddle through. As dumb as it all sounds, I feel like I won the cancer lottery....had I not asked for an ablation for a selfish desire to end some of my menstration problems this would have never been found. As a result we are doing what is available because we can and NOT because we HAVE TO....how lucky am I? Seriously, it's all good.
My #1 concern is simple....I can't stand to be nauseous. You can cut off my arm and the pain would be tough but preferable to nausea. Have you experienced a great deal of nausea? I realize that we will all react differently but any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Kelley
Kelley,
I want to welcome you to this wonderful, amazing site.
I have had 4 treatments so far of Taxol with Herceptin and have had no nausea at all. I has adrimyacin and cytoxin(spelling is wrong) for 4 treatments and they gave me anti-nausea pills for that but took the pills as directed and no nausea.
Taxol is not so strong--that is what my oncologist told me--as the AC treatment so I have not had to take any anti-nausea pills.
Everyone does react differently to the chemo drugs. It is like Benedryl knocks some people right out but with me it puts me on super strength.
Hope this helps some Kelley.
Good luck with your treatment and let us know how you do with it.
Hugs,
Margo0 -
Thank you Margotommaseena said:Taxol
Kelley,
I want to welcome you to this wonderful, amazing site.
I have had 4 treatments so far of Taxol with Herceptin and have had no nausea at all. I has adrimyacin and cytoxin(spelling is wrong) for 4 treatments and they gave me anti-nausea pills for that but took the pills as directed and no nausea.
Taxol is not so strong--that is what my oncologist told me--as the AC treatment so I have not had to take any anti-nausea pills.
Everyone does react differently to the chemo drugs. It is like Benedryl knocks some people right out but with me it puts me on super strength.
Hope this helps some Kelley.
Good luck with your treatment and let us know how you do with it.
Hugs,
Margo
It does help. I appreciate the reply. I will keep you posted. Thank you so much.
Kelley0 -
Hair falling outpstur1 said:Thank you Margo
It does help. I appreciate the reply. I will keep you posted. Thank you so much.
Kelley
Kelley,
Where I was on AC before I started Taxol I can not answer the question as to when your hair will fall out. I know that my hair fell out day 15 with the AC treatment. Day 16 I had a shaving party where I work--Veterans Hospital at the barber shop there--my cousin shaved my head--she is the barber there. Local newspaper was there as well and my 5 1/2 year old son got his head buzzed in support of his mom.
All my co-workers were there as well.
Margo0 -
Fingers are crossed for curly hair!tommaseena said:Hair falling out
Kelley,
Where I was on AC before I started Taxol I can not answer the question as to when your hair will fall out. I know that my hair fell out day 15 with the AC treatment. Day 16 I had a shaving party where I work--Veterans Hospital at the barber shop there--my cousin shaved my head--she is the barber there. Local newspaper was there as well and my 5 1/2 year old son got his head buzzed in support of his mom.
All my co-workers were there as well.
Margo
Margo,
My co-workers are planning, probably as I type, the shaving party. I teach at a local university and I work with a great bunch of characters. I am not too terribly worried about the hair loss but I also hope my head isn't shaped to terribly funny because I would like to not have to wear anything if I so choose. Then again, a funny shaped head is the least of my worries so forget that last thought. Your son sounds like a sweetheart! I have realized that this is harder on the people around me than it is for me. In all honesty, I am not really upset or concerned but my friends and family are kind of strange. They know I am very open so I hope they believe me when I tell them not to walk on egg shells and ask anything they want to.
I love it that they are willing to plan a shaving party already, it lets me know they aren't going to be shy and silly about this, thank goodness. I teach this summer also but my students are great too so no worries there. I have a great support group and everything is set up. The wait is the worst really. Less than a week. I will keep you posted.
Take care,
Kelley0 -
Hey guyspstur1 said:Fingers are crossed for curly hair!
Margo,
My co-workers are planning, probably as I type, the shaving party. I teach at a local university and I work with a great bunch of characters. I am not too terribly worried about the hair loss but I also hope my head isn't shaped to terribly funny because I would like to not have to wear anything if I so choose. Then again, a funny shaped head is the least of my worries so forget that last thought. Your son sounds like a sweetheart! I have realized that this is harder on the people around me than it is for me. In all honesty, I am not really upset or concerned but my friends and family are kind of strange. They know I am very open so I hope they believe me when I tell them not to walk on egg shells and ask anything they want to.
I love it that they are willing to plan a shaving party already, it lets me know they aren't going to be shy and silly about this, thank goodness. I teach this summer also but my students are great too so no worries there. I have a great support group and everything is set up. The wait is the worst really. Less than a week. I will keep you posted.
Take care,
Kelley
welcome to the
Hey guys
welcome to the site. I start my chemo next week. My treatment sounds different..every 3 weeks for 6 weeks with the TAC meds....but I know I will also lose my hair.I think I will do the short cut too...just to phycologically prepare....0 -
I have been wonderingdyaneb123 said:Hey guys
welcome to the
Hey guys
welcome to the site. I start my chemo next week. My treatment sounds different..every 3 weeks for 6 weeks with the TAC meds....but I know I will also lose my hair.I think I will do the short cut too...just to phycologically prepare....
I have been wondering dyaneb, which one are you in your picture? And, good luck to you next week!0 -
Hairpstur1 said:Fingers are crossed for curly hair!
Margo,
My co-workers are planning, probably as I type, the shaving party. I teach at a local university and I work with a great bunch of characters. I am not too terribly worried about the hair loss but I also hope my head isn't shaped to terribly funny because I would like to not have to wear anything if I so choose. Then again, a funny shaped head is the least of my worries so forget that last thought. Your son sounds like a sweetheart! I have realized that this is harder on the people around me than it is for me. In all honesty, I am not really upset or concerned but my friends and family are kind of strange. They know I am very open so I hope they believe me when I tell them not to walk on egg shells and ask anything they want to.
I love it that they are willing to plan a shaving party already, it lets me know they aren't going to be shy and silly about this, thank goodness. I teach this summer also but my students are great too so no worries there. I have a great support group and everything is set up. The wait is the worst really. Less than a week. I will keep you posted.
Take care,
Kelley
My hair was pin straight so I am hoping it comes in curly or at least with a wave. Don't know what the color will be--I've heard that it can come in a different color as well.
Everyone tells me that my head is shaped well. No scars or indents. I go golfing and I don't wear a hat to often only when I drop Jake off at school.
Take care yourself,
Margo0 -
The wait is the worst, isn't it?dyaneb123 said:Hey guys
welcome to the
Hey guys
welcome to the site. I start my chemo next week. My treatment sounds different..every 3 weeks for 6 weeks with the TAC meds....but I know I will also lose my hair.I think I will do the short cut too...just to phycologically prepare....
Hello dyaneb...
I am just so darned curious. Plus, I just want to start and get it over with, you know? As for the short hair, I have had my hair fairly short for several years. I travel a lot and got tired of hauling around the curlers, irons, dryers, and so on. It was silly so I asked my hairdresser to give me something I could use goo in to spike it. It turned out great! So, try it....I think it will be a nice transition for you at least or I hope so. I wish you all the best.
Margo...
Here is my other concern...will the chemo take care of the chin hairs?...haha. I have this theory that I will be stuck with the chin hairs and that will be a total waste of chemo...hee hee. However, if the hair on my head comes back curly and a better color...woo hoo. I like you have STRAIGHT hair which is another reason short and a product called Got 2B Glued is the way I went.0 -
Chin hairspstur1 said:The wait is the worst, isn't it?
Hello dyaneb...
I am just so darned curious. Plus, I just want to start and get it over with, you know? As for the short hair, I have had my hair fairly short for several years. I travel a lot and got tired of hauling around the curlers, irons, dryers, and so on. It was silly so I asked my hairdresser to give me something I could use goo in to spike it. It turned out great! So, try it....I think it will be a nice transition for you at least or I hope so. I wish you all the best.
Margo...
Here is my other concern...will the chemo take care of the chin hairs?...haha. I have this theory that I will be stuck with the chin hairs and that will be a total waste of chemo...hee hee. However, if the hair on my head comes back curly and a better color...woo hoo. I like you have STRAIGHT hair which is another reason short and a product called Got 2B Glued is the way I went.
The few chin hairs I had before chemo are gone but I don't know what will happen when I am finished with chemo--hope I don't get a beard.
Never lost my eyebrows or eyelashes when another woman at work told me I would. She told me day 10 with Taxol. I have had 4 treatments of Taxol and haven't lost them yet.
Margo0 -
Margo, You have made me happytommaseena said:Chin hairs
The few chin hairs I had before chemo are gone but I don't know what will happen when I am finished with chemo--hope I don't get a beard.
Never lost my eyebrows or eyelashes when another woman at work told me I would. She told me day 10 with Taxol. I have had 4 treatments of Taxol and haven't lost them yet.
Margo
WOO HOO...that was the other concern....eyebrows. I will keep my fingers crossed for the both of us! Thumbs up.
Kelley0 -
First Chemo down!!!!!
Guys, this hasn't been horrible at all. The port install was a BREEZE! The chemo took 6 hours because it was the first day and I had to go through "chemo school" which was very informative but LONG. I am exhausted from the Benadryl they gave me just in case I had issues. But, I am doing very well so far. It sure is nice to have that under my belt. I am so much more relaxed now and it isn't just because of the Benadryl...haha. I will write more later after I have slept for six years.
Kelley0 -
Mine was a BREEZE too!pstur1 said:First Chemo down!!!!!
Guys, this hasn't been horrible at all. The port install was a BREEZE! The chemo took 6 hours because it was the first day and I had to go through "chemo school" which was very informative but LONG. I am exhausted from the Benadryl they gave me just in case I had issues. But, I am doing very well so far. It sure is nice to have that under my belt. I am so much more relaxed now and it isn't just because of the Benadryl...haha. I will write more later after I have slept for six years.
Kelley
Kelley,
Last week I completed my 12 weekly infusions of taxol and herceptin. I was also one of the lucky ones ... and never had any nausea. My only side effects were a few skin rashes ... constipation (!!!!) and splotchy hair loss (which I took control of ... and had a friend shave my head).
I grew to love my port. I know it's a personal choice to get a port ... or not ... but it still hurts me to see others sit in the recliner for their chemo ... and cringe as the nurse searches for veins ... while I just sit there and get "plugged in." I am sooooo glad I decided to get the port. And ... I know what you mean about the benedryl. I'd take a xanax before my appointment ... then they'd give me benedryl ... and I'd put on my "relaxation music" ... and before the actual chemo started I was sound asleep. I got to the point where I actually looked forward to seeing those wonderful nurses ... and my naps.
Glad you are doing well. Oh ... did you use EMLA cream on your port site before your appointment. Maybe you aren't as much of a chicken as I am ... but I didn't want to feel ANYTHING. Several people on this discussion board suggested EMLA ... so I asked my oncologist for a prescription. It's terrific. You blob it on the port site (and cover it with a bandage) an hour before your appointment ... and by the time you get to chemo ... you will not feel the needle go in. It's amazing!
Take care ... and get a good nights rest.
hugs.
teena0 -
Glad your first went well!pstur1 said:First Chemo down!!!!!
Guys, this hasn't been horrible at all. The port install was a BREEZE! The chemo took 6 hours because it was the first day and I had to go through "chemo school" which was very informative but LONG. I am exhausted from the Benadryl they gave me just in case I had issues. But, I am doing very well so far. It sure is nice to have that under my belt. I am so much more relaxed now and it isn't just because of the Benadryl...haha. I will write more later after I have slept for six years.
Kelley
Good for you, Kelley! I'll be hoping the remainder of your treatments go just as easily for you. Yep - rest/nap/sleep when you need to, it's good for the body during treatment.
Kind regards, Susan0
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