Thinning hair, Shave or not?

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Mary5777
Mary5777 Member Posts: 18
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi, I am currently on Folfiri and Erbitux. I have lost significant amt of hair on sides and top of my head. Has slowed down somewhat, but am wearing my wig when i am out of the house. Did most of you shave the rest off, or just leave it? Do you think it is from the irriotican or the Erbitux?
Also, thanks to previous post that said to try the sucking on ice cubes with 5FU bolus. I had severe mouth sores previous treatment and they took me off all for a week. I didn't get canker sores this time and tongue only sore somewhat. Thanks for all the hints...I have chemo tomorrow and will move up to a popsicle. Mary

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  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #2
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    Hi Mary,I think the hair
    Hi Mary,

    I think the hair loss you've experienced is probably from the Folfiri- the irinotecan, specifically. My hair thinned on it, but I never actually lost my hair. I have very thick hair and I don't think anyone else could really tell much, although it seemed like a lot when it kept coming out in the shower as I washed my hair, and also when I brushed it. I think most people experience at least some hair thinning with the irinotecan, and some actually do lose most of their hair on it.
    Eribitux can make the scalp very sore with the rash/pustules it causes, but I don't think the hair actually comes out from it (unless maybe the scalp is covered with numerous sores?)

    I'm now back on Folfiri myself, again. I've just had one treatment of it and, so far, no hair loss or tingling scalp. As I recall, I think it started happening last time after the secnd, third, and fourth treatments. So, I have that to look forward to again. Maybe it won't happen at all this time- maybe it will be the same- or maybe it will be worse than before. Such fun anticipation- NOT! :( I've just gotten my hair back in pretty good shape again- I will be bummed if it starts coming out again. Oh well, what can you do?!

    Also, because of your post, I will remember to suck on ice/popsicles while I have the 5FU pump hooked up to me later this week. I did get a few mouth sores this last time & so hopefully sucking on the ice this time will minimize that. My worst side effect is the diarhhea, but also the sore, blistered feet when I do too much walking is no fun. Here, I had my treatment a week and a half ago, went on a walk around my neighborhood last evening, and came home with blistered feet and can barely step on my own feet today. That's the worst. My girls are after me to go school shopping today and we are, but I dread what it's going to do the the blisters already there & then I get another treatment Wednesday. I keep rubbing the bag balm cream on them, but it stil hurts.

    You take care-
    Lisa
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #3
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    lisa42 said:

    Hi Mary,I think the hair
    Hi Mary,

    I think the hair loss you've experienced is probably from the Folfiri- the irinotecan, specifically. My hair thinned on it, but I never actually lost my hair. I have very thick hair and I don't think anyone else could really tell much, although it seemed like a lot when it kept coming out in the shower as I washed my hair, and also when I brushed it. I think most people experience at least some hair thinning with the irinotecan, and some actually do lose most of their hair on it.
    Eribitux can make the scalp very sore with the rash/pustules it causes, but I don't think the hair actually comes out from it (unless maybe the scalp is covered with numerous sores?)

    I'm now back on Folfiri myself, again. I've just had one treatment of it and, so far, no hair loss or tingling scalp. As I recall, I think it started happening last time after the secnd, third, and fourth treatments. So, I have that to look forward to again. Maybe it won't happen at all this time- maybe it will be the same- or maybe it will be worse than before. Such fun anticipation- NOT! :( I've just gotten my hair back in pretty good shape again- I will be bummed if it starts coming out again. Oh well, what can you do?!

    Also, because of your post, I will remember to suck on ice/popsicles while I have the 5FU pump hooked up to me later this week. I did get a few mouth sores this last time & so hopefully sucking on the ice this time will minimize that. My worst side effect is the diarhhea, but also the sore, blistered feet when I do too much walking is no fun. Here, I had my treatment a week and a half ago, went on a walk around my neighborhood last evening, and came home with blistered feet and can barely step on my own feet today. That's the worst. My girls are after me to go school shopping today and we are, but I dread what it's going to do the the blisters already there & then I get another treatment Wednesday. I keep rubbing the bag balm cream on them, but it stil hurts.

    You take care-
    Lisa

    My....
    ....hair got very thin~ I had long, thick hair, and clumps would fall out in the shower (I'm on Folfiri) I was getting scared and thinking maybe I should shave it as well, but my kids got upset at that thought, and didn't want to see me bald, or shaved, they know it may happen on it's own anyway, but it was still upsetting them that I wanted to shave. So, I just waited, and now it has slowed down, and I'll be doing my 8th treatment on Wednesday, I am tempted to get a wig though, because the texture to my hair, and how stringy and think it looks, looks horrible.
  • pamysue
    pamysue Member Posts: 105
    #4
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    I only lost
    about a 1/3 of my hair. Maybe a bit more. But I had it cut off really short just because I felt so horrid and it's so much work to take care of long hair. I've got it back up in a ponytail now and I am MUCH happier with my long hair making it back, but I wouldn't take back what I did. Hair was the least of my fight then and having it really short took one thing off my plate. You do what is best for you.
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893
    #5
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    pamysue said:

    I only lost
    about a 1/3 of my hair. Maybe a bit more. But I had it cut off really short just because I felt so horrid and it's so much work to take care of long hair. I've got it back up in a ponytail now and I am MUCH happier with my long hair making it back, but I wouldn't take back what I did. Hair was the least of my fight then and having it really short took one thing off my plate. You do what is best for you.

    I went to the local Cancer Society today.
    I went to the local Cancer Society today. They had at least 12 storage containers full of wigs. They took me to a nicely decorated room and tried all the wigs on me that were my style and somewhat my color. It was fun! We had some good laughs. My hubby went with me. I came out with a wig style I just love. The color is a little different but that is ok. They gave me the wig and some brand new turbans and an adorable hat. My hair has thinned a lot but I will mostly wear the little hat for now. I feel confident to have the wig just in case I need it. They also offered free supplements but I cannot tolerate milk products (boost, carnation, ensure). It was fun and actually gave me a lift.
  • bdee
    bdee Member Posts: 304
    #6
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    Hair loss
    After my second treatment of oxy, 5fu and avastin I was tired of changing pillow cases every morning. I had more hair falling out than I could stand. So the next Saturday my family go together and my husband shaved my head, I shaved his head, my son's (age 33) wife shaved his head and my daughter's (age 29) husband shaved her head. We had a whole family of shaved heads. My granddaughter and grandson wanted their's shaved too, but we couldn't get their mother's permission. We took a very poignant family picture of me in the middle and the three surrounding me kissing my bald head. That was back in March and my hair has started growing back since my doctor stopped the oxy and my daughter and I will go Saturday to get a "clean up" haircut. Just around the ears and neck.

    Good luck,
    Debbie
  • daydreamer110761
    daydreamer110761 Member Posts: 487 Member
    #7
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    bdee said:

    Hair loss
    After my second treatment of oxy, 5fu and avastin I was tired of changing pillow cases every morning. I had more hair falling out than I could stand. So the next Saturday my family go together and my husband shaved my head, I shaved his head, my son's (age 33) wife shaved his head and my daughter's (age 29) husband shaved her head. We had a whole family of shaved heads. My granddaughter and grandson wanted their's shaved too, but we couldn't get their mother's permission. We took a very poignant family picture of me in the middle and the three surrounding me kissing my bald head. That was back in March and my hair has started growing back since my doctor stopped the oxy and my daughter and I will go Saturday to get a "clean up" haircut. Just around the ears and neck.

    Good luck,
    Debbie

    i Had
    My hair was so thick before, I lost hair but nothing anyone would notice. hated taking a shower because I knew, but no one else did.

    Debbie - I think that was awesome - great family!

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