Hair Loss

Zhentup
Zhentup Member Posts: 43
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I was just wondering, once the hair starts falling out, how long does it take for it to be all gone? Yesterday my hair was coming out one or 2 strands at a time but today it's more like 10 every time I comb, brush or just rake my fingers through it. My hair is baby fine and has never been thick.

Just wondered what everyone's experience was/is.

Thanks,
Leanne
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Comments

  • Sam726
    Sam726 Member Posts: 233
    hello
    I couldnt tell u...once it started falling out I just shaved it. I couldnt watch it all just come out..too devastating. I would recommend the same to you. Just shave it and move on girlfriend...its very liberating and I know once I shaved it I felt as if I could move on without constantly thinking about my hair..
    Unfortunately it will come out...how fast and how much is different for everyone.
    Hope this helps....
    Sam
  • shortscake
    shortscake Member Posts: 228
    when
    When my hair started coming out it was like 4 days and it was all most all gone i just went and had it buzzed the rest of it off, scalp was hurting so bad when the hair was coming out but once i had it buzzed it didn't hurt any more. girl power
  • Zhentup
    Zhentup Member Posts: 43
    Sam726 said:

    hello
    I couldnt tell u...once it started falling out I just shaved it. I couldnt watch it all just come out..too devastating. I would recommend the same to you. Just shave it and move on girlfriend...its very liberating and I know once I shaved it I felt as if I could move on without constantly thinking about my hair..
    Unfortunately it will come out...how fast and how much is different for everyone.
    Hope this helps....
    Sam

    Thanks Sam
    Actually I'm almost looking forward to it because I've got a bunch of head coverings to use once it happens. I do have a friend who is going to buzz hers when mine is ready.

    About 10 years ago, I was on 6 months of Interferon for Hep C, which I got during a blood transfusion back in 1968. They gave nothing for the side effects of the Interferon so I just suffered. My hair started coming out by the handfuls. I lost about half of it which simply made it look terrible. It was then I decided to donate my hair to Locks of Love when it grew back. I donated for about 8 years until they told me there was too much gray!

    Anyway, this time I decided to enjoy this particular side effect because it's something I could set my mood about-unlike nausea, etc. Maybe it's my age or maybe it's just because I'm a crazy, wacked person-which I wear proudly!

    I may get it buzzed when my friend does, but if it's going to go fast, what the heck.
  • Zhentup
    Zhentup Member Posts: 43

    when
    When my hair started coming out it was like 4 days and it was all most all gone i just went and had it buzzed the rest of it off, scalp was hurting so bad when the hair was coming out but once i had it buzzed it didn't hurt any more. girl power

    Ahhhh
    Now that's really good to know. My scalp really does hurt.

    Thank you, shortscake
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    Zhentup said:

    Ahhhh
    Now that's really good to know. My scalp really does hurt.

    Thank you, shortscake

    My hair came out in chunks
    My hair came out in chunks and with out notice. Saved my head and my head continued to hurt for a few weeks.Had to wear a soft hat to bed.
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    Mine started coming out on December 30th
    and I decided to have it buzzed on New Years Day to ring in 2010 with a fresh start. A lot of hair was coming out every time I ran my fingers through it, and like you, it was hurting. I had been preparing for it, so just asked my husband to buzz it at midnight on New Year's Eve, but by that time I was just too tired.

    You'll probably feel much better once you just decide to have it done. I'm still getting used to how it feels, but I'm glad I didn't wait.

    Take care,
    Cindy
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    Zhentup said:

    Thanks Sam
    Actually I'm almost looking forward to it because I've got a bunch of head coverings to use once it happens. I do have a friend who is going to buzz hers when mine is ready.

    About 10 years ago, I was on 6 months of Interferon for Hep C, which I got during a blood transfusion back in 1968. They gave nothing for the side effects of the Interferon so I just suffered. My hair started coming out by the handfuls. I lost about half of it which simply made it look terrible. It was then I decided to donate my hair to Locks of Love when it grew back. I donated for about 8 years until they told me there was too much gray!

    Anyway, this time I decided to enjoy this particular side effect because it's something I could set my mood about-unlike nausea, etc. Maybe it's my age or maybe it's just because I'm a crazy, wacked person-which I wear proudly!

    I may get it buzzed when my friend does, but if it's going to go fast, what the heck.

    Great attitude
    What a great attitude you have, Leanne! I too ended up kind of enjoying the freedom of having no hair -- though mine was during a San Fernando Valley 100+-degree summer, NOT a Maine winter!

    I buzzed mine a few days after it started falling out -- once I started finding it in my food as I ate, that was it -- BYE-BYE HAIR!

    I didn't shave mine all the way, just buzzed it down to the very lowest setting on the clippers. It kept falling out for several more weeks, but, once it was that short, I mainly only found hair on my pillowcase and in my hats.

    I've never been much of a hat person before, so I had fun collecting cute hats and wearing them when I was out in the sun, to protect my head (actually, VickiSam and I both got to the point where we needed some kind of hat-buying 12-step program :-), but I went au naturel indoors.

    Keep up the positive spirit!

    Traci
  • Skeezie
    Skeezie Member Posts: 586 Member
    My hair started coming out on day 13 of chemo and
    I had it buzzed after about 4 days when it was half gone. My scalp was tender before I had it buzzed and it seemed to stop pretty soon after that. But I got a terrible case of Faliculitis (spelling?) which is like an infection in the hair follices, it was like little white head pimples and that hurt but calimine lotion helped and then my onc gave me a Rx for Keflex and it cleared up. Then I got a shampoo from my hair dresser and it's never come back.

    The odd thing is that all the remaining hair that was on my head after I got buzzed never came out and now it's grown about an inch, so I have this weird hair with scalp showing thru. I keep wondering if I had had it buzzed sooner would I have kept more hair? It was coming out in handfuls everytime I would rake my fingers thru it so it probably wouldnt' have stayed... Anyone else have that experience of some hair remaining?

    Leanne, I never thought I would go bare headed in the house but it only took 2 days before I did. I still cover up when I go out or someone comes over. I'm so used to it that sometimes I'm surprised when I pass a mirrow and see my bald self!

    Buzz that stuff and get rid of it, you'll feel better!

    Hugs, Judy :-)
  • Zhentup
    Zhentup Member Posts: 43
    Skeezie said:

    My hair started coming out on day 13 of chemo and
    I had it buzzed after about 4 days when it was half gone. My scalp was tender before I had it buzzed and it seemed to stop pretty soon after that. But I got a terrible case of Faliculitis (spelling?) which is like an infection in the hair follices, it was like little white head pimples and that hurt but calimine lotion helped and then my onc gave me a Rx for Keflex and it cleared up. Then I got a shampoo from my hair dresser and it's never come back.

    The odd thing is that all the remaining hair that was on my head after I got buzzed never came out and now it's grown about an inch, so I have this weird hair with scalp showing thru. I keep wondering if I had had it buzzed sooner would I have kept more hair? It was coming out in handfuls everytime I would rake my fingers thru it so it probably wouldnt' have stayed... Anyone else have that experience of some hair remaining?

    Leanne, I never thought I would go bare headed in the house but it only took 2 days before I did. I still cover up when I go out or someone comes over. I'm so used to it that sometimes I'm surprised when I pass a mirrow and see my bald self!

    Buzz that stuff and get rid of it, you'll feel better!

    Hugs, Judy :-)

    Thanks Ladies
    You guys are all great! Even something as mundane as hair falling out, you've all got great things to say.

    After my double mast, I wasn't sure how I would feel going "flat" around the house. I wasn't too worried about going out, especially here in Maine, because the coats are pretty full. I'll deal with warmer temps when it gets here and see how I feel about it, but I'm so comfortable now I'm not sure it will matter much.

    I am anxious to see if I have a good head for going bald. I do have a bunch of hats, both winter and warmer weather. I haven't quit buying, so I may need that 12 step program yet! I even found 2 wigs on EBay and can't wait to see what they look like at some point.

    I'm thinking my friend and I should get buzzed sometime this week, but if it keep coming out like it has today, there won't be much to buzz.

    Thanks again for all your suggestions and support!
    Leanne
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    Zhentup said:

    Thanks Ladies
    You guys are all great! Even something as mundane as hair falling out, you've all got great things to say.

    After my double mast, I wasn't sure how I would feel going "flat" around the house. I wasn't too worried about going out, especially here in Maine, because the coats are pretty full. I'll deal with warmer temps when it gets here and see how I feel about it, but I'm so comfortable now I'm not sure it will matter much.

    I am anxious to see if I have a good head for going bald. I do have a bunch of hats, both winter and warmer weather. I haven't quit buying, so I may need that 12 step program yet! I even found 2 wigs on EBay and can't wait to see what they look like at some point.

    I'm thinking my friend and I should get buzzed sometime this week, but if it keep coming out like it has today, there won't be much to buzz.

    Thanks again for all your suggestions and support!
    Leanne

    about a month
    That's how long it took mine to fall out. I opted to leave the strands that didn't fall out. I figured they were the STRONG and the STRONG should SURVIVE! I'm growing some peach fuzz right now and there's only about 5 strong ones left. My onc, who is a 17 year survivor herself, said it was good to leave the strands as they form a slight "cushion"
    between the wig and my head. I was happy with my choice even though everyone told me to shave it...
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    Hair loss
    Hi Zhentup,
    Mine started to fall out about 2 weeks after the start of chemo. It was falling out strands at a time, but when it was in my bowl of Cheerios, I shaved it off! My scalp was also very sore and that eleviated the problem.
    Best of luck, it's hard to lose your hair but it will come back. Mine is about 1/4 inch now and my last chemo was October 14th.
  • LadyParvati
    LadyParvati Member Posts: 328
    Funny you ask
    It's funny that you ask this--I'm beginning chemo tomorrow, and I'm having a Shaving Party tomorrow, too! All three of my sons have come to Oklahoma for this event, and two of them have to go back to Oregon and Kansas tomorrow, so if I want them to participate, the Shaving Party MUST be tomorrow--and I definitely want them to participate!

    So--tomorrow from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. CST, think of Sandy having a blast getting her head shaved, laughing, taking lots of crazy photographs, laughing some more, and just generally celebrating life's quirks and the joy of family!

    Sandy
  • lovelylola
    lovelylola Member Posts: 279
    Skeezie said:

    My hair started coming out on day 13 of chemo and
    I had it buzzed after about 4 days when it was half gone. My scalp was tender before I had it buzzed and it seemed to stop pretty soon after that. But I got a terrible case of Faliculitis (spelling?) which is like an infection in the hair follices, it was like little white head pimples and that hurt but calimine lotion helped and then my onc gave me a Rx for Keflex and it cleared up. Then I got a shampoo from my hair dresser and it's never come back.

    The odd thing is that all the remaining hair that was on my head after I got buzzed never came out and now it's grown about an inch, so I have this weird hair with scalp showing thru. I keep wondering if I had had it buzzed sooner would I have kept more hair? It was coming out in handfuls everytime I would rake my fingers thru it so it probably wouldnt' have stayed... Anyone else have that experience of some hair remaining?

    Leanne, I never thought I would go bare headed in the house but it only took 2 days before I did. I still cover up when I go out or someone comes over. I'm so used to it that sometimes I'm surprised when I pass a mirrow and see my bald self!

    Buzz that stuff and get rid of it, you'll feel better!

    Hugs, Judy :-)

    Judy
    When I started to lose my hair in big handfuls, my son buzzed my head to the lowest setting 1/8". Only a little fell out after that. I thought more would come out after my 2nd chemo but I've had 3 chemo sessions and my hair is actually "GROWING". I have about 1/4" all over and nothing more is coming out. It's not as thick as it used to be (which by the way wasn't all that thick) and like you my scalp shows through under the white hair.
    I bought hats, scarves and even got a wig from ACS but now I just go without. Tomorrow is my first day back at school and I'm not going to put anything on my head. Here in Hawaii it's just way too hot and I've gotten used to feeling free! Lola
  • Zhentup
    Zhentup Member Posts: 43

    Funny you ask
    It's funny that you ask this--I'm beginning chemo tomorrow, and I'm having a Shaving Party tomorrow, too! All three of my sons have come to Oklahoma for this event, and two of them have to go back to Oregon and Kansas tomorrow, so if I want them to participate, the Shaving Party MUST be tomorrow--and I definitely want them to participate!

    So--tomorrow from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. CST, think of Sandy having a blast getting her head shaved, laughing, taking lots of crazy photographs, laughing some more, and just generally celebrating life's quirks and the joy of family!

    Sandy

    The deed is done
    After reading everyone's posts and after getting a mouthful at breakfast, I decided to just get it done. It's now well buzzed and it feels really good! My friend who did it kept commenting on how round and perfect my head is. Who knows, I could get into it and keep it this way! I've got a bunch of hats so I'm not concerned with getting cold during the winter. And it's funny, I've always hated myself in short hair but this isn't bad at all!

    Oh, and my scalp isn't hurting any more.

    Take care all,
    Leanne
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    Zhentup said:

    The deed is done
    After reading everyone's posts and after getting a mouthful at breakfast, I decided to just get it done. It's now well buzzed and it feels really good! My friend who did it kept commenting on how round and perfect my head is. Who knows, I could get into it and keep it this way! I've got a bunch of hats so I'm not concerned with getting cold during the winter. And it's funny, I've always hated myself in short hair but this isn't bad at all!

    Oh, and my scalp isn't hurting any more.

    Take care all,
    Leanne

    Leanne .. I 'm so proud of you ...
    Hats, scraves and bandanas are the way to go .. I found that I went out and purchased a few Wool caps .. for evening attire. Okay, yes I know it's sunny out here in California, however, with my body temp's dropping from chemo, I found I needed warm coverage on my head in the evenings.

    I finished chemo (16 weeks of intense -- every week chemo) on 12/15 .. and still NO hair ... damn!!!


    VickiSam
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    VickiSam said:

    Leanne .. I 'm so proud of you ...
    Hats, scraves and bandanas are the way to go .. I found that I went out and purchased a few Wool caps .. for evening attire. Okay, yes I know it's sunny out here in California, however, with my body temp's dropping from chemo, I found I needed warm coverage on my head in the evenings.

    I finished chemo (16 weeks of intense -- every week chemo) on 12/15 .. and still NO hair ... damn!!!


    VickiSam

    Why do the docs tell you it
    Why do the docs tell you it will grow back 1/2 incha a month? that doesnt seem to be the case.
  • aysemari
    aysemari Member Posts: 1,596 Member
    Zhentup said:

    The deed is done
    After reading everyone's posts and after getting a mouthful at breakfast, I decided to just get it done. It's now well buzzed and it feels really good! My friend who did it kept commenting on how round and perfect my head is. Who knows, I could get into it and keep it this way! I've got a bunch of hats so I'm not concerned with getting cold during the winter. And it's funny, I've always hated myself in short hair but this isn't bad at all!

    Oh, and my scalp isn't hurting any more.

    Take care all,
    Leanne

    Bold (as in brave) and beautiful one
    I am right there with you! Today I got my hair cut really short, so I am warming up to bold.
    But I am pretty sure I have flat top.. The hair is my least worry, it hurt my hair dresser more
    today than me to cut off my hair. She kept saying but we were going to grow it out and
    you have such nice.. hair.. pheew took some convincing and I ended dropping the C
    word and she was amazing, without missing a beat, she said "oh, so we need something
    short, easy manage and cute" and she went to work! I'll miss her, maybe she can shine
    my head.. haha

    Ayse
  • Lynda53
    Lynda53 Member Posts: 210
    most of mine went in late October
    It is abot 1' onhe sides and I can faux it for the kids, (or the kid in me)looks dumb but I do not care.
    I now wear hats of various colors and shapes,mostly to stay warm here New England.
    It did go grey or white first
  • Zhentup
    Zhentup Member Posts: 43
    Lynda53 said:

    most of mine went in late October
    It is abot 1' onhe sides and I can faux it for the kids, (or the kid in me)looks dumb but I do not care.
    I now wear hats of various colors and shapes,mostly to stay warm here New England.
    It did go grey or white first

    Nothing like a New England Winter...
    There's nothing like a New England winter to introduce you quickly to hats! Being a Maine-iac from way back, I have hats but I didn't think the knitted variety would be warm enough, not without a hat liner anyway. I have some fleece ones which are wonderful outside. I found my head got chilly at night so I put on one of the flannel ones I bought on EBay a month or so ago.

    I think this is the most fun part of chemo! Trying on hats of different styles and just plain having a good time with it.

    I'm keeping my expectations of regrowth vary open. I know it won't grow back quickly after the chemo and I'm not sure what kind of effect the radiation may have. It will be nice and short for summer and I expect to have some kind of an insulation layer by next winter.

    The enjoyment of having at least one aspect of chemo that I could have control over was empowering for me!

    Leanne
  • LadyParvati
    LadyParvati Member Posts: 328
    Zhentup said:

    The deed is done
    After reading everyone's posts and after getting a mouthful at breakfast, I decided to just get it done. It's now well buzzed and it feels really good! My friend who did it kept commenting on how round and perfect my head is. Who knows, I could get into it and keep it this way! I've got a bunch of hats so I'm not concerned with getting cold during the winter. And it's funny, I've always hated myself in short hair but this isn't bad at all!

    Oh, and my scalp isn't hurting any more.

    Take care all,
    Leanne

    We did it "together" then!
    Mine's now done, too! Yesterday afternoon--I had the most amazing time--I have to do a separate post!

    It feels very freeing!

    Sandy