Start chemo Friday

Hi Biz
The FOLFOX every 2 weeks is a pretty common treatment. I've never lost my hair but on one treatment (Irinotecan) I did have it thin out a bit but never lost it. All chemo is not created equally, some you lose you hair some you don't.
I used the Emend that was prescribed for me for nausea at one point but I didn't find it that effective. Marijuana is still by far the best thing for that. Unfortunately it's not legal in all states but it is just tons better in my experience.
Hope this helps...
-phil

Typical
Yes this is a typical treatment and losing hair is not a big side affect but thinning could be. Never really got sick to tummy but tummy was upset but my medication never really worked good. Hope you do good in this treatment. Keep us posted.

Kim

k1 said:

Another chemo hair question
So the remaining question to the hair problem is, if the hair only thins in 70 percent of the people on the regimen, does it grow back thicker after chemo is done or does is stay thinned permanently?

I start chemo next week too and my hair is already fairly thin naturally, so this is a big question for me.

Thanks.

K1

hair loss
I was not part of the fortunate group who did not loose their hair. My lovely, long curly locks started falling out after my second treatment. Then I ended up with large bald spots. I had my hair shaved almost off. However, my dose was changed over time and the hair that did not fall out started growing - I looked a bit like Albert Einstein! After 24 treatments I have had my hair cut (if you can call it that) and I now have really, really short hair and much of it is filling back in.

I have a wig that would fool anybody - even fooled a hairstylist and an oncologist I was talking with. And . . . . hats are very trendy right now so it is easy to look good.

There were a lot of tears shed by me in the name of vanity, but in the end I tell myself 'it is what it is' and I always remind myself that it could be worse.

Whatever happens, it is just hair and it will grow back if it falls out! (Took me a long time to come to this realization.) Remember to love yourself - others do, and will, no matter what you look like.

Also Biz
Hopefully you'll notice another side effect, my nails grew so beautifully, I never could grow a decent nail before, one thing I enjoyed to be sure (you look for those, the enjoyable moments and surprises that are good).
Winter Marie

plh4gail said:

get some Biotin
Hi Biz, I also had 6 months of chemo after the initial radiation/chemo pump and surgeries. I had folfox for the first three then was changed to folfiri. On the folfox my hair thinned some but then when I was changed to the folfiri...it was comming out a lot. I ended up with a very short haircut (I wore hats and caps before the cut). I went from long to shoulder blades to shoulders to...well you get the picture. So now its a short cut grown out and is coming in thick! I have all these shorter baby hairs filing in with my old hair.

Someone told me to take Biotin for hair growth. I have been taking that and wether its the Biotin or being off chemo...something is growing and making me very happy. Now it looks thick and short...I'm talking little boy hair short (was even shorter!!) You will do just fine girly. Give it 2 months after you stop chemo and you will see sprouts too

peacelove&happiness to you, gail

and like winter marie said...the nail are crazy strong!

Different reactions
Interestng how side effects are different. I was on Folfox and had no problem with my hair falling out or thinning. I also colored my hair and did not have any adverse reaction to the chemicals. However, my nails got very weak and split and broke so I just kept them very short. I'm now on Folfiri and have had 4 treatments. My hair started falling out after the second treatment and I have to wear a wig, still havng problems with my nails and haven't had to shave my legs ... Obviously no need to color my hair! I'm loving the wigs and having fun with dfferent looks. it's traumatic when your hair starts thinnng and falling out - just turn lemons into lemonade - there are cute and affordable wigs and hats. I may never show my real hair again!

darn double posting
darn double posting

biz said:

fine, I guess
I can deal with the neuropathy okay, although warm water is so unappealing when I am thirsty. But it's the nausea that I'm really struggling with. I hope your husband is tougher than I am. How is it going for him?

folfox side effects
He had mild neuropathy just after the main chemo treatment, but it has eased up. He's had a tiny bit of hair loss. He has a little of that "first bite" pain when he first eats something and begins to salivate and a little mouth soreness. He's had an unsettled stomach, but no vomiting. Our oncologist prescribed him something for the nausea, phenergan, I think. I haven't seen the bottle yet. He hasn't tried it yet, partly because constipation can be a side effect, and he's already struggling with that. Biz, make sure you call your oncologist about the nausea and have experiment with different medications to find what works for you. Anyone found a good remedy for constipation due to chemo after a colon resection? Biz, let me know how things go. You can friend me and send me a private message, if you like.

marqimark said:

Hope things get better
My wife would not hear of me using marijauna even though none of the anti-nausea meds worked for me. I lost 55 lbs and was miserable. If you have no phobias about MJ please use it if possible. I WILL use if I haven't beat this thing (NED at this time).

My prayers are with you

Mark

I did them all except for MJ
Compazine,Zofran, Anzemet,Emend and was still sick as a dog...I think hydration was my biggest deal, I just couldn't or wouldn't drink enough water ...Usually about 4-6 days then it would dissapate.....buzz