Hair Hair Hair - Another question
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Seg24, it is real hair but fine. For me, it is growing more up top. I do have some areas that are sparse but my survivor buddies tell me it's normal. They also said my hair will grow much more 6 weeks after my last chemo. I also never lost my eyebrows or eyelashes on taxol. I too hate not having my long blonde hair but on the positive side, I am getting to see what different styles look like on me. Hang in there!
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Seq, your MO was exactly right about CC on Ad. I am 67 and have lost about 60% of my hair. I had very thick hair to start so I am getting away with it so far, but...our son is getting married next year and thought this would help hair grow back in faster, which it does since the follicles are not fried by chemo but frozen. Recover faster, supposedly! Take biotin, it really helps nails and hair recovery
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Jiffrig-When can I start taking biotin? Do I have to wait till AC is done, or the whole thing including the Taxol? I was told to quit taking all of the supplements I was taking before chemo started.
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My MO said biotin was ok, I think they want you to stay away from anti oxidants, but check
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When can you apply dye to your hair? I'm 4 months out and still wearing a wig. If I dyed my hair to get rid of the salt and pepper look, I would probably ditch the wig soon.
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Hi Cathytoo! My MO's PA didn't give a timeframe on dying. She just said to use good quality product. I'll have to ask my stylist how long it needs to be to dye it.
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seq I had act and lost all of mine. After the 2nd chemo I had it buzzed, then lost the buzz after ac #3. It did grow a bit in between DD taxols, but stopped after each infusion. I started biotin the day after my last taxol and my hair grew back pretty quickly after. I was already taking vita b 6 & b 12 during taxol for neuropathy so they also helped with hair growth. At 2 weeks after finishing treatment I had soft fuzz, at 4 weeks full head coverage, and at 5 weeks the beginning of a hairline. My hair is as thick as it was pre chemo. The curls or chemo waves started at 4 months after treatment.
Cathy I asked my mo at my 4 month checkup if I could dye my hair and he said yes. He said permanent color was ok and I went for it. I had my friend who is a stylist dye it for me a dark brown and it was fine. I would just check with your mo to be sure.
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Shopgal--thank you. That's so encouraging. I wonder why I was told not to take any vitamins or supplements. I'm going to ask the dr. for sure.
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Seq24, I think it is because supplements may help or strengthen cancer cells, making the chemo less effective. At least, that is what I have read. Maybe they interfere with medications?
I didn't take any supplements during chemo but now I'm 1 week PFC so I can probably start all that up again. My taste buds are pulped so I have been eating garbage food for several months. My body's going to thank me once I get back to eating like a regular person again.
What bugs me is that I literally JUST had my last chemo and people are already asking me about my hair! I'm still in the "cue ball" stage and depending on how my follicles behave, might keep shaving for a little while yet because the scalp is still looking pretty mangy. It's going to be so frustrating going through about a 2-year short hair phase because I'm more of a long hair gal. Thank goodness for wigs! (And cosmetics, because I lost my brows and lashes with this last treatment... yuck!)
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I am on a weekly Taxol-Herceptin protocol. (12 treatments, one each week) . I did not have any other chemo drugs prior. After 3 weeks, I started to lose my hair ( "hair release" as they called it ) and at at 5 weeks it is 90% gone. At this point, I decided not to shave my head as my remaining hair is blond and basically the color of my scalp. Also, I have a few wisps that show when wearing a hat. ( looks a bit like the hair wisps they sell to stick to hats ).
I was never a sport cap person but find the sport cap to be the most comfortable. Throw one on, and out I go. I am retired so I don't have worry about any workplace dress code. I have a few regular hats but they are all way to big since I have no hair. I bought some hat sizing foam tape but am finding that even if they fit for a while, the rim seems to expand. I guess the foam is squishing. I have two wigs and have worm them a time or two but they are not very comfortable yet. Have scarves, but at least this week, am happy with the sport cap.
MO said I can take biotin. I forgot to ask her the pill strength. Bought some and am taking one, and will ask the nurses at my next weekly infusion.
Best wishes to all of you!
M
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Thanks everyone for your thoughts on hair, vitamins and supplements. I have a thin covering of hair on my head yet but definitely can't go in public like that. I've worn my wig 2 days in a row and feel really self conscious in it. I bought two cute caps today that hopefully I can wear around the house when I'm not working (work from home). I did break down this morning and cut the long hair at my neckline. Thats where most of it has fallen out and there wasn't much left. I still have enough left that I can bobby pin the wig to my own hair. I always feel like its slipping and is going to fall off. All I can say is that this is probably the most humiliating experience I have ever had. You are all so brave to post your photos or go out without covering your head. I'll never be able to do that. Thanks everyone! You are all beautiful and wonderful!
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Seq24, everyone is different! If you don't want to go in public or post photos that is your choice. I was not a wig person, but I wore head coverings all the time. I only showed my bald head to family and a few friends. I started going uncovered once I had enough hair that my scalp was no longer visible. Good luck with your remaining treatments and hair regrowth!
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I had long flowing locks and I had finally healthed it all back up and then boom... I got diagnosed and off it went! I currently have a nice set of virgin hair growing, not quite long enough to go without the wig but I'm hoping soon.
SEQ24- I did AC every 14 days...I was shedding a ridiculous amount and still had a ton of hair left....the weather called for 97% with a humidity level of something like 60%, it was only going to get worse so I shaved it myself. I had my moment, decided I was choosing life and my hair would grow back and started rocking hats, scarves, and my wig. I managed to keep my brows and eyelashes (which totally helped) & noticed 4 weeks into my 12 weeks of taxol my brows and lashes were thinning. Tomorrow is my last round of taxol (woo hoo) my head is covered and my lashes and brows are close to being gone...I have been on Biotion for the past 4 weeks 10k mcg, my oncologist gave me a green light. But then again she also put me on prenatal vitamins before I started and encouraged me to continue with my probiotic & omega 3s...all docs are different as is every case. The red devil (AC) is doable and you will make it thru, Taxol for 12 weeks is much more gentle and you feel like you can 'live' just pay attention to your body, don't over do it. Especially pay attention to the neuropathy signals, I had a ton in the third week and my onc gave me something and now I good... Hugs to you, you have been added to my warrior sister prayers💕
Cathytoo...my friend is close to the same time of PFC and her MO said wait a few more weeks it'll be better be use our follicles are the one thing most affected by chemo it severely attacks the pigment cells I guess...sigh breast cancer really challenges our patience level doesn't it? Hugs sweetie💕
Hope all warriors have a good week
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Imkopy--OMG Thank You for your kind words! That's good to know about the Taxol. Someone just told me today that the fatigue and side effects are worse than AC. I've only had two rounds of AC and with this last one I have never felt more tired in my life. Although I have had NO other side effects other than my hair falling out. No nausea, no mouth sores, nothing. I am so thankful for that. However, the nurse told me on Friday that for round 3 I better plan on taking several days off of work. I'm pretty worried because I can't take time off. I already had to cut back to only 3 hours per day. Congratulations on tomorrow being your last round!! it will be a great day!! I can't wait until then! My last one isn't till January 20. That's so far away!! Do you mind if I ask what did you get for neuropathy? I'm very worried about that!!
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yep 3rd & 4th round were brutal! Fatigue was also my nemesis...I was also tolerable nausea & mouth sides were fine... I rinsed with biotene & drank a ton of water to be safe. On AC I used an electric cart att he store I was like aykm I'm 45 I can do this... NOT! Taxol was totally different the steroid buzz is interesting (treatment day is Monday- Sunday, Monday, Tuesday= Crazy buzz don't get much sleep at night Wednesday night crash early) but I can get things accomplished without feeling like the grim reaper was behind me.
Taxol neuropathy set in week 3... My big toe and along my arch was numb, fingers were also numb and tight (similar to if you had super glue on the pads of your fingers... My MO said it's too soon... She gave me Metanx which is a prescription that has B6 & B12 vitamins it used for diabetics w nerve damage..if insurance wint cover it then go with B6 & B12 supplements, some people also have success with glucosamine but I've heard some people can't take it. One thing I do know is buy quality supplements the cheaper ones have fillers that make them less effective.
I know it seems like January is forever down the road but it really does go by quickly...I had a count down & it seems like just yesterday I was on round 5 of taxol. We are stronger in numbers & please reach out as needed... Remember to stay hydrated...flush those toxins out & use something to keep things moving (miralax is your friend) one thing that helped me was making a weekly goal, it gave me something to look forward to
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Seq24 there's also a DB for taxol treatment
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Imkopy--once again, thank you! You are too kind! Believe me I drink plenty of water these days. I want that stuff out as soon as it goes in. My problem with steroids, besides not being able to sleep (but that's a problem when I don't have them too) is that on day 5-7 I get really depressed and emotional. I just sit and cry. This last round between that and the fact that my hair was really falling out gave me plenty to cry about. Not sure if I should ask to have them reduced and risk having nausea, which I have not had, or just tough it out for 2 more rounds.
Now that you are at the end of your Taxol, how have you felt for the last few rounds?. I've heard the fatigue gets really bad towards the end, and also that it doesn't really change from the beginning. I don't know if age makes a difference in that, but I'm only a little older than you. This just needs to be over!!! I've definitely got better things to do!!
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Good morning friends, I went back a few pages but couldn't find what I was looking for. What kind of shampoo are you recommending for bald or nearly bald head. My scalp appears to be a little dry.
Thanks.
M
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MLMSC I used baby shampoo. i had some itchy reactions to normal shampoos and that's the only one that worked. Hang in there all, the hair does come back, but it does take a while. I gave no thought to how long I would have short hair. I always had long flowing hair. It's hard to get used to this short hair. But at least it's hair.
I was like some, who mentioned I always had my head covered. Soft caps, scraves. Mainly because my head was cold and though my family was comfortable with my bald head, I was not.
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Nekkid eyebrows! Bushier than what I had before. Haven't felt like plucking any yet.
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seq24, just wanted to share my experience and hopefully give you a little encouragement. I had four AC and four Taxol. I kept hearing "effects are cumulative" and like you experienced almost no side effects on AC, and didn't find that it got worse for the later treatments. Just that "out of body experience" feeling a few days after treatment, and some fatigue, but no mouth sores and I didn't even feel queasy. I had treatments on Thursdays, and was back at work on Mondays. Usually on Monday my breast cancer survivor co-worker would march into my office at 3:30 and say "Go home! Go home before you get tired!!" Then at 4:30 saying "Why are you still here?"
The nurses all said that Taxol would be even easier. The only issues that I had with Taxol were neuropathy in my fingers and toes, but I really didn't feel any more tired than with AC. The neuropathy felt a little like being out in the cold so long that you can't feel the tips of your fingers. Not painful, just annoying. It went away in about six weeks.
Good luck!
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Peachy--Thank you! That is encouraging. I'm just confused because with no side effects from the first two AC infusions to being told "you better plan to take time off work for the third one". I just want this over with. How long did the fatigue last with the Taxol? Were you able to recover between infusions, or were you constantly tired? I'm pretty worried about neuropathy. Did you ice your hands and feet? I have a friend who just finished Taxol and has it so bad in her feet she can barely walk. Thanks for sharing your experience! I love this board!
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Deen I definitely started getting fuzz around a month PFC.
Today, 5.5 months pfc:
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Seq 24, remember everyone responds differently & you kinda have to play it by ear.Take it day by day and week by week, I found if I stressed about the future my current days would be out of whack. Like I said 3 & 4 of AC for me was horrible, taxol was very different ( I had weekly treatments though it was much more mild) I'm not sure what you do for a living but there's times of fatigue and I would rest,when I was up for doing something I did it. You have to play it by ear. On taxol i didn't sleep well Sunday-Tuesday steroids played a part and hot flashes did as well. That was a SE of taxol so beware.
As for not taking steroids I don't recommend it but I would mention it to your doctor he/she can give you something to take the edge off. Nausea is no joke, a lady I saw at treatment weekly had a bout with nausea and had to get hydrated and miss treatment. Don't ever tough anything out talk to your doctor. They have needs to help get you thru and make it as tolerable as possible. Relax, take a deep breath, reach out for help, talk to your doctor and you will get thru this
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Loves to fly you look beautiful
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LTF, gorgeous as usual! Love your necklace.
Seq24, I didn't ice my hands or feet. The neuropathy was minimal, and just felt a bit odd, rather than uncomfortable. With both Taxol and AC I felt tired for about a week after the infusion, then just needed to crash earlier in the evening. Everyone is different, though I hope your experience is as minimally unpleasant as mine was.
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Peachy--your Taxol infusions must not have been weekly. I have to do 12 weekly treatments. Just wondering if it's going to be a continuous 12 weeks of feeling awful.
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seq24 definitely not 12 weeks of awful 💕🙏🏼
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seq24 - my 12 taxols were a walk in the park, really!!
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Imkopy and Kayak! Thank you! I just hear so many horror stories about this whole process. It is so refreshing to hear from someone who has been through this and that it is not as bad as I am being told. I even have a handwritten paper from the MO herself telling me all the side effects from the AC that I definitely would have. So far I have had none of it. Hopefully I'm not going to eat my words come Friday when I have #3. Thank you everyone for your wonderful support. I was a total basket case when this all started for me in July. Thanks to everyone on this site, a lot of my fears and worries have been eased a million times over. Very much struggling with the hair loss and the length of time this is going to take though. I won't be completely done until April.
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