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Comments

  • Kali44
    Kali44 Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2017

    Thank you seq24 and Dara for your replies ☺ I have to admit that I was hoping that someone would have great news but I see the struggle continues for some of us no matter what is tried 😕 oh boy... I feel so frustrated with this situation like so many of you.

    Thanks again. I will keep reading your posts and maybe somebody will post a better experience with hair regrowth product and or supplements they feel has/is working for them and will share so we too can get better results. Hope is what I need.

    I wish you all a good night.

  • molliefish
    molliefish Member Posts: 650
    edited February 2017
    truthfully it was at least 4 and a half months before felt that I had enough hair to go without a hat, ie more than an inch of hair that covered my scalp. It takes a while for some of us. Hang in there. Big hugs to you.
  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 269
    edited February 2017

    I didn't go without a head covering (I never wore a wig) until 3 and a half months post chemo and then it was still quite obvious I was a cancer patient. At first it came in very grey and yes curly. I have had one cut and desperately need another. It goes every which way, theres no style. It did get darker after the first cut. There is grey around the temples but it's not as noticeable now. My daughter in law is a hairdresser and she said to wait at least 6 months after chemo to colour or it can go red. Suppose mine is almost 3 inches long now. I had extremely thick hair prior to chemo and it has grown back thick. I never used anything on my scalp but coconut oil when my hair was regrowing. I'm taking Arimidex and it doesn't seem to have any adverse effects on my hair. I know everyone is not as lucky.


  • lucybug14
    lucybug14 Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2017

    I had my last chemo on Nov 2 and my hair didn't start to grow back until mid-January. It's very thick and about 3/4" on top and in the back but sides are shorter and not as thick. The shock is that it came back bright white. I knew my hair was turning grey but didn't realize my whole head was white. My oncologist told me I can start using permanent dye after it goes back to its original texture -- right now it's super soft. I plan on using semi-permanent all-natural dye when it's a couple inches long. I always wear a wig in public and am so sick of them. However, this past weekend I got a facial and massage and didn't wear a wig because it would just get in the way. The woman that did my facial said she thought I just had a very edgy hairstyle. That was great to hear but will still wear a wig.

  • seq24
    seq24 Member Posts: 451
    edited February 2017

    Smurfette--did the hair that came in grey then turn dark, or did the grey fall out and grow back dark? I am so upset over my hair now. I had no grey before and now it is all grey now. I'm 5 weeks pfc. Mine is also very thin. Looks horrible! I could only hope for thick, dark, curly hair. It's not looking so good for that at the moment.

    Lucybug--You hair sounds like mine. Mine was very soft and fine, like baby hair when it started coming back in early to mid January. Now it is getting more coarse and almost has a wiry texture to it. Now if only it would thicken up and the color would come back! So frustrating. By the way, we're almost neighbors! I live about an hour and a half north of you. I have not met anyone on here from Colorado!

  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 269
    edited February 2017

    Yes it came in grey then turned darker. The grey didn't fall out.

  • seq24
    seq24 Member Posts: 451
    edited February 2017

    Smurfette--I should have asked you in my first post, how long did it take for the grey to turn dark? My hair started coming back in January while I was still on chemo. What I got then has continued to grow but there is no new hair so it is very patchy. Did you experience this?

  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 269
    edited February 2017

    I didn't experience any patchiness at all. Got darker over a period of months I suppose. I didn't dye it but I did use a tinted shampoo. (De Lorenzo Colour Care Shampoo in Brown) It worked really well.

  • Oasis2016
    Oasis2016 Member Posts: 26
    edited February 2017

    Hi Ladies,

    I'm almost 4 weeks PFC but still totally brow-less and lash-less. Any idea when the eye brow and lashes will come in?

  • seq24
    seq24 Member Posts: 451
    edited February 2017

    Oasis--I'm 5 weeks pfc. It looks like we had the same chemo. My brows are just starting to come in. There are very few brow hairs over each eye. The right has more than the left. Lashes are coming too, but they are very short, sparse and very light colored. I can barely see them. I'm just so darn impatient to look like myself again. I'm the most worried about my hair, or should I say lack of hair. And what I do have is all white/grey!! Didn't have any of that before. What is your hair looking like?

  • Myleftboob
    Myleftboob Member Posts: 983
    edited February 2017

    http://s1050.photobucket.com/user/Myleftboob/libra....Here's a linnk to my Photobucket account from 4/ 2012 after TCH. I could have swore I dated these but I didn't I guess. I started taking pics about 6 weejs after TX, at about 2 week intervals. I was obsessed. Herceptin really slowed down the process. I did start ot use an amonia free dye to cover the gray though and it made the hair look fuller. The pic with the most hair is from 4/2013 2 months after H and it had really taken off.


    This link takes us through about 3/2014. Had it not been for H I figure it would have taken me about a year to get back to my normal lengh.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/82762094@N07/



  • Oasis2016
    Oasis2016 Member Posts: 26
    edited February 2017

    seq24 - for my hair, it is still very sparse. There's dark colored hair (3/4 to 1 inch long) as well as those colorless fuzz which are really short. The hair is all over except for the front which is still pretty bald haha. I hope by 10 weeks PFC there won't be much bald patches. Totally depressed. I hate the wig, it is so uncomfortable.

  • danix5
    danix5 Member Posts: 141
    edited February 2017

    Ladies- I just started Taxol Herceptin weekly. 12 one down yeah! I wanted to ask those who have completed this chemo do you lose all your hair? I get mixed comments at Drs office. So I just want to know what to expect. If it falls off fine just tell me the truth.

    I just cut 14 inches of my hair off so adjusting to a bob with thick curly hair...😜😝

    I keep hearing not all lose hair on Taxol but than it sheds so bad you have to shave it off. Just looking for the truth so I can move on and stop thinking will I lose it or not?

    Tia

    Daniella

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited February 2017

    I am one of those who still has verrrrrry thin hair. I usually wear a hat or a wig when going out.

    I have had several trims, but my hair is very fine and wispy, in spite of biotin and various other scalp treatments that I've tried. (I have not used minoxidol though.) Back seems to grow much more than the top, but still thin. ugh

  • coachvicky
    coachvicky Member Posts: 984
    edited March 2017

    My husband and I used gel cap therapy and I never loss all my hair. I lost maybe 40%. There is an active community on this site for gel cap users.

    Coach Vicky

  • Catgirl2
    Catgirl2 Member Posts: 83
    edited March 2017

    Hi Coach Vicky, I'm using Penguin Cold Caps right now. Today is my 3rd round of TC and I have thick hair, but I've lost about 20 - 30% at this point. I'm the only one that notices. I just hope it can hang on for two more rounds! If anyone is interested you should check out the cold cap user thread. The women on there are very helpful in giving you tips and helping you decide if cold capping is a good decision for you. You guys are an inspiration to me! Keep on fighting!

  • seq24
    seq24 Member Posts: 451
    edited March 2017

    I was just reading something that Black Currant Oil (in a capsule) really helps with hair growth. Has anyone heard of this or tried it? I'm willing to do anything to get my hair back.


  • darab
    darab Member Posts: 894
    edited March 2017

    Interesting seq... I just looked it up and seems like it's a natural product that could help with several SEs. Can't really hurt can it? Found this site: http://oilhealthbenefits.com/black-currant-seed-oil/

  • seq24
    seq24 Member Posts: 451
    edited March 2017

    Thanks Dara! I'll look at that site. I am going to call the health food store yet today and find out what they have to say. I'll post again as soon as I have more info. I already take a hair skin and nail supplement so with this being a natural product I would imagine it's ok to take them together. I was reading reviews about another product and someone said it didn't work but that they swore by the Black Currant oil, that it's the only thing that had worked for them to regrow their hair. I thought it was an oil to rub on the scalp, like the castor oil, but then I found it's a capsule that you swallow. Interesting.

  • Tessscott6
    Tessscott6 Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2017

    Hi Daniella

    I'm new on here. I started weekly Paclitaxel/ 3rd wk Herceptin routine on Feb 10/ 2017. I've had 2 treatments then last Friday my white blood cell count was too low so I'll try again this week. So far my hair ( which is shoulder length) is shedding a lot. I'm obsessed with whether or not to just clip it off. Like you, I hear that occasionally someone out there doesn't lose it. However my Oncologist and every nurse has said I would. I'm annoyed with hair everywhere and prepared with a funky wig. I think this may be the day. Maybe I'll take control and decide it's gone. ??





  • danix5
    danix5 Member Posts: 141
    edited March 2017

    tesscott6- I agree the hair decision is hard. Are you doing Herceptin every week or three weeks? I am doing both taxol and Herceptin every Friday. First week not bad some muscle and stomach pains. Sore throats for a few days. I get labs pulled today so I hope my counts are up

    I say take control and I love the idea of a funky wig!!!

    Your hair is already shedding with two treatments ??? Yikes

  • coachvicky
    coachvicky Member Posts: 984
    edited March 2017

    Hi Catgirl2

    I think cutting my hair short helped with the cold caps working best. It also saved me from seeing longer hairs in the drain. My husband used dry ice on the cold caps so they were really cold. My last Taxotere was early December and I think my thickness is just about back. Don't give up!

    There are so many ups and downs on this journey and hair loss can be minimized.

    I wish I had use a cold mask across my brows and lashes. I was surprised at that loss

    I remaim surprised at how many doctors / medical professionals do not know about gel cap therapy. I was at the dermatologist office yesterday and she said she had never heard of it.

    Coach Vicky

  • mistyeyes
    mistyeyes Member Posts: 581
    edited March 2017

    Dara & Seq - thanks for the info in Black Current Seed Oil. I think that is something I will try. Not just for hair, I was glad to read about boosting immune system and for arthritis. I had my 5th treatment yesterday and my last one is scheduled for March 23rd. This will be on my list to get. I still have to do Herceptin until December, but my hair should grow while on that.


  • Catgirl2
    Catgirl2 Member Posts: 83
    edited March 2017

    Hi Coach Vicky,

    Yes, the dry ice makes those cold caps almost unbearable for the first few minutes of each one, but so far, it's been worth it. I didn't have the heart to cut me hair short because I just grew it out for the first time in 30 years! Go figure that I'd have to have chemo after I just accomplished that! It's thinner to me, but just looks normal to everyone else. I hope my hair thickens back up after my final round March 22. I'm going to Cabo at the end of June and would love to have decent looking hair. The grey grow-out is the worst for me. I've colored my hair every 4 weeks for years and now I'm going through tons of cover-up!

    I haven't lost my eyebrows and lashes completely, but they are thinner. I'm using Essential Eyebrow Solutions on my eyebrows to help thicken them, so we will see.

    Have a great weekend!

  • Myraknits
    Myraknits Member Posts: 191
    edited March 2017

    image

    9 months PFC, 1 more Herceptin to go! Full on chemo curls. My hair used to be straight

  • coachvicky
    coachvicky Member Posts: 984
    edited March 2017

    You look great MyraKnits. Wish I had those curls!

    Coach Vicky

  • seq24
    seq24 Member Posts: 451
    edited March 2017

    Myra--your hair is gorgeous! Love those curls. Congratulations on only one more herceptin!!

    I am 6 weeks PFC and my hair looks absolutely awful. Thin, fine and grey with hardly any on the top and on one side of the back. Never had any grey hair before. I hate looking in the mirror. I'm convinced I'm going to have to wear this uncomfortable wig forever. When your hair started coming back, was it as I described mine, or did it start coming in all over your head in your regular color?

    I'm trying to get up the courage to post some pictures of the current state of my hair but so far I'm too embarrassed for anyone to see me like this.

  • Cathytoo
    Cathytoo Member Posts: 394
    edited March 2017

    Myra....LOVE your hair‼️Wish it was mine

  • rainnyc
    rainnyc Member Posts: 801
    edited March 2017

    Hi ladies--

    I thought I'd chime in with a bit of hope. Today is an anniversary: I'm 18 months PFC, Taxol with a Herceptin/Perjeta cocktail. At the end of Taxol, I had ugly grey stubble, and not much of it, no lashes, no brows. I'll be honest and say that between surgery (my chemo was neoadjuvant) and radiation, hair was the least of my worries for a few months. I couldn't bear to look in the mirror and didn't even start to do so until about 4 months PFC. I just slapped the wig on each morning. When it was about an inch long, I let myself look in the mirror exactly once a week. The first hair to come in was mostly ugly sewer-rat gray.

    PFC was September, and in June, I went to my hair gal and said, "help." She said, "I can't work with this. Give me another inch." So I kept wearing the wig all summer and checking it in the mirror once a week. By the end of the summer, my brows and lashes were fully back, and the hair on my head had started to come in more brown than gray. I noticed that when hair fell out--on a regular cycle, not the way it does during chemo--it often had about a half inch of gray on the end before the brown started. In October, I went back to my hair gal, and she said, "Well, we'll work with what God gave you." The trouble is that at that point, I had two kinds of hair. There was soft, very curly stuff on the bottom, and on top, wavy, much coarser hair. So she shaped it up a bit and gave me some foil to get rid of the worst of the gray, especially around my forehead, where there was some Bride of Frankenstein stuff going on. Then I ditched the wig. I wore glasses during chemo and for many months afterward, but I got new contact lenses around that time, which helped a lot in getting me comfortable--or at least less anguished--with my new look.

    I went back in February for more foil and a trim around the bottom. My onc says that the stuff on top, which is more like my hair always was, will eventually fill in around my whole head. Right now it looks like a very bad perm that's half grown out, with the curlier stuff near the bottom, and around my eyes. It's sort of like growing out your bangs, only on your whole head. I figure it's going to be a year and a half more before it's the way I want it, which is a shoulder-length blunt cut. I can see that the new hair is growing in less curly, so I do have some hope that eventually it will be back the way it was before. In the meantime, well, I've always loved hats. And I do, so much, love having hair again.

    I would say that while on Herceptin, hair grows at maybe 2/3 of the rate that it normally would. So if you get about six inches a year, you'll get four. On the other hand, that's less shaving and plucking of other areas.

    Anyway, I hope this time frame is helpful. If you're someone who's comfortable with shorter hair, you'll be happy sooner than later. It does come back! And there are small treats along the way: that first real shampoo, the first time you have to push it out of your eyes, the first time it catches on the brush!

    Good luck to all!

  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534
    edited March 2017

    Myra - You look great!

    rainnyc - I'm like you in wanting longer hair. I didn't even have bangs before. Now I'm looking forward to having hair in my eyes!

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