Hair Hair Hair - Another question
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HapB, I did look at some of the youtube videos and they were helpful. I am 5 months pc. My hair is coming in pretty thinck, but maybe growing a bit slow. I am still getting Herceptin, that may slow the growth some.
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Mistyeyes, I bet a headscarf looks great on you! I bet once you wear it to work, you'll feel more comfortable - the first time is the hardest!
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HapB- I am close to the 6 month mark- Maybe you could try going to a dermatologist, maybe they could help.
T-Sue- I Think the headscarf would work, whenever I get the courage up I may just do it.
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I am one infusion away from being done with 4 DD Taxol after 4 DD AC infusions. I've noticed some hair growth has slowly begun. My nurse said my hair may fall out again before all is said and done but it's encouraging that something is happening. Hate to complain but I also have some ingrown hairs that are super sensitive. I've got a handful of little pimples on the side and back of my head. Ouch. I imagine it's from sleeping, but could also be from the bamboo cap I wear under a scarf or wig. It's pretty snug. Maybe I should give it a rest.
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VL22--I had AC just exactly a year ago. I did not lose all of my hair. Part of it but definitely not all. I was very surprised as I expected the same as you. Even through Taxol that same bit remained. Mostly on the back of my head. I could not bring myself to shave it though. By the time I was about half finished with Taxol I had new hair growing so I trimmed off the long strands of the old hair. I am now 34 weeks from my last chemo. I have about 3 inches of thick curly hair now. Loving the curls but not loving how slow it is growing. Good luck to you.
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Been awhile since I've been here. Coming up on 60 months -- yes that's right 6 0 months -- since completion of chemo and having taken anastrozole for 5 years AND my hair has NEVER returned to what it was prior. It is visibly thin and my scalp shows along entire crown. I cannot go out without a hairpiece. I am still optimistic that it may return or at least thicken up some once I stop the anastrozole, which I intend to do soon. I feel I look old, very old, without my hair. I have less hair than my 87 year old mother.
Happy for you all who are/have gotten your hair back.
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sherry and HapB.- I, too, have thin, thin hair now. It did not come back nearly as well as I see others has.
I finally decided to try a top piece instead of my usual baseball cap or wig. I recently purchased Raquel Welch Sonata, and am happy with it so far! It is more comfortable than a full wig, and cooler for the warm weather, too! I'd like to try the Lyric topper next, which is a mono top. sherry, - do you have any to suggest to me?
Thanks!
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Hi HapB, - I bought the Sonata online when I saw a sale at Wigs.com. (There is a sale on right now, too, so that is why I am thinking to order the Lyric, too! ) It is available on many online wig sites, but that site was the most reasonably priced. I read all the reviews that I could find, and it had the best reviews of all that I saw, so I figured it's worth a try. I chose the color that was on the model (the brown, not the blond) and made sure I could exchange or return it if I didnt like it. Considering the cost of salon visits, or even the cost of gas if I were to travel to a wig store, I decided to give it a try!
Let me know if you have any more questions or if you decide to get one!
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HapB, - I answered a few hours ago, - but i dont see my response, - so I will write again!
My first wig was 1/2 synthetic and 1/2 human hair, but it was expensive and I was reluctant to wash it myself so I brought it in to be washed. Since then I have tried a few less costly, synthetic wigs. They are easy to care for! I find that synthetic wigs with some curl, and layers, are less shiny and therefor more realistic looking. The Sonata topper is slightly curly and blends in well with my own hair!
I hope you find one that you like!
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An update re: hair growth...
I am 11 weeks PFC and while I still look like a skin head, the light white fuzz is now like a very dim shadow. Not nearly as thick (white hairs or shadow) on top or top front of hair. I, too, am to start to take AI. Is there anyone out there that did not have a problem with hair while on AI? I am fearful about being on it. I wonder if tamoxifin would be better? Any advice?
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HapB - I sure hope thee and me - and all others! - can recover from both our cancer and our hair loss. No matter what. No matter what age - hair is important. Not as important as good health, of course, but pretty darn important too. BEST to you.
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Sherryh16
Congratulations! You did the five years!!!!
You have inspired me that I can finish.
I am sorry about your hair and wish for you the best with it returning.
Thank you,
Coach Vicky
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Canadiangirl--In a couple of days I will have completed 6 months on anastrazole. I have not noticed any problems with my hair since. When I started it in March I was still wearing a wig, which I wore through the end of May. My hair is actually thicker now than it was before chemo, although it's not growing as fast as I had hoped. I'm also getting some curls which was a surprise, as when my hair first grew back it was very straight. All in all, I'd say my hair is actually better than it was before. I am now 34 weeks PFC and this is what my hair looks like.
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Canadian Girl,
I am 6 months PFC and have thick curly grey hair. It was slow to get started but now it's growing fast. My hair was thick before and grew fast as well. I haven't decided whther to color it or not.... I just started my 2nd AI, exemestane as letrozole didn't work for me so I can't comment on hair loss on AIs.
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Thank you bravepoint & seq24 for sharing experiences on Armidex / Anastrozole and hair loss .. any others?
Not sure if it is relevant but I had been on docetaxel in chemo and hair regrowth slow.
To HabB - I am sharing in your pain... still hoping that things work out for you. Somewhere along the line of my readings I think someone said they were well into their 4th month before regrowth so still holding out hope for you!
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I was on TCHP through mid-December 2016, and started Arimidex in Feb with a break Apr/May during radiation. I just got off Herceptin a month ago.
It took me longer to see respectable hair growth than anyone else I recall who was posting here at the time I was coming out of chemo. I'm still way behind the crowd -- the length of what eventually started to grow has gotten to ~3 inches maybe? But it's very sparse with more scalp than hair visible on the top and crown 9 months since I went off Taxotere.
That's been discouraging to say the least but I'm still trying not to give up on it. It seems to be progressing a tiny amount week to week, month to month. I've started Biotin in the summer, haven't noticed any bad results from it but not sure I can say if it's helped. Also broke down a couple of weeks ago to try the Nioxin product that is similar to 2% Rogaine--too soon to say if that is helping or not. It's not bothering me except that the product is rather oily so I've been applying it with a plastic bag on my hand since the first time.
Best wishes to all going through these issues, and to your good health.
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Hi All,
My hair started growing back in Taxol after DD AC. I ditched my wig 1 month after PFC. It wasn't growing uniformly so I shaved it at least 3 times after PFC.
This is my hair now after almost 5 months PFC. It is still growing very slow but it is thick now.Best regards,
Lou
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canadiangirl - I did DD AC for 3 months then 12 weeks of docetaxol. My hair actually started growing back after week four of Taxol. It was really thin on top but has filled in. Someone here recommended a shampoo to help thicken hair, https://www.redken.com/products/hair-care/cerafill#sort=newest It worked for me!
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How long PFC did you wait to color your hair?
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Like BravePoint, I use the Cerafill products. I get them from Amazon. I think it makes a big difference in my hair quality.
These might work for you HapB.
I have posted this before & am re-posting in case someone missed it. This is the mixture I used when my hair was growing back:
Use a mixture of:
1 cup coconut oil
1 cup jojoba oil
1/2 cup castor oil.
Apply all over the head and thru the hair at night.
Oil source: Amazon: Jojoba Oil Golden Organic 100% Pure 16 Oz by Dr Adorable.
As for Arimidex, I don't know if my hair is thinner or not. Without coming across as whining or btch'ing .... I try not too but I still find myself PO's when someone compliments my hair and how "I can carry off" this style. This happened at my MO visit this week. I know the people meant well but I think you don't remember or know how I used to look.
My husband reminds me that I get more compliments on my hair style now than I ever did before but in my heart I that does not matter. I know I should be more grateful that I have hair. I am grateful. But it is like wanting a 32 ounce prime rib dinner with a fully loaded potato and instead getting a veggie burger on a lettuce wrap.
I miss me before cancer. Will I ever feel different about this?
Coach Vicky
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Coach Vicky - I'm the same. People compliment me on my curly hair all the time and how much they love it. Some know what I've been through but some don't. I feel like I look older than my mother who is 81 and colors her hair.... I miss my long hair and my pre cancer me as well.
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I understand BravePoint. Thanks for posting. I think one has to go thru this to understand the emotional and psychological changes are often harder to beat than the disease.
Coach Vicky
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This is such a long thread, I hope I'm not asking for information that has already been posted. I had my hair buzzed short 5 days ago. It was shedding really bad and I wanted to start wearing my wig. I've worn the wig for three days at work. I have sensitive skin and I've notice itchy bumps around the hairline and irritation. My scalp is really itchy. Is there anything I can use on my scalp to help with this? Also should I wear something under the wig so this doesn't happen. I tried a headband thing from head covers but it just kept slipping. Thank you
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OCDAmy, I use a mesh wig cap from headcovers
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Hi HapB,
I replied earlier but not sure why I can't see it.
I shave my head again 3 & 4 weeks after PFC then 4 months after PFC because the top was growing faster than the rest and I want it to look better as it grows. My hair now is about 4 weeks after I last shaved it off.
Best regards,
Lou
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HapB, I bought 2 full synthetic wigs online from headcovers and was happy with both of them. I also bought a halo wig that I wear under scarves or hats and a headband with hair attached. Very happy with everything. Nothing looks like it did on the models but they're fine.
I also have my very expensive human hair wig that I wear to work. We're getting along better now that I've stopped worrying about wrecking it when I style it. It gets what it gets and likes it
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HapB, - Although I dont know what your hair looked like before, take a look at "Godiva's Secret Wigs" site. They are a very nice company to deal with. Pre chemo, my hair was medium length with bangs, but as it grew back, I wanted a wig that was more like the 'growing in style'. My post chemo hair was/is so thin that I ordered the Sheila wig: http://www.godivassecretwigs.com/search.php?search...
Anyone who knew I had been on chemo just assumed it was my newly grown in hair, and others just assumed I'd had a haircut! Although it is an inexpensive wig, - it looks so very real!!
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HapB, I had to go to a shop (compassionate beauty in Calgary) and order it. It arrived in 2 weeks. I tried on a few different wigs for style and then picked the colour from swatches. After it arrived, the wig stylist spent about an hour thinning, trimming and styling it. It looks a lot like my real hair used to look. It's hotter to wear than the synthetic wigs but looks and feelsbetter.
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If you drink it.
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Think so Hap. Don't drink it!
Coach Vicky
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