taxotere and permanent hair loss

enjoylife

Are you sure that shampoo is called and spelled Alante I tired to see whre they sell it on the internet and coudlnt find it anywhere? I said I wouldnt try another but then there is hope out there..

wildside

Hi

I too have experienced very slow hair regrowth after Taxotere. I finished chemo in September 2008 and my hair is still very thin and sparse on top. The texture is softer than a baby's hair. It is very distressing to say the least....

 Rather than writing to the pharmaceutical company, a better route is probably for your oncologist to file an adverse event report with your medicines regulatory authority directly (FDA, MHRA, EMEA) If there is enough evidence of permanent hair follicle damage, the company will have to amend their prescribing information to that effect.

rosebuddy

Enjoylife I tried to find it on the internet too and didn't have any luck so I called the store.  I found out that Taylor Maid in Provo Utah is the exclusive dristributors of the product.  She also asked me if I was using the peppermint conditioner which is suppose to go with the shampoo.  I didn't know that.  She said that the conditioner is to stiimulate the blood flow.......I don't know about any of it.  I'm just anxious to see if it might work but she said they sell lots of the product.  When I use the shampoo my scalp does feel tingly.   Nioxin shampoo and treatment is another product they sell lots of and it is a lot more money.  My shampoo is 10.99 for 9 fl. oz.  They can mail it out to you if you want.  Here is the phone number - 801-375-7928.  I want to try the peppermint conditioner.  Sorry that I was so slow getting back to you.  I also have a graduate next week and have been extra busy.     Good point.   Life is good hair just sucks!  or life is good cancer sucks!

rosebuddy

Oops the bottle is 8 fl. oz not 9.

enjoylife

I ahve tried the Nioxen rosebuddy so I am going to call this place to try yours this week I am leaveing for MA to my sisters for 3 weeks I am having my reconstruction done the 22nd of June I would like to have more than a inch or two of hair by then but out there alot of people are undergoing chemo etc so I will fit in I dont wear my wig at all at home either a ball cap or nothing and at work I wear the wig into work then put the ball cap on when I am there in the morning and afternoon. Good luck with the grad. mine is over thank god let me know how you make out with the shampoo and cont. please.

Maura 

enjoylife

 Rosebudy I am the one who has stopped chemo last august and I would love to know about he Atlante I called the store and she asked which one I wanted and which cont. can you please give me that information I have used everything under the sun nothing has done it yet 57 and wigging it still almost a year my wig has been ON....summer time is here and I would love my hiar to blow in the wind again...

Maura

ktym

Shirley, haven't seen you on here in awhile, but wanted you to know I was thinking about you.  Never forget asking my onc about permanent hair loss with taxotere and she immediately quickly and emphatically replied, "never heard of it."  I just though hmmm.

....I know exactly who you should talk to.   I will always be thankful to you that I knew the risk of this going into it.  

gillinuk

Hi

I too had taxotere as part of my chemotherapy and have never regained a full head of hair.  I have a typical male pattern baldness pattern, although I had very thick hair prior to my treatment.  Only worked out from this discussion board, that it is probably the taxotere.  I started on arimidex after my chemo and wondered whether that was the culprit.  My doctors were unable to give me an answer.

Someone asked if anyone did anything besides a wig.  I gave up my wig after a while as I convinced myself it was growing back!  Eventually I began looking around for alternatives and now have a hair integration system that works well for me.  ( I have enough hair to make this workable).  I am in the UK but will post the web address in case anyone wishes to learn more about the system - www.markglenn.com 

Gill

Anonymous

What is the name of the shampoo rosebuddy?

enjoylife

Rose47;

I am not rosebuddy but the name of the shampoo is Alante look on her rrply earlier there is a toll free number I got it last week and love it you are suppose to massage it in and then leave it on for 10 minutes so I do it before I get into the shower. They actually had a special if you bought one you got one half price my hair seeems to be blooming faster not sure if it is the shampoo or just time for it to grow but I am glad..let us know how you make out with it...

Maura

okblessed

Hello-

I hope everyone is well and feeling great this summer! 

If you have the time, will you please send me an update on [1] effects of taxotere to date, [2] status of your hair regrowth, and [3] any products that seem to be working.

I want to compile our information into a more 'user friendly' format so that it is easier to find information on products [such as shampoos, wigs, etc] that we find to be helpful and to maybe give others some 'hope' that we can regain a normal lifestyle.

If you have the time and don't mind sharing, please send the information to:

kirbypk@yahoo.com.

Thanks again.

Blessings,

Pam

susan13

I had 4 treatments of Taxotere, dose dense, 185mg each dose. According to my onc. it was a heavy dose. I did not loose all my hair, but did in some spots like the top and back and sides. Some areas actualy grew like around my ears.  I am 3 months exactly out of Taxotere treatments and this is what my hair looks like today.  I starting using "biotin shampoo" about 2 months ago, and I really think it has helped.  I had to trim the top cause it was longer then the back, and cut it around my ears, it really needed some neating up. Also put some color in it to get the greys out.

rosebuddy

I am so glad that it is helping Enjoylife!   Did you get the peppermint conditioner?  I still haven't gotten mine yet.  I really think that the shampoo is working for me too.  I get this tingling feeling and I see lots of little hair growth around my forehead.  I don't use it everyday.  Are you?  I cut my hair really really short and feel like I got rid of all the damaged hair and it feels better.  I am grateful that I am not wearing a wig again.  I would love to hear if anyone else is using the shampoo.  I just started physical therapy for my joint problems.  I am hoping for some relief and the ability to walk without pain.  Yes, that Taxotere played a number on my body.  51 but feeling 80...... Rosebuddy

okblessed

Hi Susan! Your hair looks great!

My hair has never filled in that much in more than 2 years - I still have scalp showing and the top has never grown more than a 1/4 inch.

Congratulations! I am very happy for you and wish you continued great health.

susan13

Thank you!   It did seem to take a while to fill in, I had some bald spots that I was very worried about , but it eventually came in.   My eyebrows and lashes are another story.  My brows keep falling out and it seems as though it happens the day they look like they are finally growing in.  This weekend I pulled out some eye lashes trying to take off mascara. I dont think that should happen a whole 3 months out of chemo.  I am sorry that there are so many dealing with this from Taxotere, very toxic stuff!

enjoylife

Obsessed my hair is filling in notso much on length but I guess that is what it needs to do I didnt get the cont. they told me that it didnt have anything to do with the hair growth and I use it everyday I shampoo which is about 4 times a week because my head sweats some days whn I am wearing a ball cap or wig...outside For the brows I use something from QVC from the Laura Gellar line its like a majic marker and it works great its about 22.00 and works and looks real. My hair is coming in black which it was a mousy brown before I frosted it I wont frost it for a very long time if ever ...

Maura

moonwolf

enjoylife - what do you mean by frosted it?

My hair was brown before chemo, but has come back dark and light grey.  Am hoping the colour will return.

enjoylife

 I guess some people call it highlights which I just loved but I will leave it black while I can stand it and I will stand it as long as its hair....

shirleyl

Hello everyone, could anyone suffering from permanent hairloss from taxotere please pm me with the rough date your oncologists reported it to sanofi Aventis please.

Sorry to be so vague but i cant really say anything more on the internet now as i am now taking this futher and have been advised to keep quiet.

What i can say is that in France its now 'official'  that Taxotere causes permanent alopecia and the ball is rolling, watch this space..................................................................

crazy4carrots

Bon chance, Shirley!

Hugs, Linda

dhettish

Hi,

The last time I posted was 3/08 and I did not believe in the evils of Taxotere. I do now. It took forever for my hair to grow in. And what grew in was very brittle, dry, and thin hair. I am 15 months from my last treatment and my hair is about 2 1/2 inches long and very thin in the male pattern baldness areas. I am constantly messing with it to try to hide the bald spots. I have no eyebrows and very few, short eyelashes.

Sad to say, the hair problems are the least of my worries. Taxotere ruined my body.I had every side effect x 10. I have not been able to get my energy back, my legs still hurt and I still suffer from foot neuropathy and pain in my feet if I am on them for more than 4 hours. I used to be a woman on the go, working, working out, volunteering, gardening and now my favorite thing is just reading. I have tried working out but after, I have no energy to do anything else. I have had the flu 3 times, stomach flu 1 time, and upper respiratory 2 times since going off chemo. I am so afraid to go out in public because I get sick.

I had chemo 22 years ago with Adriamycin, Cisplatin, and 5FU. After finishing, my hair came back with a vengance. I had lots of energy. Of course I was much younger but I don't think age has anything to do with the extreme fatigue I am dealing with now. 

While on AC I was fine. I worked out albeit a little less. The only SE was the hair loss and a little weakness during my blood drops.

Had I know everything, I might have asked what my other options were. Maybe I still would have taken Tax but at least I would have been prepared. 

Oh....the kicker....after finishing my chemo, I got a pillow and blanket that said Taxotere.

Debbie

JourneyNC

I'm on Taxotere and Cytoxan. It's brutal on my body also. I have no WBC's. Also, I cut my hair after my 1st round of chemo. The reason? Didn't want chemo to take control of a potential fall out. I shaved it leaving the top. It actually is cooler and nice and stylish. I'm on day 10 and no hair loss. Actually, it grew. I wash it with moisture shampoo and very good conditioner and massage my scalp everyday. It actually feels good and don't miss my hair. My family wondered why I shaved before the fall out indicating that it may not. I didn't want to find out. This is the only control I have thus far and it looks good.

ktym

oh Debbie, not sure what I would have done with that pillow and blanket. I'm with you taxotere is a horrible drug.  That's about my limit with the neuropathy too.  I'm trying to work, but not sure I can keep this up.

Journey, its probably hard for the women above who are dealing with permanent hair loss or problems to hear about yours growing.  However, agree with you, Taking control and being in control of it coming out by cutting then shaving is better then letting the chemo do it to you.  Best of luck to you on this journey. 

ktym

Shirley happy to see you back and fighting.

jrgolomb

Yes, Shirley-I agree with Kmmd. 

I have a horrible time with the pain in my knees.  I worked out yesterday and this morning I am paying for it with pain bad enough I want to cry.

ktym

Jess, I'm sorry, I hate how long these freaking SEs hang around

JourneyNC

From kmmd: "Journey, its probably hard for the women above who are dealing with permanent hair loss or problems to hear about yours growing."

Not sure about your comment, but on a positive note...I shaved also as a result of bald spots forming. Reminds me of those UFO circles in the grasslands of Europe.

Most importantly, we can strategically do what is best for ourselves and I Pray for others to be in His Good Light.

okblessed

hello everyone - when i first started this topic it was to let people know that there is permanent hairloss and that we need to come together to become better informed as to the side efffects so that we can make the best choices posssible in the worst of circumstances.

personally i am thrilled for the people who do get their hair back.  my goal, and i hope the goal for all in this group, is to support one another through this journey and to celebrate all the good that we can.  i am continually amazed however that every now and then someone is so harsh and critical of our feelings and emotions as we go through the process.

it is summer in oklahoma and i am gathering projects to do 'inside' since i can't tolerate the heat in this wig and refuse [my vanity ;-)] to be seen in public without it.  hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful summer - either outside or looking through the window from an air conditioned room!

has anyone heard from Silke?  she seems to have disappeared and i just need to know she is okay.

thanks again to everyone for the support you give to one another.

Maeve

I've still a very thin spot on the top of my head after taxotere (finished Oct 07).  What about your eyebrows... Mine have never grown back fully, infact I could count how many eyebrow hairs I have using my fingers, is this also an SE of taxotere? 

okblessed

laughing about the eyebrows! yes, i can still count mine after two years. i finally found one of those small massagers with the attachments and use the one with the pointy fingers on it - i massage my head and my 'eyebrow' area - i am starting to get little tiny dark hairs that might possibly fill in the blank spaces.  i would be very interested to learn how massage/stimulation effects the hair follice - i had a 'squeaky' head til i started using a massager on my head [got the major [minor] break through using the minoxidil/retin A] formula.

still 'bald but hopeful'!