hair loss

cbme123

hair loss

cbme123

I am starting chemo on the 8th of May.  I am trying to decide whether to rid myself of my hair now or wait until the chemo does it for me.  Anyone have any suggestions?  Thanks!

jengoll

Hi,

I would keep you hair until you start to really shed.  Then if its coming out fast you can buzz it short, or if its coming out slowly you

can just get a short bob or something.  My hair came out fast when I was taking Taxotere.  I chose to buzz it.  I sport some scarves right now.  Good luck with everything.  Maybe you will be lucky and not lose all your hair.  Everyone is different.  So at least wait and see.  What are you going to be taking?

gramadeb

Hi cbme123,

I agree with jengoll - wait until you start shedding. Depending on your chemo - usually happens after 14 days approximately. So you have some time to "be normal" and make decisions.

You will know when it is time - on day 17 my hair became lifeless and dull and started falling out, my scalp was tender to touch - dh did the buzz shave.

Keep my fingers crossed that you are one of the lucky ones and will not lose all of your hair.

Good luck

Deb

rattail

Hi,

I bought a wig and had it styled like my current hair.  My hair lasted 14 days before it came out in clumps, so my 17-year-old son buzzed it for me.  I am now at 21 days and still have some left, but not very much.  My co-workers complimented me on my new haircut - they haven't noticed - even those that know I'm on chemo!

bluesky

it is very traumatizing to loose the hair, i had long hair and it was devastating, i cut mine after the second tx but it was too late it was coming out in big clumps, i then shaved it before the third tx.

qdcmom

Hello everyone.  I am new to this whole thing.  Was diagnosed in March, had lumpectomy, neg nodes and will begin chemo on 5/13.  I don't know what to expect.  I am a 53 year old mom of 3 and grandma of 4.  I'm trying to stay positive, but I am scared of the unknown.  My hair was a issue and reading your comments have helped a lot.  I also am concerned about the sickness with the chemo..any words of wisdom on that?

NancyD

The hard thing to tell first timers is that you never know exactly which se's you will get and how hard they will hit. You just have to be preprared for anything from constipation to diarrhea, loss or change of taste, loss of hair, nausea, fatigue, stimulation, aches. Some are from the chemo meds, and some are se's from the meds that are supposed to prevent se's (how ironic is THAT?).

The anti-nausea meds cause constipation, so the fewer you can manage with the better. It's really a balancing act. The first tx will be your learning curve. If you know you have certain problems already like acid reflux or irritable bowel syndrome, then you have to ramp up your meds for those conditions as they can be exacerbated by the chemo.

In my case, I had awful constipation after my first tx, so I chose not to take one of the stronger anti-nausea meds the next time (Emend). Instead, I used Compozine for a few days afterwards, and kept it to a minimum. I also double dosed my laxitive (Senecot) on the day of treatment and for two days afterwards. While things weren't "normal" (how could they ever be?), they were not very bad and I remained comfortable.