Hair Hair Hair - Another question

zsterling

gentianviol,  Thanks so much for the great advice!  I'll try the double wrap scarf thing right away!  And I'll look for more scarves with elastic.  I did use the generic women's version of minoxidil for more than a year and it may have prevented some hair loss, but didn't seem all that effective at the time.  I even tried the mens version thinking the dose might be higher.  I think I was only using it once a day though (are there versions that only require once a day?).  I wasn't sure about restarting but I may try again.  I'm only at about 4 months with tamoxifen, so I am concerned.  I'm also wondering if a little bit of length might help hold a scarf in place.  I used to think I'd be happy with the idea of experimenting with wigs, so I'm not sure why this option is so scary for me.  A big part of the problem may be that my hair has been so thin for so long that I don't feel like myself when I'm wearing a thick, stylish head of hair.  

Carrol2

junebug I am telling you honestly a lot of the details I cannot recall. You will see 2 years from now when people you are trying to help ask specific questions, you wont recall all of it. I have photo documents of my hair growth I refer to all the time. I remember I was not sick much at all for my first two treatments , I don't recall how many days I was sick for my third, and I think it was a week sick a week after my fourth. I kept a journal every day though so I can check back. I keep forgetting the exact date it started and ended oct 5th and dec 7th and I keep switching the 5 and 7. I know I worked out at home cause I was afraid of the gym germs although I prob could have gone, but i don't remember how often I worked out compared to normal. I remember the days of waking up with no energy and not being able to rest enough to feel better. But although the emotions of losing my hair linger the pain and fear of going through chemo feel like they happened to someone else. I am always surprised when people ask how I feel, or say oh you've been through a lot. I know I did but i don't think about it anymore.

I wish I had started a blog. I am thinking of doing a slide show of my hair growth for youtube.

ang7894

I take 15,000 MCG biotin  each day.  Maybe over kill but have been doing it for months and my doc also knows how much I am taking.

gentianviolet

zsterling - The head scarves I purchased from rather inexpensive stores, like TJ Maxx, Pennys, WalMart etc.  The length of most of the scarves were about 66 inches long and various widths, and I think they were acrylic or a cotton gauze material.  I started at the back of my head and crossed over the ends on the top, brought it back to the back and tied it.  Then I spread out the crossed over layers on the top to cover the thin part of my hair.  I wear bangs (tiny as they are) so the cross over started about an inch or two above my bangs.  I, too, felt artificial in a wig and the scarves were much more me.  Even had compliments on the scarves, people told me I looked arty......however I am a silversmith so maybe that was why they said that.   

I had a bad experience with the 5% foam......after about three weeks I began to lose lots of hair again.  Didn't think that would happen because of the twice a day minoxidil, so I threw it away and went back to the 2%.  PM me if you need further information.  Believe me, I so understand your fear and frustration. 

kjiberty

I take 5,000 mcg as well daily. My hair is very thick!  I will post a pic as soon as I get one taken.  I am thinking about keeping it short.  It's so easy to just wash and go.  It is sticking up all over the place and I have an array of different hair products I am using.  I feel like I should own stock in Ulta. I go there almost every two weeks and they all know me!

Carol and Sandlake: Your hair looks great!  I have hair envy!  

Lumpynme

my hair is developing a mind of it's own!

yesterday i ventured to the gel aisle at the store and couldn't decide which product to buy- they all shouted "teenager" at me !

i am wishing that i had photos at diff stages but i just couldn't do it!where most people grow bangs i now have a cowlick that i never had before!

yesterday i wore a winter hat and no wig-not sure what tomorrow at work will bring- so tempted yet something is still keeping me from going for it!

schatzi14

kjiberty...where do you get Biotin? I am getting desperate altho not too crazy about another pill. Have you tried any Nioxin products? My hair is thick except for the crown but that throws everything off.

lago

schatzi Walgreens sells it here in the US so I would think you could get it at a major drug store up there. Also you can try here: linky

schatzi14

Maybe WalMart?? I am going there today and will ask.

rn4babies

I got my Biotin at Walmart. I take 5000 mcg twice a day. I also use Nioxin shampoo. I am 17 weeks Pfc and my hair is very thick and growing like a weed!

Ossa

I have only found Biotin at healthfood stores here in Canada (the liquid that is, have not looked for capsules)

schatzi14

rn4babies...does your MO approve of your taking Biotin?

rn4babies

Yes.....he is aware and said it is ok.

schatzi14

Oh that's great...saves me calling my MO just to ask a question...am sure he would be annoyed! LOL

I suppose it's the same with Arimidex.

onvacation

I am almost 5 months PFC and my eyelashes are starting to thin/fall out again!  UGH come on now!  I finally have enough hair to go wigless and was just feeling almost normal again.  I guess I read some of you ladies lost yours after treatment, but I thought it was much sooner than 5 months. It took almost 3 months for mine to grow back after the initial loss.  My brows are thinning again too.  Oh well, I guess there are worse things, just bummed!

Nkb

Onvacation-UGH, I wondered when it would happen. I'm 15 weeks PFC, guess I should keep enjoying the mascara etc while I can. I thought of randomizing my eyebrows a bit myself and maybe still will

I heard that they grow in faster the second time and here's hoping they will! Keep us informed.



Going for my first pedicure ( professional) in 9 months tomorrow.

onvacation

NKB - i so want a pedicure!  I've been doing them myself because I lost a couple toe nails, and scared to have them done.  I'm hoping in a couple months I can have one because I'm really not very good at it!  Enjoy your pedicure!

AEM47

Onvacation - fortunately this time with the eyelashes you will have them coming in right behind what falls out - at least this time there won't be that long period where we were all waiting to see them sprout :-). Mine started their second departure at the very beginning of October and are completely back again full length and thickness. - I lost all bottoms first...just like with chemo and the tops thinned to maybe 6 or so lashes per eye.

bcbarbie10

Im 2 months PFC and just lost my upper and lower lashes last week. Still no sign of sprouts as of today.



Cancer teaches us the virtue of patience, too. Ugh.

Nanc620

Joan...

Your video rocks!  More importantly it made me realize I can do this...one hair at a time

DivineMrsM

While my hair grew back at a reasonable pace, my eyelashes came back in shorter and my eyebrows were thinner.  Not sure why I waited so long, but less than a month ago I asked the onc for a prescription to Latisse.  It takes awhile to begin working, but I've been applying it every night. I also run the brush I use for the Latisse over my eyebrows.

lago

DivineMrsM give it time. My eyelashes came in shorter but now they are just as long as before. My lashes and brows are not as thick but that's because of Anastrozole. They initially did come in nice.

It can take 18-24 months for things to normalize with hair.

onvacation

I am using latise.  Thought it was helping till last week when I started seeing thinning.  I will try and be patient!

Nat23

Hello ladies

I've been following this thread but had nothing to share since I'm still doing my chemo ;( but I've been noticing my fuzz getting fuller and darker. It started a couple weeks ago...I thought it was just wishful thinking but today I did a full examination of my head and my fuzz IS darker and fuller. I have done seven rounds of chemo so far and I have my last one on Thursday I'm not gonna complain if my hair decides to start growing early but has that happen to anyone else? I hope my chemo is still working!

bcbarbie10

Nat23, my hair grew while on chemo. I had it buzzed bec of the scalp tenderness and the horror of it falling out in clumps, but it just kept on growing right after the shave. Im just 8 weeks pfc and i now go out topless. Well, we win some, sometimes!

AEM47

Mine started coming in every third week.just in time to take another hit - but 3 weeks after finishing it took off !! I was topless by the time I finished radiation :-).

Nat23

Oh good I thought I was going crazy! Thank u ladies. That is very incouraging to me! Loosing my hair has been THE worst side effect for me. I'm excited to see how it's going to grow off chemo

susan73

Does anyone know where to get Latisse in the UK (London)?

Dianarose

My hair is like electrified pubic hair. I hate it. I had long soft hair before chemo. I have tried several products, but nothing seems to help.

Nkb

Yikes!! Would a flat iron help? Has it been trimmed at all yet? Maybe the hair tips are the problem.