Hair Hair Hair - Another question

DeeRatz

Thanks for the kind words ladies. I am so happy to have my hair coming in. With the snow and cold here I need my hair to keep me warm.

Sloan, I don't think that Tamoxifen has slowed my growth. I have been on it since Nov and my hair seems to be steadily coming in.

I take Biotin, Vitamin E & Prenatal vitamins daily.

On the subject of nails, mine have ridges and white lines across them. 4 lines on each nail, one for each chemo treatment. None of them seem to be lifting at all though that could change any day. Nothing surprises me anymore.

Sloan15

Dee - how many mcg of Biotene do you take? I just picked up the Costco chewable one at 2500 mcg, but there is a 5000.

DeeRatz

Sloan-I am taking 2500mcg a day.

Sloan15

Ok.I'm going to give it a chance to do some growing!

mysunshine48

I take 5000 a day.....Biotin.

Sloan15

Mysunshine - Did your MO recommend it or did you read about it? How is it working for you? I'm wondering if I should up my amount!

CatsRus

I am taking 5000 mcg per day. I'm not sure it did anything for hair growth but my nails are stronger than ever. I told my PS I was taking it but that I was thinking of stopping as the hair growth was so slow and she said that Biotin is good for strengthening your hair....so I have continued taking it.

Happy New Year to All!!!

MinusTwo

I too take 5000 mcg. It was recommended by my MO and also by my dermatologist - the kind of doc who is in charge of hair, skin & nails.

mysunshine48

Sloan, No, my MO did not say anythimg other than it was OK to take. My hair seems to be coming in as thick as is was before. I really don't know if it is because of the Biotin or just the way it is. Wavy, too!

By the way HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!

mysunshine48

Took a picture last night......last treatment was mid July......so 5.5 months ago!

Sloan15

Oooooh, that looks so soft and beautiful! I'd sure like to have that much hair when I leave on vacation in April!

Chloesmom

I just made a file in my iPhoto of my hair journey month by month 2/15-12/15. It's unbelievable how quickly it all changes! Started with the pre chemo look, the boy buzz, the shave, the Captain Picard look, the hat models, the peach fuzz, the straight crop, the ringlets, the muppet lady and now the mod cutting edge curls on top short sides. All in 10 months time. Hang in ther ladies. Try to make it a novelty instead of a heartbreak if you can

CatsRus

last chemo mid-July, same as Mysunshine. Not too much difference I think....mine is just a lot curlier! I'll swop you...hahaha.

marciabh

It's reassuring to see your photo,CatsRus. I had my last chemo/Taxol at the end of July, and my head looks almost exactly like your photo. It's covered with white/grey hair, but is still so short, darn it. I measure it fairly often, and its a bit over 1 3/4 inches at its longest. I'm so impatient for it to be long enough to use a curling iron or flat iron on. Do you think you'll color your hair?

CatsRus

Thanks marciabh. Not sure what to do about colouring my hair. I'm hoping not too BUT.... We'll see. My daughters both tell me grey/white is an "in" thing and I shouldn't change it. I am not used to curls so I am struggling to know what to do with them. I'm using a lot of gel at the moment to stop it looking like the dreaded "old lady dandelion hair". Can't remember who used that expression, but it rang a chord and made me chuckle :-)

Trvler

That's what I have. Old lady dandelion hair. I colored it. Mine was silver.

Sloan15

I'm using a pomade by Crew, and it keeps my hair pretty straight. Normally I have really curly hair, but I'm trying to tame it! I was a dandelion at the beginning of chemo as my hair drifted away!

Sloan15

I don't have as much hair as you. I'm 14 weeks pfc.

I LOVE this cut. My hair is salt and pepper, but I think it would look good silver, too.

I need a little more even to attempt this short cut! Haha

Angtee15

Since you lovely ladies made it to the other side of chemo hair loss, I thought I'd come to you for reassurance now that my hair is coming out fast and furious. I did make it to five weekly Taxol doses. But the day of reckoning is upon me. My hair will not make it to the weekend.

BC made me cry for the first time since the early weeks after my diagnosis. How hard is it to shave your head? I already got a short cut. A wig and plenty of scarves and hats. Just can't make the jump yet.

rainnyc

Angtee, I'm so sorry you have to go through this. When mine started falling out, I went to the guy I bought my wig from, and he did it. He said shaving is too dangerous because of the possibility of nicking the skull and creating tiny wounds that could become infected, given the low blood counts that happen during chemo. So he buzzed it very, very short. It was sad for me but a relief to have it done.

Good luck to you. If it's any consolation, I'm 4 months post final chemo and have between 1 and 2 inches of hair, longer on top, shorter on the sides!

Trvler

Angtee: I won't lie to you. Losing my hair was HARD. It was one of the hardest parts. But you will get it back and this will be behind you. Hugs.

Angtee15

Thanks RainyC and Tryler! I wouldn't say friends and family are dismissive, but they certainly don't get it. How could they? My MO was a little too matter of fact about it( I.e. just shave it and get it over even though I was coming back each week with a decent head of hair).

But it's definitely time! And I will get a buzz cut and be careful they don't get too close to the scalp. World, meet G.I. Angie!

I finish chemo in late April so having the 1-2 inches of regrowth during the hot summer months will be refreshing. Chicago gets very humid!

rainnyc

Angtee, this is where these boards help. There's a limit to how much one can ask of family and friends. Though I hope you have some friendly shoulders to cry on in real life.

Good luck, and we'll be here to hold your hand when you come back with your buzz cut! I took a selfie in the bathroom of the hair place before my buzz cut, and it's one of the saddest pictures ever. But it does get better! Promise.

PMR53

Angtee- I could not shave my head so I went the painful route. Kept cutting it short and then it just fell out. Not completely though. I am sorry you are going through this. So hard. Either way if you shave it or it falls out it grows back!! I am 10 months post chemo and I have a full head of thick curly hair. I color it and highlight it. I wore a wig for 8 months. I wore a visor in the summer. No scarves. I have posted before but I will again. You can apply for a real human hair wig identical to your hair at LollysLocks. No one even knew the difference. I look at pictures now from last year and can't remember which was my real hair and which was the wig. Get Brian Joseph Lash Conditioner for eyelashes and brows. It saved mine. 

Hugs xoxo

Patty

Peachy2

Angtee, most of us would say that this was the low point of our breast cancer journey. I didn't shave my head, just tucked what was left under a wig cap and kept going. The last few hairs hung on until two months post-chemo. Everyone has her own way of dealing with this, and do what you can handle. My sister in law who was diagnosed in '11 felt better shaving her head and wearing a scarf, and can't understand how I haven't done either.

octogirl

Angtee, it is hard. You are in my thoughts. I didn't shave or buzz mine, just a short cut before I started chemo and let it come out on its own....just to have an extra few days with it. and I've only cried a few times during and after chemo, and just about all of those tears involved sadness over losing my hair.

It has been much slower to come back than I'd like, and slower than I see in some of the pics on this thread. But, 8.5 weeks PFC I am finally feeling what really does feel like stubble on the top, and it looks darker on the sides. A few stray hairs on the side and nape of my neck that never left are still there. There is a bit of light at the end of this long tunnel. And no, family members don't really get it. One of the most insensitive remarks I got was from a family member. But we will be here for you. Feel free to PM me anytime if you need extra support. Sending BIG HUGS!!

Octogirl

Trvler

I buzzed because my hair was very thick and it got very painful and matted.

Shopgal2

Angtee as a fellow triple neg my heart breaks for you. Thankfully triple negs respond well to chemo, esp AC-T. I cried like a baby when my hair first started to fall out on day 13 of ac. I always thought my hair was my best feature. I knew I couldn't bear to see it fall out clumps at a time so I got mine buzzed at the salon where I got my wig. The nurses at chemo told me I'd know when I wanted the hair off and they were right- I did. Mine fell out heavily on the day I picked out my second wig. I eventually lost the stubble and was bare bald during the end of ac. During taxol I took b vits and sprouted colorless stubble. Never wore my wig, only buffs then hats or beanies that were much more comfy. I gradually got used to seeing myself bald but it came in stages. Eventually I even took off my hats in stores when I was hot flashing. Now 4 weeks after finishing I have a head full of soft fuzzy hair. It comes back pretty quick starting at 2 weeks after. Stay tough gal and hold your head up high-it helps to rock the buzz. Also feel free to pm me if you need sister support.

Angtee15

I did it! Thanks ladies. A hip 1/4 inch buzz cut delivered by the finest west side Chicago barber. I knew a dude could be quick and painless and not be a chick about shaving a chemo patient's head lol. He didn't disappoint.

You helped give me the nerve. I was balling this morning when the clumps were coming out. That made my fiancé cry too. Wish none of this was happening but relieved this part is over. Hugs to all!!

PMR53

Good job!! Your a brave woman Ang. I forgot it does hurt when it starts falling out. So now it will just tingle a bit for you. Hard but it's over! Carry on my dear. You got this!

Patty