How long until my hair falls out?

erikach

I am scheduled for DD AC+T over four months, and so far I have had 2/8 of my AC treatments. I cut my hair short, but there has been no sign of thinning. Does anyone remember when their hair fell out? Was it gradual? Or did you wake up one day and your hair was gone? I've put off getting a wig because they're so expensive, but I think I might be nearing the date of my hair loss, so I want to be prepared.

Thank you,

Karen

Melrosemelrose

erikach- Hard to say exactly when your hair will fall out.  I can tell you that you might be able to get a idea that your hair may be at the point that it will start thinning by the way it feels.  I remember mine starting to feel dry and strawlike.  At first, there were just a few strands and then after a few days, the hair fall out gradually increased.  I noticed the increase when I was in the shower and running my hands through my hair.  You may also feel your scalp feel a little tender or sensitive or sore.  You will not wake up one morning and find all of your hair laying on your pillow.  At first it may not be easy to handle the beginnings of the hair loss but after a while, the hair fallout is everywhere and can become a little annoying.  I used a lint roller to pick up stray hair off of me, my clothes and my pillow.  As for a wig, you may be able to get a free wig through the American Cancer Society's Look Good Feel Good program.  Just check to see if there is such a program where you live.  I had a wig but I never wore it.  I usually wore knitted caps, baseball caps, straw hats (Target) bandanas (Walmart). scarves and Buffs or went without while at home.  Hope this helps.

Mardibra

Mine started coming out at about day 15. I would have a lot of hair in my hand after running it through my hair. Couldn't stand having hair all over the place so I think it was day 18 when I had a hair shaving party. Buzzed it down to about 1/4 inch. I was totally bald by about day 30 I think.

NancyHB

About 10 days after my first chemo (AC) my head started to hurt so my husband buzzed my hair down to about 1/2" all over.  A day or so after my second AC, as I was coming out of the shower, I ran my hand across my head and noticed that my hair was falling out like dry needles off an old Christmas tree (it sounds weird, I know, but that image still sticks in my mind).  I kept rubbing my head, and hair kept falling out.  At that point the hair felt like little needles stuck in my head - it hurt! - so I was glad it was falling out.  I spent that morning shaving my head.  In hindsight I wish I hadn't shaved my head at that point because it simply cut off many little hairs that wanted to fall out, and so I still had some pokey-ness as those hairs worked their way out of my scalp.  Had I waited another day or two, most of the hair would have fallen out on its own, I'm pretty sure.

NLMMichigan

Hi Karen

I think it varies with all woman and the kind of drugs you are getting.  I cut mine in half after first chemo then it started falling out in bunches about 2 weeks after.  Hair was all over the place so I had it shaved.  It is definetely more tramatic thinking about it but after it happens you just get used to it.. Know that it will come back.

There is a wig store I found in Michigan that I bought a few wigs. One was 39.99, 69.99,49.99 and a Human Hair one for 179.00.  The name of the place is called Wig Top IA  phone is 248-629-9123.  Maybe you can send them a picture and they can send you a snap of what they have..  They have tons of wigs in stock and lots of them have highlights in them so they look real.  Also not sure what insurance company you have, but then generally cover one wig.. let me know if I can help you.

Cyborg

Day 15 for me.

I seldom wore my wigs. The chemo made me feel a little clammy, so I opted for bandanas most of the time.