Cytoxan/Taxotere - when does the hair go?

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Urbie
Urbie Member Posts: 154
edited November 2017 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I am one week past my first tx of CT (4 total, every 3 weeks) and I am wondering when I should expect my hair to start falling out.  I like to be ready for things and would be interested in hearing others experience.  Thanks!

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited October 2007

    Urbie,

    I had the TC every 3 weeks, too... I also have 4!  My last is TOMORROW!!!  YIPPEE!! 

    The hair falls out around day 15 or so... for me, it started about day 14 or 15...  On day 16, it came out in CLUMPS!  I went to the wig shop and got the wig guy to shave it to 2". 

    Mine fell out in a strange pattern.  The front and top fell out in the same way that men usually go bald...  the receding hairline.  But, it came in the very next day, with just white fuzz...  Then, I lost the other hair in spotty areas.  My hair fell out, but came right back in, white fuzz...  it is turning darker, but not really growing just yet.

    This is the worst part of bc for me...  losing my hair.

    Hugs,

    Harley

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2007

    Urbie, mine fell out in clumps on day 14. My DH shaved my head 2 days later. now 2 months later it has started to come in (4 days ago) I will be starting chemo again this week so I guess the 1/8" of hair I have will fall out again.

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  • JoanM
    JoanM Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2008

    Hi:

    I just signed up for this site today.  I had one chemo treatment on 1/3/08 and wonder when your hair fell out (Im getting cytoxan and taxotere).  Were you able to continue working?  I was quite sick for the first 8 days.  I developed shingles from my immune system going so low.  Today is day 13 for me and I am wondering about when to expect my hair to fall out (ugh!)

    Thanks, JoanM

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  • Raye99
    Raye99 Member Posts: 1,350
    edited January 2008

    I had A/C (Adriamycin/Cytoxan) every two weeks followed by Taxol every two weeks.

    My hair starting falling out about 4 days after my 2nd treatment of A/C- about day 18.

    Good luck.

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  • PAlady
    PAlady Member Posts: 176
    edited January 2008

    I started the same TC regime on 1/4. So I guess I am 11 days out. I am expecting it to start coming out anywhere from Thursday - Saturday. I thought I was prepared mentally for it, but had total meltdown over it yesterday. I think it is the darn waiting.

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  • Cfashano
    Cfashano Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2008

    My hair started to fall out at about day 15 or 16. It started with just some strands. Went to wig shop right away, so I still had my color and style. I cut it short and within days of that it was coming out in clumps. Less than 3 weeks from my first treatment and about three days after I cut it short I had to shave my head.Too much hair, it gets everywhere. I have had two treatments, getting ready for number three and I still have hair on my head. All around my ears, back of head, and the front is skin but on top of my head is dark brown hair, shaved of course. Very, very upsetting. I cried alot when it was happening, still have trouble looking at self in mirror.

    Cfashano

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  • PAlady
    PAlady Member Posts: 176
    edited January 2008

    Cfashano where  are you in your treatment?  I had my first round 1/4. My hair is just starting to come out today. Not yet clumps, but multiple strands. I am guessing I will need to shave it by Sunday? I know how you feel with the crying. But it will come back right?! And in the whole scheme of things it is a worthwhile sacrifice.

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  • musicamyl
    musicamyl Member Posts: 2
    edited November 2008

    I am on day 11 of cycle 1/4 for TC.  Sounds like days 14 & 15 have been the days hair starts to fall out.  It's a small price to pay to stay alive!  I'm looking for any advice any of you might have. I am trying to decide whether to cut off the hair before it starts to fall out and shave it all right away.

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  • saraand45
    saraand45 Member Posts: 47
    edited November 2008

    I had my first treatment on Nov. 6th  Today my one side of my head is really sore when i touch it, but nothing is coming out yet.  I'm twelve days out.  Is this normal.  I am really scared about this part.  I have been pretty sick also.  Today is my best day except for my sore head. Is this the beginning of the end of my hair???  My hair is shoulder length.  Should I cut it?  Or wait and see when it starts falling out.  Will it all come out or will I look like nuclear disaster victim??  Sorry so many questions.  I am stressed out over this big time.

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  • samiam
    samiam Member Posts: 160
    edited November 2008

    Saraand45,

    We're all different, but I'll be happy to share what happened to me.

    I developed a sore head about day 14  after treatment 1.  My hair fell out (about 50% of it) on days 17 and 18.  I just completed treatment 4 (my last)  of TC on November 5.  To date, I still have about 30-40% of my hair remaining.  It is cut to 1/2 inch. Mine isn't "patchy" but is very thin.You can see my scalp through the hairs.  I'm glad to have the hair that "hung on" because I have enough to show under a baseball cap.   I wear a wig or cap most all of the time.

    I haven't noticed any new growth yet, but I keep looking! 

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  • Spring08
    Spring08 Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2008

    Does anyone know of any chemo that does not make you lose your hair?

    Spring08

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  • scarp
    scarp Member Posts: 104
    edited November 2008

    Spring08 - I am currently on CMF.  It is  1 treatment every 3 weeks/8 rounds.  It will take 6 months.  They claim there will be minimal hair loss.  I've heard that you could lose 1/3 - 1/2 and it won't be all that noticable.  I find that losing 50% has to be noticable but I'll wait and see.  One onc that I used said that it was similar to the hair loss you experience after childbirth.  During my 1st treatment the nurse said it wouldn't start until after the 3rd or 4th treatment.

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  • marymoir
    marymoir Member Posts: 245
    edited January 2009

    I'm just starting day 15 of CT and just noticed this morning that I'm losing a few more strands than normal.  Guess it starts today Cry.  I'd heard on other boards that it can start as soon as Day 12, so I've been waiting for the shoe to drop for a few days now -- my hubby was starting to hope that maybe I won't lose so much that he'll have to buzz it for me, & I've had to keep telling him that's wishful thinking!  Waiting has been the hardest part so far....cut it into an ultra short bob (a la Posh Spice) a few weeks ago in anticipation...at least that helped me take a "baby step" in adjusting to the impending hair loss as I've never had hair above my shoulders!  Never thought of myself as a particularly vain person, but I guess I never realized how attached I was to my hair (no pun intended)! 

    Hang in there, ladies!  At least we know it will grow back!  I'm hoping for curly!!

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  • WellWater
    WellWater Member Posts: 6,546
    edited January 2009

    Everyone is different of course - but it seems to be a general consensus that the hair loss starts a couple of weeks post 1st tx.

    Around day 14 my scalp started to tighten and was tender - I found myself constantly looking for falling hair and after a couple of days decided to take control.  I had my head buzzed at the shop and that night had my hubby take a razor to it - it was harder for him than for me.  Believe me, it was liberating - I felt that this was something I could take charge of.  I had some cute wigs and hats - ended up hardly ever wearing a wig, mainly wore the baseball cap.

    And Mary - mine came back beautiful and curly - sadly tho the curls didn't last and each cut took more of them off - I'm back to stick straight but it's nice and thick and I'm happy to go thru this winter with it!

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  • Shannon7
    Shannon7 Member Posts: 7
    edited January 2009

    Does all body hair all come out at once, or does one loose hair initially only in certain places?  Today is day 13 for me following my first T/C treatment and I have started to loose large quantities of hair on the lower half of my body and the axillary region, but nothing appreciable so far on my head or arms, though I am sure that is coming soon....  Has anyone else experienced a similar pattern of hair loss?

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  • McD5
    McD5 Member Posts: 12
    edited January 2009

    Hi,

    I finished my 4 tx of CT on Nov. 13.  I didn't lose all of my hair at once and I never lost my eyelashes or eyebrows.  I lost most of the hair on my head after the second treatment, though there were a few stragglers that lasted through the whole thing.  I never shaved my head.  I figured if there were a few pieces that wanted to stay I'd let them. It was not an attractive look, but I did find it amusing. 

    I now have about 1/4 inch of hair.  I'm not ready to go out in public yet, but everyday I'm thankful for the little bit that is there.  It first came back on my head and it is just starting to come back on my body.

    Good luck with your treatments!

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  • timeheart
    timeheart Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2013


    I just had my first of four treatments. They are doing a clinical trial with a cold cap on my head to try and keep hair loss to a minimum. See if that is an option for yes. I did get cold. But will bring a neck scarf and two fleecy blankets and thicker scarves. I did go ahead and get a shorter hair cut - I was able to donate 14 inches to locks of love just in case it fell out anyway. Some kid is going to get red curly hair!!!! And maybe a little confidence and attitude!

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  • Bettebet
    Bettebet Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2017

    My hair started falling out at day 15 after my first TC treatment. I shaved it to about 3/4 of an inch.

    One thing I noticed was little granules on my scalp.

    At first I thought it was sand.

    But I'm wondering if it's not some part of the follicle? Anyone have the same experience?

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  • Bagsharon
    Bagsharon Member Posts: 200
    edited November 2017

    OMG, yes, Bettebet! I had sand like crud coming off my scalp when I was losing my hair. I remember scratching my scalp and feeling stuff fall on my shoulders. It stopped after a few weeks.

    Here's a little tip I got about when you'll lose your hair: when your nose starts running. It's because you've lost your nostril hairs.

    I'm one year out from my last chemo treatment and my hair is just as thick as it ever was and three inches long (after two trims). Good luck to you all.


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