Hair Hair Hair - Another question

Chris - I am taking 10,000 mcg of biotin per day and my husband can't believe how fast my hair is growing.  I actually have hair that is laying down instead of sticking straight up.  I would suggest you increase the amount of Biotin that you are taking.  As far as Nioxin - that is a personal choice.   I am a believer in Mane and Tail shampoo that you can get at the grocery store for a heck of a lot less than a smaller bottle of Nioxin.  I have used Mane and Tail shampoo off and on for years and I have always had way too much hair on my head.  My hair maybe baby fine but there was always a ton of it - so much that it surprised each hair dresser that I ever met.

From what I have read here on the boards - the problem with Rogaine is that once you stop using it, the hair falls out so I personally would steer away from that product.

Lisa - I am praying for Miracle and your friend.  I have never heard of such a thing as what you described.  Please keep me updated on his progress.

I really need to increase my biotin.  I am only taking 2000 units per day!  Thanks Jancie.

Jancie, as a fellow horse person, I have photos that we took from the surgery observation room. If you would like the photobucket link, let me know. Lisa

RN_onco   I noticed your occupation (Radiation)  Do you ever have women complain about shortness of breath several months after radiation?  I had supraclavicular radiation.  Could there be damage to my lungs?

Before I try to post a picture of my hair 6 weeks PFC - I am going to try to post a picture of my horse and see if this works




Dx 12/30/2008, IDC, 4cm, Stage IIa, Grade 1, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

This took so long - I don't have time to post more pictures as I have to leave now or I will be late for my appointment - will come back this afternoon and post pictures.

Jancie, beautiful horse and the scenary in the background is just stunning.

Nodapearl - don't have the answer to that one - can only believe that if hair wasn't there before in a particular area then you won't be getting hair now.  Either you have the hair follicles existing or you don't.  I finally had to shave my legs but I still don't have hair in my armpits nor in my southern region.  So the bioxin doesn't seem to be hitting those areas.

Lisa - thanks for the offer but I can't stand to watch horse surgeries yet I am constantly watching discovery health cable channel shows that have trauma surgeries on them, etc.  I don't mind human blood but I can't stand to see an animal bleeding.  I couldn't watch my mare have colic surgery and she had it twice (that is the mom to the horse that I posted a picture of).

Magnola - My last chemo was May 27th - better if you do the math on that one.  I had 4 rounds of Adriamycin/Cytoxin followed by 4 rounds of Taxol - dose dense on all chemo.  My hair actually started growing a little bit before I completed Taxol but after Taxol my eyelashes and eyebrows disappeared into thin air. 

Too funny Jaimieh!  I was the one that always looked like you because I was too stupid to figure out how to post pictures and had my hubby come in here today and help me.

You need to start on the Biotin - 10,000 mcg per day!  We were at the same length and color the last time you posted a picture and then my hair started coming in really fast and also gray which is why I can see it better now.  You can get Biotin in many of the larger grocery stores, just look at the dosage of the pills and figure out from there how many to take.  Biotin does not interfere with chemo according to my oncologist who is the chief oncologist at Intermountain Health Care.  It also shouldn't interfere with Tamoxifen either.

Dawn - I wish I had the answer to that.  I lost my eyebrows 4 weeks ago and they are not coming back in yet.  Same with my eyelashes.  I have heard that Latisse works well but I haven't tried it nor will I as I have very sensitive eyes.

Okay, I think I've managed to get the photos, front and back of where I am . . .

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I don't know why Photobucket inserts two photos - sorry about the double vision!!  Anyway, this is 12 weeks PFC.  anyone else looking like this, or am I on the slow train?  also, can't wait for the growth to fill in on the back, I didn't know I have a bunch of red birth marks, looks like I got punched in the head or something!

Chelev, that's about as much hair as I had 3 months after last chemo.  Femara, IMO, seems to slow down the rate of growth, and I'm thinking that round patch on top of your head is probably related to the folliculits.

I live in the Niagara region in Ontario, Canada, so can't tell you where you could get chronostim!  However, I'm sure if you go online, you'll find it.  It's made by Ducray Pharmaceuticals in France. 

But I would wait a few more months to judge the growth, and would also recommend seeing your dermatologist and asking him/her about the practicality of using chronostim.

By the way, I use Mane & Tail shampoo -- great stuff, I love it!

Rayhope:  I'm not sure if I will be off it or not.  My onc was surprised my surgeon put me on it already.  He said they usually wait until rads are done.  My surgeon thinks I will have a better response to the Arimidex than the chemo.  Ticked me off to hear that...why not skip chemo and just put me on that from the start!!!

I am upping my Biotin to 10,000 per day.  Getting mane and tail shampoo.  Holding off on Nioxin for a bit.  Not sure about lashes and eyebrows, can't afford the Latisse.

Thanks for the info ladies.  Getting ready for surgery on Tuesday...send good vibes to the docs to get it all out the first time!

Hugs all around,

Chris

Christlc - Vent away!!!!  It will make you feel better.  I see that you are HER+, the herceptin will slow down your hair growth.  Why don't you make an appt. with your stylist for some tips.  Maybe he/she can help.

Getting a "hair cut" last week was the best thing I ever did.  It has really stimulated my hair growth.  I have had more growth since last Wednesday than I would normally have in 3 weeks.  I also increased my biotin, but I just did that Sat., so that has not had time to kick in yet.  I am 22 weeks PFC today and I finally feel good about my hair growth. It dang sure took long enough.

Have a great day ladies.

Thanks to all for the support!

ChrisC:  Yes, I am paying for the Latisse.  It is $120 for a month's supply but it seems to last longer than a month.  It says to just put it on top lashes and doesn't say anything about brows.  I dont see why it would hurt just running the brush over the brows though.