taxotere and permanent hair loss

I have heard that the information Wikipedia provides is NOT accurate. It is only a compilation of information provided by different sources.

HELPPPPPPP anyone have a cure for nails my nails went through it while I was on chemo and now a year later they are starting back up they are white and brownish. I have been using Tree Oil but its not curing it .....

I took Glutamine Powder (amino acid) during Taxotere and my nails were good.   Finished 6 months ago and now they are just a bit brittle on the ends in places, but nothing much.  My breast care nurse was impressed.  So it was either that or putting vitamin E and tea tree on nightly. I'm not sure if taking Glutamine after the event will help, but may be worth trying.

I am hormone receptive (ER+) so I am hesitant to wear nail varnish as it contains carcinogens and probably estrogen mimics and with the nails being absorbant the body may absorb some nasties. 

Thank you for your posting on this! I am slated to receive either TC (with Taxotere) or ACT in the coming months. My oncologist has given me the choice. I am thankful to be informed of this side effect as my oncologist did not tell me this either! With all the drugs coming down the pipeline, more choices are available, and people's lives no longer rest in the hands of a single company producing Taxotere.  Anyone going through chemo SHOULD BE AWARE of all possible side effects. The drug company producing taxotere is negligent not to disclose this information.

I'm curious, do you have any commonality among the other members of the group you have assembled that all suffer from this side effect? Maybe assembling a simple spreadsheet would be a great place to start. What dose and frequency of taxotere did everyone recieve? Have you all had chemo prior?  Height/weight? Did you all recieve it in combination with another common drug or supplement? The drug company should collect data on this side effect and disclose information to anyone interested. Until that happens, the reporting is in your hands. Legal action on this is more than warranted.

Sea_nymph 

I am not sure about the Taxotere, but certainly believe you.  I also had immediate hair loss from Femara and my oncologist just shrugged and said to expect it.  I chose to take myself off froom the Femara for that along with a few other reasons. Cost, feeling like an old lady, achiness, etc.

I think for the most part the powers that be think that cancer is more important than hair.  Sad, but I am afraid true.

Dear enjoy,  I apologize.  I didn't mean to insinuate that I agree.  I didn't make myself clear that I think that is what the researchers and doctors think.  NOT me!  I agree with all of you and as I said, It was important enough to me, that I took myself off from Femara as well as synthroid due to hair loss.

Best wishes for your healing.

Hi okblessed,

I finished TAC in mid Dec and my hair is sooo thin. I feel like this is a problem for me that nobody around me is taking very seriously. I've posted on this on another thread but there was not any helpful advice there either. People don't seem to understand. They consistently say things like 'it will get thicker' or 'you have way more hair than you did in January'. The hair is 1-2 inches long, there's just not enough of it to cover my scalp. My hair is thin enough that people gawk when my head is not covered in the back. I was never told anything about permanent hair loss. In fact, I was told it was only temporary. I'm really not happy about the possibility of this being permanent. I ordered a volumizer hairpiece. I hope it will work and be comfortable since I only want to be able to blend in when I go somewhere. I am aware that hair is small potatoes compared to alot of other things. So, if anyone feels the need to try and remind me of that then take a number.

Annie

Carol, i can ASSURE you i have been informed by my team who have spoken to Sanofi about it and they all say it was TAXOTERE that has caused my permanent baldness so please so insinuate that you know better than the proffesionals. What reaserchers do you mean?

Hi Carol, it was your quote 'i am not sure about the taxotere' that got me riled.

Still not sure what you meant by that but its not important. I have had correspondence from Sanofi saying they are aware of me and sorry but tough!

I will continue to be a thorn in their side till the day i die unless i get what i want.

Its all starting kick off in the UK now so that will be interesting!

Shirley,  I am saying that I am not sure how the taxotere has affected my hair loss, as my hair has been thin for many years some of which is from synthroid and also hypothyroid.  Hair loss is a symptom of hypothyroid and also a side effect from synthroid.  Also, I lost hair immediately after starting Femara... then took myself off from it and it seemed to thicken up a bit.  My hair is still very thin, but I don't know if the taxotere caused it, since I had the thin hair prior. 

I have had the best results when I use Phytologee hair program for thinning hair.  www.Phyto.com is where you can read about it.  I took the vitamins, and also used the phytocyanne shampoo, phytopollein, and the elixer for thinning hair for women.  You might look into that.  I am a hairstylist and we used their products in one of the salons I worked at.  You can buy it from Sephora on line.  What I didn't like about Rogaine, and/or Nioxin is the chemicals involved, where the Phtyo is plant based.

My heart is with you... Please let us know what happens.

Sarah, not sure what you mean but if its those metal things they feel wonderful. You can probly find them if you google the name of them - not sure what it is called.

sarahms, I hear that Latisse can be very helpful in getting eyebrows to regrow.  It's expensive but the women I know who have used it do not use the application brushes provided as they waste too much product.  You can either trim one of the provided brushes down or buy a brush designed for eyeliner.  However, if you are reusing a brush, be sure to wash it after each application, especially if you are using it for eyelashes as well.  The website is http://www.latisse.com and there is a link at the top right side to find a doctor who sells in in your area.

Best wishes,

Lori

Well !!!

I just stumbled on this thread and now I am scared to death.  I have just gone through 2 treatments of Taxotere alone, with 2 to go.  I did not know that permanent hair loss was a side effect. It sounds like it is different for everyone.  But, my doctor did not mention it at all. 

My question to you all tonight is:  While you were going through your treatments did you go completely bald?  (Mr. Clean like)  After 2 treatments, I still have stubble on my head.

 Three years ago when I went through this with the Adrymiacin/Taxol, I was completely bald.

Brenda