Trouble Growing Your Hair Back?

Joan, the normal growth rate for hair is only 1/2 inch per month (technically 1 cm per month).  That first month after finishing chemo, your hair follicles are still being poisoned.  (Think of how long it took after the first dose of chemo, for your hair to start falling out.  For most of us, it was 14 or 15 days.)

So, although it may seem hugely frustrating, IMHO, you are lucky to have nearly 3 inches of hair after just 7 months.  That would be an average rate of hair growth under normal circumstances.  Some of us have post-chemo regrowth nowhere near that fast.

I'm a year out from my last dose of Taxotere & Cytoxan.  My hair is considerably thinner than it was (fewer hairs per square inch of scalp).  I am pretty sure it's because I am on Arimidex, which will do the same thing to my hair that another 20-or-so years of age would have done.  I have decided to wear my hair shorter than it was pre-chemo.  For one thing, it's a lot easier to care for than it used to be.

Hugs, though.  I know how frustrating this is.  Give it more time.

otter 

I  want to ask you ladies if anyone has found that their post-chemo hair sheds at a great rate.  I have always shed a lot, but I am finding that now, 2 yrs. post, it keeps falling and falling.  It's a good thing I started out with LOTS of hair!

I'm wondering if this is the same phenomenon that has had my eyelashes falling out every three months for the past two years.  Not all of them at once, like the first shed, but still noticeable.  As  time goes by, they are less and less in synch,which is a good thing.  Still, I am wondering if the head hair shedding is related or if it's just age-related?  I don't remember anyone in my family having thin hair as an old lady and I'm hoping I'm not the first!

GaiusJulia, I second what hrf has said.  I, too, would report your post; but I've gotten in a lot of hot water this past week for reporting one post and questioning the motives and authenticity of the author of another.  I've been reminded not-so-gently that, even though a person might never have posted on these boards before, and even though I might suspect his/her motives as self-serving, I should not risk hurting that person's feelings by saying anything about it.

So I'm just gonna let this one go, even though I totally agree with hrf...

otter