taxotere and hair loss

smco: For me, day 13, nothing.  Day 14 I put my fingers through my hair and came up with a handful.  So, I went and shaved it.  For me it was easier that way.  Over the next 2 weeks the stubble slowly fell out, but still had patches going into my 2nd round.  Then after that most of the stubble fell out.  I did have some persistent hairs, mostly grey that grew during chemo.  It looked so odd and shaggy I intermittently shaved those down too.  After my 3rd round the eye lashes and eyebrows went.  About 2 months after my last round the hair started growing back in to a short stubble everywhere.  My eyelashes are still falling out a year later.  My hair grows thick but slow and is about 2-3 inches long depending on where on my head you are looking.

Good luck to you

Sharon, I had FEC first, and then Taxotere but my info says there's not much difference in the timing.  What I did notice (and many others here have concurred) is that you'll start to feel a 'tightening" or prickling sensation on your scalp first.  Then the hairs will start to fall out.  I didn't shave my head, but started wearing a cotton cap when I developed patches of baldness.  It took about a week for it to almost all fall out, so that would have been about 21 days after tx.

Oh yes, my hair was shoulder-length for years, so just after my first tx, I had it cut fairly short (didn't want all those long hairs plugging up the shower drain!).

And I didn't lose my eyebrows and lashes until I started taxotere.

Hint:  Tax can do a number on your nails but if you keep your hands and feet relatively cold during your tx, you will probably not have a problem with them.  My feet were always cold in the tx room (it was summer, I was wearing sandals and the A/C was going full blast) and I had no toenail issues.  However, I did lose both thumbnails (BTW, it doesn't hurt, just looks awful).

Good luck and do NOT hesitate to call your Onc about your side effects.  There are remedies for nearly all of them.  Pamper yourself!

Hugs, Linda

Hi Sharon, I had my first treatment of Taxotere & Cytoxan on Tues 3/9.  Got a Locks of Love bob beforehand, as a transitional haircut. 

The bob started coming out on day 13 (Mon 3/22) in the shower then in earnest days 14 and 15 (lots in my hands in the shower and in hairbursh).  By day 16 (Thurs 3/25) it was falling out of its own accord, all over my clothing, really annoying.  When I walked that evening it was breezy and my hairs were like dandelion fluff. 

Got it buzzed short on Sat 3/27 but not shaved.  Now I look like Jay North, the kid who played Dennis the Menace on TV some years back, cowlick and all LOL.  Best wishes!

My wife began losing hers on day 15 post. She got a short haircut (which looked really good btw). She began wearing hats during the day and a wrap to sleep. The hair loss just kept getting worse and not only did it cause itching but I think there was a psychological component as well seeing the hair come out.

 Finally she had enough and yesterday I buzzed it for her and then did a real (careful) razor shave. She is wearing the wrap to sleep to avoid any scalp irritation. Also, avoid the urge to scrub your scalp too hard and don't keep your scalp covered all of the time (words of wisdom from the oncology nurses).

There is a product called "Head Blade" that is designed for balding men which I highly suggest. You can find it in the mens shaving section. It allows you to safely shave yourself and does a great job by all accounts.

Take care