does your hair grow with herceptin

rackie
rackie Member Posts: 192
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

after my chemo i will be continuing with herceptin for 1 year.  does your hair grow back while on herceptin?

 just curious,

jackie

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited August 2010

    Hi Jackie - the answer is yes. I finished chemo 21 weeks ago and have a bit more than an inch of very thick hair. It depends on whether you have taxol or taxotere. Taxol patients' hair grows more quickly. I had taxotere and it's been a much slower process.

    Sue

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  • cbm
    cbm Member Posts: 475
    edited August 2010

    Taxol is faster.  I had about an inch of hair about twelve weeks after my last taxol.  I am still on Herceptin, coming to the end of my second year.  Eyelashes and fingernails are not yet back to normal, though.

    Cathy 

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  • rackie
    rackie Member Posts: 192
    edited August 2010

    thank you ladies.  i am not sure, but i think that i am getting it with taxotere and then one year of herceptin.

    jackie

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  • TriciaK
    TriciaK Member Posts: 362
    edited August 2010

    Yes, mine began growing in again while on the twelve weekly taxol/herceptin:)

    Tricia x

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  • seaofhope
    seaofhope Member Posts: 66
    edited August 2010

    Rackie,

    I took my scarf off about 12 weeks after my last taxol.  It was a short "military" cut look, but I felt OK without my scarf.  It looked like I just had a radical hair style.  It is now 7 months later, and my hair is only about 2 inches.  I think herceptin (which I am still getting) slows hair growth, because normally my hair would have grown at least 4 or 5 inches in this amount of time. 

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited August 2010

    Jackie,

    Don't worry too much, it will grow back. On the bright side, I'm starting to get little waves in my hair. A lot of women report curls when it comes back.

    Sue

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  • Iamstronger
    Iamstronger Member Posts: 378
    edited August 2010

    I am 9 weeks PFC and have about 1/2 of inch. 

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  • suemed8749
    suemed8749 Member Posts: 1,151
    edited August 2010

    My avatar picture was taken at my daughter's wedding which was almost the same time I finished Herceptin. No curls here!

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  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited August 2010

    Hi Rackie!

    I started taxotere, cytoxan & herceptin on 9/3/09, was shaved on 9/17, finished chemo on 11/06/09 but continued with herceptin (which I will finish after 1 year TODAY at 10:30 a.m.).  I quit wearing my wig on 1/28/10!  My hair has grown like crazy and I've had 3 haircuts!  I've kept it short because it's extremely thick and curly. It came in very smooth & silvery white...then went crazy curly. I get compliments daily on it and have to say it's the easiest hairstyle I've ever had!  I think every person is different & hopefully you'll be able to embrace whatever hair you have after this journey...bless you!

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  • Rubyluby
    Rubyluby Member Posts: 74
    edited August 2010

    While you will definitely get your hair back - and it may even be a much nicer colour or texture than you had before Laughing- expect slower hair growth while you're on your year of Herceptin. I've been on Herceptin since November and have roughly half the amount of growth that you would normally expect in that time. The oncology nurses where I get treated have confirmed that many patients report this.

    Good luck and blessings to you!

    Lucy 

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  • cbm
    cbm Member Posts: 475
    edited August 2010

    Interesting--I think my hair is thicker and grows faster on Herceptin.  I'm 3/4 through year two and the curls have gotten straighter, so I'm back to normal texture, but it grows much faster.  My hairdresser said the same thing, but I seem to be having a very different experience.  NOT complaining, just want my eyelashes back, too.

    Cathy 

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  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited August 2010

    CBM...ME TOO!  My hair's grown like crazy but I'm on my 3rd round of eyelashes.  They don't all fall out at once, but I try not to use mascara unless I have to because each cleansing I seem to lose some more.  The ones that didn't fall out I actually had to cut because they were getting too long!  I just make sure I have my eyeliner & eyebrow pencils with me!  I agree though...not complaining, just wishing :)   Health and happiness to all!

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  • NonniO
    NonniO Member Posts: 31
    edited August 2010

    My hair started growing back while I was still on Herceptin - just not as fast as it did before.  It's about 4" long now (I've had it trimmed twice) and I finished chemo June 2009 and Herceptin Feb 2010.  However, the hair on the top of my head is very thin and sparse.  I was really excited to see anything growing, but I can't seem to find a hairstyle that will cover my head!  I noticed that the hair has changed from medium to very fine, too.  And it's straight, not curly like some other women's.  I think this is all due to the Femara that I'm taking.

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