Hair loss over 1 1/2 yrs since ending Taxotere Chemotherapy.

Options
2»

Comments

  • GwennyMD
    GwennyMD Member Posts: 147
    edited September 2013

    I just finished chemo on August 13.  My prescribed regimen was AC/T.  4 rounds of AC followed by either TAxol or Taxotere.  Based on recent studies 12 rounds of Taxol was recommended.  However, I refused to get treatment weekly since I am single and trying to maintain my job.  Therefore, I chose Taxotere because I wanted to continue with the 3 week schedule.  The nurses gave me a packet with a list of all side effects when I first started. However, I was so overwhelmed at that time, I doubt if I focused on each side effect.  By the time I started with Taxotere, I did not reread the packet to see that it described SE of Taxol, not Taxotere.  I guess they assumed that I would just do whatever they said.  According to the main study that the oncs are following in the Source Book, the difference in the cancer free survival rates is less than 5% when compairing the dose dense regimen (every week) of Taxol with the 3 week regimen for Taxotere.  When I was trying to compare Taxol with Taxotere, I do not remember seeing any warnings about permanent hair loss and my oncs never mentioned it when we were discussing my options.  Since my hair was already gone at that point, I am not sure whether it would have changed my decision but it would have been nice to know.  

    My hair started growing when I started the Taxotere. It is growing slowly but at least the bald spots are gone.  I have also noticed that some body hair is returning.  I still have no eyebrows or lashes.  I do not like wigs but I will continue wearing them as long as necesary.  I am more concerned about the proposed 5 year treatment with Femara.

  • Widdershins3
    Widdershins3 Member Posts: 24
    edited October 2013


    I'll be starting T&C therapy soon, followed by Armimodex (sp?) and I'm worried about permanent hair loss or even thinning. So I'm grateful for all the information here. My natural hair is baby fine and naturally on the thin side, but I'm not someone who could ever rock the bald/buzz cut look. Not even at 66. So I've already begun ordering wigs online and am praying I won't have to wear one permanently. Ugh.


    Still, I'm old enough to remember wigs being 'in' fashion-wise many, many years ago and I was able to tolerate them back then. So here's hoping I can adjust to them again. I wouldn't even be able to tolerate going without one at home, so I got some inexpensive ones to try out, as well as a better-made/higher quality fiber one (a Jaclyn Smith "Bridgette") from Paula Young to wear when I go out.


    I do get the doctor's focus on my survival as opposed to "cosmetic" issues. But hair loss just hits me hard emotionally. I have a woman doctor, so I'm hoping she understands my qualms...

Categories