Significant hair thinning on tamoxifen. Help!!!

My hair grew back nicely on Arimidex....when I switched to Aromasin it thinned and went stick straight....when I went off Aromasin, my hair thickened and got wavy again (normal for my hair)...

My hair started falling out in strands after about 2 1/2 years on Tamoxifen. I started taking biotin (5000 mcg) everyday and after about 4-6 weeks I've noticed all the shedding has dramatically slowed down. I took biotin after chemo, but I was surprised I would have this problem again. I expect I'll have to take it as long as I take Tamoxifen.

I thought about switching to an AI, but I read that hair-thinning is a side effect with the AI's too, so it doesn't look like we can catch a break either way.

I found my hair came back in nicely after all the chemo but then I noticed that it was becoming sparser after about a year on Arimidex. I have tried several forms of Biotin, some special shampoos, and Rogaine for women. My PCP suggested the Rogaine for Men, but I haven't tried it yet. I appear to be growing mets in my lungs, so hair has suddenly seemed less of a concern for me. All my cancer acquaintances had their hair come back nicely, so maybe some of us are just not so lucky in that area. I know it is very hard to do this, but try to look at the fact you have hair now, and maybe after the Tamoxifen it will come in better? Creative combing has become my way of grooming!! Good luck, and please post if you find something that works for you, so we all can learn from your experiences.

Best wishes to you, hope the Tamoxifen keeps those little cancer buggers at bay!!

Jen, YES the tamoxifen has made my hair and nails weak.  My hair used to be thick and wavy, now it is stick straight, will not hold a curl and is thinning a lot in the crown.  I really hate this -- you can see my scalp no matter which way I try to disguise.  I think as long as I take the tamox, it will always be thin and also the fact that as we age, our hair thins on its own !  If you find something helpful, let me know ---

I am thrilled to be alive after breast cancer, chemo, radiation, and everything else involved.  I am ashamed to admit that I am absolutely horrified by my hair.  It actually never grew back right. My once very thick hair has thinned a lot.  First I took Arimidex and now the generic Anastrozole.   I have tried women's Rogaine where my hairline recedes on either sides in front. (I wear bangs so it isn't quite as bad as it sounds).  I have also used the Biotin products.  I have had little success with either product. My hair stylist suggested men's Rogaine, and I wondered if anyone knows if it is safe to use since the instructions say it is not for women.

I researched a couple of products that can be applied to thin places in your hair.  They don't solve the problem but do make the thin places less obvious.  One product is Toppik which is a dry product that you sprinkle onto the thin places, such as a part, to hide your scalp.  You can buy it online.  Another product is Rita Hazan Root Concealer which you spray onto the thin places. I buy this product at Sephora.  In both cases you match your hair color to a number of color options.

Thank you for letting me discuss my hair problems.  I thank God for every day he has given me, and I don't talk about this small problem to others.  It is so menial in comparison to what many of you are going through. My prayers are with each one of you.