Hair loss: will it be permanent?

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Cookies
Cookies Member Posts: 41

hi - I am have 3 more rounds of weekly Abraxane to go out of 12 and my head is very smooth plus my eyelashes are aost gone and the brows have just started to thin. I know permenant hair loss is rare - think 2% or less. Is there a way for me to know or predict now because my head is so stuble fre

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited March 2015

    Hello Cookies,

    I do not think there would be any way at this point to know if you will suffer hair loss or thinning. My chemo was different, but my hair came back in thick & grey.

    It is unusual, to have that side effect. My eyelashes, did fall out twice. I was upset the 2nd time. But soon, grew back.

  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited March 2015

    Cookies, I had AC/T and finished 11/25. My hair is now over 1" long, thick and dark brown and gray. My eye lashes and eye brows fell out after the second Taxol but grew back pretty quick and thick. I don't think anyone knows who will or won't have growth. I do think it happens on Taxotere more than others. You can check the side effects at www.chemocare.com. The unusual side effects are usually listed on the manufacturers websites. Good Luck!

  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited March 2015

    Rose and Cookies, I have my hair coming back, but I won the 10% chance of permanent heart damage from AC. I wasn't told that was possible. But on a high note I had a human hair wig made, and I love it. Expensive but worth it to me. I just had to have hair. So I get it, and I understand the suffering it causes. The side effects are brutal. I am so sorry that we all have to endure the treatment. And what is left at the end. It just doesn't seem fair.

  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited March 2015

    You should be o.k. - I had Taxotere 7 years ago and still have only 20% of my hair so pretty much wear a great wig or one of my many hats - was not warned by anyone and it took me a year to find out about the permanent hairloss and as far as I know it is only Taxotere with this as a se so you should be just fine.

  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited March 2015

    I've had Abraxane twice, lost my hair twice and have it grow back in twice. Maybe people lose their hair permanently with Abraxane, but I haven't heard of it.

  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited March 2015

    Hi cookies. My hair came back fine on taxol. Unfortunately, I only got a few patches back on taxotere. Since they're sister drugs, I suppose there's always that chance, but I think you'll be fine. Rose, I had no idea there were so many that didn't get their hair back on taxotere....geez. At least there's some company in my misery. I CAN'T STAND wigs, fake eyelashes and painted eyebrows. Nobody told me that was a possibility either. That makes it worse somehow.

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited March 2015

    I lost ALL my hair on Taxotere. It came back the same color, not nearly the same as before. Thin, bald patches. But I have some.

  • kathy7
    kathy7 Member Posts: 241
    edited March 2015

    Looking for advice on coloring hair. 

    I am 9 weeks after chemo and have 1/2 inch of hair and I think a color would make my daily mirror glance more palatable.  Anyone else do it and have good or bad consequences?

  • MaryJC
    MaryJC Member Posts: 350
    edited March 2015

    hi ladies, I'm on taxotere and so discouraged to have learned about this AFTER the fact. My onc said she'd not heard of it, have seen all others get their hair back. Asked about at recent breast conference. 4 other oncs were there, only 1 saw permanent alopecia n has been in field long time.

    For those who have perm loss, did all your hair fall out smooth or still have some patchy peach fuzz. Also how many cycles were you on for?

  • dltnhm
    dltnhm Member Posts: 873
    edited March 2015

    kathy7,

    My hair started to grow back during my 12 weekly Taxol treatments. I actually used some shimmering lotion at first. (I was always using something on my head throughout AC chemo & Taxol because I never wore a wig AND I run).

    Then I used John Frieda Brilliant Brunette products. I found them to be very mild. My hair grew in pretty quickly.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2015

    Cookies, I had taxotere. My hair growth was very slow until I finished Herceptin. Now it's growing like crazy. Best wishes to you!

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited March 2015

    I had 4 a/c. Was supposed to have 4 Taxotere, stopped after 1 because of a severe allergic reaction to it. I had peach fuzz, assume what hair I have now is as good as it will get.

  • GirlPowerDebbie
    GirlPowerDebbie Member Posts: 213
    edited March 2015


    I had 6 TAC (taxotere, adriamycin & cytoxen) treatments.  Before treatment I had very thick, fine hair.  Three years later is is still thin but getting better.  

    That Taxotere is nasty stuff.  I have a wicked case of peripheral neuropathy and a lot of pain in my feet & lower legs - attributable to the Taxotere.     

    But here we are ... grateful for small things.

    Deb

  • TeriMP
    TeriMP Member Posts: 89
    edited March 2015

    Hi ladies,

    I have my last round of chemo tomorrow (TCx4), I have lost the bulk of my hair on my head but still have some, also still have all my eyebrows and eyelashes. Ive notice my leg hair and nether region has started to grow again it not my head (from what I can tell).

    Does anyone know how long it usually takes for hair on head to start growing?

    Thanks!

    Teri

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2015

    Teri, I never really did lose all my hair. I had peach fuzz in various places on my head.

    Of course everyone is different. Here is my growth at the beginning.

    10 weeks from last chemo:

    image

    12 weeks from last chemo:

    image

    18 weeks from last chemo:

    image

    Hope this helps to give you some idea.

  • kathy7
    kathy7 Member Posts: 241
    edited March 2015


    Just a note - I started using Rogain the first weekend after treatment.  My husband got it for me from Costco- I remember the days when he bought me candy and liquor, but that's another board.  Anyway, my Phys asst. said it was safe (did not cause cancer!)  and I think it has helped.  I was never blessed with a full head of hair, like my latin family members, but I think I am doing well. Oh! and she said use the men's formula, it is stronger, but not harmful.  Just probably that men like to be harrier - Do I miss shaving my legs yet?  No!

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