Worsening hair loss

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Bellini3
Bellini3 Member Posts: 12

Hello, I'm 39, on tamoxifen, recently had an oophorectomy, and my hair is thinning, badly. Does anyone have any tips for this problem? I understand there are some medications that can be used for this, has anyone out there tried these, and if so, did it work and what were the side effects? I know it is a relatively trivial problem, but it is bothering me, and I'm not keen to get the wig out again! Any help would be really appreciated.

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited March 2015

    it's not a trivial problem.

    i read that many posters took vit B while having chemo to make sure their hair will grow back....i don't know if it would help. hope someone else chime in.

  • ladyboss1997
    ladyboss1997 Member Posts: 202
    edited March 2015

    I did chemo back in 2011. I began using Ovation Hair treatment as soon as I finished my last chemo, and I still use it. My hair is thicker and healthier than it has ever been. I also take Biotin daily. I am currently on Letrozole as my hormonal therapy. No thinning problems.

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

    I started taking Biotin after the end of chemo. It's cheap, usually I pick them up BOGO. My hair is nice and soft, and over 1" long after chemo. Seems to be a cheap fix.

  • Bellini3
    Bellini3 Member Posts: 12
    edited March 2015
    Thank you all. I'll try Biotin. What is Ovation hair treatment? Is that like a shampoo? I'm not in the US. I appreciate the advice!
  • dizzyakira
    dizzyakira Member Posts: 56
    edited April 2015

    Hi Bellini,

    I've had hair thinning too, worse on the top, like male pattern baldness but also all over. It finally bothered me enough to go see my doctor and I was told that I should have seen him 3 years ago. I wish I did :( he says he sees at least 5 women a day with thinning hair related to breast cancer treatment. Anyway, he advised me to take 2500 mg of biotin daily, 5 drops of biosil twice a day and use men's 5% rogaine. I just started last week, I hope it's not too late for me. Just wanted to pass it along in case you find it helpful. Oh he also prescribed latisse for my eyelashes but I haven't bought it yet.

  • Bellini3
    Bellini3 Member Posts: 12
    edited April 2015

    Thank you very much everyone. I will follow this advice. Could I ask, what is rogaine? Is it some topical treatment you apply? It doesn't affect hormones? Rose I agree, it is is not trivial- I'm lucky to still be here and healthy, but our treatments come at a cost, don't they. I'm so sorry your hair didn't come back. That's terrible for you.

  • dizzyakira
    dizzyakira Member Posts: 56
    edited April 2015


    Rogaine is the brand name for Minoxidil. I think there are generic Minoxidil, but my doctor recommended the brand name (5% men's version in foam).  Good luck! I think I'm starting to see little fuzzies at my temple (but that could be wistful thinking).

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

    I agree with Biotin.  Most of us do not get enough of this vitamin.  I am now 7 years post dx and almost 60.  I have to remind myself that women have hair thinning in their 50's and later.

  • littlebird75
    littlebird75 Member Posts: 120
    edited April 2015

    I started using Women's Rogaine foam (like hair mouse really). I bought 4 months supply of the brand name foam 5% of the active ingredient. My thinning hair didn't bother me until other people started commenting on it. As it got worse, I considered hair transplant surgery and even wigs, but the good ones are very expensive and so is surgery. The Rogaine really started to work more quickly than I thought it would. They say it can take 12 weeks to see results, but I started seeing hair growth in about 3 weeks.

    They say the sooner you start the better, because it can stimulate the roots that are still there, but some actually die off and there is no way to grow something that doesn't have a seed to grow from. I still see light through my hair but the baby hairs fill it in enough to make my bangs look better and I feel better. I still have a wider part than I would like.


    I will share that I also used these hair sprinkles called Nanogen which really was incredible. I did a lot of research before buying this brand. It was incredible, but I just had to use too much for every day use to be affordable. It might be nice to keep on hand for special events and occasions because it covers any thinning and looks natural instantly.

    For daily use and a more permanent solution, Rogaine is the best option overall in my opinion.

    I saw my doctor because I read about some people taking a pill (Propecia) along with the Rogaine, but learned that's only for men. It's not recommended for women.

  • Bellini3
    Bellini3 Member Posts: 12
    edited April 2015

    Thankyou Littlebird that is so helpful and encouraging! I've started on Rogaine. I had more or less accepted the hairloss could not be helped. Thank goodness we have this forum.

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