Halavan side effects?

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saraab
saraab Member Posts: 4
edited April 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

HI everyone;

This is the 3rd time my cancer recurrence (locally)in my right breast within 3 years ,i have been taken chemo twice before TAC on the first time and navelbine+xeloda for second recurrence ,and this time i have just started chemo yesterday Halavan ,wanted to know if anyone has been taken halavan before and did it had hair loss? i lost my hair once in 2012 due to TAC i don't want to loose them again :(

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  • GemStateGirl
    GemStateGirl Member Posts: 168
    edited April 2015

    Hi saraab! I've only been on Halaven for 2 months. The good news is my most recent scan shows it's working and in general I feel very well on this chemo. The not so good news is it has caused my hair to thin, mainly on the top of my head near my forehead. I can still go out without wearing a wig but I'm starting to feel more comfortable wearing one because I have dark hair and a very pale scalp and to me my part is getting too visible.

    I went to the wig store a couple of weeks ago and got a very comfortable wig (made with "capless construction"). I also tried on hairpieces that I couldn't even feel on my head and covered up my thinning crown. The only reason I didn't get one was you have to clip them to your remaining hair and I wasn't sure I wanted something tugging on what hair I have left. But I may revisit them in the heat of the summer.

    My oncologist said that their patients who have been on Halaven generally don't lose all their hair--it just thins. I do think I'm happier having the option of not wearing a wig or a scarf. When I did ACT, I lost all my hair and that was a major adjustment. The thinning hair is a pain but it's definitely not as bad.

    Hope you have a good experience with Halaven.

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  • saraab
    saraab Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2015

    Hi Gemstategirl,

    thank you so much i will be very happy if i don't loose all of them and thinning would be manageable somehow.

    yes i had TAC ,2 yrs ago and i lost all my hairs ,the first time i accept it very easily ,the second treatment of chemo didn't have hair loss but now i don't now why i am so stressed only regarding my hair loss my scan shows clear since it was only local recurrence in same breast all these 3 times.

    i feel very good with the first dose i took tuesday 2 days ago ,i hope the rest will be same .

    take care and be well ,we can do it and

    THESE DAYS WILL ALSO PASS


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