Ibrance / Palbociclib...does hair grow back?

Options
unhappycamper
unhappycamper Member Posts: 2
edited November 2018 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

I saw there was a topic for this, but I thought it wise to maybe start a new thread, as I am seriously considering stopping Ibrance almost immediately, and I am hoping someone out there has some good news. I am In a trial in Europe for Ibrance / Palbociclib.. They did not tell me that Ibrance / Palbociclib can cause hair loss like this (language problem). I am now experiencing massive hair loss...as in 50% in one month during the fourth month of being in the trial. Before month four of the trial, my hair was growing like gangbusters since chemo ended last June 2015. Now, Along with the hair loss, my nails have stopped growing while on Ibrance / Palbociclib as well. I have also been taking Tamoxifen since last fall, but have had zero side effects from that. They have tried to tell me it's early menopause but I'm sorry, 50% hair loss in one month? That's baloney. I think think it's the Ibrance / Palbociclib, so all I want to know is....is there anyone here who after taking Ibrance had their hair grow back. I have seen enough evidence to see that it causes hair loss no matter what they are telling me here. I just want to know if it grew back? Please, I hope someone has a ray of sunshine! I am devastated. Who cares about my breasts! So I'm missing one, so what...nobody sees that. My hair is everything to me and it's visible and wigs are untenable and limiting. I'm sure many of you feel the same. Love to you all and best wishes. I wish my first post were something better, I have been stalking this forum for 1.5 years, and thank all of you for saving my spirit and keeping me informed many times while I deal with this from abroad where hardly anyone speaks my language well enough to communicate the subtle things often needed. Yes, I know I should be glad to be still going but....man! Does the hair grows back?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • zarovka
    zarovka Member Posts: 3,607
    edited February 2017

    unhappy camper - i am on ibrance and not having a super easy time of it. extreme fatigue, but i haven't had hair loss.

    hair loss is a common side effect of ibrance reported on the pfiser website and elsewhere. i've read of a couple people who had it around the 7th or 8th cycle and then it stopped falling out and grew back, but no one can say how this will play out for you. the range of responses to ibrance is very broad.

    the hairloss experience was reported on these ibrance threads. you'll get a better response if you post your question there.

    Ibrance

    Ibrance + Faslodex

    there are some strategies for reducing hair loss discussed on these chains

    the alternatives to ibrance have worse side effects, on average.

    cancer s@#ks,

    >Z<

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited August 2016

    unhappycamper, I certainly hope so!!!! I've lost about 1/3 of my hair. Cycle 2 and 4 it came out like crazy. I feel for you, I really do.

    I'm only on cycle 6 so no idea whether it gets better on palbo.

    I assume that when I move on to a different medication it'll grow back. Just like after chemo.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • unhappycamper
    unhappycamper Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2016

    Hi zarovka and pajim,

    Yes!!! Let's hope! Indeed, after the hair loss from chemo having it happen a second time is a kick in the shins right? For a brief moment after my hair got to about 3 inches, I thought to myself 'hey, OK, this 'new normal' is not going to be too bad. At least I have my hair', then, bam!

    Thank you both so very much for responding and the valuable insights...it's really great to hear from someone about this and not feel so alone (I need to get my little footer on here filed out). I will look into those threads, thank you.

    And good heavens, I almost shaved my head again yesterday. However, you have inspired me to wait this out before I panic again (right! let's see how long that lasts...ha!). This feels like the tooth loss dream I always had growing up (knock on wood), only it's real and it's really happening. I'm guessing this is a common feeling, wondering when you are going to wake up!

    Best to you both :-)


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MaryMeg
    MaryMeg Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2017

    I see that there are other threads on this which I will check out but yes, I'm experiencing the same and am equally devastated. Every day more and more hair comes out and it is awful.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CarolMC
    CarolMC Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2018

    Hi all, yes after talking to the pharmacist and reading about this it is doing what it is designed to do.

    Because it is a chemo drug they try to have it target just the tumors but it targets anything that multiplies fast, which is tumors, hair, skin and nails. The drug seems to be pretty effective in stopping the replication of tumors but unfortunately it stops the hair growth as well.

    You may also want to research Cannibus Oil.

    I wish everyone the best.


    Love Carol

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sadaboutlosingmyhair
    sadaboutlosingmyhair Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2018

    I'm researching whether other people have hair loss on Ibrance, and I wanted to second the experience unhappycamper had...my hair was growing in beautifully after regular chemo ended and I was really happy. I began a clinical trial on Ibrance, though, and after four months, I started to lose my hair again. It started with a few hairs in the sink when I combed my hair, to being somewhere between 25 and 60 hairs in the sink today, twice a day. Slowly but surely, my scalp is showing through more and more. I can't help but conclude that Ibrance is causing it, especially after seeing that I'm not the only one who had the delay of four months before the side effect started. I've been on Ibrance for a total of almost 8 months, and although my dose was reduced to 75 mg 2 cycles ago, I haven't seen any decrease in the rate of loss. I don't think the dosage matters, for me anyway, any Ibrance is bad for my hair. My eyebrows are also looking very thin. I'm guessing in about 2 months, I will crop my hair back to very, very short, and then ride out the rest of the trial like that, possibly wearing wigs. I am counting the months until the trial is over, and it will be a long 16 months. My sympathy to everyone else who is dealing with this demoralizing side effect.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories