Hi, my hair fell out during chemo, which thankfully ended in Nov 2019. My Radiotherapy ended end of Jan 2020 and my hair very quickly started to grow back which I was really pleased with. The texture was very different to how it was before, soft like baby hair and curly. It was like my hair had a sudden growth spurt but then i noticed it started thinning and falling out, literally coming out in my hand when I touch it. I'm scared to wash it incase it all comes out! I've had a few different brands of tamoxifen and the one I'm on now is one I haven't had before, I'm wondering if it's related to the tamoxifen, has anyone else had this issue?? I just want my normal hair back x
Hi Taurus76 I had similar experience when my hair started growing back, I used Johnson’s baby shampoo for a while until it felt bit more thicker. I’d like to say I have my normal hair back but it went from being thin & straight to really thick & ringlet curly lol. Wishing u all the best in ur recovery, Vic x
Hey Vic, thankyou for sharing and the advice. I'll try baby shampoo and see how it goes, although I'm nervous to wash it incase theres nothing left by the time I finish! How long did it take for your hair to feel 'normal' again? Xx
Hi, the hormone therapy drugs which have been suggested to me cause hair thinning and I’m really concerned about this as my hair thinned a lot during chemotherapy. I’d be interested to know if it happens to everyone
After about 9-10 months when I was able to style my hair (I went for the pixie cut) I felt more “normal” think when I didn’t look like I had cancer the more confident I felt. I was only washing hair once a week if that, I stopped wearing wig after few months as it was making my scalp really sore & itchy. I had the added problem of eyebrows not growing back properly, had to get them microbladed in the end. I’m still dealing with chemo side effects, majority of them I wasn’t even told about x
I completely lost my hair during chemo, everywhere!
My lashes were the last to go quite near the end of my chemo so I was quite upset as they had lasted throughout most of it. Theyve grown back now thankfully. I've been taking tamoxifen since the beginning of Feb and currently on a different brand I haven't used before, so I'm wondering if my hair thinning and falling out is a side effect of that as it was growing so lovely before x
Hi, I so get what mean when you say 'didn't look like you had cancer' it's only in the last 2 months, I've started to feel like the old me was coming back and felt like that. I was so happy with my hair as it literally just sprung to life. But now its thin and coming out in my hands so feel like ive gone backwards. Theres so much to learn after chemo, I had no idea how it would affect me. I thought I would just ease back into work like before, but I was so wrong. Emotionally and physically I ached and cried alot, plus dealing with menopause and hot flushes, it was alot to deal with x
iIve been given a few options to think about. Tamoxifen and other option is Exemestane withGoserelin. I’ve been reading about them all and the side effects seem terrible and all cause hair thinning. They are terrifying me but I have to make a choice
i thought after chemotherapy and radiotherapy that would be the worst over but it seems the hormone treatment is the worst
I wouldn't say the hormone treatment is worse, but it definitely has its downsides. I suffer with achy joints at times which can be painful. I also still have peripheral neuropathy in my hands which is a side effect from treatment. Its eased but can be painful at night.
It may affect us all slightly different but for me, it's taking some getting used to, I guess this is the new normal now and I'm still adjusting back to life. I wasnt given an option of hormone tablets, I was told I'll be taking tamoxifen for 10 years. I was advised that there are many brands of tamoxifen and we will get on with some brands better than others. So this particular one I was given on my last prescription, I will try to avoid and speak to my gp. This way I may be able to work out if it makes a difference to my hair x
I cold capped through chemo, which finished 4 months ago, lost some but not too much hair. I've been on zolodex since October, and started exemestane in April. The hair that did fall out is growing well. So you could try switching to that.
Also massage your scalp when you condition your hair. And don't over do with it styling etc.
Thankyou....after speaking with my breast nurse, I have now changed the brand of my tamoxifen to see if it makes a difference. I’ve decided to shave my hair what I have left anyway, completely off and just hope and pray that it grows back healthy. I haven’t had a great week, I think seeing it come out in my hands has contributed to my low mood so I’ll take back some control and take the rest of it off x
