Thinning hair

Hi Mel

Mine started to come out after the first chemo session and it's still doing it a month after treatment.

I had my hair cut short pre treatment and also have lots of hair, so not really noticeable.

Well done for getting to the half way mark.

Ally

Hi Mel77d2f884 

I had a bit come out but if I hadn't seen it when I combed it I don't think i would have noticed. I do have a lot of hair though. Well done on getting half way., keep counting those days down. Sending hugs. Xx

Thanks.  My hair is cut really short, but thick.  I'm hoping that helps.  17 days to go!

Hi  Mel77d2f884 

I didn’t have any noticeable hair loss on my head but my wife did comment about the amount of hair on the hair brush after treatment had finished so actually did lose a little more than normal.  

Hair thinning is listed as an uncommon side effect on the chemo info sheet I have and there are threads on here where people have reported losing their hair during treatment.

Keep counting down the treatment days

Monty

Hello Mel77d2f884 

Some forum members have found they experienced some hair loss.  However, hopefully with your thick head of hair this won't be noticeable and especially given that your hair is really short.  Only 17 days to go - keep marking them off!

Irene xx

In my experience it's only noticeable to me, so hope you have the same experience.

Ally xx

Hi Mel,

I'm nearing six months post-treatment and experienced quite a bit of hair loss both during and in the first few months after treatment. My husband estimates that I lost about 80% of my hair. Happily, this isn't the normal course for most people, and I hope you follow the normal course and only have a little bit of thinning! If you do lose more hair than usual, there are options like oral minoxidil to help with regrowth (I was offered this, but haven't taken it yet because my hair is starting to grow back finally!).

Keep us posted about your hair. I was surprised how discouraged I was about my hair loss (considering everything else), but hair is so visible and it takes quite a while for it to grow back. If you ever have any questions, let me know, as I'm happy to share coping mechanisms and tips that I've gleaned from my stylist about how to hide bald spots!

Good luck with the final days of your treatment. Xx

Poppy

Hello Poppydays2,

Good to hear from you but so sorry that you went through such a rough time with treatment. You really got the short straw in so many ways.

 I remember on being diagnosed being so worried about losing my hair and assumed that this was a given. I absolutely know that in the bigger scheme of things that this shouldn’t be important, but it somehow is. I remember being so relieved when the Oncologist said that I ‘probably’ wouldn’t lose my hair and the relief I felt, despite being fully prepared for that to happen. 

I am just so sorry that this happened for you as I think it’s so hard when you’re not expecting it and aren’t prepared for it. I’m glad to know that it’s growing back and wishing you abundant locks in the near future. 

I know that you also had terrible back pain too and hope that you’ve had some help with that and are recovering. You were very kind to me in your comments when I wasn’t in a good place and I remain so grateful to you. 

Wishing you all the very best. 

Sending hugs xx

Mine came out in small clumps, and was really upsetting so I feel for you as I didn’t expect it either. It stopped a month after treatment and grew back fairly quickly, my hairdresser said it was about 60% of my hair that was lost. No one ever said anything to me or really noticed as I had it cut short, but to me it was a big issue everytime I brushed my hair and saw how much was coming out. I’m five years on now and all clear so easy to be cheerful but I wasn’t at the time. Sending hugs. 

Hi PEB24,

It was  so nice to see your post! I've thought of you often and have wondered how you're getting on with your own back pain/neuropathy. I hope you are on the mend and that it's not bothering you as much!

Happily, I am much improved from a neuropathy and back pain standpoint. I still have neuropathy and weakness in my right leg, but I'm off pain meds and can walk and bicycle again, so I'm counting myself lucky. It's been quite a journey with lots of physiotherapy help from some really good people.

I wanted to add that your kind words of support and encouragement during the rough times were very dear to my heart. I hope all is well with you. Sending you lots of love.

Poppy