hair loss - oh my!

Hi Lululeo I'm sorry this has happened to you. I had the same chemo as you and while I think I shed more hair than normal while brushing etc it was nothing that anyone else would have noticed. I don't think the chemo makes any difference I specifically asked about hair loss and was told no highly unlikely I think you have just been very unlucky. 

Easy for me to say I know but head up and go rock your new look. Sending hugs. Xx

Bungle1 , thanks for sharing your experience. I was also told hair loss not likely beyond a little thinning. I guess my body has to be an exception! Curious - I'm in the US and wondered if you were too? It seems like our chemo regimen is more common in the US than the UK, where they seem to do the pills.

So far I'd say I've been especially sensitive to the chemo. Last week I hit a wall with very low energy, dizziness, nausea and accompanying bloodwork showing extreme immunosuppression. Fortunately one Neupogen injection turned things around and I'm doing much better. If losing hair is the price to pay for zapping the evil squamous cancer cells to oblivion, then so be it. Bring it on! 

Hi Lululeo I'm in the UK. The majority of people on this forum seem to have the chemo tablets. When I was going through it i did come across one lady on here from uk who had had the same chemo as me weeks 1 and 5 via a picc. I tolerated the chemo pretty well I think, I felt nauseous week 1 but I think this was from the mitomycin, other than that food tasted weird. I should say I didn't have a full dose as I had low dpd, I had a 50 % dose week 1 and then as I tolerated that well and all my bloods came back really good they gave me 75% dose week 5. You are over half way hang in there. Sending hugs. Xx

Hello Lululeo 

That must have been an unpleasant shock; I know there are others on the forum who have had hair thinning but it recovered pretty quickly after treatment ended.  But no one likes losing their crowning glory.  Barber shears sound the way to go - an urchin cut rocks!

I am sorry that you seem to be having quite a rough time, just keep counting off those days and looking forward to when there will be no more daily treatments, that in itself is such a huge relief.

Big hug

Irene xx

Thank you Irene75359 . I'd just assumed there wouldn't be major hair loss with this treatment since no one mentioned it happening to them. If I'd known I probably would have shaved it all off at the start. Is it too late for that? The constant clumps in the shower and bathroom are driving me a bit crazy, lol. Do I just go to a regular salon? I don't think I trust myself or my husband to do it. Sorry to ask about something so trivial. I know hair loss is far from the worst thing that can happen, but it is upsetting.

Just a quick follow up note. This afternoon I went to my hair salon and had them gently shampoo and shave off the remaining hair. It feels odd, but at least it's done now and no more trauma of hair fallout in the shower and on the brush. I just ordered some pre-tied scarves and such from a company called haircovers.com that specializes in chemo hair loss care. Every day is an adventure with this cancer treatment, but I'm adjusting. Hugs to all! Laura

Hello Lululeo 

I think, if you are losing your hair excessively, that you have done the right thing.  I had six cycles of systemic chemo prior to chemo/radiotherapy as I had a spot on the lung, so I knew I was going to lose my hair.  We went off in our camper van after the first cycle and I had a shower in the camping showers and I thought I was going to block the drain.  We were on the Isle of Skye and had no idea where a hairdresser might be but the lady who ran the camp site used to be a hairdresser and when my husband told her we had a problem, she took me to a private room and gave me a crew cut (with scissors, she didn't have clippers).  Problem solved - and your hair will grow back! xx 

Wow - thanks for sharing, Irene. That's so lucky that you found someone to help you out while camping. My hair was down to almost my shoulders, so it was a LOT of hair lost. I too was worried about clogging the drain! 

Bless you...i remember the tears when I lost my hair..it was 30 yrs ago.I didn't want to go out to start off with and when I summoned up the courage I really didn't know what I was worrying about. It dioes grow back..it takes time and to be honest it was probably more difficult going through the growing back phase......but I think the biggest thing to think of is that as sad as ir is the treatment is saving your life.Go and buy some beautiful scarves and bananas and you will look gorgeous. I had a old nhs wig...it was awful and my party trick was to whip it off when nobody was expecting it.

Sending you a hug

TAC25 - thank you! Your kind message helped a lot.