Hair regrowth and weight gain after FEC-T chemo

hi 

welcome to the online community, sorry you've had to come and find us

eyelashes, for me popped back almost overnight but then came and went all at once for a while until it settled into the more usual losing the odd one or two, the hair growing cycle etc

eyebrows, I'm still struggling with and spending a fortune on eyebrow kits, I'm back on Bobbie Brown now

weight gain, yes, give yourself a bit of breathing space but you will need to up the exercise, have a look at what you're eating and possibly review for deficiencies, I did a blood test via Thriva and my vitamin D was so low they sent me a free pack of supplements.

Chemo strips everything out so you'll need to get your system back to optimal function, small amounts of a wide variety of foods would help.

This should also help with any fluid retention since a lot has to do with how nutrients interact with each other and the body's ability to flush out toxins/waste products. Fluids are more important than water, eat fruit and veg because you'll get the nutrients from them as well as the liquid. 

I heard that walking 6000 steps per day helped so I tried that, then heard everyone else doing 10k, I can't do that so I'm still trying for around 8k, it doesn't have to be every day but certainly at the end of the week if I'm short I step up over the weekend. 

I found it much harder once the treatment was over, it felt like I should have been elated but I was knackered, bald, and, as far as I was concerned, ugly, and that takes some getting over.

What about a treat? Something to look forward to? I did have a facial but had to sign to say I was okay to have it post chemo. 

you'll be delighted to know that my hair grew back over the course of the year, although the first phase of a slate grey crew cut was hideous, once i'd got to six weeks and could dye it and style it I felt a bit better

hugs

Carolyn

xxxx

Hi Claire

I found my lump back in May and then had a double mastectomy, 3 rounds of E & C and 9 weekly Taxol (I've currently got two off those little buggers left!) 

I had terrible "chemo belly" bloated and hard and I’ve been puffed out alot. Over the last two weeks I've started to take back control of my body. I've cut out dairy, sugar, gluten and meat. It's made a massive difference physically and mentally. Alot of it is because I can see the end of chemo. 

I've still got another lymph removal operation and 15 rounds of radiotherapy but finishing chemo is a BIG TICK.

I've used Long4lashes off amazon and I’ve got a few long ones but new ones coming through. Also Waterman’s hair growth shampoo & conditioner everyday and my hair is really coming back.

In the mean time I apply loads of eyeliner and luckily it’s cold so a nice woolly hat. Don’t get too down, remember although it’s all a bit s*** it’s doable! :)

Hey! I missed my eyelashes more than my hair too! I used revitalash too....it was great! I’m lashes grew back quickly after the end of FEC-T. My hair then started...eyebrows are still a bit thin. But my eyelashes grew back strong, long and lots of them! Such joy when I could use mascara! 

Good luck....you’ll get there.

x

Hi ,

Firstly, Congrats on finishing this stage of your treatment, I wanted to jump up and down.

I had quite a big tumour but I had mastectomy first, followed by chemo and then rads. I had EC and tolerated that quite well, but the Docetaxel  effected me days 5-9, flu like symptoms aches, pains, exhaustion etc and I got hand foot syndrome as well and lost a few toenails after last chemo too. I finished Chemo end of April.

My eyelashes and eyebrows hung on till Docetaxel but I started using rapid lash and rapid brow at the start of chemo, I didn’t lose all of my eyebrows but only a few remained.

I carried on using it and my eyelashes and brows started growing bk about 6-8 weeks after chemo finished, I was using Tattoo brow which was good as I’m hopeless at drawing them in. 
Fluid retention/ bloating is pretty common I think due to the steroids we have to take, I was lucky I didn’t suffer with that, although my joints did swell once or twice, in my hand and foot.

You only finished Chemo recently really, I would give yourself at least 4-5 months to get over the effects of chemo. I’m still recovery as I have Lymphoedema and severe phlebitis.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Tina x x