Carboplatin + Cisplatin. Hair loss?

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Is anybody else on this combination?

I am,  for NSCLC

I've had 3 cycles (every three weeks) and still have my hair.  One more cycle to go, then Cisplatin only.

What are others experiences wirh this combo? Did you get to keep your hair?

If not, at what stage did it start to fall out.

Am wondering if I've  bought a wig for nothing!

Thanks x

  • Hi

    My combo was Cisplatin and Etoposide and my hair loss was top to toe.  My eyelashes (bless them) clearly hadn't received the memo and hung in there, albeit not all of them all of the time. Even just having a few stubby eyelashes prevented me from getting that pink eye look. Tip: celebrate every little win no matter how small.

    My hair loss happened two days after the end of my second round of chemo. I realise that my combo was different to yours however, I think you may be escaping the hair loss side effect.  

    I do hope that the wig remains in its box!

    Kegsy x

    "If you are going through hell, keep going" ; Sir Winston Churchill
    " Cancer may take my life; however it will not become my life" Kegsy August 2011
  • Thanks Kegsy.X

    The wig was expensive and has never been worn, so hopefully will be able to sell it.

    Just my luck if  I sell it and my hair starts falling out the day after!

  • Hi Harebellle

    my meds are 

    Meds plan Chemotherapy Paclitaxel and Carboplatin

                      Immunotherapy Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab

    yes I lost my hair after first cycle. I had 4 Cycles of chemotherapy and immunotherapy combined I completed them at the end of April. My hair is growing back now and it’s lovely. Never considered a wig as I felt they harbour gems and are unhygienic.

    Donna

  • Think that'll be the Paclitaxel caused the hairloss. 

  • Found the following  about paclitaxel:

    It's very effective, and is, their words -

    "It is a treatment for: 

    • breast cancer that has spread
    • pancreatic cancer that has spread
    • non small cell lung cancer "

    There seem to be two important words that are missing after the the words 'non small cell lung cancer'  hmmm.

    I wonder why it isn't used for nsclc that 'has spread?'

    I have nsclc that has spread. Why aren't they giving me and other stage 4 lung cancer patients  this, I wonder?

    No wonder we're keeping our hair. We're getting the second rate stuff.

    Maybe it explains why some women (obviously not all) with metastatic breast cancer can go years and years and yet the prognosis is very poor for stage 4 lung cancer patients, who are extremely lucky if they get to two years.

    Basically they're not giving us the heavy hitting stuff that works really well. Why not?

    One to ask the Oncologist perhaps.

    As you can see I'm going to go down fighting and querying things. 

    I hate unfairness 

    Mainly because I think that lung cancer patients are treated shoddily compared to other cancers. I don't blame the oncologists and consultants. Theyre doing their best.  I think decisions are made higher up, concerning who is allocated what.

  • Hi Harbellle

    sorry about your diagnoses. I was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer which had spread to my bones & various other places and ended up going to brain also. I can honestly say I have never felt I was given lesser treatment than anybody else. I’ve had chemo twice, immunotherapy and radiotherapy. I’m thankfully still here just over 2 years later but I know I’m going eventually. I have declined further chemo but have still had MRI & CT scans 10 days ago with an appointment to discuss on Thursday.

    I know if I requested more treatment I would be given it if it was still suitable.

    I was originally given 6-12 months but still going strong at the minute 2 years later,

    best wishes to you

    Peter

  • I think that is just very poor text. That implies that paclitaxel is only used for breast cancer that has spread, which it isn’t as my sister was on paclitaxel for her breast cancer with no spread. 

    What we have to remember is not only are cancer types treated differently, but every patient is unique with their cancer. Your treatment is not only down to your oncologist, but is discussed with many health professionals at the MDT’s.  Cancer specialist want only the best for their patients, no matter what type of cancer they have. 


    Lung cancer patients are living much longer with the disease than ever before. That is down to new medications, immunotherapy etc. There are new lung cancer treatments becoming available and new trials all the time. In the years I have been on this site, I have seen so many new drugs. Immunotherapy was only just starting when I was diagnosed, and was a drug for lung patients only. It is now much more widely available for lots of other cancer types too. 

    “Try to be a rainbow, in somebody else's cloud” ~ Maya Angelou
    Chelle 

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  • Exususe .the late. night rant.

    Combination of steroids and almost having treatment t cancelled ,  plus late scan results 

    Messes with my mind a bit and sends me down a dark path!

    Mood is up again now.

    Youre right, everyones been brilliant with me and i am beyond grateful that we have the NHS.

    Xx

  • Thanks Peter.

    Am more upbeat this morning  x