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Will my hair grow back on taxol?

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Fear Nothing View Drop Down
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    Posted: Mar 26 2009 at 9:15pm

I have girlfriends who have said their hair started growing back on taxol. I know that everyone is different, and that I can't be sure of what will happen... but I would love to know if you all noticed that your hair started growing back in while on taxol? I just completed the last of my four A/C treatments and start 12 weeks of taxol this week. Would also love to know if my eyelashes and eyebrows (almost entirely gone at this point) will continue to fall out completely, and when they will grow back.

Also- any experience with sun exposure on taxol? I understand that you can't be in the sun for a great length of time, but we put a pool in two years ago and I have a preschooler and a kindergartener at home who are going to want Mommy in the pool with them. If I cake on the sunscreen and limit my time, are their any major dangers? I just returned from Gulf Shores- while there I spent just a little time in the sun, and notice now that my knuckles look very brown- almost look dirty! Crazy...
 
Thanks in advance for any input. :)
 
FEAR NOTHING!


Edited by Fear Nothing - Mar 26 2009 at 9:17pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote babyshag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 27 2009 at 1:40am

Mine did.  But, I also starting losing my eyelashes and eyebrows on Taxol - I was fortunate to keep them on AC.  I never quite understood why some hair fell out on some chemo and some hair grew on other chemo and other hair fell out. 

My hair grew well enough on Taxol that I was able to put some gel in it for a very spiky almost boyish hairstyle by the time I finished rads.  I wasn't one to go out without my wig so it was a big milestone for me.
 
I don't know if it would have been different if I'd had taxol weekly like you are - mine were every 3 weeks.
 
I don't know about the sun...it was winter here in Canada when I did my treatment....the sun wasn't much of a threat lol.  I do know that I need to be careful now because of my radiation.  Best to check with your onc about the sun....he or she should be able to help you.
 
Mandy
dx July 2005 age 31
IDC 4.3cm, 3/13 nodes +
mastectomy (cancer side)July '05
AC x 4 / T x 4, 25 Rads
Proph. mastectomy May '06
BRCA1+
Proph. LAVH/BSO Oct '07
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wendy2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 27 2009 at 5:25am
Mine didn't grown back ON Taxol, but quickly after stopping. I have a daughter that swims and it was hard to stay out of sun, I put on lots of sunscreen, wore hats, but I swam and went to beach - stayed under umbrella while I was sitting. I think you are just much more susceptible to burning, like being on antibiotics times 10. Just be careful and limit your time.
Wendy
dx 3/06 TN, taxotere/cytoxin x4; radiation x 40; mets. to lungs, lymph nodes 3/08 - to begin chemo 4/29/08 Abx/Avas., 9/08 Avastin maintenance, 1/09 - off meds to see if Avastin causing headaches
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dragonwing Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 27 2009 at 8:17am
Hey everyone!

Well, I just wanted to let everyone know that I got my official certificate/diploma from my Oncologist -- I am officially done with chemotherapy.  I had T/C regimen.  Everyone that I've talked to said that my hair should start growing back in about 3 weeks, but many have recommended that as soon as it starts growing back to shave my head -- that helps with it growing in thicker and not patchy, and of course, then all the same length.  I did not completely shave my head when my hair fell out, I have about 1 inch of very thinly sparsed hair -- some brown, but mostly gray so it will be interesting to see what grows back.  I used to have very thick wavy hair, and I dyed in mahogany red before.

Any ladies out there dye their hair?  How long after your hair grew back was it before you started coloring your hair again.  I'm only 47 -- I don't really want to support the gray look yet.... just not ready for that.  My mother is 84 years old and still dyes her hair -- I don't know if I'll go that long, but 47 -- I'm not ready to be gray.
Joyce
http://dragonzwing14.wordpress.com/
Infiltrating ductal carincoma w/ focal papillary features
Stage IIa, 3 cm
S Node neg,
Taxotere/Cytoxan x 6
33 radiation
BRCA neg Praise God!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pinetree Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 29 2009 at 7:49am
Hi Fear Nothing.  I'm just ahead of you on my weekly Taxol treatments.  I have 7 of the 12 remaining.  Like you, my eyelashes & eyebrows held out well for the A/C, but the Taxol has taken a toll on them and they are very thin.  My hair has not grown back at all on Taxol, and don't anticipate it taking off until treatment is complete. 
 
There is a new prescription drug called Lattisse that has just been FDA approved for eyelash growth.  The active drug in Lattisse has been used to treat glaucoma eye patients for years, but patients found that with use, their eyelashes grew thicker, longer and darker.  My sister is an RN with Wolfe Eye Clinic which is a nationally recognized eye clinic and she said Lattisse is now available for cosmetic purposes and may be of great benefit ONCE my hair starts growing back and AFTER chemo treatments. She said it is only applied on the upper lashes only before you go to bed.  The cost in Iowa for Lattisse is aprox. $120 for a 3 month supply.  You may want to check into that if your eyelashes continue to thin out. 
Melissa
Lumpect. 10/28/08,
DX 11/3/08,
Meddulary Invasive TNBC
BRCA1/BRCA2 Neg, 0 nodes
12/8/08 Bilat Mastect
w/reconstruction
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AC every 2wks x 4
T every week x 12
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ChrissieD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 29 2009 at 9:19am
Fear Nothing - My hair started to grow back on Taxol but my eyelashes and eyebrows started to go.  I did 4 dd cycles.  I finished 2/23 and about 2 weeks ago the hair really started to grow in (shortest crew cut possible but filling in a lot).  Interesting enough, my eyebrows have started to grow back in this week but I noticed every single eyelash is gone.  I am thinking they must have taped my eyes shut during surgery on Tuesday and it took them out.  I have heard those start back 2 weeks after they fall out. 
 
Here is hoping your hair starts to grow back on Taxol too!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shelley Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 29 2009 at 2:33pm

My eyelashes and eyebrows fell out with Taxol too.  But the hair on my head started growing back.  First it felt like peach fuzz and then I noticed a darker hair coming underneath.  As soon as the Taxol was over, it really took off.  I had hair that I could comb to the side within two months of finishing Taxol.  I know everyones different.  Good luck!!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fear Nothing Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 30 2009 at 12:20pm
You girls are the best. Thank you so much for the replies. My eyelashes & brows are very, very thin & I haven't even started taxol yet. I notice that my eyes WATER like crazy and seem super sensitive. I don't know if the sensitivity is from the chemo, or because I have few lashes to protect my eyes?? Could be both.
 
Thanks a million for the input and support!
 
FEAR NOTHING!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dragonwing Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 30 2009 at 12:25pm
Hey Fear Nothing:

Well, I just finished my last T/C Chemo this last Thursday.  Clap Gift%20with%20a%20bow LOL
Gift%20with%20a%20bow
My eyebrows are very thin, but my eye lashes are still there!  I noticed after Chemo #3 that I seemed to develop a twitch in my lower left eye lid (which still occurs but I'm used to it now).  After Chemo #5, I noticed my eyes watering a lot more, which is ironic because before I had that dry eye syndrome.... now, I'm wiping my eyes a lot which is a nice change from putting drops in all the time!
Joyce
http://dragonzwing14.wordpress.com/
Infiltrating ductal carincoma w/ focal papillary features
Stage IIa, 3 cm
S Node neg,
Taxotere/Cytoxan x 6
33 radiation
BRCA neg Praise God!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nancy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 30 2009 at 5:10pm
Joyce,
 
You might want to check out the chemo tips. Heather had this same problem and it required a bit of surgery. It is a condition from the chemo, and should not be ignored. I typed her entire post in the chemo tips.
Nancy
 
 
Also...Lori lost her eyebrows and lashes 5 times..she had Taxotere. It did take her hair longer to grow in than some of you gals have reported.


Edited by Nancy - Mar 30 2009 at 5:12pm
Nancy
DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007
Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst
mastectomy July 6 2007
chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov
28 rads ended Jan 2008
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dragonwing Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 30 2009 at 5:32pm
Nancy:

Are you talking about the watering or the "twitchiness"?  I'm not concerned about the watering, really, because it really isn't that much.... actually, for me, it would be "normal" for others... it's just from years and years of being at the computer and then having Lasix surgery on my eyes, I have a good case of dry eye syndrome so going from having to put drops in daily to not having to put drops in for a couples days is an improvement.


Joyce
http://dragonzwing14.wordpress.com/
Infiltrating ductal carincoma w/ focal papillary features
Stage IIa, 3 cm
S Node neg,
Taxotere/Cytoxan x 6
33 radiation
BRCA neg Praise God!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nancy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 30 2009 at 5:36pm
Joyce,
 
I just copied the section from the tips and here it is..
Nancy
 
 

Apparently one other side effect with the Taxotere which was reported by Heather (myjourney) is the following:

Hi Ladies. I wanted to share with you a little something that is actually a big something. I am set to have 12 sessions of Taxotere. Around session 4 my eyes started watering. My eyes have been watering, pretty constant tears sliding down my face with a bit of burning in the eyes for a few weeks now. I thought it was simply from the lack of lashes and the colder weather. Luckily, I mentioned this to my Onc and luckily he knew this was a bad thing, and luckily I was sent to see a eye specialist.


What is happening is the big word Epiphora. If you google Taxotere and Epiphora there is an article from The Oncologist that explains in greater detail. But basically, caught early the eye doc can surgerically open the tear duct.


In short. The chemo pools in the tear ducts, for some unknown reason. The chemo causes inflammation in the ducts and the tears can't flow correctly, which causes them to slide down your face. If left untreated, the scar tissue could cause serious and permanent tear duct damage.


Nancy
DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007
Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst
mastectomy July 6 2007
chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov
28 rads ended Jan 2008
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kirby Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 30 2009 at 5:47pm
Joyce,
 
I was 45 when I finished tx. My hair which had been brown with some gray seemed to be coming in completely gray. I had no tolerance for that. I started coloring my hair 3 months after I finished chemo. I had a hard time getting the color right [even being a hairdresser] because of the color change and how it was growing in.  The huge amounts of gray did subside and it eventually "normalized" but I can't really say when because I had been coloring it pretty much all along.
kirby

dx Feb. 2001. Age 44
Lumpectomy

2cm. no nodes stage 1 grade 3

4 rnds AC, 35 rads
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nancy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 30 2009 at 5:55pm
Joyce,
 
Found this litle blurp on Google and also many women in other bc forums have posted about this. It is from the chemo. I would tell your onc.
Nancy
 
Nancy
DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007
Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst
mastectomy July 6 2007
chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov
28 rads ended Jan 2008
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nancy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 30 2009 at 5:57pm
Nancy
DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007
Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst
mastectomy July 6 2007
chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov
28 rads ended Jan 2008
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dragonwing Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 31 2009 at 4:11pm
Oh man Nancy!

Based on how to fix the twitch, I'll KEEP it!  I'm not letting anyone stick me in the eyelid with a need every 3 to 4 months -- not for a $ MILLION DOLLARS $


Joyce
http://dragonzwing14.wordpress.com/
Infiltrating ductal carincoma w/ focal papillary features
Stage IIa, 3 cm
S Node neg,
Taxotere/Cytoxan x 6
33 radiation
BRCA neg Praise God!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fear Nothing Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 31 2009 at 8:23pm
I had my first of 12 taxol treatments today. My eyelashes & brows are almost completely gone, and there isn't a stubble to be found on my head. I also asked my chemo nurse if she sees many patients whose fingernails and toenails raise up and/or fall off during treatment. She stated that the fingernail problem isn't as common on taxol, but more so on taxotere.  I suppose I'll wait and see!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dragonwing Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 01 2009 at 4:54am
Fear Nothing:

I had Taxotere and Cytoxan -- yeah, my nails have raised up, they have little ridges or divits, also, and they are "tan".  THANKFULLY, they have not fallen off.  I had 6 T/C treatments and most of my eyebrows are gone, too.  I still have some "stubble" that you might call hair, but it sure "ain't" much.  Many people have suggested to me that in about 3 weeks, when my hair starts coming in, I should shave my head so that it will come in even and fuller -- so I'm going to give that a try.

Thankfully, I have always have very thick hair and very strong nails.  I don't know if that has anything to do with my nails not falling off, but I like to think it's more because of the power of prayer!  Many, many, many people and churches have been praying for me since this all started in October of 2008. 

At the end of April, I will begin radiation treatments.  I have been talking with my doctor's PA about when to start those, and he basically told me it was up to me really -- that they usually start radiation any time after chemo is done up to a month from the last chemo.  I decided that my body probably would like to recover a little first before they start tearing it back down again.
Joyce
http://dragonzwing14.wordpress.com/
Infiltrating ductal carincoma w/ focal papillary features
Stage IIa, 3 cm
S Node neg,
Taxotere/Cytoxan x 6
33 radiation
BRCA neg Praise God!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nancy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 01 2009 at 7:36am
Fear Nothing,
 
Take a look at the chemo tips for solutions to nail problems. The vicks is one and tea tree oil...think that is the name of it. Don't wait and see...nip it in the bud just in case.
Hugs,
Nancy
Nancy
DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007
Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst
mastectomy July 6 2007
chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov
28 rads ended Jan 2008
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote traceym Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 01 2009 at 9:11am
Hi Fear Nothing (I like that btw Smile),
I hope you are feeling well after treatment today. :-) Taxol didn't usually hit me until 3 days after. I had one dose of taxotere and had a terrible reaction to it.  I've now had 2 taxol treatments and go back for my last one next week YEA!!! My "hair" started growing back last week and is now a dark Peach fuzz spread evenly across  my head. So yours may start growing back. I have few eyebrows left, and no bottom lashes but still quite a few on top. They are still coming out with the taxol. Because of the reaction to taxotere my nails are in bad shape. 6 are falling off. They are peeling since the change to taxol and still darkening in color, but I don't think they would have been as bad if only taxol. Toe nails not as bad, but brown in color. You will probably experience sensitivity to the bottom of your feet and your finger tips during taxol. It's not too bad, but I have to wear thick socks or shoes all the time,  which for a girl who spent her life constantly barefoot is a challange LOL and I have to wear gloves to do any house work. Opening cans and jars is difficult too and you may have a stronger sensitivity to temperature on your hands. I share this because my doctor and a few women shared about "sensitivity" but not specifics so I was a bit suprised by it. Playtex living gloves are wonderful!
I look forward to keeping in touch and hearing how you are doingSmile
Love,
Tracey
Age: 40; DX IDC TNBC 10/02/2008
Stage 3 grade 3
Bilateral mastectomy 10/27/2008
5.3cm 0/5 nodes BRCA 1+
chemo ACT by-weekly 12/08 - 4/7/09 (plus Avastin)
Radation to start in April
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