Hair loss
Printed From: TNBC Foundation
Category: TNBC Forums
Forum Name: TNBC Polls & Surveys
Forum Description: A place to ask questions and survey the community
URL: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=7934
Printed Date: Mar 26 2026 at 8:23pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Hair loss
Posted By: Cinderwee
Subject: Hair loss
Date Posted: Feb 07 2011 at 9:39pm
|
An onco nurse has recommended I NOT shave my head due to the type of
regimen (Taxol 1x week x 12 weeks) I'll be having. She says it will
start to thin out 2-3 weeks after initial infusion. I'm curious if
there are any pros/cons to allowing this vs. shaving my head before it
starts falling out. Also, is there some type of scalp skin moisturizer
that should be used once bald? ------------- Cindy 46 DX 11/29/10 Stg1 G3 IDC ER-PR-Her2- <1cm,cln marg,0/1 neg No BRCA Lumpectomy 12/28/10 MammoSite rads 1/10-1/14 Taxol/Her x12 DONE! CVP/Her ev 3wks x4 begin 6/23 Continue Her Mar2012 |
Replies:
Posted By: 123Donna
Date Posted: Feb 07 2011 at 10:07pm
|
Cindy, Your nurse is probably correct. You may not lose your hair on Taxol. My friend had Carbo/Taxol and she didn't lose her hair, it just thinned. She never had to wear the wig she bought. I'd wait to see what happens before you decide to shave your head. When I lost my hair during Cytoxan/Taxotere, I used baby shampoo on my scalp. Donna ------------- DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09) 11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15 |
Posted By: Cinderwee
Date Posted: Feb 07 2011 at 10:19pm
Thank you 
------------- Cindy 46 DX 11/29/10 Stg1 G3 IDC ER-PR-Her2- <1cm,cln marg,0/1 neg No BRCA Lumpectomy 12/28/10 MammoSite rads 1/10-1/14 Taxol/Her x12 DONE! CVP/Her ev 3wks x4 begin 6/23 Continue Her Mar2012 |
Posted By: Cinderwee
Date Posted: Apr 10 2011 at 9:20pm
|
It started coming out Friday after my 3rd infusion, and more so on Saturday. No bald patches, just definite thinning. I am noticing red welt type bumps on (primarily) my head, and a couple on my face and back. They are not pimples, but they are sore. Could this be an allergic (they don't itch) reaction to the Taxol, or just a side effect? Apologies for being so graphic, but there's no other way to describe what's happening. Thank you, ------------- Cindy 46 DX 11/29/10 Stg1 G3 IDC ER-PR-Her2- <1cm,cln marg,0/1 neg No BRCA Lumpectomy 12/28/10 MammoSite rads 1/10-1/14 Taxol/Her x12 DONE! CVP/Her ev 3wks x4 begin 6/23 Continue Her Mar2012 |
Posted By: Martha
Date Posted: Apr 10 2011 at 9:51pm
|
Cindy, You need to let your physician know, it could be allergic reaction. I hope you will call them on Monday and let them know. Please keep us updated. Wishing you the best possible outcome. Warm Hugs, Martha ------------- Dx 10/08;mastect 11/08; T2/N1/M0;TACX6;rads 5-6/09; recur 11/09;recur 3/10; xeloda + Ixempx5;recur 1/11; gem + carbo + iniparib 2/11; BRCA1/2 -; dx prog 1/12; Havalen Mar Apr 12;Abraxane, May-present. |
Posted By: Barbi
Date Posted: Apr 11 2011 at 9:27am
|
Cinderwee,
I would certainly check with the doc, but taxol caused my arms to rash bad enough, I still have brown spots 3 months later. Getting better, but still a little unsightly.
Barbi
|
Posted By: trip2
Date Posted: Apr 12 2011 at 7:34pm
|
Cindy yes you need to call your Onc's office with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your treatment or what is happening. I found the chemo nurses to be quite helpful when I called, let us know. ------------- Stage 2 2003 Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
Posted By: Ghostie
Date Posted: Apr 14 2011 at 10:07am
|
I also stuck to baby shampoo only, and afterwards used a small amount of jojoba oil. The oil is really gentle and not greasy. Never had problems with chafing or rashes or anything, despite wearing a wig almost all the time.
I think it's probably better to wait to shave your head, because it's tougher to shave hair than you would think! If it's already thinned out a little (or a lot) it will be less difficult. Best wishes! ------------- Age 49, DX 8/27/09, 1.8cm, Stage I, Grade 3; lumpectomy 9/21/09, clear margins, 2 nodes removed, BRCA2+, Oncotype score 67. Finished 4 DD A/C + 4 DD Taxol on 3/18/10. Completed radiation in June 2010 |
Posted By: Cinderwee
Date Posted: Apr 17 2011 at 9:02pm
|
Had it buzzed yesterday...feels odd...but good. And I'm cold, but prepared. As for wigs, I like the way I look and may just show up at work tomorrow without one. The red bumps are a reaction to the Taxol, my onco prescribed a lotion that I apply to them 2x daily. Happy Sunday, ------------- Cindy 46 DX 11/29/10 Stg1 G3 IDC ER-PR-Her2- <1cm,cln marg,0/1 neg No BRCA Lumpectomy 12/28/10 MammoSite rads 1/10-1/14 Taxol/Her x12 DONE! CVP/Her ev 3wks x4 begin 6/23 Continue Her Mar2012 |
Posted By: Martha
Date Posted: Apr 17 2011 at 11:08pm
|
Cindy, So glad the red bumps sound minor and nothing big. Good for you! You are so much braver (is that even a word?) than I am. I hated losing my hair. I didn't stop wearing hats, wigs, etc. until my hair was at least 6 or 7 inches long again. I didn't like the bald look for me....but I'm old! Hope the rest of your treatments go well. Take care, Martha ------------- Dx 10/08;mastect 11/08; T2/N1/M0;TACX6;rads 5-6/09; recur 11/09;recur 3/10; xeloda + Ixempx5;recur 1/11; gem + carbo + iniparib 2/11; BRCA1/2 -; dx prog 1/12; Havalen Mar Apr 12;Abraxane, May-present. |
Posted By: tninalabama
Date Posted: Apr 18 2011 at 9:17pm
|
Cindy, I have found cotton bandanas to be the most comfortable. They breathe. I also wear scarves and wigs, depending on my mood. My daughter, who's 12, would die of embarrassment if I went out bare-headed. I use a washcloth with a mild soap on my scalp. I hope you only have to go through this once. Pam ------------- Dx 11/07,stII bgr3,1/8+, metaplastic, recurrence 11/09, lymph dis 12/13+ 07/10, rad,x28 9/10,02/11 mets BRCA neg 5-FMC since 03/12 PET 04/12,no progression Bone scan clear 06/12 |