Hi everyone,
I started exemestane about 2 months ago after a few months on Letrozole and previously tamoxifen. My hair has started to shed quite a lot. I get a handful out when I brush it or run my hand through it. I finished chemo 18 months ago and my hair has slowly began to grow but I’m finding this new hairloss upsetting after going through chemo hairloss.
I know it’s a known side effect and will talk to my oncologist about it at my next appointment in 4 weeks time.
I just wanted to ask is there anything I can do to stop this hairloss? Or does it settle down after a while? I’d love to hear anyone’s experience of hairloss and exemestane. Do I go back to Letrozole? Or do all AIs cause this level of shedding?
I’m also having a huge flair up
Is my psoriasis, joint pain and so on. Has anyone else had a flair up of their skin on exemestane?
Thank you in advance xxxx
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Hi , I’ve been on exemestane since May after switching from Anastrozole. My hair is getting really thin and I can see my scalp - losing more each wash . I’m wondering if/ when this will stop . Feel I’ve aged 10 years since diagnosis - what with all the other side effects . I’d never really thought of myself as vain but this is really distressing . Will it stop ? Can I take biotin or anything ? My oncologist is very old school and said my hair looked pretty when I reported loss . FFS
Any advice welcomed x
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Hi- I’m five months in to exemestane (moved from letrazole) and experiencing hair loss - did you change to another med?
I have been using minoxidil for thinning hair on tamoxifen and ovarian suppression. You have to do it every day but after a few months it really works - stops shedding and helps regrowth. It’s safe to use after breast cancer x
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Hello, I went back on Letrozole and have stayed on it since. My bloods showed low iron although I wasn’t anemic. I was prescribed iron supplements. The shedding stopped for a while. I don’t know if it was the iron that helped or the change of AI. However I’m now experiencing shedding again, especially around the front. I’ve started my iron again and am considering minoxidil.
How are you all getting on with the hairloss?
Xxx
Hey, I have been using minoxidil for 8 months and it has made a huge difference. I use one made by Eva Proudman called trichotain- it’s more expensive than Rogaine which is the one you can get over the counter but I think it’s more effective. You might need to have a consultation with her first - her company is called UK Hair Consultants I think
Just asked if I can change back to Letrozole but my oncologist doesn’t want me to… don’t know where to go from here.
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Great to hear that you’ve had such a good response with the Monoxidil. I bought some of the mousse before I saw your reply so I’ll give that a go but will look into your suggestion as well. What is the concentration of Monoxidil you use? Is it twice a day for you?
Thai hair loss is so upsetting especially after it has grow back ok after chemo.
I don’t know whether to give a different AI a try again or maybe ask for a break as my joints are so painful and I feel dreadful all of the time!
Hugs xx
How is your hairloss now? Is it worth getting some bloods done to rule out any other issues that could be causing the hairloss?
I’m going to ask for bloods again next week just to see if I’m lacking on anything that may be contributing to the hair loss xxx
It’s 5% once/day. Hope the mousse works for you, if not definitely look up Eva Proudman and trichotain.
Sorry I hear your AI side effects are so bad. I am on ovarian suppression so am post menopausal, but decided not to move onto an AI as I didn’t think the benefits compared to Tamoxifen were enough to warrant all the other stuff.
Sorry just saw your other question. With the minoxidil I don’t have any hair loss, which is amazing. I do think it’s worth getting bloods/a proper diagnosis so you know you’re treating it correctly. I heard Eva Proudman on a podcast saying most hair loss can be improved if you understand the cause. That’s what make me go and see her.
Thank you.
I’m going to contact Eva Proudnan and go from there.
And yes I thunk more bloods. I’m taking iron but maybe there are other things I could do like you say if I know that cause.
Best of luck with everything xx
How are you getting on with the minoxidil now? Have you seen any improvement? I’ve just started applying the foam - having lost half a head of hair to (I think) tamoxifen - in the past week. I’m praying for a miracle. Losing my hair again has been such a blow. Hoping you’re having some luck!
Hi!
So I’ve not seen any improvement yet with the minoxidil although it’s only been a few weeks and so I think it’s is too early to notice anything.
Some People say they shed more initially but I’ve not experienced that so far.
I’ve restarted my iron supplement because this helped last year when I was on a different AI and was experiencing hair loss. My iron was low then. I switched AI and took iron and it stopped. Unfortunately the hairloss started again about 3 months ago.
I’m also supplementing my protein to make sure I’m getting enough everyday.
I’ve also made an appointment with Eva Proudman in a few weeks time as recommended on this thread. I’ll let you know it goes. I’ll ask my oncologist for some bloods at my next appointment just incase I’m missing something.
I hope the minoxidil works for you. Hairloss can be so distressing, especially after everything we’ve been though. Losing hair to chemo is bad enough then once you feel as if you’re getting somewhere, the shedding reminds you of it all over again. sending you a big hug and let me know how you get on xx
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I feel like I’m in panic-mode at the moment, jumping from one possible fix to another. But I saw my GP yesterday, and she was so nice about it that I almost cried. I’ve had some blood tests done and actually, I have a few symptoms of anaemia, so I’m hoping it’s linked to that, and not the meds. She said if my bloods came back fine then she’d refer me to a dermatologist. So definitely worth reaching out to your GP if you haven’t already. Interesting that you found iron supplements helped you previously. I hope they help again. I’ve just started taking multivitamins, but don’t want to do more than that, as previously my iron levels have been too high and not too low 
This is so hard isn’t it. Going through it all again. I hope your appointment with Eva Proudman goes well - if you do have a moment to let me know, then I’d be very keen to hear. Wishing you all the best with your hair journey over the next few days, weeks and months. Fingers crossed we both find a solution! xx